Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

02.15.25
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

Solid start to the season for the second ranked LSU baseball team as they easily won their season opener over Purdue Fort Wayne 14 to 0. The Tigers scored five runs in the first inning and scored in every inning except the third inning. Kade Anderson threw five shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out eight. Daniel Dickinson had three hits, including a double and drove in five runs.

Louisiana Tech clobbered Maine 14 to 3. Michael Ballard’s two run homer in the third gave the Bulldogs a 3 to 2 lead and then they scored four runs in the fourth inning to pull away.

The Ragin Cajuns scored four runs in the third inning and went on to beat San Jose State seven to two. Chase Morgan struck out seven over five innings for the win.

ULM swept a doubleheader from Eastern Illinois. Nicholls beat Northern Illinois five to three, McNeese over Wichita State seven to one and Grambling State beat Jackson State eight to seven in ten innings despite committing five errors.

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The second ranked LSU gymnastics squad defeated top ranked Oklahoma in front of a sold out Maravich Center crowd last night. LSU trailed heading into the final rotation, but the Tigers got big performances on the floor from Kailya Lincoln, Sierra Ballard, Kailin Chio, Amari Drayton and Hailey Bryant. It’s the first loss of the season for the Sooners.

A familiar last name has joined the Saints coaching staff. Chase Haslett, the son of former Saints coach Jim Haslett, has been hired as the tight ends coach. Haslett coached with Kellen Moore in Dallas, and it’s one of Moore’s first hires since becoming the Saints head coach.

In college basketball today….LSU is at Oklahoma, Louisiana Tech hosts Jacksonville State. ULM hosts Southern Miss, the Ragin Cajuns take on Marshall. McNeese visits UNO, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls.

Tomorrow in Austin, fifth ranked LSU women’s basketball team is at 3rd ranked Texas for a two PM tip.

02.14.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s opening day of the college baseball season. The second ranked LSU Tigers are playing Purdue Fort Wayne this afternoon and game two of that series has been moved up to 11 AM tomorrow, because of the potential for severe weather.

 

Lane Burroughs is starting his ninth season as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Burroughs says their starting pitching should be a strength with the return of All-Conference selection Luke Nichols and Grant Hubka. But there will be a new catcher behind the plate…

Cut 20 (14) “…to fill.”

Ole Miss transfer Eli Berch is expected to see a lot of starts early, but also expect to see Navarro transfer Matt Houston.

The Ragin Cajuns are hosting San Jose State this weekend. ULM is taking on Eastern Illinois at Lou St. Amant Field, McNeese hosts Wichita State and Northwestern State hosts Central Arkansas.

History being made in Bossier City today at the LHSAA state wrestling championships. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says 212 female athletes are competing for the first time ever in a girls division…

Cut 29 (11) “…it’s historic.”

The state wrestling tournament will conclude tomorrow.

In college basketball…LSU men’s basketball has a chance to get a win tomorrow when they visit Oklahoma. The Tigers have lost seven in a row, while the Sooners have lost four of their last five.

After a bad loss on Thursday to Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech hosts Jacksonville State, McNeese looks for its 20th win of the season when it visits UNO and a good battle in Hammond as Southeastern hosts Nicholls at 3:30.

Tonight in the PMAC…it’s a battle between the top two teams in gymnastics as LSU hosts Oklahoma.

02.14.25
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LRN PM Newscall February 14

For the third Valentine’s Day in a row, the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing a New Orleans husband and wife as the state’s longest known married couple. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A local advocacy group is speaking out against the Department of Health’s new approach to vaccines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Family Forum has named Mr. Ira Milan and Mrs. Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills says it’s tough staying at the top of the leaderboard.

Cut 3 (14) “…on a daily basis.” 

Mills says they will be inducted into LFF’s 2025 Marriage Hall of Fame alongside nine other honored couples.

Cut 4 (11) “…very competitive division.”

Mills praised the couple’s dedication, emphasizing that lifelong marriage remains a source of joy, health, and community strength.

Cut 5 (10) “…and a successful marriage.”

You can see the full list of couples at la-family-forum-dot-org

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We could be in for some severe weather Saturday. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says most of the state will be at an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Cut 6 (11) “…of itself.”

We had a round of severe weather earlier in the week. Grymes says what Mother Nature has in store for Saturday could top that.

Cut 7 (13) “…fuel the storms.”

Grymes says the northern half of the state could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. He says the southern half of the state could also see some severe weather.

Cut 8 (11) “…to the coast.”

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An advocacy group is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines, says the department is taking a dangerous approach.

Cut 9 (12)  “…misrepresent basic facts.”

In a letter posted onto the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman took aim at the rollout of COVID vaccines, saying that they were mandated despite having no third-party benefit in terms of reduced transmission. Dr. Herricks says Abraham and Coleman are misleading people with that claim.

Cut 10 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

Herricks also takes exception to Abraham’s and Coleman’s assertion that vaccines may benefit some and cause harm to others.

Cut 11 (11) “…long-term harm.”

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Natchitoches Parish is reeling over Thursday’s announcement that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti. 300 permanent jobs will go away when the facility ceases operations in April. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says closure of the mill will increase unemployment and reduce local spending…

Cut 12 (13) “…people themselves.”

Maynard says Natchitoches Parish’s economy was already suffering an economic decline that began 20 years ago…

Cut 13 (11)  “…high poverty levels.”

Maynard says adding to Natchitoches Parish’s economic troubles is the 16-percent decline in employment since 2019 at Northwestern State and a declining Natchitoches-based student population. He says for Natchitoches to reverse it’s downward trend, it needs to fully embrace itself as a college town and attract more students back to campus…

Cut 14 (13) “…or another”

Maynard says more  Northwestern State students living in Natchitoches would increase consumer spending, lead to greater housing demand and job creation.

02.14.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast

An advocacy group is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines, says the department is taking a dangerous approach.

Cut 9 (12)  “…misrepresent basic facts.”

Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman says the department wants to end the one-size-fits-all approach to vaccines.

History being made in Bossier City today at the LHSAA state wrestling championships. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says 212 female athletes are competing for the first time ever in a girls division…

Cut 14 (11) “…it’s historic.”

The state wrestling tournament will conclude tomorrow.

For the third Valentine’s Day in a row, the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing a New Orleans husband and wife as the state’s longest known married couple. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Country music superstar Lainey Wilson from Franklin Parish announced on Instagram that she is engaged to her longtime boyfriend Devlin Hodges. In her post, Wilson said Four-by-Four-by-You forever.

02.14.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Kellen Moore is off and running as the Saints head coach after meeting with the media on Thursday. A major decision facing Moore is whether to keep Derek Carr as the Saints starting quarterback. Moore was non committal when asked about Carr

Cut 16 (13) “…lot of fun.”

Carr is 33 years old and is set to make 30-million dollars next season. Cutting him would result in 50-million dollars in dead money on the books next year.

The Pelicans ended a ten-game losing streak by beating Sacramento in overtime. Louisiana Tech men’s basketball’s eight game home winning streak ended with a 22-point loss to Kennesaw State. Southeastern Louisiana won its 15th straight with a 20-point win over McNeese. And LSU-A men’s basketball won its 18th straight by beating Our Lady of the Lake University 100 to 73.

The college baseball season gets underway today and the second ranked LSU Tigers begin the road to Omaha by hosting Purdue Fort Wayne. LSU has a deep team and there’s competition for playing time in the outfield and behind the plate. Coach Jay Johnson on how his guys should look at their playing time…

Cut 18 (22)  “…bullets start flying”

Louisiana Tech begins the 2025 season by hosting Maine for a four-game series beginning today at 4 PM. The Bulldogs won 45 games last year and a Conference USA regular season title. Ninth-year head coach Lane Burroughs believes he has a talented team, but there are a lot of new faces…

Cut 19 (14) “…let’s go.”

02.14.25
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9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health has sent a letter to its employees that it’s no longer promoting mass vaccination events. Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman says the department wants to end the one-size-fits-all approach to vaccines…

Cut 9 (12) “…real medical practice”

Coleman says the focus on vaccines has also led health departments to neglect other issues, such as mental health and infant mortality.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the average wholesale price for medium sized eggs is seven dollars a dozen; and until they get the bird flu under control, those prices will continue to go up.

Cut 24 (10) “…to meet demand.”

Jefferson Parish breaks ground on a facility that will manufacture components to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The economic development news is not as good on the other side of the state. About 300 workers were blindsided when International Paper announced its closing its containerboard mill in the Natchitoches Parish town of Campti. Operations at the Red River mill will cease in April. State Representative Jack MacFarland says they make brown paper at the plant and demand has declined.

02.14.25
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Surgeon General Doctor Ralph Abraham has told state health workers the Louisiana Department of Health is no longer organizing mass vaccination events and staff are not allowed to promote seasonal vaccines. Deputy Surgeon General Doctor Wyche Coleman wants to return vaccine decision making to the patients and their doctors…

Cut 8 (11) “…disregards the individual”

A group called the Louisiana Families for Vaccines believes this new LDH policy will result in lower immunization rates, increasing the chances of a measles outbreak.

It’s Valentine’s Day and it’s a big weekend for restaurants…

Cut 5 (10) “….to dine this weekend”

That’s Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association. She says use to apps like Resy and Open Table to find that last minute reservation.

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore has a big decision to make about quarterback Derek Carr. Should they bring Carr back or start fresh and draft a Q-B in the first round. Here’s what Moore said about Carr at his introductory press conference…

Cut 28 (09) “…with him”

The Saints are bringing back running back Clyde Edwards Helaire on a one year deal. The former LSU star joined the Saints at the end of last season after  he was released by the Chiefs.

History is being made in Bossier City today as for the first time at the LHSAA State Wrestling Championships there will be a girls division. LHSAA Executive Director Adam MacDowell says in the past girls have been allowed to compete, but they would wrestle against boys….

Cut 15 (05) “…they are excited about it.”

The state wrestling championships are at Brookshire Grocery Arena today and tomorrow in Bossier City.

02.14.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics, and department staff can no longer promote seasonal vaccines. In a letter posted to the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman also take aim at the CDC’s response to the COVID pandemic. Dr. Wyche says the purpose of the directive is for the department to, in his words, get back to the basics.

Cut 7 (13) “…interests in mind.”

Parish health units will still have vaccines, but LDH says it should be a patient’s healthcare provider helping an individual decide whether to get a vaccine.

A group called Louisiana Families for Vaccines is concerned L-D-H’s new policy on vaccines will hurt vulnerable populations and herd immunity.

It’s Valentine’s Day. Sean Richardson reports it’s a big weekend for the restaurant industry…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Ground has been broken on a 500-million dollar manufacturing facility in Jefferson Parish. UBE C1 Chemicals America will provide the first domestic US supply of two components needed to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries. Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission CEO Jerry Bologna…

Cut 11 (08) “….now in 2025”

02.14.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

In his introductory press conference, new Saints Coach Kellen Moore called New Orleans an incredible place and he can’t wait to get going. Moore also talked about the importance of stressing opposing offenses…

Cut 17 (22) “…super powers”

Moore will have a big decision to make on whether quarterback Derek Carr will return next season, but former LSU Tiger Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming back on a one-year deal.

The Pelicans ended a ten-game losing streak by beating Sacramento in overtime. Louisiana Tech shot 34-percent from the field in a loss at home to Kennesaw State 69-47. ULM also lost to Texas State.

It’s opening day for college baseball. LSU is a consensus preseason Top 5 pick, despite have a bunch of new players. Senior out fielder Josh Pearson will experience his fourth opening day at the Box and has told the new guys what to expect…

Cut 22 (18) “…deal with it”

LSU hosts Purdue Fort wayne to start the season.

Louisiana Tech begins the 2025 season by hosting Maine for a four-game series beginning today at 4 PM. The Bulldogs won 45 games last year and a Conference USA regular season title. Ninth-year head coach Lane Burroughs believes he has a talented team, but there are a lot of new faces…

Cut 19 (14) “…let’s go.”

02.14.25
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6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics and it’s forbidding staffers from promoting seasonal vaccines. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has denied Louisiana’s attempt to extradite Doctor Maggie Carpenter. Carpenter is accused of sending abortion pills to a family in West Baton Rouge parish that ended a teenage girl’s pregnancy. New York has a law that protects doctors who prescribe abortion medication to out-of-state patients.

Are you still scrambling to make that Valentine’s Day dinner reservation? Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Wendy Waren says there are apps like Resy and Open Table to make last minute reservations and she says there are plenty of hidden gems that can squeeze you in…

Cut 6 (12) “….special occasions”

The 2025 LHSAA State Wrestling Meet makes history today as female wrestlers compete in their own division for the first time. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell called the change a “momentous step” in the growth of girls’ wrestling.

Cut 13 (08)  “…It’s great.”

The championship event takes place today and tomorrow at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City.