Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.13.16
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06:45 LRN Sportscast January 13

The Saints are scheduled to play the Rams next season and when they do, it will be the Los Angeles Rams who visit the Mercedes Benz Superdome. NFL owners voted to move the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to L-A. The Chargers also have the option to move to Los Angeles from their current home in San Diego. The Saints will also play the Chargers next season, but on the road.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight game last night as they fell to the Lakers 95-91. Anthony Davis didn’t play for New Orleans, because of a back injury and Kobe Bryant played only in the first half, but Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers end their four game losing streak. New Orleans is at Sacramento tonight.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Ole Miss tonight. The Rebels are 12-3 overall, 2-1 in the SEC and led by five-foot-eleven guard Stefan Moody, who leads the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 24 points a game.

The NCAA has accepted UL Lafayette’s self-imposed sanctions and added a few of their own for violations that were committed by former assistant coach David Saunders. The NCAA found that Saunders enabled recruits to take a fraudulent college extrance exam and provided cash to a former player. But the college athletics governing body found that Coach Mark Hudspeth was not responsible for the violations.

LSU’s early enrollees are scheduled to begin class today and the group includes five-star cornerback Saivion Smith, Donaldsonville wide receiver Stephen Sullivan and former North Webster running back-linebacker Devin White. Ex John Ehret linebacker Michael Divinity is also expected to be in class today.

The LSU Tigers are ranked seventh and UL Lafayette is ranked 17th in the D-1 preseason college baseball poll. Three SEC teams are ranked in the Top 5, Florida is number one, Vanderbilt is third and Texas A-and-M is fourth.

01.13.16
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06:30 LRN Newscast Jan 13

The price of oil per barrel has hit 30-dollars for the first time since 2003. Eric Smith with the Tulane Energy Institue says to stop the crash in oil prices, the supply has to meet a week demand for oil and in the short term the only way to do that is to cut back on production….
cut 11 (07) “…some more”
Smith says unfortunately countries in the Middle East show no signs of cutting back.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that will allow additional 300-thousand low-income individuals to receive government health insurance. There are ramp up costs, but Edwards says DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee is working with healthcare providers, so the state doesn’t have to pay anything this fiscal year…
cut 7 (10) “….state’s portion”
The goal is to have these additional Medicaid health care cards available by July 1st.

New federal rules are in place to allow fish farming in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA’s Deputy Director of Aquaculture, David O’ Brien, says this has been in the works for 10 years and during that time there have been a series of reviews to make sure fish farming will not harm the environment. He says this will be a big boost for the domestic seafood industry
cut 15 (07) “…so to speak”
Many commercial fishermen have fought against fish farms in the Gulf, as they’ve raised concerns about losing fish grounds and the potential for outbreaks of disease.

Today is the last day to purchase your Powerball tickets for tonight’s world record one-point-five billion dollar jackpot. It’s been 19 straight drawings since a lucky person last matched all six numbers.

01.12.16
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 12

The LSU football team finished 16th in the final AP Top 25 ranking of the season. And running back Leonard Fournette is the NCAA rushing champion as he rushed for 163 yards a contest. He’s the first player in LSU history to lead the nation in rushing.

D-1 Baseball came out with its preseason rankings today….LSU is ranked seventh, while UL Lafayette is ranked 18th.

The NCAA handed down additional penalties against UL Lafayette today as a result of a former assistant coach who designed a scheme that resulted in fraudulent college entrance exam scores for five recruits. The school was fined five-thousand dollars, it losses a handful of scholarships over the next two years and it may have to vacate some victories. The voice of the Cajuns, Jay Walker says NCAA cleared head coach Mark Hudspeth of wrongdoing, but…
cut 14 (06) “…responsible for it”

The Pelicans Anthony Davis is questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers. Davis missed Sunday’s loss to the Clippers because of a back injury. Also the team has announced that Quincy Pondexter will miss the rest of the season because he’ll need surgery on his left knee.

The LHSAA has handed down its penalties against Amite and Bogalusa High Schools for being involved in a bench clearing brawl during football playoff game in November. Both schools were fined 25-hundred dollars and when they play each other in football in October, fans will not be allowed at the game. LHSAA assistant director Keith Alexander says they wanted to send the message that behavior like this will not be tolerated…
cut 18 (11) “…our properly”

And in recruiting…St. James Quarterback Lowell Narcisse has decommitted from Auburn. He would be a good get for LSU’s 2017 class.

01.12.16
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LRN PM Newscall January 12

A Homer man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The NCAA has announced sanctions against UL-Lafayette as a result of a former assistant football coach violating rules by arranging fraudulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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In his inaugural address, Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of raising the minimum wage in Louisiana. Many wonder what kind of affect an increased minimum wage would have on business and workers. LSU Economist Jim Richardson says it really depends on how much minimum wage would be raised…

CUT 3 (06)  “on the workers”

Louisiana’s current minimum wage is the federally mandated wage of $7.25 per hour. Richardson says he’s heard talk of raising the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 to $10.10 per hour. He says a hike in minimum wage could cause businesses to re-think how they do business…

CUT 4 (10)  “people to hire”

Supporters of a higher minimum wage say putting more money in worker’s hands will allow them to spend more and help spur the economy. However, Richardson says this wage hike would not be free money and that money currently belongs to someone…

CUT 5 (10)  “to spend it”

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As the Powerball jackpot is now up to 1.5 billion dollars, many people are teaming up to buy tickets in bulk. Legal analyst Tim Meche says there isn’t anything illegal about pooling money to purchase a bunch of tickets but make sure the person holding the tickets is someone you trust.

CUT 6 (09) “no agreement”

Meche says a verbal agreement is all you should need when buying with a group. He says if you believe there needs to be a written contract, maybe you should rethink the group purchase.

CUT 7 (08) “ticket with”

Meche says always sign the back of your ticket.

CUT 8 (08) “your ticket”

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Louisiana State Police and the Homer Police Department have arrested a Homer man for allegedly murdering a 68-year-old Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. 35-year-old Jermaine Johnson is charged with second degree murder. Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton says the victim’s, Sulyn Prince, daughter called in a welfare concern on Monday when she couldn’t make contact with her mother.

CUT 9 (09)  “something wrong”

Sexton says Homer police called L-S-P after realizing they might need extra assistance. He says Prince’s body was found by K-9’s in a shallow grave in a wooded area behind her home.

cut 10 (09)  “in it”

Sexton says Prince worked for his office for as long as he’s been sheriff and was an experienced employee in the corrections division. He says she was a pleasure to work with and dedicated to her job.

Cut 11 (09) “sheriff’s office”

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UL Lafayette has been placed on two years probation and will lose three scholarships for next season and the following season as a result of a former assistant football coach, who violated NCAA rules by arranging fraudulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. Jay Walker, the voice of the Ragin Cajuns, says the NCAA sanctions could have been worse…

cut 12 (08) “in a bowl”

The NCAA also fined the school $5,000 and imposed recruiting restrictions. The school had already voluntarily vacated all victories from 2011 season because of the violations. Walker says the NCAA has ordered the school to do the same for the 2012-2014 seasons for games the ineligible players participated in…

cut 13 (04)  “of the wins”

He says the identities of the ineligible players have not been made public. Walker says the NCAA investigation found no one at UL-Lafayette, including head coach Mark Hudspeth, had any knowledge of this taking place…

cut 14 (06)  “responsible for it”

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Today, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order to expand Medicaid in Louisiana. Edwards spoke alongside legislators and community leaders, as well as patients he said would benefit from the federally funded health insurance. He says these are low income adults who were too poor to qualify for subsidized care on the health insurance exchange:

cut 15 (11)  “financial security”

Edwards says by July 1st, they expect more than 300,000 citizens to enroll under the new Medicaid eligibility. Edwards says to qualify, a family or individual must have income at 138% of the federal poverty level. He says this will help keep the working poor from slipping further into poverty..:

cut 16 (12)  “funds”

 

01.12.16
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 12

The 2015 college football season came to a close last night, with Alabama’s 45 to 40 win over Clemson in the national championship game. It’s the fifth championship for former LSU Coach Nick Saban, putting him one behind Bear Bryant.

In the final AP rankings, LSU came in at number 16, while running back Leonard Fournette ended the year as the nation’s leading rushing as he averaged 163 yards a game. Fournette is the first running back from the SEC to be declared the rushing champion since 1949.

In other football news…UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is coming back for his senior season. Former ULM football coach Todd Berry has been named the new executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. St. James Quarterback Lowell Narcisse has decommitted from Auburn. He would be a good get for LSU’s 2017 class.

UL Lafayette has been placed on two years probation and will lose three scholarships for next season and the following season as a result of a former assistant coach, who violated NCAA rules by arranging fradulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. The school has already vacated victories from 2011 season and will have to do the same if the players involved played for the team from the 2012-2014 seasons.

When Amite and Bogalusa play each other in football next season, fans will not be allowed in the stands. It’s part of the punishment handed down by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association as a result of a fight that broke out between the two teams towards the end of their playoff game last November. LHSAA assistant director Keith Alexander says the 2016 Amite-Bogalusa game will be considered a closed compeition…
cut 17 (09) “..the play”
The two schools were each fined 25-hundred dollars and placed on administrative probation for all sports for the 2016-17 season.

01.11.16
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17:30 LRN Newscast January 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in as Louisiana’s governor today and announced his plans to improve health care opportunities for the state’s working poor…
cut 9 (12) “…to healthcare”
Edwards has called a 1:30 press conference on Tuesday to provide more details.

Edwards’ choice for Speaker of the House was not selected in a vote by House members , which goes down as a political defeat for the new governor. Edwards wanted New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger House Speaker, but the lower chamber selected a conservative legislator from New Iberia, Taylor Barras…
cuut 7 (06) “…future of Louisiana”
New Orleans Republican John Alraio was elected again as Senate President.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (29) “..I’m Eric Gill”

Lifeshare Blood Centers, which has locations across the state, say they are in the need of blood donations as their supply is less than two days for most blood types. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says if you’re eligible to donate, please do…
cut 14 (08) “….try to give”
Hooper says low blood donor turnout in December and last week led to a critically low supply of blood on hand.

01.11.16
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 11

We’re about three and a half weeks away from national signing day and LSU according to 24-7 sports has the top recruiting class in the country when it comes to football. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the Tigers coaching staff are looking to add to their 20 commitments…
cut 18 (13) “….John Curtis”
National Signing day is February third.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is coming back for his senior season. McGuire is a three-time All-Sun Belt selection and is one of two active players in college football with three-thousand yards rushing and one-thousand yards passing.

Former ULM Coach Todd Berry has been named the new executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is now coaching for his brother, Rex Ryan, in Buffalo. Rob will be an assistant head coach for the defense. It’s the first time since 1995 that the Ryan brothers served on the same staff.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis went to instagram to announce he underwent a third surgery. In the preseason, he had a hip-sports herina procedure and had another surgery to repair the labrum in his hip during the season and it appears he needed another one after playing in just six games in 2015.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Lakers. Davis suffered a back contusion in the loss on Friday against Indiana and missed yesterday’s overtime loss to the Clippers.

And the LSU gymnastics squad shares a number one ranking with Michigan. The Tigers beat the previous number one ranked team in the country, Oklahoma on Saturday. LSU competes in Las Vegas on Thursday.

01.11.16
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LRN Newscast 16:30 January 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards laid out some of his priorities for the next four years as he was sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Edwards says he’ll seek to expand Medicaid, increase the minimum wage and he’ll support efforts to make higher education more affordable…
cut 11 (14) “…tuition and fees”
Edwards says his top priority is fixing the state’s massive budget problems.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Edwards suffered a political defeat when the House voted for New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras, instead of Edwards choice, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger…
cut 8 (12) “….of Representatives”
New Orleans Republican John Alario remains Senate president.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being constructed in St. Landry Parish and St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
But the US Army Corps of Engineers announced today that there is not a need to open the Morganza Spillway, which will lessen the flood threat in St. Landry.

A 96-year-old driver plowed into the Mandeville community center, injuring four people inside. The accident happend around nine o’ clock this morning, authorities say the driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake as she was pulling up to the building. The injuries to the people inside are not considered life threatening.

01.11.16
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15:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. Michelle Southern has more…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Before Edwards spoke at his inauguration, the House selected New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras as the new Speaker of the House. It’a political defeat for Edwards, who backed New Orleans Representative Walt Leger. New Orleans republican John Alario remains the Senate President.

The US Army Corps of Engineers says at this time, there is no need to use the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish to divert Mississippi River water before it reaches the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. Meanwhile, the Louisiana National Guard has activated almost 300 soldiers, many of them are building protective levees to hold back the rising Mississippi River…
cut 5 (10) “…walls installed”
That’s Lt. Rebekah Malone.

LifeShare Blood Centers says they are low on blood supply and they need your help. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says their blood centers have a supply of less than two days for most types and that’s not good news for those who need blood…
cut 13 (09) “…many of those”
Hooper encourages people who are eligible to donate blood to please do so.

01.11.16
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LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 11

There’s about three and a half weeks left before national signing day and LSU has the number one ranked recruitingt class in the nation. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says LSU’s highest ranked commitment is Saivion Smith a five-star cornerback from Florida…
cut 17 (15) “…of Houston”
Dixon says there’s still time to add to this star studded class, as LSU is trying to get verbal commitments from two highly recruited players out of the New Orleans area, cornerback Kristian Fulton from Rummel and offensive tackle Will Allen from John Curtis.

Tonight it’s the college football national championship game as Alabama takes on Clemson. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is seeking his fifth national championship.

The Pelicans began a three-game road trip on the West Coast with a 114 to 111 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony Davis did not play for New Orleans as he’s suffering from a back injury that he suffered in a loss to Indiana. Jrue Holiday led the way for the Pelicans last night with 29 points, Chris Paul had 25 for the Clippers who won their ninth straight. New Orleans is staying in L-A as they’ll play the Lakers tomorrow night.

In college basketball…LSU will look to rebound on Wednesday night when they play Ole Miss. The Tigers lost to Florida on Saturday. Louisiana Tech will play in Florida this week as they’ll visit FIU on Thursday and Florida Atlantic on Saturday. ULM had two tough losses in Arkansas last week, this week they’ll face Georgia State on Thursday and Georgia Southern on Saturday.

In college baseball news…LSU pitcher Alex Lange has been named a Perfect Game USA first-team all-american, while outfielder Jake Fraley is on the third team.