Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.23.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting all year for this event…

Cut 19 (11) “…this year”

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are still alive in their respective conference tournaments. The Bulldogs defeated Liberty five to two. Luke Cooley was excellent in relief and won his seventh game. Blake Hooks earned his ninth save. Tech takes on Jacksonville State tonight.

The Cajuns rallied from a two-run deficit to beat Georgia Southern five to four. Lee Amdee’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning snapped a four-four tie. The Cajuns face Marshall tonight.

Tulane advanced to the semifinal round of the AAC Championship as the Green Wave defeated top seeded UTSA ten to six. UNO lost game one of the Southland Tournament championship series to Houston Christian eight to three.

The NAIA World Series starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. The Pilots take on Grand View, out of Iowa, at 1:30 this afternoon. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

Loyola New Orleans, meanwhile, is in the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history and is the eighth seed. They face Tennessee Wesleyan at five this afternoon central time.

05.23.25
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11:30 LRN Newscast

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

It was one week ago today, ten inmates from the Orleans Parish Jail executed one of the largest jail breaks in the state’s history. Five of them are still at large. State Police have arrested three people for allegedly helping the escapees stay on the run.

 

More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

But 23-percent of third graders scored well below target reading levels and because of a new state law, they could be forced to re-take third grade again. Nearly 12-thousand third graders will have two more opportunities to score higher on the literacy test in order to advance to the fourth grade.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon.

Cut 3 (05) “…factor into it.”

Numerous fans needed medical attention because of heat exhaustion.

05.23.25
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Leaders for a Better Louisiana is urging the state Legislature to keep funding a 30-million-dollar high-dosage tutoring program. The Louisiana House did not include the funding in their budget proposal, but this week the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized an additional 39-million-dollars in available funds for next fiscal year’s budget. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (08) “…for our kids.”

The Senate Finance Committee has the budget in its hands and they’ll have the first chance at adding more money to various programs.

Kids are out for the summer and the summer travel season is underway with AAA’s Don Redman says this appears to be a good summer for the cruise industry…

Cut 8 (12) “…very popular

LSU may be the talk of the college baseball world here in Louisiana, but they’re not the only ones playing for a championship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

WWE fans in Louisiana are disappointed that Wrestlemania will not be held in New Orleans in 2026 as was previously announced. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation says the city will still get to host Wrestlemania, but it will happen in a future year. The foundation says it’s part of a new multi-year agreement that will bring UFC 318 to New Orleans in July and WWE’s Money in the Bank in 2026.

05.23.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers finally get to play in the SEC Tournament tonight as they will face Texas A&M, who eliminated Auburn three to two. But it was a costly win for the Aggies. Jace LaViolette is out after breaking his hand yesterday. That’s 18 home runs out of the lineup.

The Cajuns, Louisiana Tech and Southern all won to stay alive in their respective conference tournament.

UNO lost game one of the Southland Championship series.

The NAIA College World Series begins today. LSU-Shreveport is an unbelievable 54-0 and Loyola of New Orleans is making its first appearance in the NAIA World Series. Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team has persevered all season long…

Cut 13 (07) “…job done”

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The media had a chance to watch the Saints OTA practice on Thursday and the first-string offensive line looked like this….first round pick Kelvin Banks at left tackle, Trevor Penning at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard and last year’s starting left tackle, Taliese Fuaga playing right tackle. Coach Kellen Moore says it should be a seamless transition to Fuaga…

Cut 17 (20)  “…easy as it can be”

Quarterback Jake Haener will not be able to compete in OTAs as he has an oblique injury, but he’ll reportedly be ready for training camp.

The 12-team College Football Playoff will have a different look this season. The teams will be seeded one through 12 and the top four seeds will receive a first round bye, even if they do not win their conference. Four conference champions received a bye last year, but none of them won

05.23.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for next fiscal, an effort is underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and it’s the official start of the summer travel season and AAA’s Don Redman says 45-million people will travel 50-miles or more this holiday weekend…

Cut 7 (06) “….traveling for the holiday”

The state department of education says the percentage of students reading on or above grade level increased among K-through-3 graders from 47-percent at the beginning of the year to 64-percent at the end of the year. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he’s pleased with the work of teachers in partnership with parents to prompt this growth…

Cut 16 (06) “…great state”

Lewiston, Idaho is a long way from Louisiana but two schools from Louisiana are there this weekend for the NAIA World Series. LSU-Shreveport is the top seed as the Pilots are a remarkable 54-0 and Loyola of New Orleans is making its first appearance in the NAIA World Series. Wolfpack Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team has persevered all season long…

Cut 13 (07) “….the job done”

Cole Romero from Acadiana High School is Loyola’s top hitter as he’s hitting .342 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs.

05.23.25
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Triple-A is projecting a busy travel weekend with more than 45-million Americans traveling domestically for Memorial Day. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

NOAA is predicting an above-normal hurricane season as the federal agency is forecasting 13 to 19 named storms, six-to-ten hurricanes and three-to-five major hurricanes.

State Police has arrested a third person for helping one of the ten escaped inmates from the Orleans Parish jail. 59-year-old Connie Weeden of Slidell allegedly provided Jeremaine Donald with money. Donald is one of the five escapees still at large.

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More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

Brumley says this is further testament that the state’s reading strategy is working; and by staying the course, the state can continue to improve.

LSU-Shreveport will try to improve to 55-0 as they begin play in the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. Pilots head coach Brad Neffendorf says it’s an incredible accomplishment, but the job is not done yet…

Cut 10 (06) “….and win one”

The Pilots take on Grand View this morning and Loyola of New Orleans has also made the NAIA World Series for the first time in school history.

05.22.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers will play Texas A-and-M tomorrow night in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. The Aggies won today for the second time since arriving in Hoover, holding on for a three to two victory over Auburn. A&M needs every win that it can get for a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

Meanwhile, LSU practiced earlier today in Hoover. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is ready to play….

Cut 29 (18) “…with our fans”

First pitch is around 6:30 tomorrow night. The Tigers dropped two out of three to the Aggies earlier this month.

Big news regarding the college football playoff. The CFP executives have voted for straight seeding, meaning the teams will be seeded directly one through 12 and conference champions will no longer automatically receive a first round bye and a top four seed. By the way, we are 100-days away from LSU’s season opener at Clemson.

Saints quarterback Jake Haener will miss the rest of the OTA sessions after suffering an oblique strain.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the injury will sideline Haener for multiple weeks, but he should be available for the start of training camp.

Both Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough looked good in seven on seven sessions today. Shough had a nice deep ball to Rashid Shaheed. Shough is a 25-year-old rookie and Coach Kellen Moore was asked if he can already tell, Shough is an older rookie…

Cut 20 (19) “…getting reps.

05.22.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Get ready for another active hurricane season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is facing bribery and fraud charges. A five-count indictment was handed down against Jack Montoucet for allegedly receiving kickbacks in awarding a state contract to a business that provided online educational boating courses. Montoucet faces up to 20 years in prison and a one-million dollar fine.

Five of the ten escapees from the Orleans Parish jail remain on the run this afternoon. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill conducted a tour of the jail to see what improvements need to be made inside and afterwards she said having the right locks and hinges on the doors is a top priority…

Cut 8 (11) “….want them to be”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), in collaboration with ten other Southeastern states, has launched a website called Gator-Wise-dot-org to educate the public on safely coexisting with alligators. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe says the first tip is to be aware…

Cut 9 (11)  “…alligator in it..”

Linscombe says the website offers other practical tips, such as don’t harass an alligator, don’t put food scraps in water where there are alligators, and never feed them…

05.22.25
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12:30 LRN Newscast

Federal forecasters are once again calling for an active hurricane season with the likelihood of 13 to 19 named storms, six to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. National Weather Service Director Ken Graham is urging Louisiana residents to get your emergency kit prepared now…

Cut 4 (10) “…put together”

Graham says warm sea surface temperatures are probably number one contributor to the active forecast.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking into what contributed into last week’s jail break at the Orleans Parish Jail. Murrill says a critical piece in preventing future escapes is making sure the Orleans Parish criminal justice system is moving cases through in an effective manner. She says housing inmates at a parish jail for several years is asking for trouble…

Cut 7 (11) “…doors”

Five of the ten inmates who escaped last week remain free.

Approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million-dollars, will be mailed next Friday. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Monroe Police Department reports a 15-year-old girl drowned last night while swimming with friends in the Ouachita River. Authorities are urging the public not to swim in the Ouachita River because water levels are high.

Lake Charles Police are trying to determine who fatally shot a 16-year-old girl at a graduation party early Tuesday morning. The victim has been identified as McKenzie Rideau from Lake Charles College Prep.

05.22.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints third-year quarterback Jake Haener will likely miss the rest of OTAS after suffering an oblique strain at the end of an OTA practice yesterday. That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter who says the injury is expected to cost Haener a couple of weeks, but he should be ready for the start of training camp in July. Haener is competing with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough for starting quarterback for the Black and Gold.

The Ragin Cajuns, Louisiana Tech, and Southern are facing elimination in their respective conference tournaments Grambling is in the winner’s bracket of the SWAC Tournament and the Tigers will play second-seeded Florida A-and-M tonight in Birmingham.

LSU baseball plays in the SEC Tournament tomorrow night. The Tigers will play the winner of today’s game between Auburn and Texas A-and-M. During the regular season, LSU lost series to both teams. Also today in the SEC Tourney, Tennessee takes on Texas and Oklahoma faces Vanderbilt.

LSU-Shreveport and Loyola of New Orleans are in Lewiston, Idaho as they are two of the eight teams in the NAIA World Series. The Pilots are undefeated and this is the first ever appearance in the NAIA World Series for the Wolfpack. It’s a double elimination tournament and LSU-S plays tomorrow at 11:30 AM, while Loyola plays at 3 PM.

KNOE-TV’s Aaron Dietrich is reporting former LSU and Northeast Louisiana baseball coach Smoke Laval is interested in returning to Monroe to be next head coach of the ULM Warhawks.

The Washington Nationals have placed former LSU star Dylan Crews on the ten-day injury list. Crews has a left oblique strain. It’s been a struggle for Crews. He’s only hitting .196 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.