Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.28.15
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LRN Newscast 07:30 January 28

New employment numbers are out that show private employers in Louisiana added 34-thousand jobs during 2014, but the state’s unemployment rate also rose one-point-three percent to six-point-seven percent last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink says the higher unemployment rate is not because of layoffs, but because more people are looking for jobs…
cut 11 (09) “…find work”

A study from the National Shooting Sports Foundation has found that 74-percent of gun shops saw growth in female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick is a firearms trainer in Covington and he’s noticed over the last couple of years that females are becoming less scared of guns and enjoying training courses…
cut 9 (05) “….sports industry”

The split high school football playoff system is up for discussion as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association begins its annual convention today. New LHSAA executive director, Eddie Bonine, says he’s asking schools to give him a year to come up with a proposal that would resolve the issues between public and private schools…
cut 13 (07) “….state again”

A Boudin King Cake made in Lafayette has gone viral. Acadiana food critic Bob Carriker reviews King Cakes and Boudin from all over the nation and decided to combine the two and share the idea on his Facebook page…
cut 4 (12) “….in minutes”
Carriker says the now famous King Cake uses a bread that’s savory, stuffed with boudin and topped with Steen’s cane syrup.

01.28.15
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LRN Sportscast 06:45 January 28

Split high school football playoffs will be the main topic for discussion as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association begins its annual convention today. There is a proposal to expand the postseason split of public and private schools to other sports. But new LHSAA executive director, Eddie Bonine, is asking schools to give him a year to come up with a proposal that a bulk of schools are pleased with….
cut 13 (07) “….state again”
Bonine, who was hired in December, has spent the last couple of weeks talking with schools and getting their input. High school principals will vote on Friday on a variety of proposals.

Tom Benson fires back at his daughter and two grandchildren who are attempting to get a judge to declare the Saints and Pelicans owners is not competent to make sound business decisions. In a court filing, Benson says he tried to groom Renee Benson and Rita and Ryan Leblanc, but they never rose to the task.

After winning two games on the road last week, the LSU men’s basketball team is back home tonight to host South Carolina. The Tigers are 4-and-2 in league play, while the Gamecocks are 1-and-5 and have lost three in a row.

In action last night…Tulsa topped Tulane 62-55.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans go after their fifth win in a row as they host the Denver Nuggets. The last time these two teams played each other, the Nuggets won by 20 points over New Orleans. But Denver has lost its last seven, coming into tonight’s game.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Ranaudo has been traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers. Ranaudo was 4-and-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starts with the Red Sox last season. Boston receives left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross in the deal.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth.

01.28.15
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LRN Newscall 06:30 January 28

Louisiana’s December labor numbers are in and once again the state broke employment records. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 3 (32) “….reporting”

In a court filing, Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson says his daughter and two grandchildren, who are suing over his new succession plan, never rose to the task as he attempted to groom them to take over his professional franchises. The filing was in response to a lawsuit filed by Benson’s daughter, Renee, and two grandchildren, who claim Mr. Benson, is not mentally fit to make important decisions.

Studies show more and more women are buying guns and becoming more familiar with how to use them. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, 74 percent of gun shops saw growth in female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick, a firearms trainer in Covington, says they have seen a major increase in the number of women coming into the gun market….
cut 7 (10) “…their children”
Kendrick says he’s found many of his female students go from being scared of weapons to really enjoying a training course and having fun.

01.27.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 January 27

According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says that is possible…:
CUT 12 (09) “of a plateau”
Redman says gas prices should go up later in February as we start heading into spring.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has responsed to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In a court filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the teams following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

Labor numbers for December show it was another record breaking month for Louisiana employment. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink, says total nonfarm employment grew to 1,992,000, as private employers added 34-thousand jobs over the year.

A group of high school students from Cedar Creek in Ruston are on a field trip in snowy New York City. Eric Gill on how they’ve adapted as a result of a big snowstorm…
cut 1 (31) “…reporting”

01.27.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 27

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, through his attorney, has filed a response to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In the filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the team following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth, which allegedly occurred last June. Mills has entered a plea of not guilty and his attorney claims it was actually Mills’ girlfriend who hit the woman.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are off tonight. They won their fourth in a row last night, beating the lowly 76ers 99-74. Tomorrow, New Orleans will host Denver, who is 18-and-27 season on the season. The Pels are a game and a half back of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college basketball…Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State all continue to fall towards the bottom of the Southland standings as they all lost last night. The Colonels were blown out by Northwestern State 80-51. The Demons are 5-and-3 in the league and they are at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. The Ragin Cajuns 2016 baseball recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana, including Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

01.27.15
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PM LRN Newscall January 27

As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says the search for a teen, wanted in connection to a weekend robbery, ended unexpectedly when the suspect was found dead. Sheriff’s spokesperson Maxine Trahan says officers responded to a call from a crawfisherman who discovered a body in a field just east of Crowley…

CUT 3 (08)  “face down”

The body was identified as 18-year-old Slye Mier (mere) of Crowley. Trahan says after the Sunday night robbery, Rayne Police were involved in a chase with a vehicle that Mier and the other suspect, a juvenile, occupied. She says when the pursuit ended, both Mier and the juvenile fled on foot…

CUT 4 (07)  “in the field”

Authorities say Mier’s death is being classified as suspicious, although the exact cause of death is unknown at this time. Mier’s body has been taken to Calcasieu Parish for an autopsy. Trahan says their investigation is ongoing…

CUT 5 (10)  “the investigation”

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As the northeast gets pounded by a blizzard, a group of Louisiana high school students find themselves in the middle of it in New York City. Students from Cedar Creek School in Ruston are in the Big Apple on a school trip. Director of Student Activities Elizabeth Walker says yesterday’s curfew cancelled the Broadway show they planned to attend, but they are making the best of the situation…

CUT 6 (09)  “what we can”

Walker says the group totals 27 people, including 14 students. She says that, even with the weather conditions being less than optimal, they are taking in as much of New York as they possibly can, including Central Park…

CUT 7 (08)  “experience for us”

Walker says the eight inches of snow made this a fun and memorable trip for everyone in the group. She says they are scheduled to fly back home tomorrow…

CUT 8 (11) “fun to do”

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Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for at least two suspects involved in a double homicide in Donaldsonville. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says around 3:30pm yesterday they arrived at the scene of a reported shooting and found 37-year-old Chad Nichols dead on the front lawn of his house..:

CUT 9 (10)  “did not survive”

Bacala says 29-year-old Benny Booker of Prairieville was also found shot in the doorway of the residence and he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. He says as of right now they don’t know who is responsible for these murders…:

cut 10 (10)  “Booker’s vehicle”

Bacala says the suspects killed the victims then one drove away in a 2008-2011 white BMW 3 series vehicle and the other stole Bookers vehicle which is a 2007 white Dodge Magnum. He says investigators are actively searching for both cars. Bacala says they believe the victims were targetting by the shooters…:

cut 11 (04)  “to rob them”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $1.87 for the second day in a row. So has the price bottomed out? AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s possible, as the price of crude oil has stabilized between $45 and $48 a barrel…

cut 12 (09)  “of a plateau”

But Redman says there is also a chance that we could still see prices slip as we head into February…

cut 13 (06)  “into spring”

Redman says the drop in fuel costs is astounding, especially when you compare prices to this time last year…

cut 14 (09)  “a year ago”

01.27.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 27

The Pelicans are on a season-high four game winning streak after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 99 to 74 last night. Anthony Davis had several big-time dunks and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five block shots. The Pels go for five in a row on Wednesday against the Nuggets.

In college hoops last night…Northwestern State easily defeated Nichollls State 80 to 51. Ta’Jon Welcome had 18 points and career-high seven rebounds to go along with three steals.

Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi defeated Southeastern Louisiana 70 to 61, Incarnate Word rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat McNeese State 86 to 84 and Southern lost to Alabama State 63 to 59 in overtime.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport. The deal is 300-thousand dollars less than what John Chavis made in his final season with LSU.

And in a college football scheduling note….F-B schedules-dot-com reports that the Ragin Cajuns will host Northwestern State on September 12th. An official announcement is expected this week. And LSU has announced that spring practice will begin March 7th and the Spring game is set for April 18th.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. Plaquemine tight end Joe Keller has reportedly given a verbal pledge to Nicholls State.

In college baseball news…the Ragin Cajuns 2016 recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana…Nick Lee from Longville and Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.

01.26.15
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AM LRN Newscall January 27

The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. Scott Carwile has more…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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State Police are among several law enforcement agencies looking into an ATM scheme along the I-10 corridor. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

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Louisiana’s budget picture continues to get worse because of falling oil prices. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “reporting”

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The State Department of Health and Hospitals sets up a program that encourages Louisiana residents to take control of their health. The program is called “Own Your Own Health”. It’s a three month wellness challenge that can assist residents in living a healthier lifestyle. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Director Rudy Macklin says you can participate as an individual or part of a team…

cut 4  (07)  “challenges in one”

The challenges are meant to motivate Louisianians to make small daily steps in creating and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. You can sign up at oyohla-dot-com. To help keep participants on-track, Macklin says a daily e-mail will be sent…

Cut 5  (09)  “based on age”

The daily e-mail will have meal and exercise suggestion for participants based on their age. They’re also offering prizes for participants who log-in and update their progress. Macklin says another aspect of OYOH is called “Own Your Own Health Now” which helps you make the correct choices regarding your own wellness…

Cut 6 (07)  “your own health”

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State Police says they are assisting in an investigation looking into an ATM scheme where customer’s debit card numbers and pins may have been compromised along the I-10 corridor. Whitney Bank has issued a statement acknowledging that they found devices called “skimmers” on ATM card receptors. Sgt. Nick Manale says local and federal authorities are also investigating.

CUT 7 (10)  “neighboring states”

Whitney bank says as an extra precaution they have deactivated and reissued about 71- hundred debit cards. Manale says people need to be watching their accounts and statements to check for possible fraudulent charges.

Cut 8  (09)  “own accounts.” 

Manale says “skimmers” are placed to look like they are part of the ATM. He says these devices steal some of the bar code information off of card as well as the PIN number entered into the machine.

Cut 9 (09)  “look into.”

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Entergy has cut the ribbon on a new power plant in suburban New Orleans that company officials say will reduce fuel costs and produce reliable and affordable power for Louisiana customers. Entergy Spokesperson Mike Burns says Ninemile 6 is already using 30 percent less fuel than other natural gas combustion plants.

Cut 10 (07)  “in 2016” 

This is the first power plant Entergy has opened in Louisiana in 30 years. Burns says Ninemile 6 was completed under budget and ahead of time.

cut 11 (11) “721 million dollars”

The plant helps Louisiana’s economy by creating more jobs. Burns says Entergy plans to keep improving and modernizing their services and plants.

cut 12 (08)  “moving forward”

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Falling oil prices will result in an 103-million dollar reduction in spending this fiscal year by state government. That determination was made by the Revenue Estimating Conference, after hearing from the chief economist for the Louisiana legislature, Greg Albrecht…

Cut 13 (09)  “is bad”

And based on economists projections, the Revenue Estimating Conference has increased the budget defict for next fiscal year by another 203-million dollars to one-point-six billion. Albrecht says weak oil prices are to blame for these falling oil prices…

Cut 14 (10)  “fiscal year with”

The 103-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year means, the Jindal administration will be forced to make cuts in the next few weeks. State government watchdog CB Forgotston says believes state government can handle that without a dramatic reduction to state services:

Cut 15  (07)  “unfilled positions”

01.26.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 January 26

Falling oil prices will result in an 103-million dollar reduction in spending this fiscal year by state government. That determination was made by the Revenue Estimating Conference, after hearing from the chief economist for the Louisiana legislature, Greg Albrecht…
cut 13 (09) “…is bad”
And based on economists projections, the Revenue Estimating Conference has increased the budget defict for next fiscal year by another 203-million dollars to one-point-six billion.

Whitney Bank says they’ve deactivated and re-issued 71-hundred debit cards over concerns those customers are victims of an ATM scheme that has the attention of law enforcement along the I-10 corridor. Whitney says the scheme appears to involve criminals attaching a skimmer on the A-T-M to capture a person’s credit card and PIN number.

A University of Michigan medical school study finds there has been an almost 30-percent increase in the report of falls among the elderly since the late 90s. Don Molino has more…
cut 1 (31) “…reporting”

Shreveport police say a man accidentially shot himself in the thigh while getting out of his vehicle this morning, just outside of Sam Town’s casino. Corporal Breck Scott says 34-year-old Jerry Grimes was removing a firearm from his person when the gun went off…
cut 11 (03) “…someone else”
Scott says they do not suspect impairment on Grimes’ part.

01.26.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 Louisiana Radio Network

Baseball America’s preseason ranking came out today and the LSU Tigers are ranked second. That’s a lofty ranking for a squad that has a long way to go before determining who will be in there weekend rotation. Jared Poche was a weekend starter last season and a Freshman All-American. The former Lutcher standout is one of eight returning pitchers and he likes what he sees from the young arms that have joined the team…
cut 18 (13) “….to college”
LSU is one of three SEC teams in the Baseball America preseason top 10. Vanderbilt is number one and Florida is ranked sixth.

The Pelicans seek their fourth win a row tonight against the 76ers. Philadelphia is 8-and-36 on the year, but beat the Pels by double digits over a week ago. 76ers point guard Michael Carter Williams will not play because of an illness.

LSU announced today that spring football for the Tigers will begin on March seventh and the spring game will occur on April 18th. Also, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s contract is two years at one-million dollars annually. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to sign off on the deal this Thursday at their board meeting.

ESPN is pushing college football playoff officials to move next season’s semi-final games to January second, which would be a Saturday. Right now they are scheduled to be played on New Year’s Eve, which is a Thursday. So far, the C-F-P is unwilling to move the games. The Orange Bowl in Miami and Cotton Bowl in Dallas are hosting the semi-finals.

In college basketball…LSU’s Jordan Mickey has been named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Player of the Week. The sophomore from Dallas had 25 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s overtime win over Vanderbilt. The Tigers host South Carolina on Wednesday.