Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

09.18.24
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Senator John Kennedy had some choice words for the executive director of the Arab American Institute during a Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a student at Live Oak Junior High School today who was possessing a weapon. Deputies say a student at the school told the administration about the child having a weapon and law enforcement quickly reacted to secure the weapon and remove the student from the school immediately. Authorities say the armed student did not threaten any of the other students.

 

LSU-Alexandria reports its enrollment from this fall semester is up a whopping 33-percent as total enrollment at the school nears seven-thousand. Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Shelly Gill says as LSUA grows, the institution plans to further invest in its infrastructure and faculty to maintain high educational standards and meet the increasing demand.

Cut 5 (11) “…do more with the university.”

Gill says more students are attending LSU-A because it has one of the most affordable bachelor’s degree programs in Louisiana.

 

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its class of 2025. Chairman Doug Ireland says the headliner of the new class is football standout Andrew Whitworth, who won championships at all three levels – high school, college and pro.

Cut 14 (08) “…with the Rebels.”

Whitworth also won a national championship at LSU and a Super Bowl with the Rams. St. Thomas More boys basketball coach Danny Broussard who has won six state championships is also in the Class.

09.18.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints could not have gotten off to a better start, winning their first two games in dominating fashion – 47-10 over the Panthers and 44-19 over the Cowboys. Still, Coach Dennis Allen says there are flaws that the team needs to work through as the season progresses.

Cut 16 (16)   “…the first half”

 

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. It’s the third time Kamara has received this honor in his career. Against the Cowboys, Kamara carried the ball 20 times for 115 yards, he also had 65 receiving yards and finished the day with four touchdowns. New Orleans will host Philadelphia this Sunday.

 

 

He’s known for his Woj Bombs and he produced one today. Adrian Wojnarowski announced today he’s leaving ESPN to be the general manager of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball program.

 

One of the big surprises on LSU’s offense this year is wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who leads the team in receiving yards. The redshirt junior from New Orleans has caught 15 passes this year, three more than all of last year. Coach Brian Kelly says Anderson has grown in every aspect of his life…

Cut 18 (21)  “…so much better.”

The Tigers will host UCLA this Saturday.

 

Northwestern State’s Kitt Denton Myles is averaging 28 yards a catch as he’s caught seven passes for 195 yards and has three touchdowns. The Demons are looking for their first win this Saturday against Weber State.

 

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2025 induction class today, The headliner is former West Monroe and LSU star Andrew Whitworth, who ended a long NFL career with a Super Bowl Championship with the Rams.

09.18.24
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

One of the big surprises on LSU’s offense this year is wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who leads the team in receiving yards. The redshirt junior from New Orleans has caught 15 passes this year, three more than all of last year. Coach Brian Kelly says Anderson has grown in every aspect of his life…

Cut 18 (21)  “…so much better.”

 

The Saints will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to the Superdome on Sunday. The Eagles are not expected to have one of the best receivers in the NFL available. AJ Brown missed Monday night’s loss to Atlanta and Brown told ESPN’s Lisa Salters he expects to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.

 

Louisiana Tech hopes to see more from its running game when they host Tulsa Saturday night. The Bulldogs rushed for just 43 yards in their loss to N-C State. Marquis Crosby is dealing with an injury he suffered in the season opener and only had two carries last week. Coach Sonny Cumbie would like to get former Acadiana star Omiri Wiggins going…

Cut 20 (24) “..that room”

 

In the latest Louisiana Sports Writers Association high school football polls,…Ruston, who has the state’s longest winning streak is ranked number one in Class 5A, followed by Karr, Catholic High of Baton Rouge, Acadiana and then Neville, who knocked off Calvary Baptist last Friday.

09.17.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Through three weeks, LSU is last in the Southeastern Conference in points per game allowed and they rank third to last in total defense, allowing 380 yards a game. But Coach Brian Kelly says he likes his linebackers, he says the defensive tackles are coming along and he believes the secondary can play at a higher level

Cut 16 (12)   “…we did that”

The Tigers had nine tackles for a loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception versus South Carolina. This Saturday, LSU faces UCLA. The Bruins were held to only 238 total yards in a 42-13 loss to Indiana.

Last night in the NFL, the Falcons defeated the Eagles 22 to 21 as Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes, including one with 34 seconds left. The Dirty Birds are now 1-and-1, so are the Eagles. Philadelphia will play the Saints in the Superdome this Sunday.

A big intrastate battle is set to go down on Saturday in Lafayette as the Ragin Cajuns host Tulane. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says Tulane will be the toughest team they’ve faced this season…

Cut 19 (19) “….play em” 

The Cajuns are 2-and-0, while Tulane has suffered losses to Oklahoma and Kansas State after opening the season with a win over Southeastern Louisiana.

 

Starting this season, Pelicans fans can watch their team on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new rights deal with Gray Media will give many more fans the opportunity to watch games on TV.

Cut 3 (12) “…seven-million new viewers.”

09.17.24
by

LRN PM Newscall

Pelicans fans can now watch their favorite team on TV for free. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state was approved by the White House following Hurricane Francine and the flooding that hit the state.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Starting this season, Pelicans fans can watch their team on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new rights deal with Gray Media will give many more fans the opportunity to watch games on TV.

Cut 3 (12) “…seven-million new viewers.”

Bensel says while Gray Media is paying less money to secure the rights than the previous rightsholder, Bally Sports, the team expects to make up for the lost revenue in other ways, especially through the increased viewership.

Cut 4 (11) “…to TV access.”

In addition, in the coming weeks, the Pelicans will announce the creation of their new streaming platform, Pelicans Plus.

Cut 5 (08) “…and postgame show.”

The 11 stations that will carry Pelicans games will all form the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.

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This week marks Voter Registration Week, with efforts underway to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming November 5th election. Secretary of State’s spokesperson Joel Watson reminds citizens to register or update their registration by visiting GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM.

Cut 6 (12) “…October 15th or online.”

Watson says Louisiana has a high registration rate, with about 90-percent of eligible residents registered to vote.  Watson says there may be some who recently moved to the state or just turned 18 that haven’t registered yet…

Cut 7 (06) “…to do that.”

Watson says to visit GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM or on the mobile app to find pooling place, election dates, and deadlines…

Cut 8 (09)  “…November 5th”

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The White House has approved Governor Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration, following Hurricane Francine. The governor’s office says this declaration will unlock federal assistance to support recovery efforts in affected areas. GOHSEP External Affairs director Scott Adams says Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes will receive federal assistance.

Cut 9 (09)  “…22 parishes.”

Adams says the approval ensures that federal funding is available for various programs including temporary housing, home repairs, and other programs designed to aid individuals and business owners in rebuilding.

Cut 10 (07) “…federal government.”

FEMA will coordinate these efforts, with an emphasis on public safety and rebuilding.  Adams encourages affected residents to apply for assistance and stay informed on disaster relief efforts.

Cut 11 (10) “…FEMA app.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is despondent over this weekend’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump – the second time in a two-month span that someone tried killing him.

Cut 12 (09) “…or should become.”

Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump.

Cut 13 (14) “…a sitting president.” 

Cassidy also said that he wants answers from the Secret Service as to how a second assassination attempt could have happened in the first place.

Cut 14 (12) “..this stops now.”

09.17.24
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The SEC has named LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson as the conference’s defensive player of the week. Swinson had a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble in the victory over the Gamecocks.

 

LSU started the game with three linebackers on the field for the first time this year as Whit Weeks joined Greg Penn and Harold Perkins. Perkins played strongside linebacker and had three tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery. Coach Brian Kelly called it progress for one of their best defensive players…

Cut 17 (22) “…great energy.”

 

McNeese quarterback Clifton McDowell is the Southland Offensive Player of the Week. Grambling’s Andrew Jones was named SWAC Defensive Player of the week for his performance in the Tigers overtime win at Texas A-and-M Commerce.

 

The Pelicans have a new way for fans to watch games as they are launching Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network, which will be available to watch for free on over-the-air-TV stations owned by Gray Television. The NBA franchise says the new distribution agreement with Gray Media will make Pelicans games available to four-point-one million households, nearly seven million viewers throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, including the cities of Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.  Team spokesperson Greg Bensel says in the coming weeks, the Pels will announce the create of their new streaming platform, Pelicans Plus…

Cut 5 (08) “….and postgame show”

 

Last night in Monday night football…. the Atlanta Falcons scored a late touchdown to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 22 to 21. The Dirty Birds are now 1-and-1. The Eagles will now get ready to face the Saints in the Superdome on Sunday.

Carolina has benched former number one pick Bryce Young and will go with Andy Dalton as its starting quarterback.

09.17.24
by

8:30 LRN Newscast

More scrutiny for the Secret Service after another assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has announced the conviction of an East Carroll Parish man hired by a woman to kill her ex-husband. A-G Liz Murrill says it took a jury less than 30 minutes to convict Amin Virani, who was hired by Rachel Meadows in 2015. Meadows pleaded guilty for her role and sentenced to 15 years. The victim was shot several times in Lake Providence but survived.

The city of Kenner says about 300 homes were flooded from Hurricane Francine. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says no homes inside the levee protection system in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish flooded thanks to investment into flood and hurricane protection projects…

Cut 5 (09) “…zero property flooded”

Hurricane Barry was a Category One storm in July of 2019.

Northwestern State’s on-campus enrollment for this fall semester has hit a five-year high with 85-hundred students and student housing is just shy of capacity. New university president James Genovese says it’s great to see…

Cut 14 (12) “…and healthy”

Northwestern State has another home game this Saturday against Weber State.

09.17.24
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is taking issue with Secret Service staffing in light of Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump. Scalise says staffing needs to be beefed up.

Cut 7 (09) “…has to change”

On Sunday, federal authorities spotted a gunman hiding in a wooded area near Trumps’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect was arrested and faces two gun-related charges.

There is a concern Hurricane Francine will result in even higher insurance rates in Louisiana. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the damage created by Francine is not widespread enough to cause higher premiums. And he says…

Cut 6 (10) “…state

Despite the recent Me Too movement, sexual harassment continues to be prevalent. According to the #MeToo 2024 report by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute, a survey of more than 33-hundred adults found that 82-percent of women and 42-percent of men experience some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Lead researcher Anita Raj says sexual harassment in the workplace remains a concern.

Cut 10 (10) “…the United States.”

Raj says this report also shows sexual harassment is even more pervasive in  public places and commonly directed toward youth.

Enrollment for this fall at Northwestern State is at its highest level in five years.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the fall semester.”

University President James Geneovese says there is a renewed sense of energy and purpose on campus.

 

LSU-Alexandria is reporting a 33.5 percent increase in enrollment over the last year and there are now a record 68-hundred full-time undergrad students.

09.17.24
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly told the media on Monday the Tigers are not that far off from playing the football needed in order to win the SEC. As they prepare to face UCLA this Saturday, he says they are looking at personnel, preparation and the coaching of the schemes to get LSU to that point…

Cut 18 (25)  “…that situation.”

The SEC has named LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson as the conference’s defensive player of the week. Swinson had a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble in the victory over the Gamecocks.

McNeese quarterback Clifton McDowell is the Southland Offensive Player of the Week. Grambling’s Andrew Jones was named SWAC Defensive Player of the week for his performance in the Tigers overtime win at Texas A-and-M Commerce.

The 2-and-0 ULM Warhawks will visit top ranked Texas on Saturday. Coach Bryant Vincent’s team is a 44.5-point underdog…

Cut 20 (20) “…very detailed”

Kick off in Austin is at 7 PM.

Last night in Monday night football….the Atlanta Falcons scored a late touchdown to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 22 to 21. The Dirty Birds are now 1-and-1.

Carolina has benched former number one pick Bryce Young and will go with Andy Dalton as its starting quarterback.

The Pelicans announced a new TV deal today with Gray Television that will allow more people to watch the games as they will now be available on over the air channels in markets across the Gulf South.

09.17.24
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

A major step in the recovery from Hurricane Francine has been accomplished. Entergy Louisiana says power has been restored to virtually all customers who receive electric service.

What about insurance rates, will they increase because of this storm? Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says Francine is defined as a low impact event…

cut 4 (12) “…if you will”

Meaning, the amount of damage from Francine should not result in higher rates.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish told W-W-L Radio the federal government needs to beef up its Secret Service protection. His statement is in response to a second attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump. But Scalise says morale within the agency is making it difficult to hire…

Cut 9 (12) “…look to apply”

Despite the Me Too movement, sexual harassment remains very prevalent in the United States according to a report out of Tulane.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Northwestern State reports the on campus population at the Natchitoches school is the highest it’s been in five years, with 85-hundred students…

Cut 15 (09) “…..campus now”

That’s new Northwestern State president James Genovese.