Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.17.17
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 17th

Could LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva be looking at firing another coach mid-season like he did Les Miles? The Tiger basketball team is on a bad streak and LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says the losses this year and last year’s disappointment of not appearing in postseason play have coach Johnny Jones on the hot seat…:
CUT 14 (06) “at it”
LSU is 1-4 in league play and they visit Auburn tomorrow.

The Ragin Cajuns suffered their second straight home defeat last night as Georgia State dribbled past UL Lafayette 101-86. Georgia State shot 62-percent from the field and hit 10 three-pointers.

In other action, ULM blew a 16 point lead and lost to Georgia Southern 62-60. The Warhawks are winless in Sun Belt action. And Grambling lost to Priarie View A-and-M 94-82. Southern upended Mississippi Valley state 87-81.

The Saints are reportedly interested in talking with Derius Swinton about becoming the Black and Gold’s special teams coach. Swinton was the 49ers special teams coordinator in 2016. San Fran was fifth in average kickoff return yardage last season.

And the Washington Redskins have interviewed former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan about their defensive coordinator position.

The Pelicans ended a five-game road trip on Monday with a 98-95 loss to Indiana. Anthony Davis left the game after he landed hard on the court following a foul. The team says x-rays are negative. New Orleans is home home tomorrow to host Orlando.

A new college baseball preseason poll came out today. D-1 baseball has LSU ranked number five. TCU is number one in the poll, followed by Florida, Florida State and South Carolina. The Ragin Cajuns are ranked 13th.

01.16.17
by

LRN AM Newscall January 17th

Amazon shoppers in Louisiana aren’t paying as much in sales taxes as you may think. Jeff Palermo has more on what is and isn’t being taxed…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

SeekingArangement.com says 35 LSU students joined the online dating site last year to find a Sugar Daddy. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

A Gallup poll finds President-elect Donald Trump has a 42-percent approval rating. Emelie Gunn has analysis from a local political analyst…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

If you’re buying items from Amazon in the New Year, you might not pay as much in sales taxes as you thought. It was announced that starting January 1st the online retailer would begin collecting state sales taxes for the first time. But Department of Revenue Secretary, Kimberly Robinson, says the only sales tax collected are on products sold directly by Amazon, LLC.

cut 4  (10) “from Amazon”

But Robinson says that does not include items purchased through third party vendors on Amazon. She says the easiest way to tell whether or not sales tax will be charged is to look at the seller of the item.

Cut 5  (05)  “that item”

Robinson says if you purchase online you are required to pay sales taxes at the end of the year, if the seller did not collect them at the time of purchase. She says this has been the law for some time, but participation is low.

Robinson says other online retailers will not be collecting sales tax. But she says starting July 1, those vendors will have a reporting requirement. She says online shoppers will have to submit those taxes themselves.

Cut 6 (10) “this year”

______________________________________

More LSU students are seeking Sugar Daddies to help pay for their education. That’s according to SeekingArangment.com, which saw 35 LSU students enroll in 2016. Spokesperson Brook Urick says that’s a substantial increase over the previous year.

CUT 7 (10)  “more accepted”‘

SeekingArangement.com is one of the fasted growing Sugar Daddy dating sites. Urick says online dating in the sugar lifestyle isn’t much different than regular online dating. She says the main difference is the lifestyle expectations.

Cut 8 (09) “to do that”

The average monthly allowance for a Sugar Baby is around $24-hundred. But Urick says not all Sugar Babies get the same allowance from their Sugar Daddies. She says it’s important to be open and honest about what you expect to give and receive in the Sugar Bowl.

Cut 9 (10)  “a relationship with”

As the cost of tuition continues to increase while funding for TOPS decreases, Urick says we could see even more Louisiana students turn to the lifestyle for financial assistance.

________________________________________

A Gallup poll finds President-elect Donald Trump has a 42-percent approval rating, the lowest since George W. Bush, who had 59-percent. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. John Sutherlin says Trump will likely come into office and follow through with his agenda, regardless of what polls say.

Cut 10 (09) “majority wants”

Trump will be sworn into office on Friday. Sutherlin says Trump will do what he thinks is best but on certain issues that will be problematic, because of the low approval numbers.

cut 11 (09) “projects”

Sutherlin says Trump doesn’t seem like he is bothered by public opinion.

cut 12 (09) “100 days”

_______________________________________

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva fired football coach Les Miles in mid-season, could it happen again? The LSU men’s basketball team is 1-4 in the SEC. They’ve lost three in a row and all three defeats have been by double digits. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU hoops for the USA Today Network and says as the losses mount, Alleva might make a change…

Cut 13 (11) “look good”

Johnny Jones is in his fifth season in Baton Rouge. His record as LSU’s head coach is 89-58, 41-35 in the SEC. Jones has guided one LSU team to the NCAA Tournament, but the Tigers missed out on postseason play last year with Ben Simmons, the top overall pick in the NBA draft. Guilbeau says the losses this season and last’s year disappointment have Jones on the hot seat

cut 14 (06) “at it”

Guilbeau says fan interest in LSU basketball has dropped during Jones’ tenure, so there’s not nearly the pressure to win in basketball as there is in football. But he says Alleva is the former A-D at Duke, which has a rich basketball tradition and he can’t be happy with what he sees at LSU…

Cut 15 (07) “program again”

_________________________________________________

01.16.17
by

17:30 LRN Newscast January 16th

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day, and Wallet Hub has issued a report on race relations which indicates Louisiana is among the top 10 for making the most progress. We’re among a handful of other southern states in WalletHub’s rankings of racial progress, and spokeswoman Jill Gonzales says there is a bit of the “nowhere to go but up” factor at play…:
Cut 8 (09) “deep south states”
She says Louisiana’s biggest improvement areas over time were health care, education and civil engagement.

A homeowner in Slidell shot and killed a man early Monday morning, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The resident told investigators that he was confronted by a subject acting erratically in the front yard of his residence; so he fatally shot the man. No arrests have been made. Sheriff Randy Smith is expected to give an update tomorrow.

A special session is likely next month so that lawmakers can decide how to deal with the state’s $313 million dollar budget shortfall. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature raised nearly $2 billion in taxes last year, but it wasn’t enough to balance the budget…:
Cut 15 (12) “wants to do”
Dardenne says they plan to use money from the rainy day fund to close some of the gap, but that still leaves about another 200 million dollars in cuts.

AT-and-T Louisiana donates 150-thousand dollars to the Jobs for America’s Graduates program in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says JAG is a non-profit program that helps young people who face difficult challenges earning a high school diploma, going to college or getting a job. Edwards is appreciative of the donation that will help bolster the state’s workforce…
cut 11 (10) “…local level”

01.16.17
by

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 16th

Green Bay’s 34-31 win over Dallas was the most viewed NFL divisional playoff game ever. According to Fox, an average of 48.5 million people viewed the game. Pittsburgh’s 18-16 victory over Kansas City was seen by 37.4 million people. It will be the Packers versus the Falcons in Sunday’s NFC Championship game and Patriots and Steelers in the AFC title game.

In other football news…former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan interviewed for the Redskins defensive coordinator opening today. Ryan was the Saints DC from 2013-2015.

Quarterback Anthony Jennings will not return to the Ragin Cajuns, according to the Daily Advertiser. The NCAA has denied Jennings’ request for another year of eligibility. Jennings argued that he barely played his junior season at LSU.

And former LSU wide receiver Jazz Ferguson says he’s transferring to Northwestern State.

Tonight, the Ragin Cajuns and the Warhawks are both at home. UL Lafayette hosts Georgia State after losing to Georgia Southern on Saturday, while Georgia Southern is in Monroe as ULM looks for its first league win.

The LSU Tigers have lost three in a row and they’ll have a difficult week coming up. They have road games at Auburn and Arkansas and might not have leading scorer Antonio Blakeney for Wednesday’s game at Auburn, because of an ankle injury. Coach Johnny Jones says they’ll know more tomorrow.

In college hoops…Louisiana Tech’s DaQuan Bracy is the Conference USA Freshman of the Week. Bracey averaged 17.5 points and five assists in victories at Charlotte and Old Dominion. He also shot 62-percent from the field and 50-percent from beyond the arc. Tech is tied for second in the league heading into Thursday’s home game against Rice.

In the NBA today…the Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 108-107. Former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap had 17 points and seven rebounds and blocked Derrick Rose’s shot in the final seconds that would have given New York the win.

01.16.17
by

16:30 LRN Newscast January 16th

The personal finance website Wallet Hub has published a report on race relations which indicates Louisiana is among the top 10 for making the most progress. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the report measured the gaps between blacks and whites in 16 key areas that put the state at number 10…:
CUT 6 (08) “the most progress”
She says Louisiana is still struggling in areas of white/black business ownership, and average income.

State Police are looking for a vehicle that hit a trooper’s patrol car and injured the officer. Trooper Bryan Lee says the suspect sped off immediately after the wreck on Old Hammond Highway in East Baton Rouge Parish…
cut 13 (05) “….that vehicle’
The trooper suffered only minor injuries, but the search continues for a red or maroon Chevrolet HHR or Chrysler P-T Cruiser.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says a homeowner fatally shot a man last night around midnight who was allegedly acting erratically in the front yard of his Slidell home. Deputies say the homeowner stayed on the scene and cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made and Sheriff Randy Smith is expected to give an update tomorrow.

A recent poll commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta finds over half of Louisianans surveyed believe coastal land loss is at a crisis, while 96-percent said it needs attention. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says saving the coast isn’t just about protecting coastal cities. He says it’s important for the entire state…:
Cut 3 (09) “other things”
Frederick says 2017 is a critical year for the coast as lawmakers will be asked to approve a revised coastal master plan.

01.16.17
by

LRN PM Newscall January 16th

A poll of 500 likely Louisiana voters finds that 56-percent of them believe coastal land loss is at a crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

On this Martin Luther King Junior Day, the personal-finance website Wallet Hub issues a report that finds Louisiana ranks 10th among states for making the most progress on race relations. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A recent poll commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta finds over half of Louisianans polled believe coastal land loss is at a crisis, while 96-percent said it needs attention. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says saving the coast isn’t just about protecting coastal cities. He says it’s important for the entire state.

Cut 3 (09) “other things”

The survey by Applied Technology Research Corporation also finds that 62-percent of respondents are in favor of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. A revised master plan is up for legislative approval this year. It calls for a variety of projects to build land and reduce flood risk. Frederick says the findings show coastal restoration is important to many Louisiana residents.

cut 4  (06) “the future”

The state’s coastal Master plan would cost 50-billion dollars. Frederick says there are federal dollars and money from BP available to get some of the work started and this survey shows Louisiana residents want major coastal projects completed.

Cut 5  (10)  “have in mind”

______________________________________

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day, and Wallet Hub has issued a report on race relations which indicates Louisiana is among the top 10 for making the most progress. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the report measured the gaps between blacks and whites in 16 key indicators that put the state right at number 10…:

Cut 6 (08) “the most progress”

Gonzales says, when it came to education, Louisiana ranked 4th and 6th best for making improvements on standardized test scores in reading and math, respectively. She says even though there was a lot of growth shown here on racial matters, there are still areas that are struggling…:

CUT 7 (11)  “percentage point” 

Gonzales says there is also a large imbalance of workplace participation among blacks and whites in Louisiana. We’re among a handful of other southern states in WalletHub’s rankings of racial progress, and Gonzales says there is a bit of the “nowhere to go but up” factor at play…:

Cut 8 (09) “deep south states”

______________________________________

AT&T Louisiana has donated 150-thousand dollars to the Louisiana Jobs for America’s Graduates program. JAG is a non-profit program that helps young people who face difficult challenges earn a high school diploma, successfully receive post-secondary education and find employment. Governor John Bel Edwards says this program is critically important to our state.

Cut 9 (11)  “a skill”

Edwards says Louisiana is the largest JAG affiliate in the nation, with 115 sites.

Cut 10 (10) “graduation rate”

Last year, the program had a 76-percent job placement rate and an 80-percent full time jobs rate. Edwards says this donation will help create a better workforce.

cut 11 (10) “local level”

______________________________________

State Police are searching for a driver who hit and injured a trooper when his patrol car was stopped at a Baton Rouge intersection. Trooper Bryan Lee says the collision happened at about 3 p.m. yesterday when traffic was stopped on Old Hammond Hwy and the suspect immediately fled the scene.

cut 12 (10) “from behind” 

Lee says the trooper sustained minor injuries and the driver of the second vehicle was unharmed. He says the drive who ran into the trooper’s vehicle, sped off immediately following the crash and was headed westbound on Old Hammond.

Cut 13 (05) “that vehicle”

LSP says the suspect is a man and vehicle should have significant front-end damage. Lee urges anyone with information to contact authorities.

cut 14 (07) “public safety”

________________________________________________________

01.16.17
by

14:30 LRN Newscast January 16th

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal shooting by a homeowner who says they shot a man who was acting erratically in the front yard of their home. No arrests have been made at this time, but detectives are still gathering evidence. Sheriff Randy Smith is expected to have more to say tomorrow.

A poll of 500 likely Louisiana voters finds that 56-percent of them believe coastal land loss is at a crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 1 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program has received a 150-thousand dollar donation. JAG helps young people who face difficult challenges earn a high school diploma and receive a college education and empoyement. Governor John Bel Edwads says Louisiana is the largest JAG affiliate in the nation, with 115 sites…
cut 10 (10) “..graduation rate’
Last year, the program had a 76-percent job placement rate.

State Police are searching for a driver who hit and injured a trooper when his patrol car was stopped at a Baton Rouge intersection. Trooper Bryan Lee says the collision happened at about 3 p.m. yesterday when traffic was stopped on Old Hammond Hwy and the suspect immediately fled the scene.
cut 12 (10) “…from behind”
Trooper only suffered minor injuries.

01.16.17
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 16th

Tough playoff defeat for Haughton native and Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers eliminated Dallas from the postseason with a 34-31 victory thanks to great a 36-yard play by Rodgers to Jared Cook, which set up a game winning 51-yard field goal. The Cowboys rallied from an 18-point deficit to tie the game. Prescott liked how this team fought back…
cut 30 (11) “…to the end”
Green Bay advances to play Atlanta in the NFC Championship Game, while the AFC title game has New England hosting Pittsburgh.

In LSU football news…Southern Lab linebacker Damone Clark has committed to the Tigers. He’ll be part of the 2018 recruiting class. And former LSU receiver Jazz Ferguson has decided to transfer to Northwestern State.

The NCAA has rejected Ragin Cajuns quarterback Anthony Jennings appeal for another year of eligibilty. Jenning was hoping for another year, because he barely played his junior season at LSU. This means Jennings college career is done after he led UL Lafayette to a New Orleans Bowl appearance.

In basketball…the Pelicans are at Indiana this afternoon to close out a five-game road trip. At the halfway point of the season, New Orleans is 16-and-25, a game and a half back of Portland for the final playoff spot.

After a 2-0 road trip, Louisiana Tech is in a three-way tie for second place with a 4-1 record. The Bulldogs host Rice and North Texas this week.

In the Southland…UNO is in first place with a 4-1 record in league play. Southeastern Louisiana is tied for second with a 4-2 mark. The Lions beat McNeese State 79-75 yesterday as Moses Greenwood had 19 points.

01.16.17
by

10:30 LRN Newscast January 16th

State lawmakers are once again getting ready to enter a special session because the state is facing a $313 million budget deficit. Halen Doughty reports…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s is Martin Luther King Junior day. So state and local government offices are closed today. There are several M-L-K day celebrations taking place and officials urge residents to do volunteer work in honor of the civil rights leader, who would be 88 years-old today.

State Representative Jack Montoucet begins his role today as the state’s new Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary. Montoucet has been the owner of an alligator farm in Acadiana for 30 years. Montoucet says alligators were on the endangered species list years ago but through the work of LDWF, the population has grown substantially. He looks forward to expanding other similar programs…
cut 5 (10) “…other aspects”

According to guidelines recently established, parents of children up to age 5 should limit their child’s screen time to one hour per tday. Ochsner Health Center Zachary Pediatrician, Doctory Myrian Ortiz, says while it is esseential to limit a child’s media time, technology isn’t entireley bad either…
cut 9 (09) “….the internet”

01.13.17
by

18:30 LRN Newscast January 13th

State legislators will likely be called into a special session next month to deal with a budget deficit. The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined the midyear shortfall is around 313-million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says legislative input will be needed to address a budget gap of that magnitude…:
Cut 3 (04) “as possible”
Governor Edwards can make cuts to the budget, but state law only allows in certain areas.

Meanwhile Edwards is headed to Italy where the topic will be the human trafficking epidemic. He’ll be joined by State. Police Colonel Mike Edmonson and a couple of lawmakers and they’ll meet with nuns who want to open a shelter for victims of sex trade…:
CUT 7 (10) “human trafficking”
The governor hopes to meet with the pope on Wednesday and he says he’s paying his own way, but taxpayer dollars will pay for his security.

LSU’s leading receiver this past season Malachi Dupre has decided to enter the NFL draft. Dupre struggled early on during the 2016 campaign and finished with 41 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier believes he’ll be selected in either the second or third round. Dupre is the fourth Tiger to turn pro early.

Racing continues at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, even though the entire track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says horses in barns not exposed can keep racing, while exposed horses under quarantine are monitored for at least two weeks…
cut 11 (04) “…with these horses”
A two-year-old thoroughbred gelding was humanely eutanized right after Christmas, because of the virus.

And be careful on the roadways especially in south Louisiana where a dense fog adivsory is in effect until nine am Saturday.