Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.19.14
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 19

Yahoo Sports’ Rand Gellin is reporting that junior cornerback Jalen Collins will likely enter the draft after the Music City Bowl. But Gellin reports that defensive end Danielle Hunter will likely return for his senior season.

Many Ragin Cajun fans are making their way down to New Orleans today for tomorrow’s R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl contest against Nevada. The Ragin Cajuns will hold a Fan Fest Friday afternoon at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street. And Billy Ferrante, executive director of the New Orleans Bowl, says there’s a concert tonight at the New Orleans Arena featuring Kool and the Gang and Cheap Trick
cut 17 (09) “…big crowd”
The U-L players will not be at the concert. They have an early wake-up call, because of the 10 A-M kick-off.

The L-S-U men’s basketball team went on the road last night and defeated UAB 79-70. Jarell Martin and Keith Hornsby led the way as Martin had 25 points, while Hornsby had 24. The Tigers trailed by six points at halftime, but shot 57-percent from the field in the second half.

Louisiana Tech snapped a two-game losing streak with a 79-54 win over Nicholls State. The Bulldogs hit 15 three-pointers. Xavian Stapleton had five of them and finished with 18 points off the bench. TJ Carpenter had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Colonels.

Nice win for the Pelicans last night as they shot down the Rockets 99-90. Big night for Anthony Davis as he had 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. New Orleans outscored Houston in the 4th quarter, 34-22. The Pels host Northwest division leader Portland on Saturday night at the Smoothie King Center.

12.18.14
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LRN Newscast 17:30 December 18

Governor Bobby Jindal says he opposes the President’s plan to “normalize” relations with Communist Cuba, but Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says resumed trade would benefit Louisiana. He says other non-democratic countries enjoy normal trade relations with the US…:
CUT 7 (08) “is time”
Prior to 1961 Cuba was the Port of New Orleans’ largest trade partner.

US Senator David Vitter has a double digit lead over other 2015 Governor candidates in Louisiana according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research survey. But Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the same poll also found 40% of respondents don’t approve of Vitter’s performance:
CUT 10 (08) “a runoff”
Southern Media and Opinion Research surveyed 600 likely voters and 36-percent support Vitter.

Crawfish is starting to pop up at seafood stores. But Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says it’s too early to predict how plentiful the season will be…
CUT 3 (10) “were young”

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. Michelle Southern talks with an LSU AgCenter Life specialist…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting”

12.18.14
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 December 18

The Saints started this up-and-down season with a loss to Atlanta on opening day, but a win this Sunday against the Falcons could result in an NFC South Championship. Atlanta is 5-and-9 on the season, but Quarterback Matt Ryan is playing at a high level. He’s thrown for over 300 yards in his last three games and for the season he’s thrown for 41-hundred passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton says the Falcons have an explosive offense…
cut 18 (17) “….defense”
Meanwhile, Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who is on injured reserve, tweeted out the Falcons will be bringing a broom to the bayou as he expects Atlanta to beat the Saints for a second time this season.

Rand Getlin from Yahoo Sports tweeted out earlier today that LSU defensive lineman Danielle Hunter is leaning towards returning for his senior season. Hunter leads the team this year with tackles for a loss.

The Ragin Cajuns are getting ready to face Nevada in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday. It’s been a busy 48 hours for senior defensive back Corey Trim. His fiancee, Mykeyah Grafton, gave birth to a a little girl on Wednesday morning. As the team was traveling from Lafayette to New Orleans, they dropped Trim off in Baton Rouge so he can be there for the birth.

In basketball tonight…LSU is at UAB. The Tigers may have to start freshman Jalyn Patterson at point guard, because of injuries to Josh Gray and Tim Quarterman. Louisiana Tech hosts Nicholls State. The Bulldogs are looking to end a two-game losing streak, while the Colonels are looking for their third win of the season. And the Pelicans are at Houston. Guard Tyreke Evans is questionable with a knee contusion.

12.18.14
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11:40 Sportscast December 18

It’s Falcons week for the Saints. But more importantly, New Orleans can win the NFC South with a win on Sunday and a Carolina loss to Cleveland. Coach Sean Payton says he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to make sure his team is ready to play, with so much on the line…
cut 17 (19) “….each week”
The Falcons come in with a record of five and nine and still have a chance at an NFC South division crown as well.

In high school football…Haynesville’s David Franklin has been named the Class One-A coach of the Year. Haynesville’s Kendrick Jackson has been named the defensive player of the year in One-A and Elton running back Marcus Lemoine is the offensive player of the year.

A banged up LSU men’s basketball team takes to the court tonight in Birmingham where the UAB Blazers face the Tigers at eight P-M. LSU guard Josh Gray is out with an ankle injury, and guard Tim Quarterman, who is averaging 12 points a game, is questionable as well with an injury. Freshman Jalyn Patterson will likely start at point gard.

Louisiana Tech looks to rebound from a loss to the Ragin Cajuns, when they host Nicholls State tonight at 6:30. Speaking of U-L Lafayette, they beat Milligan College 69-55.

The Pelicans are in Houston to face a tired Rockets team tonight. The Rockets needed overtime to beat the Nuggets in Denver last night. Houston comes into tonight’s game with a 19-and-5 record. The Pels are 12-and-12, but they’ve averaged 112 points in their last six games. Tip-off is at seven P-M.

In other NBA news…former LSU Tiger Johnny O’ Bryant made his NBA debut last night and made a field goal in five minutes. O’ Bryant’s Bucks lost to Portland 104-97.

12.17.14
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 Wednesday December 17

The LSU football team is back on the practice field this afternoon. Coach Les Miles said they will begin putting in the game plan for Notre Dame today. Senior safety Ronald Martin says he’s glad to have the opportunity to finish his college career by playing a team like Notre Dame…
cut 18 (15) “….playing Notre Dame”
Former Jewel Sumner star Jeremy Cutrer has reportedly signed with the LSU Tigers. Cutrer is a cornerback at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl is this Saturday. Last year’s game between Tulane and UL Lafayette set an attendance record of over 55-thousand. But ticket sales are not as strong for this year’s game between the Cajuns and Nevada. Bowl officials are estimating a crowd of about 40-thousand.

The Saints are back at practice today for their game against Atlanta on Sunday. New Orleans can win the NFC South this weekend with a win over the Falcons and if Carolina loses to Cleveland. The Falcons, who are 5-and-9, can also still win the NFC South. But they need to beat the Saints and Carolina on December 27th to win the division title for the third time in five years.

In college football news…Louisiana Tech has to find a new offensive line coach. Matt Moore has left the Bulldog program for a job at Troy University, where he’ll be the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Trojans. Moore has been with Tech the las two seasons.

In high school football coaching news…former Northside head coach Vincent DeReouen has reportedly been named the new head coach at St. Martinville and Brett Beard has left Woodlawn of Baton Rouge for Live Oak.

In college basketball tonight…the Ragin Cajuns host Milligan College, which is a Division Two school from Tennessee.

12.17.14
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PM Newscall December 17th

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says he supports US Senator David Vitter in his campaign for governor. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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Some members of LSU ‘s faculty and student body are concerned the American Family Association is involved in a prayer rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 24th. Jeff Palermo has the story

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says he supports US Senator David Vitter in his campaign to become governor. Scalise made his comments on The Jim Engster Show. The House Majority Whip thinks Vitter would do a great job as Louisiana’s governor…

CUT 3 (08)  “our state back”

Vitter is one of three Republicans running for Louisiana’s highest elected office, with Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle being the other two. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards is the lone Democrat in the race. Scalise believes Vitter would be more friendly to business in the state as governor…

CUT 4 (04)  “in our state”

Scalise as House Majority Whip, has the most clout of the Louisiana Congressional delegation. He believes that the Senator is the right man to replace Governor Jindal. Scalise says he’s worked with Vitter on several issues in Washington and has seen Vitter’s commitment to Louisiana…

CUT 5 (09)  “in that race”

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State Police say a highway construction worker has been killed in a Caldwell Parish crash. Trooper Michael Reichardt says there were two trucks stopped in the northbound outside lane of Highway 165, just north of Columbia, putting down center reflectors on the roadway…

CUT 6 (12)  “the left lane”

Reichardt says when a vehicle attempted to change lanes, it struck the rear of one of the work trucks and then the three construction workers…

CUT 7 (08) “died last night”

30-year-old Michael Roberts of West Monroe succumbed to his injuries and died as a result of his injuries. The investigation is ongoing and it is unknown at this time if impairment was a factor in this crash. Reichardt says it’s a driver’s responsibility to be aware when in a construction zone or approaching any slow moving or stopped vehicles…

CUT 8 (09) “in a lane”

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A native of Cuba, who lives in New Orleans, blasts President Obama for restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. George Fowler, Vice Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, feels that there will probably be some cosmetic changes in US-Cuba policy but nothing significant…

CUT 9 (09)  “on the embargo”

Another part of the deal with Cuba saw an exchange of prisoners. Cuba agreed to release American Alan Gross in exchange for three Cubans imprisoned in the US accused of spying. Fowler says he condemns this action by the President because it will put Americans everywhere in the world in danger …

CUT 10 (11)  “be in jail”

Fowler doesn’t see much benefit for the US in expanding trade with Cuba. He says Cuba is a bankrupt Communist country and has been for many years. Fowler says there may be one benefit of resuming trade…

cut 11 (07)  “of our country”

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Many people on LSU’s campus are not happy the Pete Maravich Assembly Center will be the site for a prayer rally featuring Governor Jindal  next month. The American Family Association is funding the event and LSU Associate english professor Chris Barrett says she considers the A-F-A a hate group for its views and stance on homosexuality

cut 12 (06) ” community”

Barrett says it’s her hope LSU will tell the organizers to hold their rally somewhere else, if not, she and hundreds of others plan to protest outside of the PMAC that day, because of the A-F-A’s involvement

cut 13 (07) “doesn’t”

American Family Association spokesperson Bryan Fisher says he doesn’t understand why there’s controversy surrounding their Prayer Rally on January 24th…

cut 14 (08) ” repent”

Fisher says he’s not surprised gay activists would come out against this event…

cut 15 (07) ” our benefit”

12.17.14
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 17

When the LSU football team hits the practice field this afternoon, they are expected to begin putting their game plan into place for their match-up with Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. The Tigers offense averaged 28 points a game during the regular season, which ranks 11th in the 14-team SEC. Quarterback Anthony Jennings hopes to lead LSU to several scores in the bowl game…
cut 17 (14) “….for us”
LSU says they have about 500 tickets to sell for the Music City Bowl.

New Orleans Bowl executive director Billy Ferante says they estimate a crowd of about 40-thousand fans on Saturday morning for their game between the Ragin Cajuns and Nevada. UL Lafayette has reportedly sold over 11-thousand tickets for the game.

The Saints get back to work today to prepare for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Dirty Birds have not lost a game this season against an NFC South opponent. Atlanta’s top wide receiver, Julio Jones, didn’t play last Sunday, because of a hip injury, but Falcons head coach Mike Smith anticipates Jones will play against the Saints.

The New Orleans Pelicans scored 41 points in the fourth quarter last night to beat the Utah Jazz 119-111. Anthony Davis led the way with 31 points, Ryan Anderson added 28 points. It was Davis first game back since suffering a chest contusion last Friday night. The Pels are back at the five-hundred mark at 12-and-12.

In college basketball last night….ULM won easily over Central Baptist 78-53, Tulane topped Savannah State 75-67, McNeese State defeated LSU-Alexandria 84-68 and UTEP beat Southeastern Louisiana 80-62.

12.16.14
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LRN Newscast 17:30 December 16

Bill Cosby’s wife Camille has issued a statement defending her husband against the accusations of sexual assault made by several women. Rachel Hebert, with Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response in Baton Rouge, believes there have been no moves to arrest Cosby because of his perfect image before these accusations..:
CUT 7 (11) “larger issue”
Camille Cosby says Bill is the fatherly image we all know and there has been no vetting of his accusers.

There’s new information released in the fatal crash that killed three people in Beauregard Parish on Sunday. State Police originally believed that 28-year-old Kristi Poteet of DeRidder was heading the wrong way on U-S 171 when she collided head-on into a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Ricky Gill of Singer. Now investigators believe Gill was driving the wrong way.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush says he plans to “actively explore” a presidential campaign. So what does this mean for Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential aspirations? UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Bush is a more mainstream Republican…:
CUT 4 (05) “previous presidents”
Jindal is speaking tonight at the Republican Party of Polk County’s Christmas Party in Iowa.

The ugly Christmas sweater phenomenon is getting more and more popular every year. Michelle Southern talks with a gaudy clothing expert…
voicer 5 (28) “…reporting”

12.16.14
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16:45 LRN Sportscast December 16

The Saints are in first place in the NFC South once again after taking care of the Chicago Bears 31-15 last night. Drew Brees threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns and the veteran Q-B liked how the team responded after getting blown out at home last week…
cut 30 (20) “…at home”
The Saints can clinch the NFC South if they beat Atlanta this Sunday and the Panthers lose to Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns.

A Saints fans was charged with simple battery after he allegedly shoved Bears owner George McCaskey to the ground. Authorities say the altercation started when McCaskey arrived to his seat and found 58-year-old Richard Kohnke of New Orleans sitting in them.

LSU Coach Les Miles has told reporters off the record that he’s not interested in the coaching vacancy at his alma mater, Michigan. Meanwhile, the team is back at practice, getting ready for the Music City Bowl and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Senior safety Ronald Martin says the excitement level at practice is high…
cut 29 (19) “….next year”

The Ragin Cajuns football team is in New Orleans. They’ll hold a few practices there, before they play Nevada on Saturday morning at the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

NBA…the Pelicans host the Utah Jazz tonight. New Orleans will have Anthony Davis back, after missing Sunday’s overtime loss to Golden State, because of a chest contusion.

12.16.14
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PM LRN Newscall for Tuesday, December 16

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush says he plans to “actively explore” a presidential campaign. Eric Gill takes a look at what this means for Governor Jindal’s potential run…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Bill Cosby’s wife Camille is defending her husband against the accusations of sexual assault made by several women. Michelle Southern talks with the executive director of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response in Baton Rouge.

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush says he plans to “actively explore” a presidential campaign and an operation allowing him to raise money for a bid. So what does this mean for Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential aspirations? UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross this news won’t change anything Jindal is doing…

CUT 3 (09)  “and moving ahead”

Cross says running for president is a long process with everyone starting to plan about two years ahead time. He says there are big differences between these two potential candidates: Jindal being part of the conservative christian movement and Bush being a more mainstream Republican. But Cross says Bush does have a big advantage in name recognition…

CUT 4 (05)  “previous presidents”

Jindal is in Iowa today speaking at a GOP function tonight. Jindal has made several trips to Iowa this year. Cross says Iowa is very important for Jindal’s presidential bid. He says you can expect the governor to make many more trips to Iowa in the coming year…

CUT 5 (08)  “that one state”

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Bill Cosby’s wife Camille has issued a statement defending her husband against the accusations of sexual assault made by several women. She says Bill Cosby is the fatherly image we all know and there has been no vetting of his accusers. Rachel Hebert is the executive director of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response in Baton Rouge. She says these cases are so difficult because drugs and alcohol are involved…:

CUT 6 (13)  “credibility”

Camille Cosby says her husband has been falsely painted as a predator by individuals whom many in the media have given a pass. There have been no moves to arrest Cosby on these claims and Hebert believes it’s because of his perfect image before these accusations were made…:

CUT 7 (11) “larger issue”

Hebert says they often see perpetrators use drugs in assaults as another way to diminish an accusers credibility. She says one of the things we can take away from this case is not to be so quick to rush to judgement…:

CUT 8 (08) “listen and believe”

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Crude oil prices are falling again today. They are down 47-percent since June and it’s the largest drop in five years. When oil prices decline over a long period of time, it means less revenue for the state government. But Greg Albrecht, chief economist for the state legislative fiscal office, is hopeful other revenue streams can make up for the loss in mineral revenues

CUT 9 (09)  “our revenue”

Albrecht says the Revenue Estimating Conference will meet next month and agree on a forecast for future revenues. He says sales tax collections are up more than anticipated and it’s also possible income tax revenues will also be higher than expected, which could offset the loss of mineral revenues

CUT 10 (06)  “in there”

Albrecht says if state leaders are concerned about the state’s budget, because of failing oil and gas royalties. He says the legislature could look at eliminating some of the tax credits, rebates and exemptions that cost the state seven billion dollars a year. But he says it’s unlikely anything will happen in the next legislative session

cut 11 (07)  “big way”

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State Police report that a Port Allen man is under arrest after they learned he was attempting to solicit murder. 37-year-old Tommy Joe Gioele (JEE-oh-lee) is charged with two counts of solicitation of murder. Trooper Jared Sandifer says the investigation began Sunday evening…

cut 12 (08) “Pointe Coupee Parish”

A man informed officers that Gioele approached him and asked him to kill two people in Pointe Coupee Parish. Sandifer says the relationship with Gioele and the man is unknown. He says, after learning of Gioele’s plans, officers went to work…

cut 13 (07) “legitimate deal”

Gioele was taken into custody at his home without incident. Sandifer says it’s fortunate that this murder plot did not go any further than it did…

cut 14 (08) “to do so”