Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

08.11.15
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LRN Newscast 17:30 August 11th

The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control issue over 800 citations to Louisiana establishments for selling alcohol and tobacco to minors during the summer. Eric Gill reports…
cut 2 (29) “…I’m Eric Gill”

A family in Covington says their pet cat was found sliced in half on a golf course. Jeff Dorson, director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, says these cases need to be fully investigated to ensure it doesn’t become a gateway to bigger crimes…
cut 5 (06) “…other violence”

State Police say a 1-year-old, who was riding in the lap of a front seat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries in a crash that took place in Morehouse Parish on Monday afternoon. Trooper Michael Reichardt says 23-year-old Shatora Hall of Bastrop was driving and there were five other people in the car at the time:
CUT 7 (09) “in that car”
He says Hall has been charged with reckless operation and a no child restraint violation.

Slidell Police are calling it a miracle that a 50-year-old motorcyclist survived a crash with an 18-wheeler. Sergeant Daniel Seuzenua says they believe the driver of the semi was intoxicated and literally ran over the motorcycle which stopped, waiting to make a turn. Seuzeneau says the bike was dragged underneath the truck and the victim tossed off his motorcycle…
cut 14 (10) “…full recovery”
The truck driver was arrested and faces several charges.

08.11.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 August 11

Former Louisiana Tech star IK Enemkpali has been released by the New York Jets for sucker punching quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room and fracturing Smith’s jaw. Smith is now expected to miss six to ten weeks and Jets coach Todd Bowles called the situation very childish. Enemkpali was drafted in the sixth round by the Jets in 2014. There are reports the altercation was over money.

The Saints held their final training camp practice today before Thursday’s preseason opener at Baltimore. Head Coach Sean Payton on what the first preseason game of the year means for his team…
cut 27 (06) “…veteran players”
It doesn’t look like running back CJ Spiller will play in the preseason opener as he’s been sidelined because of an undisclosed injury. It’s reported that the injury is not considered significant.

One other NFL note…the Steelers have signed former Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who appeared in two games with Cleveland last year.

The LSU men’s basketball team is on its way to Australia. The Fighting Tigers will play five games in three cities against teams featuring professional players. Point guard Josh Gray is not on the trip, because he played in a game that wasn’t sanctioned by the LSU compliance office.

Former University High Basketball star Skylar Mayes has recommitted to LSU. The six-foot-three point guard led the Cubs to two straight Class 3-A titles and he’ll play his senior season for Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.

ULM announces four people will be added to their athletics hall of fame during a ceremony in October. Going into the hall are former wide receiver Vincent Brisby, former baseball star Andy Davis, the voice of the Warhawks, Frank Hoffman and Larry Saulters, who played basketball at Northeastern and is the program’s career leader in assists with 398.

The Ragin Cajuns football team is practicing in full pads and quarterbacks Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and Jordan Davis each took turns with the number one offense during team drills.

08.11.15
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LRN PM Newscall August 11

A family cat was found sliced in half on a golf course in Covington. Emelie Gunn has more on this gruesome dismemberment…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announce that they issued over 800 citations to Louisiana establishments for selling alcohol and tobacco to minors during their 2015 Summer Crackdown. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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A beloved family cat was found mutilated on a golf course in Covington. Charlie was a friendly, 2-year-old cat, adopted last year from the St. Tammany Humane Society by the Worthington family. The family contacted the police but are still unsure of who committed this crime. Becky Worthington says they’re positive Charlie wasn’t killed by another animal.

CUT 3 (12)  “innocent animal”

Cat slicing has become an epidemic around the country, not just in St. Tammany Parish, according to the Louisiana Humane Society. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they’re concerned this crime is being copied and shared around social media. He believes this is a bigger problem than authorities think it is.

CUT 4 (10)  “a felony”

Dorson says they’re turning to social media to get animal rights activists to take a stand against cruelty and call the sheriff’s office. He says these cases should be fully investigated to ensure it stops and doesn’t become a gateway to bigger crimes.

CUT 5 (06) “other violence”

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State Police say an unrestrained infant is dead after a single vehicle crash in Morehouse Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says 23-year-old Shatora Hall of Bastrop lost control of her vehicle, ran off the roadway, and struck a tree…

CUT 6 (09)  “of her injuries”

He says 1-year-old Aniyia Worsham, who was riding in the lap of a front seat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries. Worsham was the only person in the vehicle who was not restrained. The five other people in the car survived the crash with only minor injuries. Reichardt says the vehicle was overcrowded…

CUT 7 (09)  “in that car”

He says Hall has been charged with reckless operation and a no child restraint violation. Reichardt says this is a terrible situation that could have been easily averted…

CUT 8 (06)  “child restraint”

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The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announce that they issued over 800 citations to Louisiana establishments for selling alcohol and tobacco to minors as a result of their 2015 Summer Crackdown operation. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says nearly 5,500 compliance checks resulted in 821 citations statewide. He says these numbers are consistent with previous years…

CUT 9 (11)  “underage operatives”

The summer initiative is an attempt by ATC to prevent access of alcohol and tobacco to underage persons. Violators face fines up to $5,000 and are subject to criminal and/or administrative charges. Hebert says, more importantly, it jeopardizes a business’s ability to sell tobacco and alcohol in the state…

cut 10 (09)  “doing so responsibly”

Of the citations issued, 460 were issued for alcohol sales to a minor and 361 for tobacco sales. Hebert says they will continue to educate businesses across the state to get the compliance rate higher. He says nothing good can come out of selling alcohol and tobacco to someone underage…

cut 11 (09)  “somebody else”

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Slidell Police released video today of a 50-year-old motorcyclist who survives a horrific accident with an 18-wheeler.  Public Information Officer Daniel Seuzeneau says usually when you hear of an accident like this you assume the worst but it’s a miracle he survived.

cut 12 (12)  “the ditch”

Seuzeneau says the driver of the 18-wheeler, 56-year-old Timothy Duimstra of Michigan, apparently passed out at the wheel when he made a hard right hitting the motorcycle waiting to turn onto the main road. He says Duimstra was found to be under the influence of both drugs and alcohol during the incident.

cut 13 (07)  “motor vehicle”

To view the video of the crash, visit louisianaradionetwork.com. Seuzeneau says the entire accident was caught on surveillance video by a local business. He says the driver of the motorcycle is still in serious condition but is expected to survive.

cut 14 (10)  “full recovery”

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08.11.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 11

According to LSU Coach Les Miles, Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings are sharing snaps with the number one offense. Miles says both guys continue to show improvement every day and there is not a certain person he has in his mind that will start at QB….
cut 19 (09) “….good portion of them”
The Tigers kick-off the season against McNeese State. LSU has announced that for the 12th straight season, they’ve sold their allotment of season tickets.

UL Lafayette wide receiver Jared Johnson has injured his left knee and he’ll miss the rest of the season. Johnson had ten catches last season, but had a chance to start this year.

ULM senior wide receiver Tyler Cain will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a lower body injury. Cain was expected to be the starting H-back this season.

08.05.15
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LRN Sportscast 16:45 August 5

LSU’s quarterback battle between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris resumes tomorrow as the Tigers begin fall camp. Jennings missed a good portion of summer workouts because he was suspended following his arrest for an alleged break-in. Coach Les Miles was asked today if Harris was able to get a leg-up on Jennings in the quarterback derby…
cut 30 (12) “….early and late”
Miles also said today that defensive lineman Maquedis Bain, who was arrested along with Jennings, was never reinstated to the team, which is why he is no longer on the team.

LSU comes in at number 23 in the Sports Illustrated preseason college football Top 25 poll. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran believes LSU can win at least ten games this season…
cut 18 (11) “…from that”

After taking yesterday off, The Saints resumed training camp today in West Virginia with safety Jairus Byrd still on the physically unable to perform list. It’s persumed that Byrd is still rehabbing a knee injury that ended his season after four games last year. Coach Sean Payton says Byrd is progressing well and sooner rather than later, he’ll be back on the field.

Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas had a workout with the Houston Texans, but his agent says he will not be signing with the Texans at this time. Houston has a need at running back, because of a groin injury suffered by Arian Foster.

ULM athletics director Brian Wickstrom has reportedly spoke with the University of Akron about their vacant A-D position.

ULM men’s basketball released its 2015-16 schedule today. The Warhawks open the season on November 13th when it hosts McMurry University. The Warhawks will travel for non-conference games against Minnesota, Northwestern State, Houston, Penn State and West Virginia.

08.05.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 5

The LSU Tigers are reporting for fall camp today. The Bayou Bengals head into the 2015 season ranked 13th in the coaches poll. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran expects LSU’s defense to be very good this year, even though John Chavis is no longer the defensive coordinator…
cut 17 (20) “….Ed Paris”
Moran believes LSU can win at least ten games this year.

The Saints were back on the practice field in West Virginia this morning after getting a day off from training camp yesterday. Safety Jairus Byrd remains on the physically unable to perform list. Coach Sean Payton said today that Byrd is progressing well and he hopes he’ll return to the field sooner than later.

ULM athletics director Brian Wickstrom is interested in the vacant athletics director job at the University of Akron. Wicksrom has been at ULM for about two years and during that time several of the athletic facilities have undergone some sort of renovations, including the construction of a four-point-one million dollar football end zone facility.

The Houston Texans are reportedly set to sign former Saints running back Pierre Thomas. Houston needs a running back, because Arian Foster is out with a groin injury. Thomas is 30-years-old and was let go by the Saints in March. Thomas played for eight seasons with the Black and gold and rushed for 37-hundred yards and 28 touchdowns.

A judge in Illinois has found a 58-year-old Saints fan guility of shoving Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey to the ground last December. Richard Kohnke of New Orleans was found guility of a misdemeanor charge of battery and sentenced to six months of court supervision. Kohnke was sitting in McCaskey’s seats during last year’s Bears game at Soldier Field and Kohnke ended up pushing McCaskey to the ground.

08.04.15
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17:30 LRN Newscast August 4

Governor Bobby Jindal will not participate in a primetime republican presidential debate on Thursday. The governor failed to poll high enough in five recent national polls to be one of the ten candidates to appear in the Fox News debate. Jindal will have the opportunity to take part in a debate of second tier candidates, which will take place Thursday afternoon in Cleveland.

US crude oil prices went up slightly today to $45.55 a barrel, but crude prices have fallen 20 percent in the past month. LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott says this is having a negative impact on jobs tied to oil and gas. Scott says it’s difficult to forecast oil prices but he expects the price of crude to turn around in the near future…
cut 8 (08) “…back up again’

The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team has released their updated forecast for the 2015 hurricane season and it’s not much different than their June forecast….
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Terrebonne Parish deputies arrest a mother in Houma for allegedly leaving her 2-year-old unattended at a car wash. Major Malcolm Wolfe says they got a report about a small child walking alone in the parking lot and apparently the child was previously left alone in the vehicle.…:
CUT 9 (09) “alone”
The mother, 33-year-old Sumer Boudloche is charged with child desertion.

08.04.15
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16:45 LRN Sportscast August 4th

No practice for the Saints today as the players got a day off from training camp. So far the big stories after five days of camp, safety Jairus Byrd is on the physically unable to perform list and first round pick, Andrus Peat, has struggled at offensive tackle.

The LSU football team will report for fall camp tomorrow. The Tigers will begin practicing Thursday morning. The first scrimmage is set for Saturday August 15th. Football media day and fan day will take place the next day on August 16th.

The LSU men’s basketball team held a couple of workouts today as they prepare for an exhibition trip to Australia. The team leaves for the land Down Under on August 11th. They will play five games between August 15th and the 22nd. Coach Johnny Jones says he likes the mixture of vets and freshmen on his team. He say freshmen Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson have a lot of tools on the defensive end.

The annual Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling will not be aired on network television this year. Instead the game will be shown on the NBC Sports Network and the kickoff time has been moved from the traditional 1:30 time slot to 4 PM.

LSU has received another commitment for the 2016 class. His name is Connor Culp and he’s a place kicker from Arizona and according to 24-7 sports he’s the fifth best kicker in the country.

But LSU fans are more concerned about the number one recruit in the Class of 2017. University High running back and linebacker Dylan Moses has de-committed from LSU as he wants to experience the recruiting process prior to national signing day in 2017. Derek Ponamsky of Bayou Bengals Insider-dot-com says Texas and Alabama will likely spend a lot of time recruiting Moses…
cut 30 (09) “….shape there’

08.04.15
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LRN PM Newscall August 4

The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team has released their updated forecast for the 2015 hurricane season and it’s not much different than their June forecast. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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The price of US crude oil has fallen to its lowest price in four months and LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says it’s having a negative impact on economies in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team has released their updated forecast for the 2015 hurricane season and it looks very much the same as their June forecast. Researchers originally predicted eight named storms with three hurricanes and one major hurricane. Lead author, Dr. Phil Klotzbach, says this update actually lowers the number of expected hurricanes this season…

CUT 3 (09)  “or five hurricane”

The new forecasts calls for five more named storms, two hurricanes, and one major hurricane. Klotzbach says the primary reason for the below-normal season is because of very strong vertical wind shears because of a strong El Nino…

CUT 4 (08)  “the storms”

He says the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the Gulf Coast is just 12-percent, well below the full-season average of 30-percent. Klotzbach says although a below-average hurricane season is forecast, that doesn’t mean a storm won’t impact Louisiana…

CUT 5 (10) “the United States”

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The price of US crude oil has fallen to its lowest price in four months and it is having a negative impact on economies in Louisiana. The current price for a barrel of US crude is just $45 a barrel, down from $61 a barrel on June 10th. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says the drop in price has caused job loss in communities heavily tied to oil and gas, like Lafayette and Houma…

CUT 6 (08)  “them at all”

As oil prices continue to plummet, some of the best paying jobs in the state are lost. He says job losses are spread throughout the oil and gas industry, from supply boats to helicopters to the drilling rigs themselves. Scott believes, as we get into the fall, there will be a significant drop in oil production in the US…
CUT 7 (06) “in the shale play”

He says the number of working rigs has dropped by nearly half of what they were a year ago. Scott says it’s difficult to forecast oil prices but expects the price of crude to turn around in the near future…

CUT 8 (08)  “back up, again”

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Terrebonne Parish deputies arrested a mother in Houma for leaving her child unattended in a hot car for several minutes at a carwash. Major Malcolm Wolfe says  33-year-old Sumer Lynn Boudloche was charged with child desertion once officers arrived on the scene after receiving a call about a small child walking alone in the parking lot without adult supervision.

CUT 9 (09)  “vehicle alone”

Wolfe says  Boudloche left her two year old son in her running car while she went inside the business to use the restroom. He says once officers spoke with Boudloche, she slurred her speech and seemed to be under the influence of drugs.

cut 10 (09)  “car asleep”

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A woman was killed around 9 this morning after being hit by a Kansas City Southern Freight train close to the Lincoln-Bienville Parish line. Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance says train engineers sounded the horn multiple times to alert the woman to move away from the tracks.

cut 11 (10)  “struck her”

Ballance says the accident occurred on the railway that runs parallel to Highway 80. He says the woman was killed instantly and police are still investigating the accident.

cut 12 (05)  “is deceased”

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Public schools are reopening and it’s another year for the Common Core standards. The public has an opportunity to suggest changes to Common Core and a hearing to discuss new standards is set for August 19th. The president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Hollis Milton, is one education leader who doesn’t want to see big changes with Common Core

cut 13 (11)  “with it”

The department of education has a portal on its website that’s taking public comment on Common Core. Milton says one change he suggests is to dump the PARCC standardized test for Aspire, which is associated with the A-C-T exam…

cut 14 (06)  “political football”

Milton also believes the Aspire exams, would be a better standardized test for third through eighth graders than PARCC

cut 15 (10) “in the nation” 

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08.04.15
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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 4

The number one recruit for the class of 2017 has de-committed from LSU, which has some fans concerned. Dylan Moses from University High in Baton Rouge gave a verbal commitment to LSU as a 15-year-old nearly two years ago.Derek Ponamsky, of Bayou Bengals Insiders-dot-com, says Moses still considers LSU his first choice but wants a chance to enjoy the recruiting process…
cut 30 (10) “…in my opinion”
Moses has until National Signing Day in February 2017 to make his final decision.

LSU has received another commitment for the 2016 class. His name is Connor Culp and he’s a place kicker from Arizona and according to 24-7 sports he’s the fifth best kicker in the country.

The Saints players are enjoying a day off from training camp today. They’ll get back at it tomorrow morning.

The annual Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling will not be aired on network television this year. Instead the game will be shown on the NBC Sports Network and kickoff time has been moved from the traditional 1:30 time slot to 4 PM.

FCS school UT Chattanooga has been added to the 2017 LSU football schedule. The Tigers are set to host Chattanooga on September 9th. The other non-conference games that season are Syracuse, Troy and BYU. LSU opens the season against the Cougars in a game that will be played in Houston.

In other college football news…ULM and Northwestern State both report for fall camp today. The Demons will kick off the season on September 3rd against Southeastern Louisiana, while the Warhawks who report today, will not actually hit the practice field until tomorrow.

In major league baseball…former LSU Tiger Mikie Mahtook’s two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth helped Tampa Bay beat the Chicago White Six five to four last night.