Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.18.16
by

LRN PM Newscall January 18

10 years ago today the New Orleans Saints announced Sean Payton as their new head coach. Eric Gill has more on Payton’s impact to the team…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

================

Warning labels on sugary beverages may keep parents from buying them for their kids, according to recent research published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (32)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

Baton Rouge Police have arrested a teenager after he accidentally fired a round from a shotgun killing his friend. Cpl. Don Coppola says 17-year-old Ahmad Antoine is charged with negligent homicide in the death of 17-year-old Devin Anderson. Coppola says the shooting happened at a home on Birch Street…

CUT 3 (10)  “of the friends”

Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene. Antoine turned himself in to police shortly after the shooting. Coppola says the investigation is ongoing, but they do have a good idea of what happened with the shotgun…

CUT 4 (09)  “injured Anderson”

He says detectives are still working to determine how the teens came in possession of the shotgun. Authorities say Antoine insists there was no altercation between him and Anderson and the shooting was an accident. Coppola says this is truly an unfortunate incident…

CUT 5 (08)  “it was not”

============================

It was 10 years ago today the New Orleans Saints announced Sean Payton as their new head coach. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton has led the Saints to unprecedented success during his tenure. He says Payton has proven that the Black & Gold can do more than just make the playoffs…

CUT 6 (10) “organization, totally”

Payton has led the Saints to three division titles and a Super Bowl championship. Detillier says Payton’s hiring, which came months after Hurricane Katrina, not only rejuvenated the team, but the city as well. He says there was a lot of uncertainty in whether the Saints would stay in New Orleans when Payton was hired…

CUT 7 (10) “high moments”

One of Payton’s first moves as head coach was to sign free agent quarterback Drew Brees. The Black & Gold are coming off their second straight losing season. Detillier says fixing the team’s defense will determine how long Payton will remain with the Saints…

CUT 8 (11) “is 2016”

============================

Warning labels on sugary beverages may keep parents from buying them for their kids, according to recent research published in the Journal of Pediatrics. LSU Health Clinical Psychologist Michelle Moore says this study proves that parents should be more informed about what their children are eating and drinking…:

CUT 9 (10)  “sugar high”

The online study asked moms and dads to choose drinks from a vending machine, and 60 percent selected the sugar beverage without the label, while just 40 percent picked the sweetened drink with a stamp reminding of associated health risks. Moore says parents may not know that seemingly innocent looking drinks contain so much sugar…:

cut 10 (06)  “to them”

Moore says extra sugary drink consumption could become a public health issue, particularly with children. California is proposing legislation that would put text warning labels on sweetened nonalcoholic drinks with added sweeteners with 75 or more calories per 12 ounces. Moore hopes Louisiana would eventually see the benefit of such a measure…:

Cut 11 (04) “at the store”

============================

How much should average investors worry about the continuous slide in stock prices? So far, 2016 is being called Wall Street’s worst start to a year ever. Helen Graf, executive investment manager at Graf Financial, says the tide will turn and if your portfolio is built well, you will be able to withstand these down times…:

cut 12 (07) “so critical”

Graf says if your affairs are out of balance, now is not the time to start making changes…:

cut 13 (09)  “buying opportunity”

Graf says the best thing to do right now is to avoid looking at your statements. She says in 2007-2008, during the worst crash since the Great Depression, the market evened back out a few years later…:

cut 14 (07)  “you should be fine”

============================

01.18.16
by

11:40 LRN sportscast January 18

Ten years ago today, the Saints officially named Sean Payton as their new head coach. Payton would lead New Orleans to the NFC Championship game that year and a Super Bowl title in 2009. NFL analyst Mike Detillier recalls the uncertainity that surrounded the Saints franchise when Payton was hired…
cut 7 (10) “….high moments”
Detillier says Payton will have to fix the Saints defense if he wants to remain the coach in New Orleans.

In recruiting news…Louisiana’s Mr. Football for 2015, Zachary Quarterback Lindsey Scott has de-committed from Syracuse. Scott has reportedly received an offer from Maryland. Mandeville receiver Parker Orgeron, the son of LSU defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron, has committed to McNeese State.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis has been named a finalist for the 2016 US men’s olympic team. Davis is one of 30 finalists and eventually the team will be cut to 12 players who will compete in the 2016 US summer Olympics in Brazil. A-D is averaging almost 23 points and 11 rebounds this year. Davis and the Pelicans battle the Memphis Grizzlies this afternoon.

LSU’s Ben Simmons has been named SEC Freshman of the Week after helping the Tigers beat Ole Miss and Arkansas last week. Simmons had a league-leading 13th double-double on Saturday as he scored 16 points and had 18 rebounds in the win over the Razorbacks.

Texas A-and-M’s Jalen Jones was named the SEC player of the week as he averaged 19 points and nine rebounds in wins over Florida and Georgia. The Aggies and tigers meet tomorrow in SEC action.

In college hoops action tonight…Nicholls State looks for its first win on the road this when they visit Sam Houston State.

01.18.16
by

10:30 LRN Newscast January 18

The roads are not as filled with cars on this Martin Luther King Holiday, but many Louisiana residents still wish our higway system was better. Louisiana has at least a 12-billion dollar backlog in road and bridge projects. New Senate Transportation Chairman Page Cortez says Governor John Bel Edwards is committed to ending the shifting of money from the state’s gas funded Transportation Trust Fund to State Police…
cut 13 (12) “….state police”
Cortez says look for this issue to be addressed in the legislative session later this year.

Baton Rouge police have booked 17-year-old Ahmed Antoine on a charge of negligent homicide after he allegedly fired a gun, killing his 17-year-old friend Devin Anderson. Corpola Don Coppola says the evidence at this time shows it was an accident…
cut 5 (08) “….it was not”
The two were playing with the gun when it went off at a home in Baton rouge.

A new report shows that even though Louisiana has the second lowest median income in the nation, its residents do better than expected when it comes to managing money. Eric Gill has more…
cut 1 (28) ” Eric Gill”

Louisiana’s efforts to re-populate the whooping crane population along the Gulf Coast had a minor setback as two of the big birds were found shot to death in Texas. That brings the total number of whooping cranes to 44 in Louisiana. But biologist Sara Zimorski with LDWF says she’s looking forward to seeing new nests in the Spring…
cut 16 (11) “…this spring”

01.13.16
by

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 13

The Saints will reportedly hire former Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell as he will be the new assistant head coach and tight ends coach in New Orleans. Former Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is also expected to return to the Saints staff as he’ll coach the team’s quarterbacks. He had the same role with the Black and Gold from 2009 to 2013.

Former Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee will reportedly visit LSU this weekend. Lee was 3-and-9 as a starter for the Green Wave the alst two season, but asked for his release when new head coach Will Fritz took over the Tulane program. This past season, Lee threw for 16-hundred yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

And Louisiana Tech has reportedly lost to two assistant coaches, including former Edna Karr Karr Coach Jabbar Juluke, who is taking a job with Texas Tech. Tech defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator Ronnie Bradford is leaving after three seasons in Ruston for a job at USC.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back home tonight to take on Ole Miss. The Tigers are looking to get back in the win column after losing last weekend on the road against Florida. LSU has two games at home this week, the Rebels tonight and then Arkansas on Saturday. Tip off tonight is at 8:00.

The Pelicans conclude their three game west coast road trip tonight with a game at Sacramento. New Orleans is trying to snap a four game losing streak. Anthony Davis has not played in the last two games, because of a back injury and his availability for tonight is in question. New Orleans is 0-5 this season, when Davis is not on the floor. Tip-off is at 9:00.

Another preseason poll has the LSU baseball team ranked in the top 10. This one is Perfect Game USA, which has the Tigers ranked fifth. LSU is ranked in the top ten in three polls. UL Lafayette was ranked tenth by Perfect Game USA, there second top ten designation.

01.13.16
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

With a new semester starting in Baton Rouge today, four LSU football recruits have enrolled early. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette says linebacker Michael Divinity, wide receiver Stephen Sullivan, cornerback Saivion Smith and running back Devin White of North Webster High School have signed and will be able to participate in spring practice.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Ole Miss tonight at the Maravich Center. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says slowing down Rebels guard Stefan Moody, who is averaging 24 points a game, will be the Tigers top priority…
cut 30 (18) “…Ben Simmons”
Simmons is averaging 21 points for the Tigers.

The Pelicans will look to end a four-game losing streak tonight in Sacramento. New Orleans lost again last night as they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 95-91. Anthony Davis did not play for New Orleans, because of a back injury.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Rams next season and when they do, it will be the Los Angeles Rams who visit the Mercedes Benz Superdome. NFL owners voted to move the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to L-A. The Chargers also have the option to move to Los Angeles from their current home in San Diego. The Saints will also play the Chargers next season, but on the road.

The LSU Tigers are ranked seventh and UL Lafayette is ranked 17th in the D-1 preseason college baseball poll. Florida is number one. Perfect Game USA has the Tigers ranked fifth in its poll, while the Cajuns are 10th. Florida is number one in that poll as well.

01.13.16
by

07:30 LRN Newscast Jan 13

Over 300-thousand Louisiana residents who can’t afford or struggle to pay for health insurance could be eligible for Medicaid as a result of an executive order signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Former Governor Bobby Jindal refused to expand Medicaid, because he said it would become too costly for taxpayers. But Edwards disagrees…
cut 8 (11) “…other program”
More than 1.4 million Louisianians are already insured by Medicaid.

Crude oil is trading at 30-dollars a barrel which is a 12-year low. A glut in the supply of oil has led to a crash in oil prices. Eric Smith with the Tulane Energy Institute says countries in the Middle East are showing no signs of cutting back…
cut 12 (10) “…bumper production”
Smith says prices could decline even more.

Brisk sales are expected again today as those hoping to become instant millionaires buy tickets for tonight’s one-point-five billion dollar Powerball jackpot. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin has this advice…
cut 6 (04) “…ticket early”
And Chopin says if you don’t match all six numbers, check to see if matched enough numbers to win one of their many secondary prizes.

Fish farming will be allowed in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, after new regulations were issued by NOAA. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

01.13.16
by

06:45 LRN Sportscast January 13

The Saints are scheduled to play the Rams next season and when they do, it will be the Los Angeles Rams who visit the Mercedes Benz Superdome. NFL owners voted to move the Rams franchise from St. Louis back to L-A. The Chargers also have the option to move to Los Angeles from their current home in San Diego. The Saints will also play the Chargers next season, but on the road.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight game last night as they fell to the Lakers 95-91. Anthony Davis didn’t play for New Orleans, because of a back injury and Kobe Bryant played only in the first half, but Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers end their four game losing streak. New Orleans is at Sacramento tonight.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Ole Miss tonight. The Rebels are 12-3 overall, 2-1 in the SEC and led by five-foot-eleven guard Stefan Moody, who leads the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 24 points a game.

The NCAA has accepted UL Lafayette’s self-imposed sanctions and added a few of their own for violations that were committed by former assistant coach David Saunders. The NCAA found that Saunders enabled recruits to take a fraudulent college extrance exam and provided cash to a former player. But the college athletics governing body found that Coach Mark Hudspeth was not responsible for the violations.

LSU’s early enrollees are scheduled to begin class today and the group includes five-star cornerback Saivion Smith, Donaldsonville wide receiver Stephen Sullivan and former North Webster running back-linebacker Devin White. Ex John Ehret linebacker Michael Divinity is also expected to be in class today.

The LSU Tigers are ranked seventh and UL Lafayette is ranked 17th in the D-1 preseason college baseball poll. Three SEC teams are ranked in the Top 5, Florida is number one, Vanderbilt is third and Texas A-and-M is fourth.

01.13.16
by

06:30 LRN Newscast Jan 13

The price of oil per barrel has hit 30-dollars for the first time since 2003. Eric Smith with the Tulane Energy Institue says to stop the crash in oil prices, the supply has to meet a week demand for oil and in the short term the only way to do that is to cut back on production….
cut 11 (07) “…some more”
Smith says unfortunately countries in the Middle East show no signs of cutting back.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that will allow additional 300-thousand low-income individuals to receive government health insurance. There are ramp up costs, but Edwards says DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee is working with healthcare providers, so the state doesn’t have to pay anything this fiscal year…
cut 7 (10) “….state’s portion”
The goal is to have these additional Medicaid health care cards available by July 1st.

New federal rules are in place to allow fish farming in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA’s Deputy Director of Aquaculture, David O’ Brien, says this has been in the works for 10 years and during that time there have been a series of reviews to make sure fish farming will not harm the environment. He says this will be a big boost for the domestic seafood industry
cut 15 (07) “…so to speak”
Many commercial fishermen have fought against fish farms in the Gulf, as they’ve raised concerns about losing fish grounds and the potential for outbreaks of disease.

Today is the last day to purchase your Powerball tickets for tonight’s world record one-point-five billion dollar jackpot. It’s been 19 straight drawings since a lucky person last matched all six numbers.

01.12.16
by

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 12

The LSU football team finished 16th in the final AP Top 25 ranking of the season. And running back Leonard Fournette is the NCAA rushing champion as he rushed for 163 yards a contest. He’s the first player in LSU history to lead the nation in rushing.

D-1 Baseball came out with its preseason rankings today….LSU is ranked seventh, while UL Lafayette is ranked 18th.

The NCAA handed down additional penalties against UL Lafayette today as a result of a former assistant coach who designed a scheme that resulted in fraudulent college entrance exam scores for five recruits. The school was fined five-thousand dollars, it losses a handful of scholarships over the next two years and it may have to vacate some victories. The voice of the Cajuns, Jay Walker says NCAA cleared head coach Mark Hudspeth of wrongdoing, but…
cut 14 (06) “…responsible for it”

The Pelicans Anthony Davis is questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers. Davis missed Sunday’s loss to the Clippers because of a back injury. Also the team has announced that Quincy Pondexter will miss the rest of the season because he’ll need surgery on his left knee.

The LHSAA has handed down its penalties against Amite and Bogalusa High Schools for being involved in a bench clearing brawl during football playoff game in November. Both schools were fined 25-hundred dollars and when they play each other in football in October, fans will not be allowed at the game. LHSAA assistant director Keith Alexander says they wanted to send the message that behavior like this will not be tolerated…
cut 18 (11) “…our properly”

And in recruiting…St. James Quarterback Lowell Narcisse has decommitted from Auburn. He would be a good get for LSU’s 2017 class.

01.12.16
by

LRN PM Newscall January 12

A Homer man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

================

The NCAA has announced sanctions against UL-Lafayette as a result of a former assistant football coach violating rules by arranging fraudulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

===================

In his inaugural address, Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of raising the minimum wage in Louisiana. Many wonder what kind of affect an increased minimum wage would have on business and workers. LSU Economist Jim Richardson says it really depends on how much minimum wage would be raised…

CUT 3 (06)  “on the workers”

Louisiana’s current minimum wage is the federally mandated wage of $7.25 per hour. Richardson says he’s heard talk of raising the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 to $10.10 per hour. He says a hike in minimum wage could cause businesses to re-think how they do business…

CUT 4 (10)  “people to hire”

Supporters of a higher minimum wage say putting more money in worker’s hands will allow them to spend more and help spur the economy. However, Richardson says this wage hike would not be free money and that money currently belongs to someone…

CUT 5 (10)  “to spend it”

============================

As the Powerball jackpot is now up to 1.5 billion dollars, many people are teaming up to buy tickets in bulk. Legal analyst Tim Meche says there isn’t anything illegal about pooling money to purchase a bunch of tickets but make sure the person holding the tickets is someone you trust.

CUT 6 (09) “no agreement”

Meche says a verbal agreement is all you should need when buying with a group. He says if you believe there needs to be a written contract, maybe you should rethink the group purchase.

CUT 7 (08) “ticket with”

Meche says always sign the back of your ticket.

CUT 8 (08) “your ticket”

============================

Louisiana State Police and the Homer Police Department have arrested a Homer man for allegedly murdering a 68-year-old Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. 35-year-old Jermaine Johnson is charged with second degree murder. Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton says the victim’s, Sulyn Prince, daughter called in a welfare concern on Monday when she couldn’t make contact with her mother.

CUT 9 (09)  “something wrong”

Sexton says Homer police called L-S-P after realizing they might need extra assistance. He says Prince’s body was found by K-9’s in a shallow grave in a wooded area behind her home.

cut 10 (09)  “in it”

Sexton says Prince worked for his office for as long as he’s been sheriff and was an experienced employee in the corrections division. He says she was a pleasure to work with and dedicated to her job.

Cut 11 (09) “sheriff’s office”

============================

UL Lafayette has been placed on two years probation and will lose three scholarships for next season and the following season as a result of a former assistant football coach, who violated NCAA rules by arranging fraudulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. Jay Walker, the voice of the Ragin Cajuns, says the NCAA sanctions could have been worse…

cut 12 (08) “in a bowl”

The NCAA also fined the school $5,000 and imposed recruiting restrictions. The school had already voluntarily vacated all victories from 2011 season because of the violations. Walker says the NCAA has ordered the school to do the same for the 2012-2014 seasons for games the ineligible players participated in…

cut 13 (04)  “of the wins”

He says the identities of the ineligible players have not been made public. Walker says the NCAA investigation found no one at UL-Lafayette, including head coach Mark Hudspeth, had any knowledge of this taking place…

cut 14 (06)  “responsible for it”

============================

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order to expand Medicaid in Louisiana. Edwards spoke alongside legislators and community leaders, as well as patients he said would benefit from the federally funded health insurance. He says these are low income adults who were too poor to qualify for subsidized care on the health insurance exchange:

cut 15 (11)  “financial security”

Edwards says by July 1st, they expect more than 300,000 citizens to enroll under the new Medicaid eligibility. Edwards says to qualify, a family or individual must have income at 138% of the federal poverty level. He says this will help keep the working poor from slipping further into poverty..:

cut 16 (12)  “funds”