Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.29.16
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16:30 LRN Newscast January 29

Skimming devices, which document credit card numbers, keep popping up on gasoline pumps throughout the state. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 4 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The Mardi Gras parade season has arrived and law enforcement is putting more officers on the roads as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Executive Director Lt. Col John Leblanc…:
CUT 8 (07) “really needed”
Last year, there were were nearly 600 fatal and injury crashes and 10 fatalities during the five-day Mardi Gras weekend.

Starting with the 2016-17 school year, split playoffs will expand from football to high school basketball, baseball and softball. That’s the result of a vote of high school principals who attended the LHSAA convention. 60-percent of them voted for it. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’s heard from many who are against a further expansion of the split…
cut 14 (09) “…differently”
The vote came after heated discussion from supporters and opponents of the proposal.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee approves changes to its statue rules that would allow a likeness of Pete Maravich to be errected on campus. Currently statues aren’t allowed of people who didn’t graduate from LSU. But Board member Scott Angelle says it’s terrible that they actually have to debate this issue…:
CUT 10 (10) “fix it”
A couple of steps still need to be taken before this becomes reality.

01.29.16
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15:30 LRN Newscast January 29

High school principals within the LHSAA have voted to extend the select-non-select split to basketball, baseball and softball, meaning those sports will have the same postseason format as football. Beekman Charter principal Roy McCoy says further division in the LHSAA is not good.
cut 13 (09) “…skirt the rules’
The split playoffs for the three additional sports will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year.

Sunday at midnight is the deadline to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act in order to avoid a penalty of up to 695-dollars. Healthcare-dot-gov CEO Kevin Counihan says you only need four pieces of information to get started…
cut 3 (11) “….financial help”
He says financial assistance is available for most Louisiana residents.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is changing the rules so they could build a statue of former LSU star Pete Maravich. Since “Pistol Pete” never graduated college, the school can’t move forward to put a life-size statue next to the building that’s named after him. LSU board member Stephn Perry says it’s time to do what they should have done a long time ago…
cut 11 (10) “….earned this right”
Maravich is still the NCAA record holder for most points scored in college basketball.

Starting today and running through Fat Tuesday, law enforcement will have more officers on the road looking for drunk drivers as part of their Drive Sober or Get Pulled over Campaign. Lt Colonel John Leblanc is the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission…
cut 6 (10) “….impaired driving”

01.29.16
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LRN PM Newscall Jan 29

The deadline to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is rapidly approaching. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Split playoffs that separate public and private schools are coming to the LHSAA in the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The deadline to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is this Sunday. Healthcare-dot-gov CEO Kevin Counihan says over 200,000 Louisianians have already signed up for coverage through the federal insurance marketplace. He says it’s easy to sign up and you only need four pieces of information to get started…

CUT 3 (11)  “financial help”

He says there is still plenty of time to get coverage before Sunday night’s midnight deadline, but encourages people to not wait until the last minute. Counihan says financial assistance through healthcare-dot-gov can really help in making insurance more affordable…

CUT 4 (07)  “financial assistance”

He says 62-percent of Louisiana residents are able to find plans for $75 or less with financial assistance. Counihan says the penalty for choosing not to have health insurance has gone up this year…

CUT 5 (07)  “household income”

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The Mardi Gras parade season has arrived and law enforcement is putting more officers on the roads. It’s part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled over Campaign, which will last through Fat Tuesday. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Lt. Col John Leblanc, says law enforcement is publicizing this increase in officers in the hopes that it will deter people from drunk driving…

CUT 6 (10) “impaired driving”

Mardi Gras celebrations often involve drinking alcohol. Leblanc says because of these celebratory traditions, they want to stress the alternatives to drunk driving…

CUT 7 (08) “enjoy yourself”

Last year, there were were nearly 600 fatal and injury crashes and 10 fatalities during the Mardi Gras holiday, and more than half of the deaths involved alcohol. Leblanc says law enforcement increases its presence on the roads during the times of the year when fatal crashes are most prevalent…

CUT 8 (07) “really needed”

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The LSU board of supervisors is taking steps that would pave the way for a statue of Pete Maravich to be erected on campus. An athletics policy currently blocks a statue of Pistol Pete, because he didn’t graduate. Former star LSU basketball player Collis Temple, who integrated the team, says the legacy of Maravich must be preserved…:

CUT 9 (08)  “cub scouts”

The policy would say instead of a degree, 100 credit hours would be required and Maravich would meet that. Board member and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says it’s terrible that they actually have to debate this issue about the best basketball player ever play at LSU…:

cut 10 (10)  “fix it”

Maravich is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored, an average of 44 points per game. The statue would be placed next to the building named after Maravich, known as the PMAC. Board member Stephen Perry says it’s time to do what should have been done a long time ago…:

Cut 11 (10) “earned this right”

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High school principals have voted for select and non-select playoffs in basketball, baseball and softball, just like what’s already in place for football. The vote occurred on the final day of the LHSAA convention. Many Principal Norman Booker says the split needed to be expanded, because private schools have an advantage in how they can enroll their students

cut 12 (08) “20 years”

The vote was 182-120 for the expanded split. Beekman Charter principal Roy McCoy says nothing good comes out of further dividing the LHSAA…

cut 13 (09)  “skirt the rules”

The split playoffs for basketball, baseball and softball will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’s heard from many who are against a further expansion of the split…

cut 14 (09)  “differently”

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01.29.16
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has voted to split the playoffs in the sports of basketball, baseball and softball, just like they’ve done for football the last three years. The vote was 182-to-120. The split will go into effect next school year and the LHSAA will have a lot of work to do to figure out how this will work logisitically. There’s also concern that this could result in a complete separation, where private schools form their own association.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee approves changes to its statue policy, which could clear the way for a Pete Maravich statue in front of the building that’s named after him. For a life size statue to be erected on LSU’s campus of a former athlete that person must have graduated from the school. The board is looking to eliminate graduation provision and require the former student athlete to achieve at least 100 credit hours or attend school for three years.

LSU takes on number one ranked Oklahoma in the PMAC tomorrow as part of the Big 12-SEC challenge. It’s also a match-up of two of the best players in college basketball, LSU’s Ben Simmons and Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield. Coach Johnny Jones says tomorrow’s game is much bigger than these two stars facing each other…
cut 30 (17) “…throughout the year”
Tip-off is at four o’ clock.

In college basketball last night….Shawn Long had a double-double, 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Cajuns easily defeated Texas State 80-54. ULM hit 15 three-pointers in a 99-88 win over UT Arlington at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. And senior Alex Hamilton ahd a double-double as he scored 18 points and dished out 11 assists in Louisiana Tech’s 85-75 win over Texas San Antonio.

01.28.16
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16:45 LRN Sportscast January 28

Game five of the Pelicans current seven-game homestand is tonight as New Orleans hosts Sacramento. Anthony Davis is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game, with concussion like symptoms. Tyreke Evans is also questionable because of knee tendinitis. The Kings will not have Rudy Gay, because of an eye injury. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

ULM, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech are also home tonight. The Warhawks face Texas Arlington, who is in second place in league play. The Cajuns take on Texas State, who they have never lost to. And Louisiana Tech faces Texas San-Antonio, who has struggled this season as they are 4-16 on the season.

The LSU Tigers are getting ready to host number one ranked Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. The Bayou Bengals are coming off an 89-85 win over Georgia on Tuesday night and they have an overall record of 13-7. A win over the Sooners would really boost LSU’s NCAA Tournament hopes.

The LHSAA’s annual convention wraps up tomorrow and there are some big votes on the agenda for principals. One proposal would create select- non-select playoffs in basketball, softball and baseball. There’s also a proposal to return the football playoffs back to a five-class system, there’s also a proposal to have metro and rural divisions for the football postseason.

LSU linebacker Ronnie Feist is transferring Texas-San Antonio and he’ll play for new head coach Frank Wilson, who is LSU’s former recruiting coordinator and running backs coach. Feist made the announcement on Instagram. The Edgard native played in 15 games during four years in Baton Rouge and registered only five tackles.

In other SEC football news…Missouri has dismissed quarterback Maty Mauk from the team. Mauk has battled substance abuse during his time in Columbia. With him as a starting quarterback, Missouri is 17-5 and they were 2-6 in the eight games he missed in 2015. LSU is set to host Missouri on October 1st.

01.28.16
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LRN PM Newscall January 28

Health officials say while the Zika virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Authorities are wondering if the former Monroe TV personality known as “Mr Wonder” is involved in any child sexual abuse cases in California. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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The Louisiana Supreme Court overturns a constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for political office. In their ruling, the Court says what residents voted on in 1997 did not match what was enacted by the state legislature. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this was a very considered opinion by the justices…

CUT 3 (10)  “the right way”

Voters approved the amendment barring convicted felons from seeking office for 15 years after the end of their sentence. However, the ballot version omitted an exemption passed by the legislature for those only sentenced to probation. Meche says this is an example of inexcusable sloppiness in the state legislature…

CUT 4 (06)  “foul up occurred”

He believes lawmakers will likely bring this issue up to voters again, based on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s ruling. Meche says the Court’s message to the state legislature is very clear…

CUT 5 (07)  “the right way”

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Health officials say while the Zika virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. The relatively new mosquito-borne virus has been linked to birth defects in pregnant women. Dr. Joseph Bocchini, infectious disease expert at LSU Health Shreveport, says the Zika virus could lead to congenital infection in pregnant women…

CUT 6 (08) “and development”

The Zika virus has been associated with babies being born with underdeveloped brains and small skulls in Brazil. Bocchini says, as of now, there is no spread of the virus in the United States. There is one confirmed case of the Zika virus in Arkansas, but Bocchini says that should not raise concern…

CUT 7 (08) “is spreading”

Bocchini says it’s recommended that women who are pregnant, or planning to be pregnant, avoid travel to the Caribbean and South America where the virus is circulating. Bocchini says there will be a greater threat in Louisiana when the weather gets warmer and mosquitoes become more active…

CUT 8 (06) “or summer”

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The alleged child predator who was a popular Monroe television host in the 70s, claims he is not the “Mr. Wonder” that authorities have been looking for. The man identified as Frank Selas was arrested in San Diego for allegedly sexually abusing children during a Louisiana camping trip in 1979. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, based in San Diego, says it’s mind blowing the access to kids this man had since 1985 in California…:

CUT 9 (08)  “cub scouts”

Jurman says the suspect also lists on his website that he is a former PTA president at an elementary school, youth soccer and basketball coach, and that he taught Sunday school. Jurman says it’s not uncommon for suspects to contest identity in an extradition hearing, but they have pictures where the two look exactly alike, and Selas also told cops he changed his name and social security number…:

cut 10 (06)  “identity goes”

An identity hearing is scheduled for February 11th, where the man’s attorneys are expected to argue their client is not the person named on the warrant. Jurman says, not only is this a big story in Louisiana, it’s also what a lot of people are talking about in California…:

Cut 11 (08) “off the radar”

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An 89-year-old New Orleans man who left high school to join the military and fight in World War II has finally received his high school diploma. Trace Senior Living Community Executive Director Richard Totorico says Michael Decker is a resident at his facility and was so surprised to finally graduate and receive a letterman’s jacket…

cut 12 (10) “as well”

Totorico says Decker thought he was going to a doctor’s appointment and was welcomed a group of people celebrating his accomplishment. He says Decker hasn’t taken his letterman’s jacket off since it was presented to him.

cut 13 (09)  “the trace”

Totorico says all the residents at the senior living community knew about the surprise and were so excited for Decker. He says Decker went into a war zone at 17 and missed out on a typical high school experience…

cut 14 (10)  “for him”

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01.28.16
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14:30 LRN Newscast January 28

The Louisiana Supreme Court has overturned a constitutional amendment that bans convicted felons for running for a state office. The state’s highest court ruled the language on the ballot did not match what was enacted by the state legislature in 1997. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 5 (07) “…right way”

Authorities are wondering if the former Monroe TV personality known as “Mr Wonder” is involved in any child sexual abuse cases in California. Eric Gill has more…
voicer 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The World Health Organization says the Zika virus is now spreading explosively in the Americas. There have been no reported cases in Louisiana as LSU Health shreveport infectious disease expert, Doctor Joseph Bocchini says mosquitoes are spreading the virus in the Caribbean and South America. He says there will be a greater threat in Louisiana when the weather gets warmer and mosquitoes are more active…
cut 8 (06) “….or summer’
Bocchini says pregnant should avoid travel to South America or the Caribbean.

An 89-year-old New Orleans man who left high school to join the military and fight in World War Two has finally received his high school diploma. Trace Senior Living Community Executive Director Richard Totorico says they surprised Michael Decker with a diploma and letterman’s jacket…
cut 12 (10) “…as well”
Totorico says Decker has not taken his letterman’s jacket off since it was presented to him.

01.28.16
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11:40 LRN Sportscast January 28

It’s day two of the LHSAA’s annual convention and there are big votes on the agenda tomorrow regarding the split football championships. There’s also a proposal to go back to a five-class system, another proposal to split playoff teams into metro and rural divisions and there’s also a proposal that would only have Classes 1A through 3A with a split playoff format. If none of those proposals pass, then the LHSAA will keep its playoff system that’s been in place since 2013 for at least one more year.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings tonight. Anthony Davis is doubtful after suffering a concussion in Monday’s loss to Houston. Tyreke Evans is questionable with right knee tendinitis. The Pels are 0-5 this season without Davis.

And the Lakers have announced plans to build a statue of Shaquille O’ Neal outside of the Stapes Center, where L-A plays its home games. Shaq won three NBA championships with the Lakers.

ULM looks to stay undefeated at home tonight as they host UT Arlington. The Warhawks are 4-4 in the league, while the Mavs are 5-2 in the Sun Belt and they have some impressive non-conference wins over Ohio State and Memphis.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns take on Texas State. UL Lafayette is on a four-game winning streak and they are also undefeated at home. Plus the Cajuns have never lost to Texas State in their six previous meetings.

And Louisiana Tech plays its first home game in nearly three weeks as the Bulldogs host Texas San Antonio. Tech enters this game in fifth place in the Conference USA standings, while the Roadrunners are tied for 11th.

In Sunday’s NFL Pro Bowl, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan will play on Jerry Rice’s team. That team will also feature former LSU Tigers Odell Beckham Junior and Jarvis Landry, while former Saints players, Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins, will play on a team coached by Michael Irvin.

01.27.16
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16:45 LRN sportscast Jan 27

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee voted to ratify the public-private football playoffs split that was approved by principals in 2013. That means for now the split is back on after the LHSAA’s executive director Eddie Bonnine said two weeks ago that the format was unconstitutional.

But high school principals can make further changes to the split when they vote on Friday. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee says there’s also a proposal to separate rural and metro schools….
cut 30 (09) “…have a direction”
Bonnaffee says the LHSAA will also vote on pay increases for officials and attendance boundaries to determine eligibility.

LSU announced today that it’s spring football game will take place on Saturday April 16th at 3 PM. No word on television.

Former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior has been named one of four team captains for the Pro Bowl and he’ll determine the rosters for Team Irvin and Team Rice when the Pro Bowl draft takes place tonight. There are five other former Tigers who have made the pro bowl, three of them are set to play in Sunday’s game, Andrew Whitworth, Jarvis Landry and Patrick Peterson, the other two, Trai Turner is in the Super Bowl and Tyrann Mathieu is hurt.

The LSU men’s basketball team can now focus on Saturday’s game against number one ranked Oklahoma after beating Georgia 89-85 last night. The Tigers improved to 13-and-7 on the year and six and two in the SEC.

Tonight Tulane hosts South Florida…tomorrow…ULM hosts Texas Arlington, the Ragin Cajuns will take on Texas State in Lafayette and Louisiana Tech hosts Texas San Antonio.

The Pelicans continue their seven game homestand on Thursday as they face Sacramento. Anthony Davis is listed as doubtful after suffering concussion like symptoms in Monday’s loss to Houston.

01.27.16
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11:40 LRN sportscast January 27

Freshman Ben Simmons had 22 points and 14 rebounds to help the LSU Tigers beat the Georgia Bulldogs 89-85 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center last night. Georgia nearly came back from a 14-point deficit to win the game in the final seconds, but missed on a couple of opportunities.

How the football playoffs will be structured is the big issue at this year’s Louisiana High School Athletic Association convention, which begins today. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee says discussion ramps up as principals and coaches try to reach a consensus before a vote on Friday…
cut 30 (04) “go on”
It was learned earlier this month that the association did not use proper procedures in enacting the public-private school split in 2013. It’s possible principals will vote to keep the split thats been in place the last three years or a new split that would separate schools between rural and metro areas.

LSU announces its spring game will be played on April 16th at 3 PM in Tiger Stadium. No word yet if it will be televised. The Tigers will begin spring practice on Monday March 7th. Also pro day, a chance for NFL scouts to watch draft eligible players work out will take place on March 14th.

Saints Coach Sean Payton and his staff is in Mobile, Alabama to observe senior bowl practices. Payton says you can learn a lot about player by watching them get ready for Saturday’s Senior Bowl…
cut 20 (13) “…your team’
Payton also announced that newly hired tight ends coach Dan Campbell along with longtime linebackers coach Joe Vitt, will share the duties of assistant head coach.

Louisiana Tech baseball has been picked to finish 11th in the 12-team Conference USA this season. Rice is the preseason favorite.