Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.30.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast March 30

The LSU Tigers are now ranked Fifth in the country by D-1 Baseball and Collegitate Baseball after losing two of three from the Kentucky Wildcats this past weekend. The Tigers lost 12-10 in eleven innings yesterday. LSU had a 10-9 lead in the ninth inning, but with two outs, Wildcats pinch hitter Riley Mahan hit an inside the park home run, when left fielder Jared Foster dove for his liner, missed it and then shortstop Alex Bregman slipped and fell while retrieving the baseball. Coach Paul Mainieri…
cut 17 (13) “…kept running”
The Tigers face the Ragin Cajuns tomorrow night in New Orleans in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. U-L Lafayette blanked Arkansas State three to nothing yesterday to take two of three in that series.

Here’s a story that will make Saints fans happy. The NFL has taken away the Falcons 2016 fifth round draft pick as a result of piping in fake crowd noise during their home games. The franchise was also fined 350-thousand dollars.

In the NBA….the Pelicans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110 to 88 last night. But New Orleans remains two games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the West. That’s because the Thunder topped the Suns 109-97 last night. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip against the Lakers on Wednesday.

Tonight is Game One of the C-B-I championship between U-L-M and Loyola of Chicago. Game one is tonight in Chi-town. Tip-off is set at 7 PM. The Ramblers are 22-and-13 and led by Milton Doyle and Christian Thomas, who each average 11 points a game.

And in spring football news…LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterback Anthony Jennings has been better on more days this spring as he battles with Brandon Harris to remain the Tigers starting QB.

03.29.15
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LRN AM Newscall Monday March 30

A proposal to be sponsored by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would use Gulf oil spill money for possible long-term financing for Louisiana colleges. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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An 8th grade student from Buckeye High School has started an online petition to change the uniform policy in Rapides Parish. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The state’s workforce commission says Louisiana set an employment record for the month of February. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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A proposal to be sponsored by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would use Gulf oil spill money for possible long-term financing for Louisiana colleges. Leger feels a trust fund should be set up for colleges from recovery money received from the 2010 disaster…

cut 4  (07)  “for higher education”

The state is expected to receive billions of dollars from BP to pay for economic damage caused by the spill. Legislators have already dedicated the first $1 billion of that money. Leger’s proposal would target money above that. He says his proposal would fund higher education moving forward…

Cut 5  (08)  “funding in place”

The state Board of Regents have thrown their support behind Leger’s proposal. Leger says there is no time table on when the BP issue will be resolved, but is confident that the state will be successful…

Cut 6 (06)  “investing in our students”

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An 8th grade student from Buckeye High School in Deville has started an online petition to change the uniform policy in Rapides Parish. Currently they are essentially only allowed to wear navy or khaki bottoms and white collared shirts. 14-year-old Brandon Richardson feels the current dress code is far too restrictive…:

CUT 7 (05)  “still exists”

The change.org petition states that students should not be told what to wear everyday because they are not able to express themselves. School leaders assert the current policy exists so that students can be easily identified on field trips. But Richardson feels if everyone looks alike it could cause problems in crisis situations…:

Cut 8  (07)  “at that school” 

Others who support the dress code that’s in place say it puts all students on level playing fields, but Richardson says when it comes to clothing, bullying still exists with uniforms. He says they would like to see the policy changed to one more similar to Rapides’ current “out of uniform” day rules…:

Cut 9 (07)  “about what you wear”

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The state department of agriculture and forestry will put traps out to track the invasive asian bug called the Emerald Ash Borer. The beetle was discovered recently in Webster Parish and it kills ash trees. Commissioner Mike Strain says the traps will be placed in high risk areas along the interstate, welcome centers and the Mississippi River delta

Cut 10 (09) “emerald ash borer is”

Strain says the beetle, which is difficult to eradicate, is often transported into an area by infested firewood

cut 11 (07) “you buy it”

Strain says they want to keep this insect from attacking the thousands of Ash trees in the Atchafalaya Basin, the Mississippi River delta and urban areas as well. He says the traps are large, purple sticky boxes that hang from trees…

cut 12 (09)  “eradication”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says Louisiana private employers have added 26-thousand jobs over the year based on February employment numbers. The commission’s executive director Curt Eysink says this type of growth with the state’s labor force should continue

Cut 13 (10)  “past ten years”

The unemployment rate for February was six-point-seven percent but it’s the second straight month it has declined. Eysink says the unemployment rate rose in the second half of 2014 as the state saw a large increase in people looking for jobs

Cut 14 (05) “finding work”

Eysink credits the job growth to a growing chemical industry in Louisiana…

Cut 15  (10)  “and New Orleans”

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When the polls come out later today, it’s likely the LSU Tigers will no longer be ranked number one after a wild series to the Wildcats of Kenutcky. LSU could not hold on to a three-run lead in the eighth and ended up losing to Kentucky 12-10 in 11 innings yesterday. Shortstop Alex Bregman says LSU didn’t get a lot of baseball fortune during the three-game series

Cut 16  (19)  “best weekend”

LSU had a 10-9 lead in the ninth inning, but with two outs, Wildcasts pinch hitter Riley Mahan hit an inside the park home run, when left fielder Jared Foster dove for his liner, missed it and then shortstop Alex Bregman slipped and fell while retrieving the baseball. Coach Paul Mainieri

Cut 17 (13)  “kept running”

It’s the first weekend series the Tigers have lost this year as they fall to 5-and-4 in SEC play. Mainieri says they had a chance to win all three games, if not for some strange plays…

Cut 18 (20) ” 30 years’

 

03.28.15
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LRN newscast 10:30 March 28

The state’s workforce commission says Louisiana set an employment record for the month of February. Scott Carwile has the story…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting”

Polls are open in 28 parishes today. For most residents who have an opportunity to vote, they’ll find tax proposals on the ballot. To see a sample ballot for your precinct, go to the Secretary of the State’s website or use their Geaux Vote Mobile app.

State Police say one person was killed and numerous others were injured in a three-vehicle crash in St. Landry Parish last night. The fatal victim has been identified as 55-year-old Harold Richard of Opelousas. Authorities say he was a passenger in a vehicle that attempted to cross both lanes of US 190 to gain access to the entrance ramp to I-49.

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is also a physician from Richland Parish, used his medical expertise to help a man, who nearly passed out during a flight. Abraham says this is the fourth time, since he launched his Congressional campaign that he’s had to provide medical attention to a person he met in public….
CUT 16 (07) Q: ’20 years’
The young man is a former marine, who was flying back home to Texas.

03.28.15
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LRN Newscast 09:30 March 28

All smiles in southwest Louisiana, as Sasol has started construction on an eight-point-one billion dollar ethane cracker complex near Westlake. It’s the kind of news that makes Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Nic Hunter very proud…
CUT 13 (11) Q: “coming up”
The project is expected to create an estimated five-thousand construction jobs and the facility should be completed in 2018.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for a Rayne man accused of stealing crawfish from a crawfish plant. Spokesperson Maxine Trahan says a dock worker called authorities after witnessing the theft…
CUT 5 (10) “he was driving”
Then, he took off at about 100 miles an hour, and he is still at large. If you have any information, contact the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is a physician in Richland Parish, had to administer medical treatment for a young military veteran on a plane. Abraham says the vet said he was feeling weak and his skin was white as a sheet, so the Congressman rushed to his aid….
cut 15 (08) “….and eath”
Abraham says it’s the fourth time, since he launched his Congressional campaign that he provided medical attention to a person he met in public.

Louisiana residents will enjoy great weather across the state this weekend. Temperatures today will range from the mid-60s to the 70s. Plenty of sunshine, warmer tomorrow as temps will be in the mids 70s to around 80 degrees. The next good chance for rain is Tuesday.

Tough loss for the number one ranked LSU baseball team last night. As the Tigers lost five to four in 12 innings to the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU looks to rebound at 6:30 tonight.

03.28.15
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LRN Newscast 08:30 March 28

Construction is underway on Sasol’s eight-billion dollar ethane cracker complex in Westlake. Michelle Southern has more….
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

State Police say a three-vehicle crash in St. Landry Parish killed one person and injured several others. The wreck occurred on US 190 near Interstate 49 when a vehicle attempted to cross both lanes of US 190 to gain access to the entrance ramp to I-49. A passenger in that vehicle, 55-year-old Harold Richard of Opelousas was killed. Investigators say alcohol contributed to the crash.

Elections are taking place in 28 parishes today. The polls will be open until eight P-M. Most of the ballots have tax measures on them. You can find sample ballots at the Secretary of State’s website or use the Geaux Vote Mobile smartphone app.

The number one ranked LSU baseball team lost last night as the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Tigers five to four in 12 innings. Closer Jesse Stallings suffered the loss as he gave up two runs in the 12th.

Track star Lolo Jones headlined a five member class that was inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction last night. Celtic Studios Executive Director Patrick Mulhearn was also an enshrinee. He’s originally from Mississippi, but graduated from LSU Grad School in 2000…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘done for me’
Former LSU Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent was also an inductee last night.

03.28.15
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LRN Sportscast 07:30 March 28

For the second week in a row, LSU has dropped the first game of its weekend series. The Fighting Tigers let a two-run lead evaporate in the seventh and went on to lose five to four in 12 innings against the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU’s two, three, and four hitters, Mark Laird, Alex Bregman and Conner Hale were a combined two for 15 at the plate.

In the Sun Belt, both U-L Lafayette and U-L-M were pounded. the Cajuns lost 10 to 4 to Arkansas State, while the Warhawks fell to South Alabama 12 to 4.

In the Southland…Southeastern Louisiana remains in first plaace after beating Nicholls State three to one. Tate Scioneaux went the distance for a complete game victory win. Northwestern State is a half game back of the Lions. The Demons defeated McNeese State six to four. Northwestern’s Cort Brinson hit a three-run home run.

Louisiana Tech plays a doubleheader today against Charlotte so does Southern and Grambling in Baton Rouge.

NFL coaches, scouts and executives were on LSU’s campus yesterday for Pro Day. Offesnive tackle La’el Collins should be the first Tiger drafted on April 30th. Collins says one team that’s interested in him is the New Orleans Saints….
cut 30 (14) “…is great you know”
Running back Terrence Magee’s 40-yard dash was 4.53, while Kenny Hilliard was 4.6, which was down from the 4.83 that he ran at the draft combine in Indianapolis last month.

Spring football games will take play today for U-L Lafayette, U-L-M and Nicholls State.

The Pelicans ended a four-game losing streak last night with a 102 to 88 win over Sacramento. Tyreke Evans had 25 points and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis had 24 points and nine rebounds. New Orleans moves within three games of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the West.

03.27.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 March 27

Sasol has broken ground on its eight-billion dollar ethane cracker project near Westlake. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Nic Hunter says the construction of this project will have a major impact on the economy in southwest Louisiana…:
CUT 12 (07) “their dollars here”
Officials expect the facility to be in operation in 2018.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for a Rayne man accused of stealing crawfish from a dock. Spokeswoman Maxine Trahan says they are still looking for Cary Bastain who they believe stole 6 sacks…:
CUT 6 (11) “he’s being charged”
The charges are simple burglary, reckless operation, and aggravated flight from an officer.

Fifth District Congressman Doctor Ralph Abraham, who is a family doctor in Richland Parish, had to use his medical expertise to help a former marine, who nearly passed out during a flight….
CUT 14 (08) “sort to speak”
Abraham says he was able to quickly administer some first aid to the individual, who was recently discharged as a marine and flying back home to Texas.

Track star Lolo Jones and former LSU associate athletic director Herb Vincent are among the five people inducted into the school’s Hall of Distinction this weekend. Vincent worked with former LSU Coach Nick Saban and remembers the now Alabama coach fought to keep certain LSU traditions alive…
cut 9 (12) “….at the time”

03.27.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 March 27

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Kentucky. Senior Jared Foster is expected to be in the line-up. He’s hitting .348 with five home runs after hitting just .115 last year. Coach Paul Mainieri made Foster the starting second baseman at the start of SEC play and has no plans of moving the former outfielder somewhere else…
cut 18 (18) “…helped us”
Jared Poche will be on the mound for the Tigers tonight. Poche gave up five runs last week in a loss to Arkansas.

In the Southland Conference…Nicholls State hosts Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions lead the conference with a seven and two league record. Northwestern State and McNeese are right behind S-L-U and the Demons and the Cowboys will play three games in Natchitoches this weekend.

LSU held it’s pro day today as 20 former Tigers worked out in front of NFL coaches, scouts and executives. Among those that were in attendance include Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin reportedly had dinner with defensive end Danielle Hunter and Jalen Collins. Collins did not participate in any drills as he recovers from foot surgery. Offensive tackle La’el Collins says he plans on meeting with the Saints soon. Also, running back Terrence Magee ran the 40 in 4.56 and fellow running back Kenny Hilliard benched 225 pounds 16 times.

In college basketball last night…U-L Lafayette’s season came to an end with an 89-82 loss to Evansville in the semi-finals of the College-Insider-dot-com tournament. Shawn Long had 24 points and 11 rebounds in what could be his last game in a Cajuns uniform as he could turn pro.

The Pelicans host Sacramento tonight looking to end a four-game losing streak.

03.27.15
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11:40 Sportscast March 27

The number one ranked Fighting Fighting Tigers baseball team opens a three-game series against Kentucky tonight. LSU is led offensively by Kade Scivicque and Andrew Stevenson, who are both hitting over .400 for the year. Right behind them is Mark Laird, who is hitting .392. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s not surprised that his speedy right fielder is having a huge season…
cut 17 (13) “…your hits”
Kentucky is struggling in SEC play this year as they are just two and four in league play.

Southeastern Louisiana heads into the weekend in first place in the Southland Conference. The Lions are in Thibodaux this weekend for a three-game series against the Colonels, who are coming off a victory over U-L Lafayette. Also this weekend, McNeese State is at Northwestern State, both teams are right behind S-L-U in the conference standings.

Cajuns Forward Shawn Long had another double-double, but it wasn’t enough as U-L Lafayette lost to Evansville 89 to 82 in the semifinals of the College Insider-dot-com Postseason Tournament. Long had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his 52nd career double-double. But Aces guard DJ Balentine had 35 points.

The Pelicans will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they host the Sacramento Kings. New Orleans is three and a half games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Southern University athletic director William Broussard has been re-assigned and will reportedly return to the athletic department on August 1st. No word has been given on this curious move. Men’s basketball coach Roman Banks will also serve as the school’s athletic director for the time being.

Former LSU assistant basketball coach Donnie Tyndall has been hired as the head coach of Tennessee after just one season. It’s because the NCAA is investigating Tyndall for possible violations that occurred when he was the head coach at Southern Miss.

03.26.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 March 26

A grand jury returned a “no true bill” in the case of a Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s deputy shooting and killing a 14-year-old last September. The teenager had a BB gun, when the deputy came in contact with the child at an abandon house. Carlos Lazarus is the First Assistant DA in Terrebonne. He says they showed the jury pictures of the weapon the juvenile was holding and a real .45-caliber pistol and they are identical…:
CUT 11 (11) “what he should do”
The FBI is also investigating the case.

Funeral services conclude today in Alexanderia for David Strother. He is one of four Louisiana National Guard soliders who were killed in a helicopter crash near Pensacola, Florida, earlier this month. Louisiana National Guard Captain Kreg Stiles says the outpouring of support from cen-la residents has been impressive.

An 11-year-old boy has missed more than two weeks of school because his hair is too long according to the Rapides Parish School Board policy. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Duck Commander will not sponsor this year’s Shreveport Independence Bowl. Mayor Oillie Tyler says they need to pass a hotel occupancy tax that would really help in landing a new sponsor which would be good for the entire region…:
CUT 4 (08) “areas benefit”