Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.03.25
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Intense debate is ongoing on the U-S House floor over President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. The legislation would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax cuts, which Democrats say will only benefit billionaires. But House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the legislation also contains new tax cuts that will help those employees who earn income from tips and workers who earn wages through overtime hours…

Cut 30 (11) “…working overtime”

Democrats say the legislation will take away health care from 17-million Americans. Louisiana Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields says hospitals will close, people will die if the Big Beautiful Bill passes. House Speaker Mike Johnson says a vote will take place this morning.

It seems that there’s a certain tie that binds Governor Landry’s line-item budget vetoes. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Grambling State has launched its G-R 2 Foundation, which is designed to advance the university’s pursuit of Research Two classification. President Doctor Martin Lemelle says research has been at Grambling’s core and the school has come a long way…

Cut 16 (11) “….iteration of technology”

07.03.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast

The One Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s signature domestic policy package that promises to provide four-point-five trillion dollars in tax breaks and spending cuts is on the verge of passage in the U-S House. But Democrat Cleo Fields believes there’s enough skeptical Republicans to vote against the legislation…

Cut 12 (06) “…going to stop”

Assuming all 212 Democrats are present and vote no, that means the Republicans can only lose three votes and pass the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson spent the night trying to convince GOP legislators to vote for it…

Cut 13 (10)  “…our personal preferences.”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are concerned about the cuts to Medicaid and the elimination of green energy credits. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have pushed for steeper reductions in spending.

Governor Jeff Landry issued 17 line-item vetoes on the budget, with 16 of them having something interesting in common. Tyler Bridges, the chief political reporter for The Advocate, notes that those 16 line items were projects by Republicans who voted “no” on Landry’s key legislation, House Bill 148, which grants the insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive rate increases.

Cut 7 (13) “…sponsored by Republicans.”

Vetoed projects included a highway extension in Bossier City, a tennis court in Livingston Parish, and a bridge in Metairie.

Grambling State has launched the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation. President Martin Lemelle says the nonprofit will advance the university’s pursuit of Research Two classification…

Cut 15 (15) “….support faculty innovation”

Lemelle says GR 2 is the engine behind their next chapter.

07.03.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football went one for two in getting commitments from two out of state recruits who announced their verbal pledges yesterday. First the good news for Tiger fans, four-star edge rusher Trenton Henderson from Pensacola, Florida committed to LSU. Henderson chose the Tigers over Florida and Texas. LSU now has a dozen commitments for its 2026 class and six of them are Top 100 prospects.  Henderson is LSU’s second highest ranked defensive recruit behind Edna Karr defensive lineman Richard Anderson.

But LSU missed out on three-star linebacker J-J Bush. The Theodore, Alabama native selected Arkansas over LSU and Missouri.

According to 247 sports, LSU has the 12th best recruiting class for 2026, but that ranking could improve if the Tigers receive a commitment next week from five-star defensive lineman Lamar Brown from University High.

D-1 Baseball has named LSU left fielder Derek Curiel as the National Freshman of the Year. Curiel led the Tigers with a .345 batting average, and he also hit 20 doubles, seven home runs, 55 RBIs and 67 runs scored for the national champs.

LSU has added three left-handed pitchers in the transfer portal since returning from Omaha. Oregon sophomore Santiago Garcia and North Dakota State freshman Danny Lachenmayer were both exceptional in relief last season while Tennessee freshman Ryler Smart spent the year as a redshirt. Tigers pitching coach Nate Yeskie says he felt like his staff needed some balance on the left side of the mound but as for their roles, that will be up to them.

Cut 17 (18)  “…to start.”

07.03.25
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6:30 LRN Newscast

A final legislative vote on the Big, Beautiful Bill is expected today in the U-S House. Speaker Mike Johnson is working to get his fellow Republicans on the same page to get the 800-plus page bill onto President Trump’s desk by his Fourth of July deadline. Johnson says the legislation will provide four-point-five trillion dollars in tax cuts and invest 350-billion dollars in national security…

Cut 10 (07) “…around the world.”

But Democrat Cleo Fields is concerned about the one-point-two trillion dollar cutback in Medicaid and food stamps…

Cut 11 (08) “…left the house.”

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will also add three-point-three trillion dollars to the deficit.

Governor Landry issued 17 line-item vetoes on the budget and 16 of the line-item vetoes impacted funding for projects in the districts of Republican lawmakers who voted against a bill that gives the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases. Tyler Bridges wrote the story for the Advocate and says it is a surprise…

Cut 8 (08) “…went after Republicans”

The NFIB says 36-percent of small business owners reported openings they could not fill last month.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

06.26.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU fans went to Alex Box Stadium last night to celebrate the 2025 national champions. Coach Jay Johnson and several players spoke, including Stevan “Monster” Milam…

Cut 13 (09) “…national championship now”

It’s induction weekend for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the 2025 class features great coaches. Nick Saban, Delgado baseball coach Joe Scheurman, St. Thomas More basketball coach Danny Broussard and former Catholic High football coach Dale Weiner. Ronnie Rantz on Weiner’s accomplishments…

Cut 14 (13) “…NFL players”

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With the seventh overall pick in last night’s NBA draft, the Pelicans selected Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Fears led the Sooners in scoring, averaging 17 points per game. Fears also averaged four rebounds and four assists a game and made the SEC All-Freshman Team.

New Orleans then used its 23rd overall pick to select Asa Newell of Georgia, but they traded him and an unprotected first round pick in next year’s NBA draft to the Hawks for their first round pick, Derik Queen from Maryland. He averaged 17 points and nine rebounds a game last season. The Pelicans new head for basketball operations, Joe Dumars, says they really wanted Queen…

Cut 27 (17) “…this draft”

But CBS-Sports-dot-com calls the trade a risky gamble. Podcaster Bill Simmons says it is one of the first worst trades of this decade, giving up a first round pick to move up 10 spots in the draft.

06.26.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

A big celebration took place at Alex Box Stadium last night as thousands of fans came out to celebrate LSU’s eighth national championship in baseball. Tigers first baseman Jared Jones will get a second championship ring. Jones provided the signature moment of the College World Series, by driving home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to eliminate Arkansas. It was one of several come from behind victories on the season. Jones said this team never gave up.

Cut 15 (09) “…get it done.”

For those that want to meet Jones, he’ll be at the Hooters in Houma on Sunday from 3 to 5 PM. The Bear will be signing autographs and taking phots and proceeds from the event will go to the Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank.

The Pelicans used the seventh overall pick in last night’s NBA draft to take Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. The 18-year-old averaged 17 points, four rebounds and four assists a game for the Sooners last season. He had this message for New Orleans fans…

Cut 19 (08) “…super hard”

The Pelicans also made a trade to move up and they took Maryland center Derik Queen with the 13th overall pick. Queen averaged 17 points and nine rebounds for his hometown school.

Nick Saban will be in Natchitoches this weekend as he’s part of the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class that will be inducted on Saturday night. CEO and president of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Ronnie Rantz, says Saban provided the blueprint on how to win in Baton Rouge….

Cut 30 (13) “…years later”

06.25.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is draft night, and the Pelicans have two first round picks, one at number seven and the other at 23. One way for the Pelicans to bolster an undersized frontcourt is by drafting 18-year-old Duke center Khaman Maluach (Ka-man Ma-lu-watch). Host of Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison says the South Sudanese seven-footer offers rim protection…

Cut 17 (13)  “…high on.”

If Ace Bailey falls to the Pelicans at seven, they could take the wing player from Rutgers. Bailey made 37-percent of his three-pointers last season.

Jay Johnson has been named the NCAA Division One National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Johnson just led the Tigers to their eighth national championship in school history. Johnson was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio and talked about the transfer portal class that he signed last offseason, was a big reason why the Tigers won it all…

Cut 19 (24) “…single day”

Johnson and the Tigers will celebrate their national championship with their fans at 8:00 tonight at Alex Box Stadium.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The public can pay their last respects to Dave Nitz at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City on Saturday from noon to 1:30 PM. A private ceremony will take place at 2 PM.

06.25.25
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12:30 LRN Newscast

The attorney general of Louisiana files a trio of lawsuits against CVS. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There will be a normal horse racing season at the New Orleans Fair Grounds this year. It will begin as it traditionally does on Thanksgiving Day after an agreement was reached that satisfies the track’s owner Churchill Downs, who is upset the Louisiana Supreme Court said they can’t have historic horse racing machines without a public vote.

Governor Jeff Landry was in Bossier City today to sign legislation that he says will bring Louisianans from a state of dependence to independence. He signed bills that will move the TANF and SNAP programs from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Landry says this reorganization will give L-W-C the opportunity to help low income individuals, who are seeking government assistance, find a job…

Cut 9 (12) “…to work”

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Christopher Hebert says the state has sent over 40 cease and desist letters to offshore wagering platforms that are conducting business in Louisiana….

Cut 5 (11) “…for all Louisianians

Hebert says these illegal are taking tax dollars away from Louisiana.

06.25.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU may have won its eighth national championship just a few days ago, but head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already working on defending that title.  Glen West of 247Sports says the biggest question mark will be what the infield looks like around shortstop Stephen Milam. Some newcomers will be in the mix, but west says some returning bench players could also compete.

Cut 14 (13) “…and third.”

Tanner Reaves who started several games at third base could also be in the mix at the hot corner, if he doesn’t sign with a major league. Ethan Frey might get drafted high next month, but if he returns to LSU, he could play first base.

Tonight is the first round of the NBA draft and the Pelicans have reportedly already pulled off a big trade, sending 12 year veteran CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the 40th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Poole will be playing for his third team in four seasons and is coming off a season where he averaged nearly a career high 21 points and four and a half assists this season. Poole also set a Wizards record last season with 235 made three pointers. He has two years left on his contract.

New Orleans has the seventh overall pick. Jake Madison, host of Locked on Pelicans, says if the Pels are looking to add to their backcourt they could be interested in Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears…

Cut 18 (12) “…exceptionally well”

06.25.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

I’m Jeanne Burns, This Sportscast on the Louisiana Radio Network is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game no one wins…

LSU won its eighth national championship just a few days ago, but head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already hard at work putting together next year’s roster to defend their title. Glen West of 247Sports says the Tigers still have enough talent to make another run. The centerpiece will be freshman pitcher Casan Evans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…next year.”

The biggest question mark will be what the infield looks like around shortstop Stephen Milam. If Rosepine’s Ethan Frey returns for his senior season, he could replace Jared Jones at first base. Transfer portal commits Brayden Simpson and Seth Dardar are possibilities to start at third and second base, respectively. Tonight is the national championship celebration at the Box.

 

The Pelicans hold the seventh and twenty-third overall picks in tonight’s NBA draft. New Orleans new Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars made a splash yesterday, trading veterans C-J McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards for young guard Jordan Poole and wing Saddiq Bey. With room for improvement across the roster, Jake Madison of the Locked On Pelicans Podcast thinks the team will go best available at No. 7.

Cut 16 (17) “…direction I think.”

Louisiana Tech fans are mourning the death of Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Nitz. Nitz retired in 2024 after spending 50 years calling Bulldog games. Malcom Butler replaced Nitz as the Voice of the Bulldogs…

Cut 27 (07) “…their households”