Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.04.17
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LRN AM Newscall April 5th

The Louisiana State Police Academy graduates 46 men and women today who are now full-fledged State Troopers. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Raising the minimum wage and closing the gender wage gap will be big issues for Governor John Bel Edwards in the regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Business leaders support a higher gas tax if they know how the dollars are being spent. Halen Doughty has more on the coalition that will be known as Build It…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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46 men and women graduate this morning from the Louisiana State Police Training Academy. This is L-S-P’s 95th Cadet Class. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says they lost about 20 cadets during training, but the ones who made it through the vigorous 22-week training program are the state’s best and the brightest.

Cut 4  (08) “next level”

During the ceremony, cadets will receive their golden Louisiana badge, but their training isn’t over just yet. Sandifer says they will team up with a senior trooper to learn more about profession…

Cut 5  (09)  “like that”

Sandifer says the 46 new troopers will be spread out across the state.

Cut 6 (08) “all over”

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Governor John Bel Edwards testifies before a Congressional panel today looking at FEMA’s response to the deadly flooding last August in south Louisiana. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says Edwards will be accompanied by local officials who can also testify on the roadblocks to recovery.

Cut 7 (10)  “federal level”

Payer says the state faced challenges in administering every federally funded program, from FEMA manufactured homes to the new Shelter At Home program. She says the governor will discuss improvements that can be made to make the recovery process shorter and homeowner friendly.

Cut 8 (10) “a disaster”

Payer says the governor will also use this trip as an opportunity to urge federal leaders to allocate more money for Louisiana’s flood recovery. She says we’re far short of the money needed to help the 193-thousand families impacted by the two devastating floods in 2016.

Cut 9 (09)  “so far”

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Business leaders in Louisiana are coming together to support the passage of a higher gas tax. The new coalition is called Businesses United for Improving Louisiana’s Development by Investing in Transportation. Baton Rouge Area Chamber President Adam Knapp says BUILD IT will back proposals to increase the state’s gasoline tax to fund highway construction.

Cut 10 (11) “this session”

Knapp says it is imperative revenue is raised this session, because the state might not have another chance to up the gas tax until the fiscal session in 2021. The state has a $13 billion backlog of transportation needs, and more than $10 billion in megaprojects needed. More than 20 organizations have joined BUILD IT, including One Acadiana and its president Jason El Koubi.

Cut 11 (12) “our people”

El Koubi adds Louisiana ranks in the bottom five for every measure of road conditions. Knapp says an LSU survey shows there’s bipartisan support for a gas tax increase, with 61 percent of respondents supporting a 15 cent increase. He says they are issuing a call to action to business leaders.

Cut 12 (09) “build it”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is once again asking lawmakers to increase the state’s minimum wage and guarantee equal pay for equal work. Both measures failed in last year’s session. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says raising the minimum wage is never easy.

Cut 13 (11) “uphill battle”

Edwards says he supports a Senate bill that raises the minimum wage to $8.50 over a two year period. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the minimum wage has not been increased since 2009. Fellow political analyst Bernie Pinsonat he doesn’t foresee these bills getting any more traction this year than they have in the past.

Cut 14 (09) “don’t like them”

The governor says Louisiana has the highest gender wage gap in the country, but Pinsonat says the equal pay bill has even less of a chance than raising the minimum wage. He says business groups have historically opposed these measures because provisions in the bills allow people to sue their employers over pay inequity.

Cut 15 (11) “would cause”

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It’s Pro Day at LSU, a chance for every professional football franchise to get a look at the former Tigers eligible for next month’s NFL draft. Each player will be measured, perform a bench press drill and timed in various running drills. Some mock drafts have running back Leonard Fournette’s stock falling, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see it…

Cut 16 (16) “Panthers”

Detillier says safety Jamal Adams is also expected to be a top eight pick. He says putting up good numbers is not essential for Adams and Fournette, but other players who will be selected in the later rounds like wide receiver Malachi Dupre…

Cut 17 (15)  “fourth”

Detillier says today’s pro day is also big for defensive lineman Davon Godchaux as NFL teams are looking to see more upper body strength from him…

Cut 18 (13)    hurt afterwards “

04.04.17
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17:30 LRN Newscast April 4th

Governor Edwards announced today he supports legislation that seeks to reduce opioid abuse. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says research indicates the Bayou State has more opioid prescriptions than people. Talbot is co-authoring a bill that would limit first-time prescriptions of opioids for acute pain to a seven-day supply for adults.

The 2017 Louisiana Survey indicates 75% of voters support criminal justice reform when it comes to shorter sentences for non-violent crimes. But Michael Henderson, Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says support for shorter sentences declines when respondents were asked about crimes involving fraud, burglary or selling illegal drugs…:
Cut 3 (09) “on the table”
Criminal justice reform is a part of Governor Edwards’ legislative agenda.
Business leaders support a higher gas tax if they know how the dollars are being spent. Halen Doughty has more on the coalition that will be known as Build It…
Voicer 5 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Shreveport restaurant owner who murdered his longtime-partner and prominent business women will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Caddo Assistant DA Brittney Green says Mark Colby fatally shot Angela Godley…:
CUT 12 (05) “Judge Mosely”
Godley was found dead in the laundry room at the couple’s Shreve Island home in 2014.

04.04.17
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16:45 LRN Sportscast April 4th

The 15th ranked LSU Tigers are back on the baseball diamond tonight as they host Grambling State. The Bayou Bengals have lost five of their last seven games. But Coach Paul Mainier expects the players will bounce back from a rough couple of weeks…
cut 18 (16) “…my livelihood”
LSU returns to SEC play on Friday when they visit 16th ranked Arkansas.

In other action tonight…Nicholls State is at UL Lafayette. The Colonels beat the Cajuns 3-1 to earlier this season in Thibodaux. Northwestern State is at ULM. The all-time series between these two teams is knotted at 109-and-109. Elsewhere…Louisiana Tech hosts Stephen F Austin and Southeastern faces South Alabama.

This year football fans will see quarterback Tony Romo in the broadcast booth, instead of the football field. Romo has retired after a long career with the Cowboys and he’ll become the lead NFL analyst on CBS. That means he’s taking Phil Sims place, who has been working with Jim Nantz. It’s unclear what role Sims will have with CBS going forward.

Former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon visited with the Saints today. Analysts say Mixon is a first round talent, but his arrest for punching a woman that was caught on video has many teams scared to draft him.

The Pelicans final home game of the season is tonight against Denver. There’s five games left in the regular season and the next loss for New Orleans knocks them out of playoff contention.

There are nine former LSU Tigers on opening day rosters in the Major Leagues. One of those players is Jacoby Jones and the Tigers center fielder hit a three-run home run as Detroit beat the White Sox today in Chicago.

04.04.17
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16:30 LRN Newscast April 4th

Legislation to stop the opioid epidemic has been filed for the upcoming session with the support of Governor Edwards’. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The governor is also backing legislation that would increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, which is currently $7.25 an hour. Edwards says he supports a Senate bill that raises the minimum wage to $8.50 over a two year period. The legislative session begins Monday.

Criminal justice reform is part of Governor Edwards’ legislative package. A survey out of LSU says 65-percent of respondents say crime has increased over the past five years. That’s a 10-percent increase from the last time they asked this question. Doctor Michael Henderson is with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab…
cut 5 (12) “…some of this”
The survey also found support for criminal justice reform measures, including shorter sentences for non-violent crimes.

A WalletHub report finds Louisiana is the 2nd most stressed state in the nation. Michelle Many (Main-ee) with LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine says there is a high crime rate here which can take a toll on a person’s mental health…:
Cut 28 (07) “more stressed”

04.04.17
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LRN PM Newscall April 4th

Criminal justice reform will be a big topic in the legislative session, and a statewide poll finds broad support for some proposals. Jeff Palermo has more from the survey out of LSU…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Legislation to stop the opioid epidemic has been filed for the upcoming session with the support of Governor Edwards’. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Most Louisianans support criminal justice reform, according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. According to the poll from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, 75 percent of voters support shorter sentences for non-violent crimes. But Dr. Michael Henderson says they asked respondents about particular offenses like fraud, burglary or selling illegal drugs and support for shorter sentences drops. He says this finding could shape the debate in the legislative session.

Cut 3 (09) “on the table”

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to push criminal justice reform in the legislative session that begins next week. Henderson says their survey found a big difference between blacks and whites over the fairness of the criminal justice system. Henderson says 71 percent of black respondents say the system is not fair, only 44 percent of white respondents agree.

Cut 4  (09) “the motivations”

Henderson says another interesting point from the survey is that 65 percent of respondents say crime has increased over the past five years. That’s a 10-percent increase from the last time they asked this question. But he says the overall crime rates don’t line up with public opinion about crime rates.

Cut 5  (12)  “some of this” 2x

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As part of Governor John Bel Edwards legislative agenda for the upcoming session, a bill has been filed to help address the growing opioid epidemic in Louisiana. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot co-authored the measure and says the legislation would limit first time opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a seven day supply.

Cut 6 (09) “workforce”

Talbot says this measure would only apply to acute pain, not chronic pain, cancer or individuals on palliative care. He says the Bayou State has more opioid prescriptions than people in the state and once doctors cut them off, addicts turn to harder drugs.

Cut 7 (11)  “on that”

Another measure filed by Talbot to tackle the opioid problem is modeled after a Texas law that the lawmaker  says has done a great job getting injured people back to work and off opioid medications. He says this is a bigger problem than many think.

Cut 8 (09) “hurts families”

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As cleanup and recovery continues in areas that were pelted with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes earlier this week, some communities are still keeping a close eye on rivers that have yet to crest. Stephen Carboni with the National Weather Service says parts of Central Louisiana experienced as much as 10 inches of rain during the event…:

Cut 9 (08)  “for example”

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy called called Sunday’s storms “a Gustav-level event.” Carboni says there are homes and businesses in several historically flood-prone areas that should monitor river forecasts…:

Cut 10 (07) “Allen Parish”

Carboni says there is some good news. He says unlike some of the weather events that caused devastating flooding in 2016, this was a quick downpour and the forecast over the next several days looks decent…:

Cut 11 (08) “and see”

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A man who gunned down and murdered his longtime-partner and prominent business woman in Northwest Louisiana will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Caddo Assistant DA Brittney Green says a jury found 59-year-old Mark Colby guilty of second degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Angela Godley…:

Cut 12 (04) “Judge Mosely”

Godley was found dead in the laundry room at the couple’s Shreve Island home on September 10, 2014. Green says the incident rocked the community as the victim was a well known restaurant owner and former cardiac care nurse…:

Cut 13 (10) “wonderful nurse”

Green says on the night of the murder, something went wrong between the two after a night out that resulted in Colby taking a .45 handgun and shooting the victim 5 times, including 4 in he back. She says Colby had a violent history…:

Cut 14 (10) “for Ms. Godley”

04.04.17
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14:30 LRN Newscast April 4th

The Louisiana Survey finds there’s strong and broad support to reform the state’s criminal justice system in the upcoming legislative session. But the LSU survey found a big difference between blacks and whites over the fairness of the criminal justice system. LSU professor Doctor Michael Henderson says 71-percent of black respondents say the system is not fair, only 44-percent of white respondents agree…
cut 4 (09) “….the motivations”

Shreveport restaurant owner Mark Colby was sentenced to life in prison today for killing his girlfriend and business partner Angela Godley. Caddo Assistant D-A Brittney Green says the 2014 slaying rocked the community, because Godley was well known and a former cardiac care nurse….
cut 13 (10) “….wonderful nurse”
The two were parnters in the Noble Savage Tavern.

Governor Edwards is supporting legislation that seeks to tackle the state’s opioid addiction program. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot is co-authoring a bill that would limit first time opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a seven day supply. Talbot also has a bill that’s similar to a Texas law that he says has done a great job of getting people back to work and off opiod medications…..
cut 8 (09) “….hurts families”

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy called called Sunday’s storms “a Gustav-level event.” But Stephen Carboni with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the event is not over as there are homes and businesses in historically flood-prone areas that should monitor river forecasts…
cut 10 (07) “….Allen Parish”
Carboni says the good news is that the forecast for the next several days looks dry.

04.04.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast April 4th

LSU looks to break out from its struggles when they host Grambling State tonight. The Tigers have fallen out of the top ten in the major college baseball polls and they are in fourth place in the SEC West with a 5-4 league record. But Coach Paul Maineiri says he’s not giving up on the season…
cut 17 (12) “…around here”
Freshman right-hander Todd Peterson is set to start for LSU on the mound tonight. But Mainieri plans to use as many as 10 pitchers. Zach Hess, who has been a regular midweek starter is now a reliever to strengthen the bullpen.

In other action tonight,,,,,,Southeastern hosts South Alabama. Louisiana Tech hosts Stephen F Austin. Northwestern State takes on ULM and the Ragin Cajuns will host Nicholls State. The Cajuns have yet to win a midweek game at home this season.

04.04.17
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10:30 LRN Newscast April 4th

A University of New Orleans survey finds President Trump has a much higher approval rating in Louisiana than he does nationwide…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The latest installment from the Louisiana Survey ouf of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab finds there’s strong, broad support for reforming the state’s criminal justice system. The poll found that a large majority of respondents support shorter sentences for people convicted of non-violent crimes and more alternatives to prison.

Recovery efforts continue from the severe weather that damaged property and killed two people in St. Martin Parish. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says preliminary damage assessment teams will survey the destruction…:
Cut 10 (09) “from FEMA”
The National Weather Service confirms there were 4 tornadoes Sunday in Rapides Parish.

The personal finance website Wallethub has determined Louisiana is the second most stressed out state. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine professor of pyschiatry, Michele Many (Main-ee), says finances creates stress. And Many says the situation gets worse when a person doesn’t treat their stress level…
cut 9 (12) “…have to go”
Alabama was ranked as the most stressed out state.

04.03.17
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17:30 LRN Newscast April 3rd

Governor Edwards has declared a state of emergency after severe weather killed two people and produced damage over much of the state yesterday and early this morning. The two fatalities were near Breaux Bridge, when a trailer flipped over killing two people, including a three-year-old girl.

There was also significant damage in north and central Louisiana. In Franklin Parish, Sheriff Kevin Cobb says limbs ripped from trees and flying debris downed power lines and injured one person…
cut 5 (10) “….hospital there”
Three people were rescued by Vernon Parish Sheriff deputies because of rising water. Vernon Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore….
cut 6 (10) “…life jackets”

There will be an attempt in the upcoming legislative session to increase the minimum Grade Point Average for high school seniors to qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is the author of one of those bills…
cut 12 (04) “…more dedication”
Reynolds legislation would also allow TOPS students to take a year or two off from college and still receive their scholarship when they decide to go back to school.

The bids to produce medical marijuana are in with the LSU Ag Center, but how much longer do patients have to wait? Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

04.03.17
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16:45 LRN Sportscast April 3rd

After dropping three of four last week, the LSU baseball team has fallen out of the top 10 in the major college baseball polls. Collegiate Baseball has the Tigers ranked 22nd, Baseball America has them ranked 15th. LSU had a tough loss on Saturday, leading 3-0 in the ninth inning over Texas A&M, the Aggies stormed back to score four runs and win 4-3. Senior shortstop Kramer Robertson described the loss as shocking….
cut 18 (19) “….hurts a lot”

Elsewhere in college baseball, UL Lafayette is tied with Texas State for first place in the West Division of the Sun Belt. The Cajuns clobbered South Alabama 10 to 2 yesterday.

Quarterback Chase Daniel said on a teleconference with reporters today one reason why he returned to the Saints is the possibility he could become the successor to Drew Brees. The 38-year-old Brees has one more year left on his contract. Daniel signed a one-year deal with the Saints last week.

The Saints will begin offseason workouts April 17th and minicamp is scheduled for June 13th to the 15th.

In other NFL news…The Bills hosted free agent cornerback B-W Webb, who played in 14 games for the Saints last season and had 28 tackles and one interception. Webb will also reportedly visit with the Browns and Bears.

Former LSU Tiger Ego Ferguson has been claimed off of waivers by the Green Bay Packers. He was released by the Chicago Bears last week.

The Chicago Bulls beat the New Orleans Pelicans 117 to 110 last night. If Portland defeats Minnesota tonight, the Pels will be officially eliminated from playoff contention.