Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.13.15
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LRN PM Newscall July 13

It appears the Louisiana High School Athletics Association has avoided a work stoppage involving its game officials. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Smoking Cessation Trust saw its highest monthly enrollment in June with over 2,000 Louisianians signing up for its free smoking cessation program. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The LHSAA and its officials have reached a tentative agreement that will prevent a work stoppage by referees this fall. Louisiana High School Officials Association President Paul LaRosa says they were able to come to terms after a four hour plus meeting in Baton Rouge on Sunday

CUT 3 (09)  “the meeting”

LaRosa says they are holding off on releasing any details of the agreement to the public, until they can speak with their officials…

CUT 4 (09)  “for them”

Officials threatened to strike and not show up when volleyball and football games started in August, unless they received a pay raise and other stipulations, like improved security at games. LaRosa is not saying publicly whether the agreement struck on Sunday will result in more pay for refs…

CUT 5 (10)  “we did”

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The Smoking Cessation Trust saw its highest monthly enrollment in June with over 2,000 Louisianians signing up for its free smoking cessation program. CEO Mike Rogers attributes the jump in soon-to-be ex-smokers, in part, to the state’s 50-cent tax increase for a pack of cigarettes. He says CDC statistics back up this theory…

CUT 6 (12)  “adolescent smokers”

He adds that recent smoking bans enacted in cities across the state, as well as on public college and university campuses, could be another reason for the enrollment increase. The Smoking Cessation Trust was set up in 2012 as the result of a class-action lawsuit against tobacco companies. Rogers says the goal is to help more than 210,000 Louisianians kick the habit…

CUT 7 (06) “program ends”

He says almost 35,000 residents have signed up for the program. To be eligible, you must be a Louisiana resident who began smoking before September 1, 1988. You can find more information at www-dot-smokefreela-dot-org. Rogers says roughly half of the smokers in the state are eligible to get free help…

CUT 8 (04)  “prime targets”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an apparent murder/suicide which left three dead and one injured in an incident which took place in front of a 1-year-old child. Corporal L’Jean McKneely says they believe 20-year-old Marquiles Whaley is the shooter and he was involved in some sort of argument at the home..:

CUT 9 (10)  “shot himself”

McKneely says Whaley is suspected of shooting his girlfriend, 18-year-old Makayla Jones and her mother, 36-year-old Romander Jones (who survived) and her boyfriend, 38-year-old Shawyn Lollis before turning the gun on himself…:

cut 10 (06) “part of the three” 

McKneely says Romander Jones remains hospitalized but she has been able to talk to investigators…:

cut 11 (08) “as we can”

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The Lake Charles Police Department says two officers are on administrative leave after a burglary suspect shot himself inside a squad car. Lt. Kevin Kirkum says 18-year-old Stacy Lamb of Lake Charles was arrested after a burglary attempt at a local business. Kirkam says officers placed Lamb in the back seat of their police unit…

cut 12 (08)  “of the weapon”

He says Lamb shot himself twice in the foot with a department issued weapon that had been left in an equipment bag in the back seat of the police car. Kirkum says detectives are working to determine the intent of the shooting…

cut 13 (08)  “as we speak”

Kirkum says criminal and internal investigations are underway as a result of this incident. The names of the officers involved have not been released citing the ongoing investigation. Kirkum says Lamb was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries…

cut 14 (07) “was arrested for”

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The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s office says cops are searching for a woman being held on double homicide charges who escaped from prison over the weekend. Sheriff Doug Anderson says 25-year-old Melissa Hayes, who was arrested in February in Alexandria, busted a lock in the dorm of the Cottonport facility and went into the rec yard…:

cut 15 (11) “down from the fence”

Anderson says they believe Hayes could be in the Alexandria area where she’s from. He says they know she got into a vehicle near the prison at a gas station with a someone who didn’t realize she was an escapee…

cut 16 (11) “in Mansura”

07.13.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LHSAA and its officials have reached a tentative agreement that will prevent a work stoppage by referees this fall. Louisiana High School Officials Association President Paul LaRosa says they were able to come to terms after a four hour plus meeting in Baton Rouge on Sunday. He says says they are holding off on releasing any details of the agreement to the public, until they can speak with their officials…
cut 4 (09) “…for them”
Officials threatened to strike and not show up when volleyball and football games started in August, unless they received a pay raise and other stipulations, like improved security at games.

The Walton County Sheriff’s office has released the arrest report of former Saints assistant coach Aaron Kromer, who was arrested on Sunday on a misdemeanor battery charge. The report alledges Kromer threw a boy to the ground and punched him in the face over an argument involving beach chairs near his home in Florida.

It’s described by some as the unofficial start to the college football season, SEC Media Days gets underway today. Jeff Palermo has the story..
voicer 5 (30) “…reporting”

Louisiana Tech defensive backs Adairius Barnes and Xavier Woods are on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, which is given to the nation’s best defensive back. ULM’s Mitch Lane is also on the list. No one from LSU made the list.

UL Lafayette’s Shawn Long has been named to the 2015 US Pan American Men’s basketball team, which will compete in Toronto later this month. Former LSU Tiger Anthony Randolph is also on that squad.

07.11.15
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LRN AM Newscall July 11

Governor Bobby Jindal ranks 13th in an Iowa poll for the Republican presidential nomination. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana’s four candidate for governor provide their thoughts on possible changes to the state’s film tax credit program. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Scott Carwile”

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It’s described by some as the unofficial start to the college football season, SEC Media Days gets underway today in Hoover, Alabama. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Starting today, the eastbound side of the Mississippi River Bridge in Natchez, Mississippi and Vidalia will see lane closures for the placement of concrete barriers. State Department of Transportation Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says starting on July 20th, the westbound side of the bridge will be closed for seven weeks.

cut 4  (06)  “the bridge”
Mallet warns drivers to anticipate delays. He says to be patient while going through this traffic.

Cut 5  (05)  “accordingly”

Mallet says during this seven week period, no vehicles wider than 14 feet will be allowed to cross the bridge.

Cut 6 (04)  “the bridge”

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A republican presidential nomination poll conducted by KBUR/WAA in Iowa, places Governor Bobby Jindal in 13th with 2 percent from likely caucus goers . Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker leads with 18 percent. Robin Johnson ,with KBUR, says because he just announced a couple of weeks ago, it’s a little early to judge Jindal’s polling records at this point.

CUT 7 (07)  “primary”

The Iowa caucuses on February 1st are the first of the contests for the 2016 Presidential election. Johnson says there is a lot of pressure on candidates now and Jindal needs to do something big to get more name recognition to place in the top 10 for the August debates.

Cut 8  (08)  “candidates” 

Johnson says with so many candidates competing for so much of the vote, Jindal could be fighting for the evangelical vote. He says Jindal is having some success in Iowa but time is ticking.

Cut 9 (11)  “had anticipated”

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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association will ask the next governor to make changes to the state’s film tax credit program, after lawmakers placed a 180-million dollar cap on credits redeemed in a fiscal year. Lt. Governor and republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Dardenne says the cap was set too low

Cut 10 (06) “cameras rolling”

The lone democrat in the race, Amite representative John Bel Edwards, says he supports a cap on this program in the range of 180-million dollars

cut 11 (09)  “entire year”

Republican Senator David Vitter says he doesn’t agree with what the legislature did, when it capped the amount of film tax credits redeemed, instead of issued. He says it creates too much uncertainty and he plans to address this issue during a special session after he’s sworn in

cut 12 (10) “very inviting”

If elected governor, Republican Public Service Commission member Scott Angelle says plans to examine all of the tax credits on the books to determine if they creating jobs and growing our economy…

Cut 13 (07)  “reconsideration”

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SEC football media days get underway today in Hoover, Alabama, which is the unofficial start to the college football season. Hundreds of reporters attend this event to hear from SEC coaches and players. Braden Gall, with Athlon Sports, says new SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who replaced Mike Slive, kicks off the festivities by speaking with the media…

Cut 14 (10) “they happened”

Gall says the handling of discipline when players get in trouble off the field will likely be a topic Sankey gets into. LSU football coach Les Miles and three of his players will go before the large contingent of media on Thursday. Leonard Fournette will be there and Gall says the running back will find out what its like to be a star football player in the SEC

Cut 15  (12)  “totally different”

This week the SEC will release who the media thinks will play in the conference title game. Alabama and Auburn are the favorites in the west. Gall says LSU will get some consideration

Cut 16  (07)  “so loaded”

07.11.15
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LRN Newscast 10:30 July 11

A new poll on the governor’s race shows Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards in a statistical tie. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Community colleges in Louisiana are raising tuition by 10-percent for the upcoming school year. The increase is allowed under the GRAD Act, which allows campuses to increase tuition higher than five-percent, if certain goals are met. Community college leaders say the tuition hike brings two-year schools in line with others in the Southeast.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association will no longer pursue a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the cap that was placed on the film tax incentive program. LFEA president Will French says instead of engaging in a legal battle, they believe their efforts are better served working with state agencies to make sure the film industry can still thrive…
cut 7 (08) “…new law”

The Louisiana High School Officials Association meets tomorrow and LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he’ll be there as referees are threatening not to work this fall, if they don’t get more money and other stipulations. Bonine says he’s asking for more time to discuss this issue with high school principals and superintendents…
cut 30 (10) “…work on this”
The refs say they are tired of broken promises.

07.11.15
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LRN Newscast 09:30 July 11

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says they will no longer pursue a lawsuit against the legislation that capped the film tax credit program at 180-million dollars. LFEA president Will French says they are pleased with how the Jindal administration is interpreting the new law, but changes still need to be made and they hope to fix those glitches when a new governor is sworn in…
cut 8 (10) “….endorse it”

State Police has issued a traffic advisory for those motorists who plan on traveling on I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette this weekend. Trooper Bryan Lee says there will be lane closures for road work just west of the Mississippi River bridge….
cut 10 (07) “….Baton Rouge”

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine meets with high school referees tomorrow in the hopes he can prevent a work stoppage by officials. Bonine says student-athletes shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll play games this year…
cut 30 (06) “…the way”
Referees say they’ve only received two pay raises in the last 25 years, but a report by the Baton Rouge Advocate found that football officials have seen five different pay increases since the 1990-91 school year.

A 12-year-old and two teenagers in Lafourche Parish have been charged with criminal mischief for lying about a kidnapping. Sheriff deputies say the three claimed that 21-year-old Kaleb Bruce grabbed the 12-year-old off the street and put a duffel bag over his face. The 12-year-old was able to escape and Bruce was arrested. But the three individuals eventually changed their story and were taken into custody, while Bruce was released after spending several days in jail.

07.11.15
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LRN Newscast 08:30 July 11

Mississippi-based Triumph Campaigns conducted an automated survey on the governor’s race. Based on 16-hundred responses, Republican David Vitter received 31-percent, Democrat John Bel Edwards had 30-percent and Republican Scott Angelle had 14-percent. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com, says it appears Angelle’s TV commercials are working, because he previously polled in the single digits…
cut 4 (06) “…to folks”
Republican Jay Dardenne received 11-percent in this poll.

State Police issue a traffic advisory because of lane closures that are taking place this weekend in Grosse Tete, just west of the I-10 Mississippi Bridge. Trooper Bryan Lee says the lane closures are for road improvement work. He says construction crews will be present so use caution…
cut 11 (11) “…distractions”

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association drops plans to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new law that capped the film tax credit program. Michelle Southern has the story…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

One performance down, three more to go for Country music superstar Garth Brooks as he’s peforming this weekend at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. His first show in Louisiana in nearly two decades was last night, he’ll have two more tonight and then wrap up his stop in the Big Easy tomorrow night.

07.11.15
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LRN Sportscast 07:30 July 11

The executive committee of the louisiana High School Officials Association is set to meet tomorrow as referees across the state are planning to go on strike. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says they are seeking signed contracts with schools that stipulate pay and other conditions, including security at games. LaRosa says officials are tired of promises of more pay, which is why a work stoppage maybe necessary…
cut 30 (09) “…our officials”
LaRosa says officials have only received two pay raises in the last 25 years, but a story in the Baton Rouge Advocate reports football refs have received five pay raises since 1990-91.

Tonight at John L Guidry Stadium at Nicholls State it’s the Iberiabank Air-it-Out and Papa John’s quarterback challenge, which is the marquee event of the Manning Passing Academy.

LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jalen Mills are on the Bronco Nagurski Watch List, which goes to the defensive player of the year. Louisiana Tech defensive back Xavier Woods is also on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, while ULM defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy.

In the NBA….former LSU Tiger Jarell Martin has signed with the Grizzlies. Memphis drafted Martin in the first round last month after he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds last season at LSU.

The Pelicans have signed their first free agent of the offseason that wasn’t one of their own. Small forward Alonzo Gee has agreed to a two-year deal with New Orleans. The 28-year-old has averaged seven points a game during his career. He split time with Denver and Portland last season.

The Pelicans opened their summer league schedule by beating Milwaukee 101-89 in Las Vegas. Seth Curry scored 30 points. The former Duke star was 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

07.10.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 June 10

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services makes policy changes after a 15-year-old Baton Rouge boy was found in a home weighing just 47 pounds and covered with insect bites. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says they are adding medical experts to case examinations with special needs children…
cut 14 (07) “do that”
The mother of the 15-year-old child is behind bars on a 115-thousand dollar bond.

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association will no longer pursue a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the cap that was placed on the film tax incentive program. LFEA president Will French says instead of engaging in a legal battle, they believe their efforts are better served working with state agencies to make sure the film industry can still thrive…
cut 7 (08) “…new law”

There are two candidates neck and neck in the governor’s race, according to a phone survey conducted by Triumph Campaigns. At 31 percent, Republican David Vitter has a slight lead over Democrat John Bel Edwards, at 30 percent. But, LA-politics-dot-com’s Jeremy Alford says a lot can happen between now and the primary on October 24th…
CUT 5 (10) Q: “this race”

Louisiana State Police is alerting motorists to expect delays when traveling between Lafayette and Baton Rouge on Interstate 10 this weekend. Heavy backups are anticipated as a result of lane closures on the Mississippi River bridge. Trooper Bryan Lee says construction begins Friday night…:
CUT 9 (11) “afternoon”
A lane of I-10 westbound at Grosse Tete will remain closed until 6:00 am Monday morning.

07.10.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 July 10

The executive committee of the Louisiana High School Officials Association meets on Sunday as referees around the state are planning to strike. The association’s president Paul LaRosa says they want signed contracts with individual schools that stipulate referee pay and other conditions, including security at games. He says refs are tired of promises of more pay, which is why a work stoppage maybe necessary…
cut 14 (09) “…our officials”
LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’ll attend the officials association executive committee meeting on Sunday. He hopes something can be worked out to prevent a ref work stoppage, because student-athletes shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll play games this year…
cut 16 (05) “…the way”

NFL fans are mourning the death of former Alabama and Raiders quarter Ken Stabler. He died at the age of 69 after a losing a battle to colon cancer. Stabler played for three seasons for the New Orleans Saints before retiring after the 1984 season. The native of Foley, Alabama, threw for nearly 28-thousand yards in his 15-year career and led Oakland to a Super Bowl Victory.

LSU offensive tackle Vadal Alexander has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jalen Mills is on the Nagurski Watch List. While ULM defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy.

Northwestern State has added former Edna Karr Star Glenn Irons to its roster. Iroans was a Class 4-A all-state selection in 2013 and signed at Nebraska out of high school. But Irons left the Cornhuskers program after Bo Pelini was fired.

07.10.15
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LRN Newscast 13:30 July 10

The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association announces they will no longer pursue a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the cap that was placed on the film tax incentive program. LFEA president Will French says instead of engaging in a legal battle, they believe their efforts are better served working with state agencies to make sure the film industry can still thrive…
cut 7 (08) “…new law”

Mississippi-based Triumph Campaigns conducted an automated survey on the governor’s race. Based on 16-hundred responses, Republcian David Vitter received 31-percent, Democrat John Bel Edwards had 30-percent and Republican Scott Angelle had 14-percent. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com, says it appears Angelle’s TV commercials are working, because he previously polled in the single digits…
cut 4 (06) “…to folks”
Republican Jay Dardenne received 11-percent in this poll.

The Department of Children and Family Services is implementing policy changes after a 15-year-old Baton Rouge boy was found in a home weighing just 47 pounds and with insect bites. DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says children who are not able to speak and living in terrible conditions will now be assessed by a group of medical professionals….
cut 12 (12) “….the child’
The child’s mother was arrested and her bond was set at 115-thousand dollars today.

State Police has issued a traffic advisory for those motorists who plan on traveling on I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette this week. Trooper Bryan Lee says there will be lane closures for road work just west of the Mississippi River bridge….
cut 10 (07) “….Baton Rouge”