Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.27.17
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16:30 LRN Newscast December 27

Louisiana continues to lead the nation in flu cases. Tamiflu is flying off local pharmacy shelves. L-D-H’s Dr. Frank Welch says Tamiflu only shortens the illness by about a day, but it can help prevent complications and says it’s best when taken soon after the flu starts…
Cut 13 (10) “unfortunately”
Welch continues to advise residents to get a flu shot.

Louisiana was one of eight states that saw a population drop between July 2016 and July 2017. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s population decreased by fewer than 2,000. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the state’s budget crisis has not helped encourage job growth. And with a projected one-billion-dollar shortfall looming, a quick fix is not coming…
Cut 7 (04) “this point.”

Louisiana is experiencing a very cold day, and it will get even chillier into the New Year. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There was a police shooting in Louisiana today. It happened in Monroe. State Police say a Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy approached a stalled vehicle around 2 AM, shots were fired and a man inside the vehicle was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. No deputies were injured in the encounter.

12.27.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 27

The Saints can win the NFC South with a win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Playoff seeding is also on the line. If New Orleans is victorious and the Rams win, then the Saints will be the four seed and L-Ais the third seed. The Rams are resting their starters in the regular season finale against San Francisco. There could be an advantage to being the four seed, if you get past the first round, you could play the Eagles in the second round and Philadelphia looks vulnerable with starting quarterback Carson Wentz out for the season.

LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge and then it’s off to Orlando where they’ll play Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl. Running back Derius Guice was back at practice yesterday after missing practices last week.

Alabama and Clemson arrive in New Orleans today for the Allstate Sugar Bowl which will be played New Year’s Day night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Its Florida State versus Southern Miss in the Independence Bowl this afternoon. It will be interesting to see what kind of motivation the Seminoles will have. They started out the year thinking about playing for a national championship, instead they went 6-and-6. It’s the final game for Golden Eagles running back Ito Smith, who has rushed for nearly 45-hundred yards in his career.

Karl Scott is the new defensive coordinator at UL Lafayette. The Houston native has coached the defensive backs at Texas Tech the last two seasons. This past season the Red Raiders forced 29 turnovers.

The Pelicans begin a three-game homestand tonight when they host the Brooklyn Nets. New Orleans is 17-and-16 on the year, while the Nets are just 12-and-21 and in last place in the Atlantic Division. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

The only game on the schedule in college basketball tonight, the Lady Tigers host Sam Houston State. Tomorrow, the LSU men’s team is at Memphis and Louisiana Tech is also in action as the Bulldogs are at Western Kentucky for the Conference USA opener.

12.27.17
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10:30 LRN Newscast December 27

Louisiana casino operators would like to build bigger entertainment venues, but for that to happen there needs to be a change in the legislation so they can build over land and not just water. Executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty….
cut 5 (08) “…the water”
Legislation could be filed this year that would allow the 15 licensed “Riverboat Casinos” to move their gambling operations to land.

The state has entered negotiations to purchase land near Thibodaux to relocate residents from an island that’s disappearaning as result of the rising sea level. The residents who live there are members of the Biloxi-Chitmacha-Choctaw tribe. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry….
cut 9 (10) “…themselves”
Berry says there are about 100 residents left on the island.
A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours…:
Cut 3 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting”

As the LSU football team continues preparations for the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame on New Years Day, players had a special visitor attend practice on Tuesday afternoon. Governor John Bel Edwards talked to The Tigers prior to workouts, and even joined in on a few plays…:
CUT 25 (03) “Tigers”
LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge before heading to Orlando. The Fighting Irish arrived in Florida yesterday.

12.22.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 22nd

A dynamic and explosive running back from south Louisiana has decided to sign with Kansas. Hahnville’s Pooka Williams has been committed to the Jayhawks for several months and despite a recruitment effort by LSU, he decided it was best for him to play for the Jayhawks. Williams rushed for over 13-hundred yards in the postseason.

The Saints can win the NFC South this Sunday with a win over rival Atlanta and a Carolina Panthers loss. In the first game against the Falcons, New Orleans wasn’t able to get its running game going. Quarterback Drew Brees expects a big game this time from Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram…:
Cut 17 (15) “the job”
The Saints have placed safety Kenny Vaccaro on injured reserve. The free agent to be, may have played his last game with the Black and Gold.

The Pelicans have a chance to snap their two-game losing streak tonight when they visit the Orlando Magic. New Orleans lost to the Magic earlier this season 115 to 99. Orlando is currently on a six-game losing streak and they have the third worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The LSU basketball team hosts North Florida tonight at the PMAC. U-N-F will start four sophomores and a freshman tonight as they bring a 5-and-9 record to the PMAC. The 7-and-3 Tigers are coming off a 22-point win over Sam Houston State.

Funeral servies are today for Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Charlie Hennigan, who still holds two NFL receiving records. Hennigan starred for the Houston Oilers in the 1960s after a standout career at Northwestern State, where he excelled in both football and track. He still holds NFL records with three games of at least 200 yards receiving in a season and he also had seven straight games of at least 100 yards receiving in 1961.

12.21.17
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro has been placed on injured reserve as a result of a groin injury, which means he’ll miss the rest of the season. He suffered the injury on November fifth and a source says it never healed correctly and it will require surgery.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Arden Key will not play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s been dealing with injuries all season long. Starters Donnie Alexander and Corey Thompson will also not play as they are also banged up.

On the first day of the early signing period, LSU signed 10 offensive and defensive linemen, including six-foot-one defensive tackle Davin Cotton from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Cotton has great upper body strength and an explosive first step to shed blockers…
Cut 18 (12) “defensive linemen”
The early signing period ends tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech won its fourth straight bowl game last night, crushing SMU 51-10 in the Frisco Bowl. The defense returned two interceptions for a touchdown and quarterback J-Mar Smith completed three touchdown passes and rushed for a score.

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics. Kelley Ray looks at what it means for LSU…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

12.21.17
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LRN PM Newscall December 21

A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards his highest approval rating since taking office in January of 2016. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tax reform is in, and that means big changes to the way Louisianans file taxes.  Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards has his highest approval numbers since taking office nearly two years ago at 65-percent. It eclipses his previous high of 63-percent and is higher than the 54-percent approval rating in May. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says timing is everything in politics…

Cut 3 (10) “and taxes.”

His approval rating is higher than other statewide elected officials.  Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy received 51 and 45 percent respectively and Congressman Steve Scalise got a 55-percent approval rating.  Pinsonat says it helps Edwards is away from the political division that’s happening in Washington D-C…

Cut 4  (09) “perfect time.” 

Governor Edwards is grateful for the trust the voters have placed in him.  He says the first two years have seen it’s share of challenges with the budget, the 2016 floods and the recent audit of former State Police leader Mike Edmonson, but he is looking forward to the future…

Cut 5  (07)  “in 2019.”

Edwards hopes his high poll numbers will help him get his agenda accomplished…

Cut 6 (08)  “against you.”

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Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. Health officials say the decrease is a result of the exploding opioid epidemic, and President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, says the number of addicted Americans is growing…

Cut 7 (07)  “that they need.”

Nickel says many young adults are dying from drug overdoses, and has caused to life expectancy rate to shrink…

Cut 8 (03) “every single day.”

Nickel says the crisis has been building for years, and the country is failing to address it…

Cut 9 (11)  “our patients”

According to the World Health Organization, The United states now ranks below several dozen other countries in average life expectancy.

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Congress’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax overhaul has many wondering how this will impact their finances. The wholesale changes touch everything from investment returns to charitable donations, and radically alters tax season for most Louisianans. Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon Lagarde says the bill should lower taxes for most in the state…

 

Lgarde says despite Republican claims, the new changes won’t necessarily make tax season any simpler.  He says the new tax code will keep CPAs busy…

 

Congress inserted a special provision to allow flood victims to deduct more of the damages suffered. Lagarde says this provision should be a boon for those still recovering from the 2016 floods…

Cut 12 (11) “loses.”

Lagarde says business owners in particular will benefit the most from the changes.

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Cleco  has named Bill Fontenot as the new CEO effective January 1st. Fontenot has been with the company for 31 years, working in various capacities including business development, commercial operations and utility operations. He says he’s honored to help keep the focus of the utility on their customers.

Cut 13 (05)  “doing so.”

Fontenot’s family has a long history with the Pineville-based utility company. The father worked for the utility for over 30 years and son Bill followed in his footsteps. Fontenot says for Cleco to prosper, they need to keep supporting the communities they serve.

Cut 14 (08) “going forward.”

The utility is looking to solidify their reliability. Fontenot says he looks forward to upgrading the power grid to withstand natural disasters.

Cut 15 (12) “catastrophic conditions.”

Cleco serves about 288-thousand customers in Louisiana.

12.21.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 21

Ten of the 18 recruits LSU signed on the first day of the early signing period are offensive and defensive linemen. Head Coach Ed Orgeron is impressed with the big defensive tackles they signed….
cut 17 (17) “…we got em”
Five defensive linemen on LSU’s current roster are seniors and three of them are starters.

Linebackers Donnie Alexander and Corey Thompson have played their final games in a Tiger uniform. Orgeron has announced they will not play in the bowl game because of injuries and the banged up Arden Key will also not play and his LSU career is likely done as well, as he’s expected to skip his senior season.

New UL Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier announces Michael Desormeaux will remain on the Cajuns staff, but what position group he’ll coach is not determined.

Quite a beat down last night in the Frisco Bowl as Louisiana Tech trounced SMU 51-10. The Bulldogs led 42-10 at halftime as the Mustangs turned it over on their first three drives and six overall. La Tech returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Bulldogs Q-B J’mar Smith threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score. Tech finishes the year with a 7-6 record.

12.21.17
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09:30 LRN Newscast December 21

The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says LSU season ticket sales for their major sports could be impacted since fans will no longer be able to deduct 80 percent of their donations to the athletic program for the right to buy season tickets…
Cut 10 (06) “particular donation.”
Perry says the tax overhaul has so many ramifications that’s too early to tell if it will lead to fewer people making donations, therefore fewer season tickets sold.

Do you think the federal tax bill will lower your taxes? According to a statewide poll, only 19-percent of the respondents believe it will. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this legislation will have a major impact on next year’s midterm elections.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he told former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson he can live in a taxpayer funded home near L-S-P headquarters….
Cut 13 (07) “state police.”
A recent state audit says Edmonson may have violated state law by living at the public home from 2008 to 2017. Edwards says he is concerned about some of the other accusations in the audit that allege Edmonson abused his power and was involved in illegal activity.

The state Office of Behavioral Health recommends against giving lottery tickets or other gambling products to children as Christmas gifts. Director of Problem Gambling Services, Quinetta Womack, says lottery tickets as a stocking stuffer can help promote problem gambling and there are much better gifts to give…
cut 6 (09) “…healthy choices”

12.21.17
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08:30 LRN Newscast December 21

A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds only 19 percent of registered Louisiana voters believe their taxes will decrease with the passage of the tax reform bill. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans say the average wage earner will see more money, but taxpayers are skeptical…
Cut 7 (09) “of rhetoric.”
According to the survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, 42-percent believe their taxes will increase.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his office acted quickly once it was learned one of his deputy chiefs of staff was accused of sexual harrassment by a staff member…
cut 15 (09) “…the spot”
Johnny Anderson has denied the sexual harassment allegations and the alleged victim has reportedly resigned from the governor’s office.

Governor Edwards has set a January 19th deadline to reach a deal with legislative leaders on addressing a one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says failure to reach an agreement will mean deep cuts to health care and higher education. If an agreement in principle is reached, a special session will be called in February to make changes to the state’s tax code.

The LSU football team added much needed depth on its defensive line on the first day of the early signing period. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

12.21.17
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07:30 LRN Newscast December 21

Governor John Bel Edwards defends former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson’s living arrangement in a public building when he served as leader of the L-S-P from 2008 to 2017. A state audit says Edmonson may have violated state law by living there rent-free, but Edwards is concerned about other areas of the audit that provide examples Edmonson allegedly abused his authority…
cut 14 (09) “….improper”

Do you think the federal tax bill will lower your taxes? According to a statewide poll, only 19-percent of the respondents believe it will. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this legislation will have a major impact on next year’s midterm elections…
cut 8 (08) “…become popular”

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Lottery tickets may seem like a great Christmas gift for children as stocking stuffers. But Quinetta Womack, director of Problem Gambling Services, says lottery tickets and other gambling products are NOT suitable for kids under 18…
Cut 4 (07) “that nature.”