Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.31.15
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LRN AM Newscall for Monday June 1

Today is the start of the 2015 Hurricane Season and even though forecasters are calling for a below average season, state officials urge you to get prepared. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A House Committee hears a Senate-bill today that  will help the legislature reach a revenue-neutral budget. It’s called the SAVE tax credit, and it provides colleges with a tax credit for raising fees on students. Michelle Southern reports..:

Cut 2 (27) “reporting”

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Another republican presidential primary poll has Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal receiving just one percent of the vote. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Today is the start of the 2015 Hurricane Season and even though forecasters are calling for a below average season, state officials are urging you to get prepared for a storm now. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesman Mike Steele says their message every year is “Get a Game Plan”…:

cut 4  (09)  “develop”

A list of hurricane supplies, evacuation information and other critical information can be found on the www.getagameplan.org website. Steele says in addition to hurricane preparedness items, you should also think about things like prescription medication paperwork, insurance papers and other important documents…:

Cut 5  (10)  “to evacuate”

Steele says we’ve been fortunate to have had a low level of tropical activity in recent years, but we can not let our guard down. He says they don’t want people to be complacent just because NOAA is predicting a below normal hurricane season…

Cut 6 (06)  “for Louisiana”

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State lawmakers are looking at increasing title fees by another 50-dollars when a person purchases a new or used vehicle. Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley supports the effort. Adley says the additional revenue will go towards State Police operations, so they can stop taking money away from a fund designed to pay for road and bridge work…

CUT 7 (07)  “trust fund”

Currently, residents pay a title fee of $18.50. Adley says it hasn’t been adjusted since the 1980s and a fee increase can keep State Police from receiving money out of the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for road repairs

Cut 8  (10)  “that works” 

The proposed title fee increase has been amended to a bill already passed by the House that’s awaiting a vote in the Senate. Adley believes the rest of the legislature will go along with this proposal…

Cut 9 (04)  “right thing to do”

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The trial to determine whether Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is competent to make important decisions regarding his franchises begins today in New Orleans. Benson’s heirs are asking that the 87-year-old be declared mentally unfit to manage his affairs. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the court will use reports from doctors who evaluated Benson..:

Cut 10 (08) “testify”

Benson previously announced he was going to leave ownership of the teams to his wife instead of his daughter and grandchildren. His lawyer maintains that decision was in the best interest of the sports franchises. Meche says this is a very unusual situation…:

cut 11 (05) “of case”

Last week a judge ruled that the proceedings are closed to the public, because a person’s medical records should not be known to the world. Meche believes that’s a stretch…:

cut 12 (10)   “over reaching”

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The House Ways and Means Committee hears a Senate-bill today that is needed for the legislature to reach a revenue-neutral budget. The measure is called the SAVE tax credit, and it will provide colleges with a tax credit for raising fees on students. Many democrats oppose the measure as the head of the party, Senator Karen Peterson, says all the bill does is help make it look like they are not raising taxes.:

Cut 13 (09)  “playing games”

Governor Bobby Jindal has promised he would veto any measures that weren’t “revenue neutral” which is forcing lawmakers to come up with creative ways to get bills signed. Peterson implies that all this proposal does is help the governor’s personal ambitions…:

Cut 14 (11) “and unnecessary”

A separate bill is moving through the legislature that would allow colleges to raise their own tuition and fees. Jindal calls the SAVE tax credit a way to keep education cost-effective in Louisiana…:

Cut 15  (07)  “affordable”

Jindal says the SAVE tax credit is a way to dedicate funding to higher education…:

Cut 16  (07)  “higher education”

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The New Orleans Pelicans named 60-year-old coaching veteran Alvin Gentry as their new head coach over the weekend. This will be Gentry’s fifth time as a head coach in the NBA. Jake Madison, who writes for the website Bourbon Street Shots says the hiring of Gentry is a smart move by general manager Dell Demps

Cut 17 (19) ” Golden State Warriors” 

Gentry will not assume his role as head coach of the Pelicans, until after the NBA Finals. He’ll spend the next couple of weeks trying to help Golden State win a championship. Madison says Gentry will bring an up tempo style of basketball to the Crescent City

Cut 18 (16) “next season”‘

Madison says this job had to be attractive to Gentry, because he’ll be able to coach one of the best young stars in the game, Anthony Davis

Cut 19 (19)  “all of it”

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05.30.15
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LRN Newscast 10:30 May 30

The National Weather Service predicts the Red River will crest at 34 feet on June sixth, a one foot increase over the previous crest’s prediction. Officials predict flood conditions to be similiar to that of 1990 or similar past major South Bossier Flood events. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office says for residents who live in south Bossier, you may want to think about re-locating to higher ground, if not stockpile water and plenty of canned foods…
cut 16 (07) “…be aware”
There are three locations in Bossier Parish where sandbags are available.

In response to complaints about Governor Bobby Jindal using his office to send an email calling Senator Rand Paul unsuited to be Commander in Chief, the state Inspector General advised the Governor to use a different method in the future. In the statement, Stephen Street said Jindal could have avoided the complaints by using a private email or non-public website.

The LSU softball team lost 4-nothing to Florida last night in the Women’s College World Series. The Tigers will play again tonight at 8:30 in an elimination game. The LSU baseball team faces UNC Wilmington in a winner’s bracket contest tonight in the Baton Rouge Regional. and in the Houston Regional, the Ragin Cajuns battle Houston in a winner’s bracket contest.

A man wielding an ax has been arrested after he went after an officer, and fled in his Baton Rouge Police car. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says they got the call about 41 year-old Deandre Trahan walking around and attempting to burglarize homes, and when the officer arrived and called for back-up, the suspect attacked…
CUT 14 (07) Q: ‘of narcotic’
McKneely says they found the police car in west Baton Rouge Parish, and Trahan had to be tazed several times, before he was taken into police custody.

05.30.15
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LRN Newscast 09:30 May 30

The LSU baseball team fell behind against Lehigh yesterday, but like they’ve done so many times this year, they put some quality at-bats together and ended up winning in a 10-3 rout over the Mountain Hawks. Coach Paul Mainieri says the key hit was an RBI double by Chris Sciambra in a three-run sixth inning…
cut 30 (10) “…big lift”
The Tigers will play UNC Wilmington tonight. The Seahawks thumped Tulane 10 to 1 last night.

And What a come from behind victory for the Ragin Cajuns in Houston yesterday. UL Lafayette was down by four runs in the ninth inning and scored five runs to beat Rice seven to six. Senior third baseman Tyler Girouard scored twice in the contest…
cut 29 (08) “…that today”
The Cajuns face Houston tonight in a winner’s bracket contest.

The US Army agrees to pay for the disposal of the 15-million pounds of M6 propellant improperly stored at Camp Minden in Webster Parish. Eric Gill reports….
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

This weekend the state’s four-percent sales tax has been removed from hurricane preparedness items like self powered light sources, radios, gas tanks, batteries, storm shutter devices and more. Department of Revenue spokesperson Kizzy Payton…
cut 7 (08) “..citizens purchase”

05.30.15
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LRN Newscast 08:30 May 30

Governor Bobby Jindal issues an emergency declaration so the state can prepare for potential flooding in northwest and central Louisiana as a result of the rising Red River. Twenty-five thousand sandbags are on their way to Bossier to help that Parish protect itself from high water. Officials say the Red River is expected to crest at 34 feet on June 6th in Bossier.

The Louisiana Inspector General advises Governor Jindal that he should use private resources the next time he wants to make politically charged statements against a person running for office. I-G Stephen Street made that statement in response to Jindal’s press release on governor letterhead earlier this week that said Senator Rand Paul is unsuited to be Commander in Chief. The state constitution prohibits the use of public resources to campaign for or against a candidate.

In NCAA Baseball Regional action….LSU beat Lehigh 10-3, UNC Wilmington trounced Tulane 10 to 1 and the Ragin Cajuns scored five runs in the ninth to beat Rice seven to six.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has plead guilty to drug and rape charges in a New Orleans federal courtroom. The 39-year-old Sharper pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs with the intent to commit rape. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Sharper’s “global” plea deal limits his sentence to 9 years, which Judge Jane Milazzo can choose to accept or reject…:
CUT 9 (10) “August 20th”
Under his “global” plea deal, Sharper will plead guilty in state court in New Orleans to two counts of forcible rape and one count of simple rape.

Today and tomorrow it’s a Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Department of Revenue spokeswoman Kizzy Payton says this weekend Louisiana residents can purchase hurricane preparedness items without having to pay the 4 percent state sales tax…:
CUT 6 (05) “emergency supplies”
Hurricane season starts Monday.

05.30.15
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LRN Sportscast May 30

It was a slow start by the LSU baseball team last night, but they eventually got it going and defeated Lehigh 10 to 3. Both teams had to wait out a two-hour-17-minute rain delay after the top of the 1st inning. and Lehigh jumped out to a two to nothing lead. LSU tied it in the bottom of the 4th and then took control of the game with a three-run sixth inning. Chris Sciambra had a big pinch-hit RBI double in that inning…
cut 30 (12) “….like I’m used to”
Sciambra finished with two RBIs and Kade Scivicique also knocked in two runs.

The Tigers will play UNC Wilmington tonight at 8 PM. The Seahawks scored seven runs in the fourth inning to defeated Tulane ten to one last night. The Green Wave will try to keep their season alive today at 3 PM against Lehigh.

What a come from behind victory for the Ragin Cajuns yesterday in the Houston Regional as they defeated Rice seven to six. U-L Lafayette scored five runs in the 9th inning to shock the Owls. The bottom of the batting order was huge for the Cajuns as the six, seven, eight and nine hitters were a combined five for 12 with four RBIs. All of the RBIs coming in that ninth inning. The bottom of the order is stacked with experience, three seniors and a junior. Coach Tony Robichaux says he did that for a reason…
cut 29 (19) “…down that line-up”
UL Lafayette will face Houston tonight at 7 PM. The Cougars beat Houston Baptist six to four last night.

The LSU softball team lost four to nothing to Florida last night in the Women’s College World Series last night. The Tigers will play an elimination game tonight at 8:30 against either Alabama or Oregon.

05.29.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 May 29

They are in a weather delay at Alex Box Stadium as the Fighting Tigers host Lehigh in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Regional. They played the top of the first as Alden Cartwright retired the side in order and then a heavy rainfall came, followed by lightning. LSU officials hope to resume action at 5:25.

The weather is better in Houston, where the Ragin Cajuns are taking on Rice. UL Lafayette fell behind three to nothing, but the Cajuns battled back to make it a one-run game. Joe Robbins and Greg Davis each had RBIs. But Houston added a run in the 7th and two more in the 8th inning to make 6-2, heading into the 9th.

In other action today….College of Charleston beat Auburn seven to six in the Tallahasse Regional, while Arkansas held on to beat Oral Roberts eight to six in the Stillwater Regional.

Tonight in the Women’s College World Series. LSU faces Florida in a winner’s bracket game. The Tigers took two of three from the Gators earlier this season. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper pleads guilty to drug and rape charges Friday in New Orleans federal court. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 1 (30) “….reporting”

And an Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge has decided to keep the public out of the court proceedings that will determine if Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is competent to make important business decisions regarding his professional sports franchises. Several media outlets argued the public should have access, since Benson’s teams receive hundreds of millions of dollars in state money.

05.29.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast may 29

The NCAA Baseball Tournament gets underway today. The Fighting Tigers host Lehigh at three o’ clock. Last time out, LSU was held to one run in a loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament. Shortstop Alex Bregman expects the bats will come back to life today…
cut 18 (13) “….good job’
Tonight at seven o’ clock in Baton Rouge, it’s Tulane versus UNC Wilmington.

UL Lafayette faces Rice this afternoon in the Houston Regional. One of the Cajuns top hitters is Kyle Clement. The junior from Jeanerette says they are excited to take on one of the best baseball programs in the nation…
cut 20 (08) “….be a good game”
Fans who can’t make it to Houston, can watch the game on the videoboard at Tigue Moore Field.

In a federal courtroom in New Orleans, former NFL player and a member of the Saints Super Bowl team Darren Sharper plead guility to drugging and raping women. His sentencing is set for August 20th. Legal analysts say it’s possible he’ll get a nine year sentence that will run concurrently with the sentence that’s he’s already agreed upon in three other states.

And an Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge has decided to keep the public out of the court proceedings that will determine if Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is competent to make important business decisions regarding his professional sports franchises. Several media outlets argued that the public should have access, since Benson’s teams receive hundreds of millions of dollars in state money.

The LSU softball team faces Florida tonight at six PM in a winner’s bracket game of the Women’s College World Series.

And Louisiana Tech football has received a verbal commitment from Parkway quarterback Keondre Wudtee.

05.28.15
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16:45 LRN Sportscast May 28

The LSU baseball team will host Lehigh tomorrow afternoon to open up NCAA Regional play. Shortstop Alex Bregman says the players look forward to postseason baseball in Alex Box Stadium….
cut 10 (08) “…this year”
Coach Paul Mainieri announces sophomore right-hander Alden Cartwright will start on the mound for the Tigers tomorrow afternoon. The Baton Rouge product will make his first start of the season, but he’s only expected to pitch a couple of innings.

The LSU softball team got off to a good start at the Women’s College World Series as the Tigers defeated Auburn six to one. Bianka Bell and Kellsi Kloss each hit home runs, while Emily Griggs has three hits. LSU as a team had ten hits on the day, which was enough offense for starting pitcher Carley Hoover. The Tigers will play in a winner’s bracket game tomorrow night against Florida.

LSU’s SEC home opener against Auburn will not be a night game. CBS will televise the game on September 19th, which means a 2:30 kick-off in what could be a very hot Death Valley. And it looks like the regular season finale against Texas A-and-M will be played on a Saturday. That’s because CBS has already picked Arkansas-versus-Missouri for that Friday after Thanksgiving.

And the SEC announces that the men’s basketball schedule is changing to three permanent opponents, which means the Tigers will play Texas A-and-M, Alabama and Arkansas at home and on the road each season.

If the Pelicans want to talk with Tom Thibodeau about their head coaching vacancy, they can now do it. Thibodeau was fired today by the Chicago Bulls after five seasons in the Windy City.

Saints head coach Sean Payton announced today that the Black and Gold will ahve a joint practice with the New England Patriots during training camp. It will take place at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Payton says the joint practices will take place prior to the Saints hosting New England in week two of the preseason.

05.28.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast May 28

LSU’s SEC home opener against Auburn will not be a night game. Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says CBS will televise the game on September 19th, which means a 2:30 kick-off in what could be a very hot Death Valley. Athletic Director Joe Alleva says we should hear tomorrow a kick-off time for the regular season finale against Texas A-and-M. It should be a Saturday, since CBS has already picked Arkansas-versus-Missouri for that Friday after Thanksgiving.

Louisiana has its first ever female high school football coach. Susan Gremillion has been hired as the head coach for the Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge. Gremillion says being the first woman head football coach is great, but she wants to be the first woman to coach a deaf national championship team…
cut 9 (06) “….every year”
The Louisiana School for the Deaf competes against similiar schools in other states and Home School Association teams.

According to the Associated Press, the Pelicans have interviewed Jeff Van Gundy for the team’s head coaching job. Van Gundy currently works as a television analyst and he’s a former head coach of the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets. Former NBA player and head coach Scott Skiles has also reportedly emerged as a candidate as well.

The LSU Softball squad faces Auburn this afternoon in the opening round of the Women’s College World Series. This is the second time Coach Beth Torina has led the Tigers to the W-C-W-S. In 2012 the Tigers reached Oklahoma City, but only scored four total runs and they were eliminated after three games. Torina says this year’s squad has a different mindset…
cut 18 (18) “….in the fall’
LSU faced Auburn in the regular season and lost two of three.

05.27.15
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16:45 LRN Sportscast May 27

Bond was set at three-thousand dollars this morning for suspended LSU football palyer Jevonte Domond. The offensive lineman was arrested and charged with a felony count of domestic abuse battery. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Domond’s finance is the victim and she claims Domond strangled her to the point where she almost completely blacked out…
cut 30 (09) “…her story”

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Sugar Bowl have put in a bid to host the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2019 or 2020. Jay Cicero, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President says there are other serious contenders hoping to get the games…:
CUT 17 (09) “is fierce”
He says a decision will be made mid-October.

The LSU softball team will take on SEC rival Auburn Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma City in the opening round of the College World Series. It’s the fourth ever WCWS appearance for the LSU Softball team. Head Coach Beth Torina says since the fall her team has been on a mission to get to this point….
cut 16 (16) “….sitting in today”
The Tigers bring a 50-and-12 record into Oklahoma City.

New Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol has added another assistant coach to his staff. Matt McMahon is heading to Ruston after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant at Murray State. Last season the Racers went 29-and-6. He joins former George Mason star Tony Skinn as an assistant on Konkol’s staff.