Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

02.01.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast February 1

Saints fans will miss hearing this voice on Sundays…
cut 30 (18) “….Super Bowl
The voice of the Saints for the past 30 years is retiring. Jim Henderson says it was a good time to go out after the team won an NFC South Championship. Henderson says he’ll miss calling games, but looks forward to experiencing Saints football as a fan.

Sources say the Pelicans have acquired Nikola Mirotic from the Chicago Bulls. New Orleans also gets a second round pick and they send Chicago Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen and a first-round pick. Mirotic has averaged 17 points and six rebound after missing the first 23 games because of broken jaw.

Louisiana Tech takes a three-game winning streak into tonight’s game against Florida Atlantic. The Bulldogs are seeking their first win on the road this year. Head Coach Eric Konkol says getting this win would be huge for the teams’ development…
cut 18 (16) “….that goal”
The game tips off at 6 PM.

Also tonight, the Lady Tigers host 17th ranked Georgia. LSU is looking to improve to 6-3 in the SEC. The men fell to 3-6 in league play by losing to Tennessee 84-61 last night. Duop Reath had 21 in a losing effort.

UNO has a firm grip on first place in the Southland after beating Northwestern State 82-64 last night. Southeastern Louisiana lost to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 67-54.

02.01.18
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15:30 LRN Newscast February 1

Governor Edwards and U-S Senator John Kennedy disagree over a financing plan for big construction projects in Louisiana. Kennedy suggests using unclaimed property dollars to leverage it as an asset in the stock market….
cut 8 (09) “….cash”
But Edwards says it’s an unrealistic proposal.

A federal appeals court rules against a lower court’s decision that said the heat index on death row at Angola can not exceed 88-degrees. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry applauds the decision and says the Constitution does not require prisons to be comfortable, but requires them to be humane….
cut 10 (06) “….Circle K store”
The state has been providing the convicted killers with cold showers, individual fans and unlimited access to ice and water.

Mobile is making a claim they celebrated the “America original Mardi Gras.” Michelle Southern has a historical perspective…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

And the long time voice of the Saints has announced his retirement….
cut 30 (15)
Jim Henderson called Saints games for 30 years including the memorable NFC Championship game over the Vikings.

02.01.18
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14:30 LRN Newscast February 1

US Senator John Kennedy is recommending a financing plan using Unclaimed Property dollars as a way to help pay for major infrastructure projects. Kennedy says the current upswing of the stock market makes it a ripe time to convert the noncash securities into cash…
Cut 7 (11) “substantially finish it”
The Comite River Diversion Canal is a flood control project for Baton Rouge. Governor Edwards says a better funding solution is for Congress to pass a bill to fund it.

CNN anchor Don Lemon’s sister has been identified as the woman who died in an accidental drowning in Denham Springs. Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard says 58-year-old L’tanya Grimes drowned in a neighborhood pond…
cut 13 (10) “…the body”
A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court’s ruling that said the heat index can not exceed 88-degrees at Angola’s death row. Lawyers for three convicted killers filed a civil rights lawsuit in an effort to get the state department of corrections to install air conditioning. State Attorney General Jeff Landry applauds the Fifth Circuit’s decision and says that these are death row prisoners that shouldn’t be afforded pleasant conditions…:
Cut 11 (09) “if need be”
The attorney for the death row inmates is reviewing the ruling.

Alabama tourism claims the city of Mobile is “America’s original Mardi Gras.” That’s at least what they are saying in billboards that can be seen in New Orleans and southern Mississippi. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy disagrees.
cut 4 (11) “….in Alabama”

01.31.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast January 31

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to pull off the uspet tonight as they visit Tennessee. Because of suspensions, the Tigers will have just nine players available. Reserves Wayde Sims and Brandon Rachal will serve a one-game suspension tonight, while Galen Alexander and Mayan Kiir are on a leave of absence. That leaves LSU with just two players who are six-foot-five or taller, Duop Reath and Aaron Epps.

In other action tonight, Tulane is at East Carolina. The Green Wave have lost four of their last five.

Northwestern State looks for its first Southland win as they visit UNO. The Privateers lead the league with an 8-2 record. Southeastern Louisiana is 7-2 in the Southland and they host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at the University Center in Hammond.

The Pelcians fell to 7th place in the Western Conference after losing to Sacramento 114 to 103. New Orleans begins a two-game road trip in Oklahoma City on Friday.

Athlon Sports ranks the Top 50 players in college football for 2018 and two LSU Tigers made the list. Cornerback Greedy Williams, who intercepted six passes in 2017 and linebacker Devin White who made 133 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter.

New Southeastern Louisiana Football Coach Frank Scelfo says he wants to bring a physical style of football to Hammond. Scelfo replaces Ron Roberts, who guided the Lions to two Southland championships. Scelfo says he also wants to run a program where the student-athletes excel in the classroom…
cut 18 (16) “…is unacceptable”

In the preseason USA Today softball coaches poll, the LSU Tigers are ranked 8th and UL Lafayette is ranked 22nd.

01.31.18
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LRN PM Newscall January 31

Gas prices are seeing an unusual spike for this time of year, according to AAA. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves, hit a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today is the deadline for retailers to mail notices to Louisiana residents who purchased products online, but did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Customers are required to include these forms so they can pay those taxes when they file their taxes this year. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says after you receive the notice, you have two options.

Cut 3 (10) “our website.”

Henderson says if you’re thinking of skipping out on the taxes, just know the state now has an easy way to double check that you’ve paid them.

Cut 4  (11) “tax returns” 

Henderson says if you fail to report these taxes, it’ll cost you.

Cut 5  (05)  “could apply”

Louisiana customers won’t need to worry about Amazon, as they charge sales tax at the time of purchase.

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Louisiana drivers continue to see higher gas prices and a return to three-dollars a gallon may not be too far off.  The current average for a gallon of regular gasoline is 2.43, up from six cents a week ago.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says oil is trading at around 64-dollars a barrel.  He says demand is driving the oil market…

Cut 6 (11)  “seen that.”

Redman says drivers should be concerned about where oil may end up by summer.  He says with increases coming on a daily basis, we may be paying much higher prices during the busy travel season…

Cut 7 (09)  “in Louisiana.”

Redman also says refineries will begin the process of changing to summer blend which always tacks on extra cost to consumers…

Cut 8 (06) “over with.”

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I-10 westbound was closed for several hours this morning at the West Pearl River Bridge in Slidell due to multiple accidents involving two 18-wheelers that were hauling live bees. Trooper Dustin Dwight says 8 vehicles were involved in the crash and first responders were dealing with a mess…:

Cut 9 (09) “the cargo”

Dwight says thankfully they were able to contain the bees fairly quickly, but it was quite a task…:

Cut 10 (09) “plus career”

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An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress to a retreat in West Virginia, including Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Garret Graves collided with a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia.  Officials says one in the garbage truck is dead and another seriously injured. Cassidy explains what happened…

Cut 11 (06) “got stuck.”

Cassidy says he was fortunate and he and his wife Laura were not injured, but says other passengers felt the brunt of the collision, which derailed the train.  Doctors on board began assisting the passengers in the garbage truck immediately…

Cut 12 (12) “attended to.”

Both Cassidy and his wife are doctors.  They rushed to the garbage truck and describes the scene of the collision…

Cut 13 (06) “serious condition.”

Graves’ office has confirmed he is ok.

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Louisianans looking to buy local products at their grocery store should look for a new logo. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have overhauled their Certified logo program with flashier, more diverse logos to further highlight goods made in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (10) “of Louisiana”

The program also features a new website.

For a product to be Certified Louisiana, it has to pass state and federal food safety tests, and be made primarily in the Pelican State. Strain says there’s a couple of different certified options for products that pass the test.

Cut 15 (06) “to Table”

Strain says the logos are bigger and flashier than in the past. He hopes it spurs more interest in Louisiana goods.

Cut 16  (10)  “buy Louisiana”

Businesses or individuals interested in applying for Certified Louisiana can apply at the LDAF website. The program has a 25 dollar application fee.

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01.31.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 31

LSU is a 10.5 point underdog for tonight’s game against Tennessee. The Tigers are 3-5 in the SEC, while the Volunteers are 5-3. Six-foot-seven sophomore forward Grant Williams leads Tennessee in scoring averaging 16 points and six rebounds a game. Coach Will Wade says Williams is one of the better players in the SEC….
cut 20 (12) “….for us”
The Tigers most consistent player in the SEC has been Duop Reath, who is averaging 17 points a game in league play.

In other action tonight, Tulane travels to East Carolina. The Wave have lost three straight matchups with the Pirates.

In the Southland…Southeastern Louisiana and UNO are batting for first place. The Lions host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi, while the Privateers take on Northwestern State in New Orleans.

New Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Frank Scelfo is asking the North shore area to rally around the Lions football team. Scelfo says through his time across college and the pros, he’s found that getting support from the community is a key to success…
cut 17 (19) “….in them”
Scelfo takes over an S-L-U program that won two conference championships under former head coach Ron Roberts.

The Pelicans had another disappointing loss last night as they fell to the Sacramento Kings 114 to 103. New Orleans was outscored in second-chance points 26-0. Anthony Davis had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Pels who visits Oklahoma City on Friday.

01.31.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast January 31

The TOPS task force is meeting and they are looking at several recommendations to change the popular scholarship program. Governor Edwards has said he doesn’t want to make major changes, but Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish is proposing a four-thousand dollar stipend for those TOPS Opporutunity recipients, but the award amount would go up for students who achieve a higher ACT score and GPA…
cut 9 (07) “….21st century”
Morrish’s proposal would need legislative approval.

Louisiana has been experiencing a horrendous flu season and today the state is offering free vaccinations for the virus. Regional Health Director Dr. Marilyn Reynaud details who is at the highest risk of getting the flu…
Cut 11 (13) “of age”
The free flu shots will be available from 1-4:30 at more than 60 parish health units.

House Speaker Taylor Barras provides Governor Edwards with budget cutting proposals as part of the negotiations to solve next fiscal year’s billion dollar shortfall. House Republican delegation chairman Lance Harris says they are pushing for a lower spending cap…:
cut 14 (11) “budget reforms”
Edwards asked Republican lawmakers to present a plan on how to address the fiscal cliff which could be discussed in a special session next month.

One of the special guests at last night’s State of the Union was 14-year-old Bella Reed, who was born with cystic fibrois. Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s worked with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to support critical research and advances in eradicating the fatal disease….
cut 5 (10) “…cure it”

01.30.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast January 30

LSU basketball will be short handed for their matchup with 18th ranked Tennessee. Coach Will Wade has suspended two players for tomorrow night’s game, Wayde Sims and Brandon Rachal for violating team polices. And Mayan Kiir and Galen Alexander are done for the rest of the season, because of discplinary reasons. Not having Kiir and Sims leaves the Tigers short handed in the post. Wade says he will not use that as an excuse…
cut 18 (08) “…figure that out”
Tip-off tomorrow is at 5:30 central time.

Tonight in college hoops, McNeese State can move to 5-4 in the Southland, if they are able to beat Sam Houston State. 6:30 is tip time.

Frank Scelfo was introduced today as the new head football coach of Southeastern Louisiana. The Abbeville native has previously been an offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech and Tulane. Scelfo has also spent time as a quarterbacks coach in the NFL.
The Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings tonight at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans beat the Kings in the first meeting between these two Western Conference foes and the Kings defeated the Pelicans in game two of the regular season series. Its game two without injured All-Star DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans are looking to bolster their roster and have spoken to the Chicago Bulls about forward Nikola Mirotic, but ESPN reports the deal couldn’t be completed because of a contract issue.

The Ragin Cajuns have been picked by the league’s coaches to win the Western Division of the Sun Belt. UT Arlington is picked to finish in second place, Texas State third place and ULM was predicted to finish in last place. South Alabama is the favorite to win the East Division.

And Ragin Cajun athletics announced a two-year patnership with Cox Sports Television today. C-S-T will be televising several softball and baseball games this year, including the LSU contest on March 7th.

01.30.18
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15:30 LRN Newscast January 30

The U-S can witness a rare trifecta tomorrow morning of a super moon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse. But Jeff Palermo reports Louisiana will not have a great view…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

President Trump has invited two Louisiana residents to tonight’s State of the Union address. Cajun Navy founder Jon Bridgers and Ashlee Leppert, an electronics technician with the U-S Coast Guard in New Orleans. Both invitees rescued Hurricane Harvey victms.

The state is suing three Louisiana businesses for tax evasion amid allegations they didn’t withhold and remit appropriate payroll taxes from employee earnings. Department of Revenue spokesman Byron Henderson says these businesses allegedly misidentified workers as independent contractors…:
Cut 3 (07) “tax withheld”
The companies are Elliott Roofing Services in Metairie, Antunez Painting in Baton Rouge and Extreme Cars and Trucks in Monroe.

The port of New Orleans set a record in 2017 for the number of cruise passengers as one-point-one million set sail from the Big Easy. Spokesperson Donnell Jackson says they are expecting additional growth this year, as the 2500 passenger Royal Caribbean International returns to New Orleans in December. He also says Norwegian Cruise Line will be replacing the Norwegian Pearl..:
ctu 13 (08) “…our of New Orleans”

01.30.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 30

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade announces reserves Mayan Kiir and Galen Alexander of Breaux Bridge will not play for the Tigers again this season for violating team policies. Wade says Alexander will look to play somewhere else next season, while there’s a chance that the six-foot-nine Kiir will return to the team following the spring semester
cut 17 (19) “…our team”
Wade has also suspended Wayde Sims and Brandon Rachaal for tomorrow night’s game against 18th ranked Tennessee.

Grambling State has won its sixth straight last night as they defeated Mississippi Valley State 92-89 in overtime. Ivy Smith Junior led the way with 26 points. Grambling is now in a three-way tie for second place.

The Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings tonight. New Orleans looking to rebound after a tough loss on Sunday when the Pels squandered a 21 point lead and lost to the Clippers 112 to 103. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

Southeastern Louisiana is set to name Abbeville native Frank Scelfo as the Lions new head football coach. Scelfo graduated from ULM in 1981 and spent eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at Tulane and he was also the O-C at Louisiana Tech from 2007 to 2009.

ESPN has released its 2018 college baseball schedule and LSU is scheduled to appear on ESPN networks 12 times.

UL Lafayette has been picked as the favorite to win the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference in a poll of the league’s coaches. U-T Arlington is picked to finish second, Texas State third and ULM is expected to finish in last place. South Alabama is the preseason favorite to win the East.