Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.16.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 16

There is video of Saints Coach Sean Payton mimicking the Vikings skol clap right before the game winning touchdown pass in Sunday’s NFL playoff game. Payton was asked about it during his season-ending press conference and the coach said the gesture was towards a group of fans, it was good playoff fun.

Payton and his staff will coach the NFC team in the Pro Bowl on January 28th.

LSU offensive lineman Garrett Brumfield has announced he will return for his senior season. Starting safety John Battle also says he’s coming back. Six juniors off the 2017 team declared for the NFL draft before the January 15th deadline.

Reports out of Tuscaloosa say Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze met with Alabama’s Nick Saban about the Crimson Tide’s vacancy at offensive coordinator. Freeze resigned from Ole Miss last July after he made inappropriate calls on a university-issued phone.

Despite the winter conditions, LSU and Georgia are set to play tonight at 6 PM inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers are coming off a 74-66 loss to Alabama on Saturday. LSU shot 40-percent from the field and 28-percent from three-point territory. Coach Will Wade says making shots might be difficult tonight…
cut 17 (21) “….go in”
LSU also has to do a better job rebounding. They were outrebounded by 16 versus the Crimson Tide.

Nicholls State goes after its third straight win tonight as they host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi in Stopher Gymnasium.

The Pelicans are at the Boston Celtics.

01.16.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast January 16

The snow is falling from Monroe to south of Alexandria and there’s mixed precipitation just north of Lafayette. The snow has stopped falling in northwest Louisiana , but they’ve already seen several inches. Matt Hemingway is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….
cut 6 (10) “….interstate of 20”
While the snow may look pretty, it’s creating a mess on the roadways. Both lanes of I-49 in the Shreveport area are closed and so are sections of I-20 and I-220. State Police report numerous crashes on the interstates and surface roads.

After the precipitation stops falling, cold weather settles in. Kent Kuyper is with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles….
cut 14 (09) “…the coast”
If GOP House leaders and the governor can’t come together to address the fiscal cliff, TOPS could be on the chopping block. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to press House Republican leaders to get behind a plan to address the looming fiscal cliff. Edwards wants to have a special session in February to pass tax reform legislation. He’s looking for more stable revenues as a temporary one-cent sales tax is set to expire June 30th….
cut 11 (07) “…it done”

01.15.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

Can’t be an easy birthday for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who turns 39 today. He led the team back from a 17-0 halftime deficit only to see the Saints defense fail to make a play in the final seconds in a 29-24 heart breaking loss to Minnesota. Brees will be an unrestricted free agent in March, but he sounds like a guy who will be back…
cut 18 (18) “…make you stronger”
Rookie Safety Marcus Williams wiffed on the tackle that led to the game winning touchdown pass. Williams says he won’t let that one play define him….
cut 15 (11) “….to me”

Former LSU Tiger Leonard Fournette was a big reason why the Jaguars upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 in the AFC playoffs yestrday. Fournette ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns and he did it while wearning his shoulder pads from LSU.

Anthony Davis had a season-high 48 points in Madison Square Garden yesterday as New Orleans rallied from 19 points down late in the third quarter to beat the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. Jrue Holiday had 31 points. The Pelicans continue their three-game road trip tomorrow in Boston.

Tonight in college hoops….Grambling hosts Texas Southern. G-S-U has won two straight and Southern looks for its second league win as they visit Mississippi Valley State.

LSU looks for its first home SEC win tomorrow as they host Georgia at 6 PM.

Nicholls can up its record to 6-1 in the Southland tomorrow as they host Texas A-&M Corpus Christi. Colonels Guard Roddy Peters is the Southland Player of the Week today. He has helped Nicholls win three straight.

01.15.18
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16:30 LRN Newscast January 15

Very cold arctic air will once again plunge Louisiana in the deep freeze. Kelley Ray has a look at preparations already underway…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Thanks Kelley, temperatures will get back into the teens on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for much of Louisiana. Below freezing temperatures will also be felt along the coast. And we now have a winter weather advisory for a good portion of south Louisiana for Tuesday.

The Saints season came to a tragic end Sunday, but many are starting to look forward to next season. Drew Brees and Kenny Vaccaro headline the Saints 2018 free agent class. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the team has a strong young core, that can’t lose its most important piece…
Cut 9 (12) “right back again.”
Detillier expects it will take about 25-million dollars a year to keep Brees on the Saints.

Sportsmen will be unable to renew their hunting and fishing licenses at retail stores for two months starting January 30th while LDWF transitions to a new system. Spokesperson Rene LeBreton says the changes will make things easier…:
Cut 30 (09) “down the road”
Hunting and fishing licenses will be available at retail stores again by April. You can renew, change or purchase your licenses on line during that period, except on January 30th and 31st.

01.15.18
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14:30 LRN Newscast January 15

North Louisiana is bracing for winter weather as winter storm warnings and watches will go into effect tonight and last through Tuesday evening. Snow accumulations as much as four inches are possible in northwest Louisiana, while central Louisiana could see about an inch. Matthew Duplantis with the National Weather Service says as of now there’s not much of a threat of winter weather for south Louisiana…
cut 5 (05) “…the Gulf”

Saints fans are trying to recover today from one of the most heartbreaking losses in franchise history. Up by one point with 10 seconds to go, the Saints end up losing 29-24 in the NFC playoffs. But there’s always next year right Who Dats….
cut 13 (12) “…I believe”
The Saints will return to Minnesota again next year, but a date has not been decided.

It was Saints safety Marcus Williams who missed a tackle that let Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs run free into the end zone in Minnesota’s 29-24 victory. The rookie was extremely hard on himself in the locker room, but held his head high to reporters and told ESPN it was his play to make:
Cut 14 (14) “that was my job”

Coach Sean Payton and the Saints front office will soon put the 2017 season behind them and look ahead to 2018. Quarterback Drew Brees will become an unrestricted free agent in March and NFL analyst Mike Detillier says a decision also must be made regarding safety Kenny Vaccaro…
cut 10 (09) “…choice here”
Free agency begins March 14.

01.15.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 15

The Saints were 10 seconds away from playing in the NFC Championship game, then the unthinkable happened. Here’s Jim Henderson’s call on the Saints Radio Network…
cut 30 (16) “…kidding me”
Unfortunately for the Who Dat nation, it’s not a joke. Quarterback Drew Brees on the end of the season…
cut 17 (17) “….things happened”
Brees turns 39-years-old today. The Saints first priority in the offseason is to sign the future Hall of Famer to a new contract.

Former LSU star Leonard Fournette scored three touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards as Jacksonville upset Pittsburgh 45-42. Fournette did it while wearing the shoulder pads he wore while at LSU. It will be the Jaguars versus the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

Hahnville’s Pooka Williams has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football for 2017. The Kansas signee rushed for 3.128 yards and 37 touchdowns as he helped Hahnville reach the 5A state title game.

Anthony Davis had a season-high 48 points as the Pelicans rallied to beat the New York Knicks 123 to 118 in overtime yesterday. The Pels are at Boston tomorrow.

In college basketball, After losing to Alabama in front of a sold out Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd, the Tigers host Georgia tomorrow night at 6 PM. The Ragin Cajuns are 5-0 in the Sun Belt. UL Lafayette is at UT-Arlington and Texas State this week.

01.14.18
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LRN AM Newscall ###Sad Saints soundbites added###

The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send Mardi Gras boxes to troops overseas to remind them of home. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The recent cold snaps in Louisiana will probably not affect the bee population, but other insects may be affected.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Retail stores will not be selling hunting and fishing licenses for two months starting January 30th. Matt Doyle explains why…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send some Fat Tuesday love to our troops serving in locations throughout the world who can’t be home this Carnival season. Mission Mardi Gras from Afghanistan coordinator Tawney Tallo, says their goal is to make sure all service members deployed from Louisiana receive a Carnival package before February 13th…:

Cut 4  (08) “traditional parade” 

If you would like to send a Mardi Gras Box to a deployed soldier, visit the Louisiana Heroes Project on Facebook for details. Tallo says some people don’t realize how much it means to soldiers when they get special care packages like this…:

Cut 5  (09)  “closer to home”

Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items such as hats, throws, costumes, beads, or Louisiana inspired foods such as beignet mix, red beans and rice, and King Cake. Tallo, who is also deployed overseas, says when these treats arrive it feels like Louisiana has come to them…:

Cut 6 (08)  “around us”

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It’s been a colder than normal winter to say the least in Louisiana and it might affect the insect population this summer.  LSU Entomology Professor Timothy Schowalter says many tropical species in Louisiana are at the edge of the areas they normally inhabit and says how they reacted to the weather will determine their fate…

Cut 7 (08)  “exposed inscets.”

Schowalter says it’s expected that there will be a reduction in mosquitoes this year since some adults were more than likely killed in the December cold snap…

Cut 8 (07) “in reproduction.”

Lovebugs will more than likely survive these recent cold snaps.  Schowalter says they were long gone since they make their bi-yearly flights in April and October…

Cut 9 (09)  “would freeze.”

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Sportsman will be unable to renew their hunting and fishing licenses at retail stores for two months starting January 30th while the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries transitions to a new system. Spokesperson Rene LeBreton says the state has a new vendor for licensing…

Cut 10 (10) “these stores.”

They will be available again at retail stores April 2nd.

LeBreton says the new system will be more convenient…

Cut 11 (09) “down the road.”

LeBreton says LDWF is working towards tying together all of your licenses into one login in the future.

While retailers are training on the new system, licenses will still be available through the LDWF website, but LeBreton says he understands that not everyone is comfortable applying online…

Cut 12 (09) “retailer now.”

Licenses will also be available at regional offices and LDWF headquarters. All license sales will be unavailable from January 30th to 31st.

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The Louisiana Family Forum is celebrating the 2018 Longest Married Couple in Louisiana. The reigning champions, Lawrence and Varrie Player will be celebrating their 83rd anniversary this year. Family Forum President Gene Mills says they get new applicants every year…

Cut 13 (11)  “every year.”

The forum celebrates each year’s top ten couples by passing on their stories. Mills says it’s easy to submit yours…

Cut 14 (10) “special celebration”

The Family Forum honors the year’s top ten married couples during national marriage week, February 7th to 14th. Mills says over the years, couples have shared some great advice for keeping to “till death do us part”…

Cut 15 (05) “finish line.”

The deadline for submission is February 7th.

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The Saints season ended in heart breaking fashion in Minnesota last night. A 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game gave the Vikings an improbable 29-24 victory over New Orleans. It appeared New Orleans had just completed a successful comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win 24-23. But that touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs ripped the hearts out of the Who Dat nation. Coach Sean Payton says it was a disappointing way to lose…

Cut 16 (13)  “bit of time”

After throwing two interceptions in the 1st half, Quarterback Drew Brees led a dramatic come back that saw him throw three touchdown passes. New Orleans was 10 seconds away from heading to Philadelphia to play in the NFC Championship game. Then the unthinkable happened. Brees on the end of the season…

Cut 17 (17) “things happen”

Despite the devastating loss, Brees believes the Saints can be a playoff team again next year…

Cut 18 (18) “make you stronger”

Saints rookie Safety Marcus Williams had an interception in the game, but it was his missed tackle that allowed Diggs to go in untouched into the end zone for the winning score. Brees says no one should say Williams lost them this game…

Cut 19 (13)       little different” 

01.13.18
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07:30 LRN Sportscast January 13

The Saints started their season in Minnesota and the goal is to make sure it doesn’t end there. New Orleans and the Vikings face each other on Sunday afternoon in the NFC Divisional Round. Minnesota won that first meeting 29-19. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s an X-factor for the Saints this time around…

Cut 14 (11) “….running back situation”

The Vikings are only allowing 84 yards a game on the ground. New Orleans needs to get its running game going. They’ve only rushed for over 100 yards once in their last five games. Kick-off is at 3:40.

Former Saints Special Teams coordinator Greg McMahon has been officially named as the new special teams coordinator for the LSU Tigers. McMahon served this past season on LSU’s staff as an analyst.

And Center Will Clapp has announced he will turn pro. He’s the sixth underclassmen for the Tigers who has made the decision not to return for his senior season.

After missing Wednesday’s loss with an ankle injury, Anthony Davis returned last night to help the Pelicans get past Portland 119 to 113. Davis had 36 points and showed no signs of his twisted ankle. DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 19 rebounds as New Orleans moved one game over the .500 mark.

LSU goes after its third win in a row tonight as they host Alabama. Coach Will Wade knows his team will not be able to sneak up on the Crimson Tide after pulling off road wins over Arkansas and Texas A-and-M. Wade is also hoping the PMAC will be sold out. Tip-off is at 7:30.

UL-Lafayette hosts ULM tonight at the Cajundome. The Cajuns are 4-0 in the Sun Belt and going back to last season, they’ve won 10 straight conference games. The Warhawks are 1-3 in league action.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech is at UAB. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four.

In the Southland…Southeastern Louisiana, who is off to a 4-0 start in league play, hosts McNeese State. Nicholls and UNO are both 4-1 in the Southland. The Colonels host Central Arkansas, while the Privateers take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi in New Orleans. Northwestern State goes after its first win in conference play as they host Abilene Christian.

01.12.18
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LRN Sportscast January 12

Moving the chains could be difficult for the Saints Sunday in their NFC playoff matchup with the Vikings. Minnesota leads the NFL in yards allowed per game and points given up. Also, the Vikings have only allowed teams to convert 25-percent of the time on third down. Quarterback Drew Brees says they’ll need to have success on first and second downs…
cut 20 (20) “…for us”
The Vikings are also allowing just 84 yards a game on the ground. New Orleans has failed to rush for more than 100 yards in four of their last five games.

The Pelicans look to move a game above five-hundred tonight as they host Portland. Anthony Davis is expected to play, despite an ankle injury.

The LSU fan base might not be excited that Steve Ensminger is the Tigers new offensive coordinator, but Coach Ed Orgeron is thrilled he’ll be calling plays in 2018. Coach O says based on what Ensminger did as an interim offensive coordinator, he should be able to excel now that he has the job on a full-time basis…
cut 17 (15) “…in the redzone”
LSU officially named Greg McMahon as its special teams coordinator. McMahon spent last season an analyst. He was the special teams coordinator for the Saints the nine previous seasons.

College hoops…Louisiana Tech lost to Middle Tennessee 72-57. Tomorrow, LSU hosts Alabama as the Tigers look for their third straight win. UL Lafayette tries to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt as they host ULM. McNeese is at Southeastern. The Lions are 4-0 in Southland play.

01.12.18
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LRN PM Newscall January 12

Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Another cold air mass is bringing Canadian air into Louisiana, dropping temperatures well below normal.  Temperatures are expected to drop throughout today and then the coldest air of the weekend will settle in with overnight temperatures below freezing statewide.  State climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (13) “on Sunday.”

Keim says the brutal north winds will drop the wind chills much like what we saw last week…

Cut 4  (10) “wind chill.” 

Last time we saw an arctic outbreak, there were several house fires resulting in over a dozen fatalities.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says those homes didn’t have a working smoke alarm and used dangerous means to heat their homes…

Cut 5  (09)  “some fires.”

Browning says it’s important to check on neighbors, especially if they are older.  It’s also a good idea to do a maintenance check of their heating and electrical system…

Cut 6 (10)  “the weekend.”

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The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno finds it disturbing even though policies are in place, it’s hard to hold legislators accountable if they were accused of sexual harassment…

Cut 7 (11)  “the legislature.”

Moreno says the current policies are antiquated and need to be brought up to date to ensure a comfortable and productive working environment.  Her hope is if persons are found guilty of sexual harassment allegations, they will be held accountable…

Cut 8 (08) “this manner.”

Moreno says the committee is also investigating to see if an online sexual harassment course that legislators are required to take is presented in a way that educates them enough to protect them and others they work with…

Cut 9 (08) “as well.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects.  If accepted, the bonds will finance a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner, and construction of an interchange into Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City. Edwards says the state will use federal highway money to pay back the loans…

Cut 10 (09) “12 years.”

In essence, the state will use future federal highway funds to pay back the debt. If federal funding changes, the state will be required to pay the difference.

Edwards says motorists who use I-10 between the Mississippi River Bridge, and the I-10/I-12 split on a daily basis are tired of sitting in traffic and it’s time to address this problem…

Cut 11 (10) “in the state.”

The Airforce has been requesting the state improve roads around Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City. Edwards says connecting the base to I-20 will help the state avoid losing Barksdale in any future base realignments…

Cut 12 (11) “into that base”

The financing plans will need to be approved by state lawmakers and the bond commission. The projects will need to be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration.

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The Saints face their toughest match up of the season as they roll into the frozen north to take on Minnesota. The Black and Gold are five point underdogs against a Vikings team that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points at home. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says there’s only one way to beat a defense like that…

Cut 13 (08)  “ball over”

The game is a rematch of the season opener that the saints lost 29-19 in Minneapolis, but both teams are radically different now. There’s nearly two dozen new starters and key contributors between the two that didn’t play much in the first match up. Detillier says there’s a new X-factor for the Saints this time around…

Cut 14 (11) “runningback situation”

The game kicks off at 3:40 Sunday on FOX.

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26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison today after plowing into a crowd of parade goers during last year’s Endymion parade in New Orleans.  The crash injured 32 people and police said Rizzuto had a .232 blood alcohol level.  The court also is ordering him to attend AA and MADD meetings.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto should be thankful he gets another chance…

Cut 15 (12) “other people.”

He pled guilty to 11 felony counts of vehicular negligent injuring and 13 misdemeanor counts. He faced a maxium 55 year sentence.  Meche says Rizzoto’s sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place…

Cut 16  (11)  “a third.”