Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.19.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast May 19th

Shortly after the end of regular session last night, Governor John Bel Edwards announced he’s vetoed the budget approved by lawmakers, because of the cuts across state government in funding…
cut 27 (11) “…starting July 1st”
So lawmakers will return for a special session on Tuesday. They’ll be asked to raise at least 648-million dollars in revenue to make up for the loss in one-point-four billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire on June 30th.

As I mentioned earlier, the regular session ended last night. Lawmakers failed to pass legislation that would extend the state’s operating license for Harrah’s New Orleans casino. Legislators were concerned over whether the state was getting a fair deal.

A bill to rescrict cell phone use while driving also failed to legislative approval.

The U-S Labor Department figures show there are more people employed in Louisiana than ever before. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says education and health services added 78-hundred jobs for the year, while leisure and hospitalitity gained 67-hundred jobs…
cut 13 (08) “…economic development”
Monroe was the only metro area to report a jobs loss over the last month.

Ohio State grad transfer quarterback Joe Burrow has made the decision to continue his college career at LSU. Is Burrow the answer to LSU’s problems at quarterback. Matt Mascon with ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, says Coach Ed Orgeron is taking a calculated risk with Burrow…
cut 17 (16) “…at quarterback”
Burrow has spent the past three seasons at Ohio State as a back-up. He graduated, which allows him to play this fall and he has two years of eligibility left.

05.19.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast may 19

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a budget the state legislature sent to him and it’s his hope lawmakers can use a special session to pass tax bills that can generate revenue to avoid deep cuts across the state government…
cut 29 (17) “….do better”
The special session begins on Tuesday.

The regular session ended last night. One of the more significant pieces of legislation to pass, still needs voter approval in November. That’s the constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s success will hinge on who shows up to the ballot box…
cut 7 (08) “…it would fail”

Summertime means more door to door sales, and that means more predatory home security sales practices. Don Molino has more.
Voicer 2 (30) I’m Don Molino”

In college baseball last night, LSU evened its series with Auburn with a six to two victory. Freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard pitched 7.1 innings for his ninth win of the year. Final game of the regular season is today at 1 PM.

And Louisiana Tech won its 20th game in conference play last night, which is a program record and UL Lafayette clinched the Sun Belt Western Division Championship with a 9-6 victory over ULM.

05.19.18
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08:30 LRN Newscast May 19th

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the budget state legislators approved in the final week of the regular session, because it called for deep cuts across state government….
cut 28 (13) “…people of Louisiana”
Edwards has called for a two week special session to begin on Tuesday. He’s optimistic legislators will approve legislation that will raise revenue so the state can fully fund TOPS, pay for social services, public safety and make sure public colleges do not see a reduction in state funding.

Ohio State graduate transfer quarterback Joe Burrow announced last night he’s heading to LSU to finish out his collegiate career. Burrow will be eligible to play this fall and has two years of eligibility left. He could be the starting quarterback, if he beats out three other Q-Bs on the LSU roster.

Latest job numbers show that more Louisiana residents are employed than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, just over two-million people were employed last month, an increase of 47-thousand from the previous April. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Ava Dejoie, says certain sectors of Louisiana’s economy continue to do well
Cut 12 (05) “as well”
Dejoie says education and health services added 78-hundred jobs for the year, while leisure and hospitality gained 67-hundred jobs.

Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta purchased Lake Charles-based Waitr and the founder of the online restaurant delivery service, Chris Meaux, believes the extra capital will lead to an enhanced customer service experience….
cut 11 (11) “…accurately”

05.19.18
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07:30 LRN Sportscast May 19th

Big night for LSU athletics last night as the football program successfully convinced quarterback Joe Burrow to transfer from Ohio State to Tiger Town. Burrow, who is eligible to play this season, gives the Tigers four quarterbacks to compete to be the starter. But Burrows arrival could mean either Myles Brennan, Lowell Narcisse or Justin McMillan will transfer. Burrow also visited Cincinnati before making his decision to come to LSU.

And the LSU Baseball team won a big game last night versus Auburn six to two as freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard outpitched Auburn’s ace Casey Mize. Mize, who could be the number one pick in next month’s Major League Baseball Draft, gave up four runs in the sixth inning to suffer his fourth loss on the year. Meanwhile, Hilliard gave up two runs over 7.1 innings to improve his record to 9-4. Zach Watson started the four-run rally with a one-out double and had three hits on the night. The regular season concludes today at one PM.

The Ragin Cajuns won the Sun Belt Western Division last night with a nine to six win over ULM. Hogan Harris was the winning pitcher, Chad Bell drove in three runs in a losing effort.

Louisiana Tech won its 20th conference game for the first time in program history last night with an 11-8 series clinching win over Old Dominion. Freshman Steele Netterville continues to swing a hot bat as he went 4-for-5 at the plate and for the second straight night finished a cycle away from hitting for a triple. Parker Bates scored three runs.

Southeastern Louisiana finished its regular season last night with a 5-4 win over 20th ranked Houston. The Lions scored four runs in the eighth inning.

Nicholls kept its postseason hopes alive by blanking Central Arkansas four to nothing. Alex Ernestine threw a five-hit shutout. The Colonels are competing with UNO for the final playoff spot in the Southland Tournament.

UNO and Northwestern State will play a doubleheader today at noon at Maestri Field.

05.18.18
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4:45 LRN Sportscast May 18th

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Joe Burrow, a graduate transfer quarterback from Ohio State, has chosen to continue his college career at LSU. Burrow will be eligible to play this season and he’ll have two years of eligibility left. That gives LSU four players who will compete to be the starting quarterback in the fall, unless one of them decides to transfer out.

DeMacus Cousins tells the Undefeated he’s open to going back to New Orleans, but in the end he’ll do what’s best for him. Cousins is rebhabbing from a torn Achilles tendon and he becomes an unrestricted free-agent in July. The four-time NBA All-Star believes he’ll be ready by the time NBA training camps open in September.

LSU baseball has a difficult test tonight as they’ll face Auburn pitcher Casey Mize, who could be the top overall pick in next month’s Major League Baseball Draft. Freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard gets the start for the Tigers, who are now 14-and-14 in the SEC after losing 11-4 to the War Eagles last night. First pitch tonight is at 6 PM.

Louisiana Tech continues its series with Old Dominion tonight as the Bulldogs will send right-hander Matt Miller to the mound. The Bulldogs won easily last night, 11-3 over the Monrachs. David Leal threw seven strong innings and freshman Steele Netterville finished a triple away from hitting for the cycle.

The Cajuns Hayden Cantrelle hit a walk-off homer last night as UL Lafayette beat ULM for the 23rd straight time on the baseball diamond, beating the Warhawks 4-3 in 10 innings. The Cajuns are now a game and a half ahead of Little Rock for first place in the Sun Belt West Division.

Nicholls State scored three runs in the ninth inning last night to beat Central Arkansas 5-4. UNO lost to Northwestern State six to three, so the Colonels are now just one game back of the Privateers for the eighth and final qualifying spot in the Southland Tournament.

At the SWAC Tournament….Grambling State will play tonight. A win for the Tigers and they advance into Sunday’s championship game.

05.18.18
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3:30 LRN Newscast May 18th

The U-S Labor Department figures show there are more people employed in Louisiana than ever before. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Direcotr Ava Dejoie says education and health services added 78-hundred jobs for the year, while leisure and hospitalitity gained 67-hundred jobs…
cut 13 (08) “…economic development”
New Orleans gained 29-hundred jobs over the past month, while Monroe was the only metro area to report a jobs loss over the last month.

Legislation allowing riverboat casinos to move their gaming operations on land was one of the biggest bills to pass in the 2018 regular session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the chances of any further gaming legislation making headway next year, like sports betting, is slim…
cut 6 (09) “….the plauge”

Lake Charles-based Waiter believes their online restaurant delivery service will only get better as a result of the 308-million dollar acquisition by a Texas billionaire. Chris Meaux is the company’s founder and will continue as chairman of the board of directors…
cut 10 (07) “…in Lousiaina”
Waitr is available in over 30 metro areas from Texas to South Carolina. They also have offices in Lafayette and Baton Rouge.

The founder of the Cajun Navy 2016, Jon Bridgers of Walker, has been arrested on contractor fraud accusations. His lawyer Philip House says Bridgers insists it’s a contractual dispute wrought with miscommunication with a homeowner…
Cut 3 (10) “other issues”
According to the arrest report, Bridgers agreed to repair a home in East Baton Rouge Parish for 47-thousand dollars, but never finished the work.

05.18.18
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14:30 LRN Newscast May 18th

Latest job numbers show that more Louisiana residents are employed than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, just over two-million people were employed last month, an increase of 47-thousand from the previous April. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Ava Dejoie, says certain sectors of Louisiana’s economy continue to do well
Cut 12 (05) “as well”
Dejoie says education and health services added 78-hundred jobs for the year, while leisure and hospitality gained 67-hundred jobs.

Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta purchased Lake Charles-based Waitr and the founder of the online restaurant delivery service, Chris Meaux, believes the extra capital will lead to an enhanced customer service experience….
cut 11 (11) “…accurately”
Waitr currently serves all of the major metro areas in Louisiana and in communities as far away as South Carolina.

The regular session is expected to end today, with a special session set for next week. Matt Doyle looks at some of the legislative accomplishments of the spring.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A bill that restores voting rights for some Louisiana felons has received final passage. The legislation is expected to give thousands of convicted felons who are still on probation and parole the ability to vote. Those eligible to take advantage of this law that’s expected to be signed by the governor must be out of prison for at least five years.

05.18.18
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12:30 LRN Newscast may 18th

Lake Charles-based Waiter believes their online restaurant delivery service will only get better as a result of the 308-million dollar acquisition by Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta. Chris Meaux is the company’s founder and will continue as chairman of the board of directors…
cut 10 (07) “…in Lousiaina”
Waitr is available in 30 metro areas from Texas to South Carolina. They also have offices in Lafayette and Baton Rouge. The company expects will continue to grow its footprint.

The 2018 regular session is expected to come to a close today. Once again equal pay legislation and an effort to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour failed to pass. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says proponents will have to wait a few years, before having a realistic shot at passing these bills…
cut 8 (11) “…these may pass”

The legislature has sent a budget for next fiscal year to the governor’s desk, but it remains to be seen if John Bel Edwards will sign it, because it contiains deep cuts in higher education, child welfare and funding for TOPS is reduced by 70-percent. Edwards has called for a special session to begin Tuesday, so legislators can pass revenue measures to fill the budget gaps. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s open to passing revenue proposals, and they’ll get to hear from voters this weekend….
cut 30 (12) “…some revenue”

05.18.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU will need a good start tonight from freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard if the Tigers are going to even up their series with Auburn. Auburn won last night 11-4 as LSU’s starter Zack Hess gave up five earned runs on six hits and three walks. Tonight, LSU faces the potential number one pick in next month’s Major League Baseball Draft, Casey Mize. He’s 9-3 with a 2.73. ERA. Hilliard has an 8.66 ERA over his last four starts. First pitch tonight is at 6.

The Ragin Cajuns dominance over ULM continued last night as UL-Lafayette’s Hayden Cantrell hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning for a four to three victory. That’s 23 straight victories for the Cajuns over the Warhawks.

Louisiana Tech won its 36th game of the season last night as the bulldogs thumped Old Dominion 11-3. David Leal earned the victory and freshman Steele Netterville and Parker Bates each drove in four runs.

And Grambling beat Alabama State 12-7 and they are one win away from reaching the SWAC Tournament Championship game.

DeMarcus Cousins told The Undefeated” he’s very open to returning to the Pelicans if the deal is right. Cousins is an unrestricted free agent this summer and he’s also rehabbing from a season-ending Achilles injury. Cousins says he’ll be ready for the start of training camp in fall.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson’s horse Lone Sailor runs tomorrow in the Preakness. Lone Sailor will run from the second post and is listed as 15-1 favorite. Kentucky Derby winner Justify is the big favorite to win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The Cleveland Browns will appear on HBO’s 2018 Hard Knocks television series. Cleveland is coming off an 0-16 season and have the number one pick in Baker Mayfield. It’s also a chance for fans to learn more about former LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who was traded to Cleveland and signed a long term deal with the Browns.

The NCAA Softball Regional begins today in Baton Rouge. the Tigers will host Fordham tonight at 5:30. The 21st ranked Cajuns take on Houston at three o’ clock. McNeese plays Baylor in the College Station Regional.

05.18.18
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06:45 LRN Sportscast May 18

LSU’s problems on the road continued last night and so did Zach Hess’s issues as he gave up five runs in three innings as the Tigers went on to lose 11-4 to Auburn. A two-run home run by Jake Slaughter was the only highlight for LSU, who fell to 14-14 in the SEC and 3-13 on the road. The Tigers face one of the top pitchers in college baseball tonight, nine-game winner Casey Mize.

Louisiana Tech had little trouble beating Old Dominion last night as the Bulldogs pounded the Monarchs 11-3. Parker Bates and Steele Netterville each hit home runs and each drove in four runs. The Bulldogs are now 19-9 in Conference USA.

The Ragin Cajuns won their 23rd straight game over ULM as Hayden Cantrelle hit his third home run of the season as UL Lafayette defeated the Warhawks four to three in ten innings. Little Rock lost, so the Cajuns have a game and a half lead over the Trojans for first place in the Sun Belt West.

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Grambling improved to 2-0 in the SWAC Tournament with a 12-7 win over Alabama State last night in New Orleans. Rafael Ramirez had a couple of doubles and drove in four runs. Grambling plays again at six o’ clock tonight and if they win, they advance to the championship round.

In the Southland Conference, Nicholls kept its hope alive for making the Southland Tournament by scoring three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to beat Central Arkansas 5-4. Kyle Knauth doubled to tie the game and then scored the game winning run on a fielder’s choice. Northwestern State doubled up UNO 6-3. Ridge Heisler won his sixth game of the year. McNeese pitching gave up 20 hits in a 12-5 loss to Lamar. And 22nd ranked Houston doubled up Southeastern Louisiana six to three.

In softball, the LSU regional gets underway today. At three o’ clock it will be UL Lafayette versus Houston and then at 5:30 it’s the Tigers versus Fordham.

McNeese is at the College Station Regional, where they’ll face off against Baylor.