Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.04.16
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10:30 LRN Newscast March 4th

Just as lawmakers started coming together on ways to plug the current year budget deficit, the situation is reportedly worse than they thought. According to Gannett News, legislators were informed last night that one of the revenue generating bills won’t bring in money in time to help the current $900 million dollar deficit. They say there is still a $142 million dollar hole they must fill before the special session ends on Wednesday.

Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and former President Bill Clinton have planned rallies in the New Orleans area today ahead of the Louisiana Presidential Primary tomorrow. Clinton was also in Baton Rouge last night stumping for his wife Hillary. Secretary of state Tom Schedler reminds voters that this is a closed primary…:
CUT 4 (10) “to vote”
Polls will open at 7 am and close at 8 pm. Schedler expects a much larger turnout than 2012.

Troopers in Baton Rouge and Monroe are now able to check if a driver has car insurance automatically when they pull someone over. State Police Major Doug Cain says they hope to have this system running statewide soon. He says insurance companies provide cops with information that will pop up directly on the officer’s screen when they pulls someone over…:
CUT 8 (09) “that time”
He says 12-15% of Louisiana drivers aren’t insured which is one of the reasons our rates are so high, so he hopes they can catch more people with this system.

Another teacher in St. Charles Parish is facing charges related to having inappropriate conduct with a student. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed 30-year-old Jeremy Eusea, a teacher at Hahnville High, is booked with sexual battery and prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

03.03.16
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16:45 LRN Sportscast March 3rd

UL-Lafayette will vacate 22 victories, on the football field between 2011 and 2014. It’s to comply with an NCAA investigation that determined a former assistant coach falsified ACT scores for five students, which means those students were ineligible to play. The voice of the Ragin Cajuns Jay Walker says the school accepts the penalties and will move on.
cut 15 (06) “move forward”
Two of the games vacated are victories the team had in the New Orleans Bowl in 2011.

In college baseball action last night…the LSU Tigers scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the third inning and beat the Nicholls Colonels nine to four. Louisiana Tech edged 12th ranked Arkansas three to two. Raphael Gladu drove in all three runs. McNeese State upset 16th ranked UL Lafayette seven to two.

ULM looks to extend its winning streak to eight games when they host Georgia Southern at seven PM at the Fant-Ewing Coliseum. It’s the final two games at home for the seniors and Coach Keith Richard says they want to send them out as winners…
cut 18 (10) “…like to be”
The Ragin Cajuns host Georgia State, while Louisiana Tech is at Marshall. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for second in the league standings and Coach Eric Konkol says his players understand how important this game is…
cut 30 (18) “…on Thursday”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

03.03.16
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####Updated PM LRN Newscall March 3rd####

The newscall has been updated after the House approved the cigarette tax. 

Lawmakers are filing bills for the regular session that will make changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle announced today he’s joining the race for the 3rd Congressional District seat. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (25)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A man accused of being a member of the Gremlins street gang turned himself in to police late Wednesday, Abbeville Chief Tony Hardy said. He says 22-year-old Cody Guidry of Abbeville is one of 17 people indicted in connection with a lengthy multi-agency investigation into gang activity near Abbeville and three other parishes in South Central Louisiana….:

CUT 3 (06)  “9:30”

The gang is accused of operating in Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion and St. Martin parishes. Five of the suspected members are still at large. Hardy says these men face many charges related to criminal street gang violations…:

CUT 4 (04)  “to racketeering”

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Lawmakers have started filing bills for the regular session to change the TOPS scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says he has filed about a dozen TOPS-related bills, one of which would raise the requirements to qualify for the scholarship.

CUT 5 (09)  “to the plate”

Morrish says one of his bills seeks to raise the GPA requirement for TOPS award from a 2.5 to a 2.75 and the ACT score from a 20 to a 21. The Senate Education Chairman has also filed legislation so that TOPS would no longer cover at 100-pecent a student’s tuition….

CUT 6 (09) “becoming law”

Morrish says lawmakers attempted to cap the amount of the dollars going to TOPS last year, but the bill was vetoed by former-Governor Bobby Jindal.  Morrish says legislators also would like to address the situation of TOPS students dropping out without graduating…

CUT 7 (04) “forgiven”

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It appears the budget stalemate could be over. It started with the Senate Finance committee laying out its plans for addressing the state’s 900-million dollar budget shortfall this fiscal year. Chairman Eric LaFleur says through a combination of tax increases and budget cuts, they can close the deficit, if the House agrees to pass more tax bills that will generate an additional 83-million dollars

CUT 8 (06) “on Monday”

Shortly after the Senate Finance panel met, the House began approving bills to increase revenue, including a measure that would raise the state’s cigarette tax by another 22-cents, to a $1.08 a pack. The bill’s author, New Orleans Representative, Walt Leger…

CUT 9 (12) “this product” 

The special session must end March 9th. It’s likely a conference committee will be needed to iron out differences between the House and Senate when it comes to cuts and taxes. But Senate President John Alario likes the direction that budget talks are heading…

cut 10 (07)  “to it”

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Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle announced today he’s joining the race for the 3rd Congressional District seat. He joins five other Republicans looking for the spot being vacated by Congressman Charles Boustany who’s running for US Senate. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, now that it’s official, Angelle becomes the clear favorite…:

Cut 11 (09) “front of the line”

Other announced candidates include former state lawmaker Brett Geymann of Lake Charles, Lafayette School board member Erick Knezek (Nee-Zick), oil company executive Lt. Col Gregory Ellison, Lafayette businessman Gus Rantz IV and retired US ambassador Grover Joseph Rees. Cross says with such a crowded field, candidates will need to identify strongly with the region…:

cut 12 (11) “holds dear”

Cross says even though Angelle becomes the clear front runner, it’s still anyone’s race. He says it’ll depend on how attractive the candidates are..:

cut 13 (08)  “campaign”

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UL-Lafayette will have to vacate 22 football games between 2011 and 2014, as a result of a two-year NCAA Committee investigation. The committee determined that a former assistant coach falsified ACT scores for five students, meaning those students were ineligible to play. Games involving ineligible players led to vacating those victories. Jay Walker, the voice of the Ragin Cajuns, says he understands the committee’s ruling.

cut 14 (11)  “there are penalties”

Eight victories from the 2011 season, four from 2012, eight from 2013 and two from 2014 will be vacated, including two New Orleans Bowl championships in 2011 and 2013 and the 2013 Sun Belt Conference championship. Walker says the school accepts the penalties and moves on.

cut 15 (06) “move forward” 

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03.03.16
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10:30 LRN Newscast March 3rd

The presidential primary is heating up in the wake of Super Tuesday. Louisiana’s primary is Saturday and it’s a vital state for the candidates. Halen Doughty reports…
voicer 2 (25) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Marco Rubio was scheduled to hold a rally in Baton Rouge on Friday, but that has been cancelled. Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton will be in the Capitol City tonight for a campaign event in support of his wife Hillary Clinton.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education begins two days of meetings today. The state’s top school board is expected to vote on recommended changes to Common Core.

An accused member of the Gremlins street gang has turned himself into police. Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy says 22-year-old Cody Guidry is one of 17 people indicted in connection with a lengthy multi-agency investigation into gang activity near Abbeville and three surrounding parishes…
cut 3 (06) “….9:30”
Five suspected members of the gang are still at large.

Scientists are encouraged that Louisiana’s wetlands are repairing themselves after the devastating 2010 BP spill, which goes down as the largest oil spill off the US coast. LSU chemistry professor Edward Overton….
cut 6 (09) “….that oil”
But Overton says it’s not all positive news. Several animal species remain stressed by the spill and there’s still the problem of coastal land loss.

03.02.16
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LRN PM Newscall Wednesday March 2nd

Former US Representative Joseph Cao has announced he will run for the US Senate seat that David Vitter will vacate. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (26)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The West Monroe-based show Duck Dynasty marks its 100th episode today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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One person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash last night near the Roanoke community in Jefferson Davis parish. Sgt. James Anderson with Louisiana State Police says none of the adults involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.

CUT 3 (10)  “received injuries”

25-year-old Kevin Daigle of Elton was pronounced dead at a Lafayette hospital. Anderson says the crash was the result of 24-year-old Kayla Laborde failing to stop at a stop sign.

CUT 4 (10)  “been prevented”

A two-year-old in one of the vehicles was restrained and received moderate injuries. Anderson says not wearing seat belts had serious consequences for the adults involved.

CUT 5 (06)  “85 feet”

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Former US Representative Joseph Cao (Gow) has entered the race for the US Senate seat that will vacated by David Vitter. Eight well-known candidates are now in the race. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says fundraising may be the defining factor in this race because so many candidates are competing for limited funds in the state.

CUT 6 (07) “dropping out”

Cross says some of the candidates may have to self-fund. Cao, a republican, served one term in the House beginning in 2009. Cross says with so many familiar names in the race, Cao is not a favorite to head into the run off.

CUT 7 (11) “a shot”

Cross says Republicans John Kennedy, Charles Boustany and John Fleming are favorites to make the runoff. He says their name recognition and available funds will give them a leg up. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard are also in the running, but Cross says only one of them may have a real shot.

CUT 8 (07) “for Republicans”

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Duck Dynasty fans are celebrating at the Duck Commander Warehouse in West Monroe as the show airs its 100th episode tonight. Willie Robertson’s wife Korie, who also co-owns Duck Commander, says the family has received a lot of encouragement from Louisianans.

CUT 9 (06) “the whole process” 

The celebration continues throughout the day as members of the Robertson family say thanks to their fans at the warehouse. Robertson says the small town of West Monroe has seen a huge boost in tourism since the show aired.  She says the best thing about filming the show has been spending time together with their family.

cut 10 (07)  “been great”

Robertson says they are already filming season 10, and their new adopted 13-year-old son Rowdy Robertson will make appearances in the new season – joining 5 other siblings. The one hour season 9 finale airs tonight at 8pm on A&E.

Cut 11 (06) “it together”

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Parents with children that have developmental disabilities went before the Senate Finance Committee urging lawmakers to increase taxes to help fund programs that help them take care of their kids. Ashley McReynolds is the mother of 9-year-old Cooper who has a serious genetic disorder that makes him feel like he’s starving to death. She says without state assistance they would not be able to raise Cooper at home…

cut 12 (10) “together”

A Zachary father also spoke before the committee telling them about his 14-year-old son, Blaine, who suffers from severe autism and a rare chromosome condition. He says with two other kids in college, he needs assistance from the state to help him take care of Blaine.

cut 13 (12)  “right thing”

The testimony definitely touched members of the Senate Finance Committee like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt….

cut 14 (08)  “as well”

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03.02.16
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11:40 LRN Sportscast March 2nd

Fox Sports senior NFL reporter Alex Marvez is reporting the Saints are considering holding its training camp in New Orleans, instead of West Virginia. The team has held camp at the Greenbrier the last two seasons, but have back-to-back 7-and-9 finishes to show for it.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team is at Nicholls State tonight. After losing a couple of games last week, Coach Paul Mainieri is moving second baseman Kramer Robertson to shortstop and shortstop Cole Freeman to second base….
cut 30 (03) “…several days”
Robertson has been LSU’s best defensive infielder.

Bad news for the UL Lafayette baseball team. Cleanup hitter and senior outfielder Kyle Clement will reportedly miss a month after breaking a bone in his right forearm last night. He was hit by a pitch in the Cajuns seven to four win over over UNO.

LSU won last night to keep its slim NCAA Tournament at-large berth chances alive. The Tigers defeated Missouri 80-71 as freshman Ben Simmons scored 22points. Simmons and the Tigers final regular season game is Saturday against Kentucky.

This afternoon, Louisiana Tech visits 12th ranked Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated nationally ranked UL Lafayette last week.

The Sun Belt Conference has made the decision to move on without Idaho and New Mexico State. Those two football only schools will only compete in the Sun Belt for two more seasons. So starting in 2018, the Sun Belt will have 10 schools, with the addition of Coastal Carolina. Commissioner Karl Benson says one of the big questions facing the league is whether they’ll play an eight game conference schedule or nine…
cut 17 (17) “….2017”
Benson says it also remains to be seen if the Sun Belt will split into two divisions.

03.02.16
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10:30 LRN Newscast March 2nd

According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of gasoline has climbed four cents since last week. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump is on the rise, because production has slowed down at refinieries, because of regular mainetenance and an abundant supply of fuel on the market already. But Redman doesn’t expect prices to get too high…
cut 11 (09) “…prices down”
Triple-A has the statewide average at a $1.60 for regular gasoline.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with republican leaders with the House and Senate encouraging them to take action on bills that could raise revenue, so the state can avoid deep cuts to higher education and health care. GOP leadership is hesitant to increase taxes, because they would like to see more cuts in government spending. The special session must end a week from today.

Louisiana is the worst state for women, according to a new study from Wallethub. Halen Doughty reports…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A racial discrimination trial between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and their former head football coach Jerry Baldwin begins today. Baldwin, an african-american, was 6-27 when fired in 2001.

Former US Representative Joseph Cao has entered Louisiana’s 2016 US Senate race. Cao is a republican and served in the US House for one-term after he defeated former Congressman William Jefferson in 2008.

03.02.16
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08:30 LRN Newscast March 2nd

The state House of Representatives convenes at two PM, but will they take up any bills to generate revenue as the state tries to close a 940-million dollar deficit this fiscal year? The lower chamber has put off votes the last two days on tax bills dealing with alcohol, tobacco and internet sales. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says his bill to raise the tax on beer will not cost the consumer much…
cut 15 (06) “….per can”
Meanwhile, Republicans are waiting to see what the Senate does with a House-approved bill that makes 106-million dollars worth of cuts.

It’s just over a week ago that south Louisiana was hit with a deadly tornado outbreak. State Farm spokesperson Roszell Gadson…
cut 6 (10) “…to normal”
Gadson says Louisiana ranked 11th in the country last year in wind paid claims.

Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country for women to live in. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says the Bayou State ranks low in the areas of high school dropout rate for women, female uninsured rate, and the percent of women living in poverty…
cut 9 (04) “…in poverty”

In political news…Former Congressman Joseph Cao of New Orleans announces he’s running for US Senate in 2016. Cao, who is a republican, served one-term in the House starting in 2009.

Former state lawmaker Brett Geymann of Lake Charles says he’s running for Louisiana 3rd District Seat in the US House of Representatives. Geymann, a republican, is seeking to replace Charles Boustany, who is running for US Senate.

And State Police says one person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle wreck in Jefferson Davis Parish last night. Authorities say none of the victims were wearing seatbelts. Twenty-five-year-old Kevin Daigle of Elton was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

03.02.16
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07:30 LRN Newscast March 2nd

The Louisiana senate approves a bill that would increase the state’s four-cent sales tax by another penny. It would go into effect on April first and generate cash quickly, as the state is trying to close a massive budget deficit. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell thanked his fellow senators for getting this legislation approved…
cut 20 (12) “…fiscal years”
The State House of Representatives continues to put off voting on numerous tax bills, including one that would increase the tax on alcohol for the first time in decades. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says he’s still trying to come up with 70 votes on the House floor for his bill to get approval…
Cut 13 (06) “nasty”
The special session must end a week from today.

Gas prices are starting to rise as refineries conduct maintenance in preparation for the busy driving summer season. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average has increased four cents since last week and this uptick is typical for this time of year….
cut 10 (08) “…oil prices”
Redman says refineries are also slowing production in response to abundant supply of gas.

Louisaina ranks 11th in paid wind insurance claims in the US…
voicer 1(27) “….reporting”

03.02.16
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06:45 LRN Sportscast March 2nd

In what was most likely his final home regular season game, LSU freshman Ben Simmons scored 22 points in an 80-71 victory over the Missouri Tigers. Simmons also had 14 rebounds and seven assists. It was his 21st double-double of the season. Simmons is expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft.

In college baseball…16th ranked UL Lafayette scored four runs in the seventh inning and rallied past UNO 7-4. Joe Robbins hit his third home run and drove in two runs.

ULM came back from a six-to-nothing deficit in the 2nd inning and beat Valparaiso 18-9 in its home opener. Nathan Pugh drove in a three runs.

Tonight, the 6th ranked LSU Tigers visit Nicholls State, who is 4-5 on the season. Coach Paul Mainieri is shuffing his infield. Kramer Robertson moves from second to short, while Cole Freeman moves over to second after starting at short. And Louisiana Tech is at 12th ranked Arkansas for a 3:05 first pitch.

The Sun Belt Conference is removing New Mexico State and Idaho from its league. The two football-only members will leave the conference following the 2017 season. With the addition of Coastal Carolina, the Sun Belt will be a 10-member league in 2018. Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson likes the idea of a 10-team league and will discuss with coaches and ADs about adding a conference championship game….
cut 16 (21) “….nine conference games”

In other Sun Belt news…former Northwestern State Head Coach Scott Stoker is the new linebackers coach at ULM. And a racial discrimination trail between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and their former head football coach Jerry Baldwin begins today. Baldwin, an african-american, was 6-27 when fired in 2001.