Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.12.16
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 12

The 2015 college football season came to a close last night, with Alabama’s 45 to 40 win over Clemson in the national championship game. It’s the fifth championship for former LSU Coach Nick Saban, putting him one behind Bear Bryant.

In the final AP rankings, LSU came in at number 16, while running back Leonard Fournette ended the year as the nation’s leading rushing as he averaged 163 yards a game. Fournette is the first running back from the SEC to be declared the rushing champion since 1949.

In other football news…UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is coming back for his senior season. Former ULM football coach Todd Berry has been named the new executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. St. James Quarterback Lowell Narcisse has decommitted from Auburn. He would be a good get for LSU’s 2017 class.

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 coach, who violated NCAA rules by arranging fradulent entrance exam scores for five prospects. The school has already vacated victories from 2011 season and will have to do the same if the players involved played for the team from the 2012-2014 seasons.

When Amite and Bogalusa play each other in football next season, fans will not be allowed in the stands. It’s part of the punishment handed down by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association as a result of a fight that broke out between the two teams towards the end of their playoff game last November. LHSAA assistant director Keith Alexander says the 2016 Amite-Bogalusa game will be considered a closed compeition…
cut 17 (09) “..the play”
The two schools were each fined 25-hundred dollars and placed on administrative probation for all sports for the 2016-17 season.

01.11.16
by

17:30 LRN Newscast January 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in as Louisiana’s governor today and announced his plans to improve health care opportunities for the state’s working poor…
cut 9 (12) “…to healthcare”
Edwards has called a 1:30 press conference on Tuesday to provide more details.

Edwards’ choice for Speaker of the House was not selected in a vote by House members , which goes down as a political defeat for the new governor. Edwards wanted New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger House Speaker, but the lower chamber selected a conservative legislator from New Iberia, Taylor Barras…
cuut 7 (06) “…future of Louisiana”
New Orleans Republican John Alraio was elected again as Senate President.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (29) “..I’m Eric Gill”

Lifeshare Blood Centers, which has locations across the state, say they are in the need of blood donations as their supply is less than two days for most blood types. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says if you’re eligible to donate, please do…
cut 14 (08) “….try to give”
Hooper says low blood donor turnout in December and last week led to a critically low supply of blood on hand.

01.11.16
by

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 11

We’re about three and a half weeks away from national signing day and LSU according to 24-7 sports has the top recruiting class in the country when it comes to football. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the Tigers coaching staff are looking to add to their 20 commitments…
cut 18 (13) “….John Curtis”
National Signing day is February third.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is coming back for his senior season. McGuire is a three-time All-Sun Belt selection and is one of two active players in college football with three-thousand yards rushing and one-thousand yards passing.

Former ULM Coach Todd Berry has been named the new executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is now coaching for his brother, Rex Ryan, in Buffalo. Rob will be an assistant head coach for the defense. It’s the first time since 1995 that the Ryan brothers served on the same staff.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis went to instagram to announce he underwent a third surgery. In the preseason, he had a hip-sports herina procedure and had another surgery to repair the labrum in his hip during the season and it appears he needed another one after playing in just six games in 2015.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Lakers. Davis suffered a back contusion in the loss on Friday against Indiana and missed yesterday’s overtime loss to the Clippers.

And the LSU gymnastics squad shares a number one ranking with Michigan. The Tigers beat the previous number one ranked team in the country, Oklahoma on Saturday. LSU competes in Las Vegas on Thursday.

01.11.16
by

LRN Newscast 16:30 January 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards laid out some of his priorities for the next four years as he was sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Edwards says he’ll seek to expand Medicaid, increase the minimum wage and he’ll support efforts to make higher education more affordable…
cut 11 (14) “…tuition and fees”
Edwards says his top priority is fixing the state’s massive budget problems.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Edwards suffered a political defeat when the House voted for New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras, instead of Edwards choice, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger…
cut 8 (12) “….of Representatives”
New Orleans Republican John Alario remains Senate president.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being constructed in St. Landry Parish and St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
But the US Army Corps of Engineers announced today that there is not a need to open the Morganza Spillway, which will lessen the flood threat in St. Landry.

A 96-year-old driver plowed into the Mandeville community center, injuring four people inside. The accident happend around nine o’ clock this morning, authorities say the driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake as she was pulling up to the building. The injuries to the people inside are not considered life threatening.

01.11.16
by

15:30 LRN Newscast Jan 11

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. Michelle Southern has more…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Before Edwards spoke at his inauguration, the House selected New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras as the new Speaker of the House. It’a political defeat for Edwards, who backed New Orleans Representative Walt Leger. New Orleans republican John Alario remains the Senate President.

The US Army Corps of Engineers says at this time, there is no need to use the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish to divert Mississippi River water before it reaches the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. Meanwhile, the Louisiana National Guard has activated almost 300 soldiers, many of them are building protective levees to hold back the rising Mississippi River…
cut 5 (10) “…walls installed”
That’s Lt. Rebekah Malone.

LifeShare Blood Centers says they are low on blood supply and they need your help. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says their blood centers have a supply of less than two days for most types and that’s not good news for those who need blood…
cut 13 (09) “…many of those”
Hooper encourages people who are eligible to donate blood to please do so.

01.11.16
by

LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 11

There’s about three and a half weeks left before national signing day and LSU has the number one ranked recruitingt class in the nation. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says LSU’s highest ranked commitment is Saivion Smith a five-star cornerback from Florida…
cut 17 (15) “…of Houston”
Dixon says there’s still time to add to this star studded class, as LSU is trying to get verbal commitments from two highly recruited players out of the New Orleans area, cornerback Kristian Fulton from Rummel and offensive tackle Will Allen from John Curtis.

Tonight it’s the college football national championship game as Alabama takes on Clemson. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is seeking his fifth national championship.

The Pelicans began a three-game road trip on the West Coast with a 114 to 111 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony Davis did not play for New Orleans as he’s suffering from a back injury that he suffered in a loss to Indiana. Jrue Holiday led the way for the Pelicans last night with 29 points, Chris Paul had 25 for the Clippers who won their ninth straight. New Orleans is staying in L-A as they’ll play the Lakers tomorrow night.

In college basketball…LSU will look to rebound on Wednesday night when they play Ole Miss. The Tigers lost to Florida on Saturday. Louisiana Tech will play in Florida this week as they’ll visit FIU on Thursday and Florida Atlantic on Saturday. ULM had two tough losses in Arkansas last week, this week they’ll face Georgia State on Thursday and Georgia Southern on Saturday.

In college baseball news…LSU pitcher Alex Lange has been named a Perfect Game USA first-team all-american, while outfielder Jake Fraley is on the third team.

01.08.16
by

17:30 LRN Newscast January 8

President Barack Obama will speak in Baton Rouge on Thursday. Eric Gill has more…
cut 2 (29) “..I’m Eric Gill”

Powerball retailers are busy spitting out tickets in advance of Saturday night’s record 800-million dollar jackpot. If you are lucky enough to win, Metairie CPA Jennifer Bordes says there is no financial incentive if you take the lump sum or payments over several decades…:
cut 14 (08) “…an attorney”
The cash value of the jackpot is 496-million dollars.

We’re now up to five universities across Louisiana that have told students not to bring their hoverboards to campus. It’s because the electric skateboards have been known to burst into flames while charging. Southeastern Louisiana University spokesperson Rene Abadie….
cut 9 (10) “…the campus”
LSU, UL Lafayette, and Nicholls are other univerisities who have banned hoverboards.

Governor Bobby Jindal, along with Governor-elect John Bel Edwards participated in a Unified Command Group meeting to get an update on the imminent flooding of the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya Rivers. US Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the Bonnet Carre spillway will open Sunday at 10am, and the Morganza possibly on Tuesday…
CUT 5 (07) “in this are”
Jindal stressed the need for residents in the Morganza Spillway to have a game plan in place.

01.08.16
by

16:30 LRN Newscast Jan 8

The rising Mississippi River has led to the US Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Sunday 10 AM. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says this will prevent major flooding in New Orleans…
cut 3 (10) “…in New Orleans”
Boyett says it looks like the Morganza Spillway will also have to be opened, but Tuesday is the earliest that will happen.

President Barack Obama will be in Louisiana on Thursday as he’s planning to speak in Baton Rouge two days after he delivers the State of the Union….
cut 6 (08) “….president’s policies”
That’s LSU political science professor Robert Hogan. A spokesperson for John Bel Edwards says the new governor is hoping to have a face-to-face meeting with the commander in chief.

Bobby Jindal’s two terms as governor ends on Monday as Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is sworn in. U-L-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says one of Jindal’s lasting legacies will be his education reforms…
cut 30 (05) “…evaluating”
But Cross says Jindal leaves office with low approval ratings, because of budget cuts to higher ed and a failed run for President that had him out of the state for much of 2015.

If you win the 800-million dollar Powerball tomorrow, you’ll probably leave the country for awhile for a nice vacation. But what’s your odds of winning this massive prize. UNO Mathematics chair Doctor Tumules (Too-muh-lesh) Solanky (soe-LAWN-key) says its 1 in 292 million. But your odds do improve, if you buy more tickets…
cut 12 (08) “…292 million”
The cash value of the jackpot is 496-million.

01.08.16
by

LRN PM newscall January 8

The US Army Corps of Engineers announces plans to begin diverting river water from the Mississippi into Lake Pontchartrain. Jeff Palermo has the details…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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

The White House announces that President Barack Obama will make his first trip to Baton Rouge as president on Thursday, January 14th. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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

Due of recent changes in river forecasts, the US Army Corps of Engineers has announced the timeline for opening the Bonnet Carre and Morganza Spillways has changed. The opening of the Bonnet Carre will now begin at 10AM Sunday. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the Bonnet Carre allows them to control the Mississippi River coming into New Orleans…

CUT 3 (10)  “in New Orleans”

Opening the spillways will alleviate flood threats due to rising water levels on the Mississippi River. As far as the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish, Boyett says they are closely monitoring river levels to see if they reach the level required to open the flood gates…

CUT 4 (07)  “12th of January”

He says no decision has been made at this time but there’s is a strong possibility of opening the Morganza on January 12th. Boyette says there is one driving force behind their decisions to open the spillways…

CUT 5 (07)  “in this area”

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

The White House announces that President Barack Obama will make his first trip to Baton Rouge as president next week. The president will visit the Capital City Thursday, January 14th, two days after his State of the Union address. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s not uncommon for the president to hit the road after the State of the Union…

CUT 6 (08) “president’s policies”

He says a visit to Louisiana is a bit of a surprise since the state has not always been supportive of President Obama’s policies. Hogan says the recent election of Democratic John Bel Edwards in the governor’s race could have played a role in the president scheduling a visit to Baton Rouge…

CUT 7 (09) “in the state” 

President Obama is expected focus on state gains in the past seven years, including a drop in the unemployment rate and new aid for Louisiana’s early childhood education programs. Governor-elect Edwards has stated that Medicaid expansion is one of the top priorities for his administration. Hogan believes President Obama will use Louisiana as an example to get more states to jump on board…

CUT 8 (09) “of his administration”

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

Four Louisiana universities have banned the use of hoverboards on campus due to safety concerns. LSU, U-L Lafayette, Nicholls, and Southeastern have all decided these devices are a hazard because they have been found to burst into flames while charging and cause injuries to riders. Southeastern Louisiana University spokesperson Rene Abadie…

CUT 9 (10)  “the campus”

Abadie says hoverboard batteries have been known to combust and start fires while charging, so they don’t want them in S-L-U housing units because of the fire hazard.

cut 10 (10)  “the rider”

Abadie says riders have also been known to fall off hoverboards and break bones or get concussions, which is an additional safety concern. He says these policies are put in place with the general interest of the safety of their students.

Cut 11 (05) “certainly”

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

The Powerball jackpot is now the largest in US history estimating at a whopping 800 million dollars. UNO Mathematics chair, Dr. Tumulesh (Too-muh-lesh) Solanky (soe-LAWN-key), says the odds of one person winning the jackpot is about one in 292-million. He says the more tickets you buy, the better your chances are.

cut 12 (08) “292 million”

The cash value of the jackpot is 496 million dollars. Dr. Solanky says when people pool their money to buy a lot of tickets, the odds of winning keep getting better. He says the jackpot numbers are completely random, so certain numbers aren’t luckier than others.

cut 13 (07)  “the best”

Jennifer Bordes, a CPA in Metairie, advises if you win the 800 million dollar Powerball jackpot, there is no financial incentive if you take the lump sum or the annuity.

cut 14 (08)  “an attorney”

Bordes says if you go in as a group to purchase a bunch of tickets, have an agreement in writing to ensure everyone knows their role and how much was contributed. She reminds the winner that they’ll be hit with huge new taxes.

cut 15 (10)  “estate tax”

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

01.08.16
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 8

There were reports that Mississippi State had offered its defensive coordinator position to LSU defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, but Fox Sports college football insider Bruce Feldman says that’s the not case and Orgeron really wants to stay at LSU. Orgeron has received a lot of praise for how he helped improve the Tigers defensive line this past season.

We were expecting to hear from the NCAA today about possible sanctions against UL Lafayette because of alleged recruiting violations that involved former assistant coach David Saunders. But the NCAA says they’ve postponed the release of their findings and they did not disclose when they may provide that information.

Former LSU Quarterback Bert Jones received the call he was waiting on. As he learned this morning that he’s been elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. The Ruston Rifle finished fourth in the 1972 Heisman Trophy Race.

The LSU men’s basketball team leaves for Gainesville today where they’ll play the Florida Gators tomorrow afternoon. The Tigers beat Florida twice last year, including an 18-point victory in Gainesville. Coach Johnny Jones says it’s not easy to win on the Gators home court…
cut 17 (20) “…extremely talented”

Louisiana Tech’s 39-game home winning streak is over. Old Dominion upset the Bulldogs 56-53 in the Thomas Assembly Center last night. Tech shot just 34-percent from the field.

UL Lafayette shot 32-percent from the field in a 77-57 defeat to Arkansas Little Rock. And ULM dropped its first Sun Belt game of the season as the Warhawks lost to Arkansas State 68-65 in overtime.