Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.12.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

After waiting three years for his opportunity to be the starting quarterback at LSU, Garrett Nussmeier is not ready to give it up. On Wednesday afternoon, Nussmeier announced that he would return for his fifth and final season at LSU. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says it’s unsurprising that Nussmeier is staying…

Cut 14 (10) “…coming back”

Nussmeier has thrown for 37-hundred yards this season with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Saints are unsure who will start at quarterback this Sunday against the Commanders. Derek Carr has an injured non-throwing hand and is in concussion protocol. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says Carr’s backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, are sharing snaps with the first-team offense…

Cut 20 (12) “…quarterback situation”

Kick off is at noon.

 

Ouachita Christian is seeking its ninth state championship today as they will face top-seeded Vermilion Catholic at noon in the Caesars Superdome. The O-C-S Eagles are an 11-seed and Coach Steven Fitzhugh is excited for another chance to bring home a championship trophy to Monroe…

Cut 16 (13) “…what they’ve done.”

V-C and O-C-S played in a state title game in 2022 and Ouachita Chrisian won by two touchdowns.

At 3:30 it’s the division four non-select state championship game, as Haynesville battles South Plaquemines. The Golden Tornado is undefeated and they were runner-ups last season. Haynesville is looking for an 18th championship. The Hurricanes are looking for their first title since 2008.

The final game of the day is top seeded St. James versus Sterlington, a rematch of a semifinal game last year won by the Wildcats. Kick off is at 7.

12.12.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

He’s coming back. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier posted a video on his social media pages to announce that he’s returning for his final year of eligibility next season.

Cut 13 (10)  “…is not over.”

Next season will be Nussmeier’s fifth season as a Tiger. This season he’s thrown for 37-hundred yards 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

And the Tigers 2025 SEC schedule was released last night. The league opener will be against Florida on September 13th. The Tigers will visit Ole Miss on October 27th. Alabama November 8th and Oklahoma November 29th. LSU hosts South Carolina and Texas A-and-M in October.

La Tech comes to Tiger Stadium on September sixth and Southeastern Louisiana will be in Death Valley September 20th. The season opener is at Clemson.

The Saints are unsure who will start at quarterback on Sunday against Washington. It could be the injured Derek Carr. If Carr can’t go, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler will battle it out this week to see who will start. Commanders starting quarterback Jayden Daniels will make his return to Louisiana…

Cut 18 (12) “…for sure”

Today in the Ceasars Superdome, the Prep Classic Kicks off at noon as Ouachita Christian battles Vermilion Catholic. O-C-S has several talented players including Patrick Turpin who has ten touchdown catches and three interceptions on defense…

Cut 17 (16) “….Turpin does it all”

12.11.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU does not play its bowl game until New Year’s Eve day against Baylor in the Texas Bowl, but it’s still a very busy time for the Fighting Tiger football program. Kelly says he and his staff are balancing game prep, practices which will resume tomorrow and the transfer portal….

Cut 27 (12) “…quite busy”

Kelly says he was at three different upscale restaurants in Baton Rouge last night to meet with recruits out of the transfer portal as the Tigers try to rebuild their roster.

Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta is interested in buying the Saints. Last year, Fertitta attempted to acquire the Washington Commanders. The Houston Business Journal reports Fertitta told Gayle Benson he’d be interested in buying the Saints, but has not sent her an official offer. The Saints are currently not for sale.

St. James is back in the state championship game for a second consecutive season after suffering a heart-breaking loss to Union Parish last season. Wildcats Coach Lavanta Davis is trying to bring home a sixth state title for St James…

Cut 16 (12) “…miscues.”

St. James will play Sterlington tomorrow night in the Division 3 non-select state championship game. Panthers head coach Lee Doty says his team has gotten better every week…

Cut 18 (23)   “…finally got healthy.”

This game will kick off at 7 PM tomorrow. The first game of the day tomorrow is Vermilion Catholic versus Ouachita Christian.

12.11.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are struggling and if owner Gayle Benson ever wanted to sell the franchise, Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta is interested in buying the franchise. That’s according to a report in the Houston Business Journal. Last year, Fertitta attempted to acquire the Washington Commanders. Fertitta says he’s told Gayle Benson he’d be interested in buying the Saints, but has not sent her an official offer. The Saints are currently not for sale.

LSU back-up tight end Ka’Marreum Pimpton entered the transfer portal after catching six passes for 79 yards this past season. With starter Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL draft, the Tigers will now need to sign at least a couple of tight ends out of the transfer portal.

A couple of college quarterbacks are on the move. Former St. Thomas More standout Walker Howard is leaving Ole Miss and returning home to Lafayette to play for the Ragin Cajuns. Tulane quarterback Darian Meshan is transferring to Duke after leading the Green Wave to a nine-win season.

The Prep Classic kicks off tomorrow in the Caesars Superdome and there are three games on the schedule. At 3:30 PM, Haynesville goes after its 18th state championship as the Golden Tornado face off against second seeded South Plaquemines. Haynesville Coach David Franklin is impressed with the Hurricanes team speed…

Cut 9 (05) “…well coached”

At 7 PM, it’s the Division Three non-select state title game as top-seeded St James takes on sixth seeded Sterlington. Sterlington relies on its ground game. They have two one-thousand yard rushers Hagen Herring and Gaven Evans. Panthers head coach Lee Doty says Herring is averaging ten years a carry…

Cut 19 (20) “…longest run.”

The first game of the day is Vermilion Catholic against Ouachita Christian.

12.11.24
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence over an early primary challenge to his 2026 re-election bid. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former state legislator and current New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno has announced her candidacy for Mayor of New Orleans. She promises to be a 24-7 mayor that will work to bring safer neighborhoods and improved infrastructure. Current mayor LaToya Cantrell is term limited.

The American Tort Reform Association has ranked Louisiana as the 10th worst Judicial Hellhole in the country. A-T-R-A president Tiger Joyce says Louisiana’s civil justice system allows for lawsuit abuse and large judgments that paralyze businesses. Joyce is disappointed Governor Landry vetoed a bill that would have revised the collateral source doctrine…

Cut 6 (08) “…vetoed that’

The Louisiana Legislature is expected to bring up that bill again next year.

A jaguar gave birth to a cub in the United States for the first time since 2022 and it happened at the Baton Rouge zoo. Zoo director Jim Fleshman says the cub’s arrival is especially significant given its mother’s previous experiences with stillborn litters.

Cut 8 (07) “…spit and vinegar.”

The public will not get a chance to see the baby jaguar cub for at least two months, but the Zoo is taking name recommendations on its Facebook page.

12.11.24
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8:30 LRN Newscast

A new study ranks Louisiana as one of the top states for lawsuit abuse. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police say two pedestrians were struck and killed by two different vehicles as they were walking in the roadway on U-S Highway 84 near the 84 Quick Stop in Concordia Parish. 67-year-old Carleen Smith of Farmerville and Donnie Free of Ferriday died from their injuries. L-S-P continues to investigate.

When State Treasurer John Fleming announced his candidacy for U-S Senate,  Fleming said incumbent Bill Cassidy has failed the people of Louisiana. Cassidy responded to the comment during yesterday’s conference call with reporters…

Cut 12 (12) “…take that blame”

Fleming says Cassidy failed the people of Louisiana when he voted to convict Trump for inciting a riot on the U-S Capitol in January of 2021.

For the first time since 2022 a jaguar gave birth to a cub in the United States and it happened at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Director Jim Fleschman says This birth draws attention to the critical role zoos play in species conservation and the success of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan.

Cut 9 (07)  “…100 years.”

The public can recommend names for the cub on the Baton Rouge Zoo’s facebook page. The cub will make its public debut in the spring.

12.11.24
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence on drawing an early primary challenger for his 2026 re-election campaign. State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he will run for Cassidy’s seat, saying among other things that he’s not conservative enough for Louisiana. Cassidy told reporters that he has had better things to do than to read Fleming’s announcement, and that he’s baffled over Fleming’s intentions.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of Louisiana.”

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old boy in what investigators in Baton Rouge describe as a targeted attack. Kendrick Profit faces several charges including first-degree murder for the November 27th drive-by shooting. Sergeant L’Jean (“ell jeen”) McKneely says tips from the public helped lead to the arrest.

Cut 13 (07)  “…vital to this arrest.”

Authorities say Profit shot at the wrong car on Thanksgiving Eve killing eight year old Diellon Daniels.

The American Tort Reform Association ranks Louisiana tenth in the nation for worst Judicial Hellholes. President Tiger Joyce says lawsuit abuse is one reason why we pay some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country….

Cut 5 (10) “….availability of insurance”

Joyce says Louisiana’s Judicial Hellhole status costs residents 965-dollars annually in a tort tax.

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced the birth of a jaguar cub, the first at the zoo in over three decades and the first in the U.S. since 2022. This milestone highlights the zoo’s dedication to wildlife conservation, and director Jim Fleshman says it’s a symbol of hope for the species.

Cut 7 (10) “…Jaguar S-S-P.”

The new cub won’t be seen by the public for the next two months. Meanwhile, the zoo is taking submissions for the young female cub on its Facebook page.

12.11.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Transfer portal news continues to dominate the sports scene. LSU back-up tight end Ka’Marreum Pimpton entered the transfer portal after catching six passes for 79 yards this past season. With starter Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL, the Tigers will now need to sign at least a couple of tight ends out of the transfer portal. One possible acquisition is Arkansas tight end Luke Hasz, who is on campus today. Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser and Purdue defensive end Will Heldt are also reportedly visiting LSU today.

Former St. Thomas More standout Walker Howard has ended his pursuit of playing at an SEC School. Howard, who led the STM Cougars, to two state championships will return to his home in Lafayette and play for the Ragin Cajuns. Howard is leaving Ole Miss after spending two seasons in Oxford. He signed out of high school at LSU, where his father Jamie Howard played.

The Prep Classic gets underway tomorrow in the Ceasars Superdome. The action gets underway at noon as top seeded Vermilion Catholic takes on 11th seeded Ouachita Christian. V-C quarterback Jon Jon Dartez has led the Eagles to the state title game for the second time in three years…

Cut 30 (11) “…be back”

O-C-S beat V-C in the state championships in 2022.

Tomorrow night top seeded St. James faces sixth seeded Sterlington. The Wildcats have a freshman starting at quarterback. Ja’Juan Jackson has completed 70-percent of his passes for 1,840 yards and 23 touchdowns. St. James Coach Lavanta Davis says his 14-year-old signal caller has handled the offense well…

Cut 17 (17)  “…from it.” 

St. James suffered a heart breaking loss in the state championship game to Union Parish last year, but avenged that loss with a win over the Farmers in the semis.

12.11.24
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6:30 LRN Newscast

When State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he would look to unseat U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in 2026, Fleming said that Cassidy has failed the people of Louisiana. Cassidy responded to that comment during a conference call with reporters yesterday, pointing to his work in helping to bring billions of dollars to Louisiana…

Cut 11 (13) “…roads and bridges”

But Fleming says Cassidy was one of several Republicans who walked away from President elect-Trump when he voted to convict Trump for his role in the January 6th 2021 attack at the U-S Capitol.

The American Tort Reform Foundation ranks Louisiana as its tenth biggest Judicial Hellhole in the country. President Tiger Joyce points to the lawsuits filed by several coastal parishes against energy companies alleging their work has exacerbated coastal land loss…

Cut 4 (10) “…the energy industry”

For the first time in over 30 years a jaguar cub was born at the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says H-5-N-1, also known as Bird Flu, is causing an increase in deaths of wild birds. Geese and other waterfowl are particularly susceptible to bird flu. LDWF says Bird Flu is a minimal threat to humans, but sick birds should not be handled.

12.10.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Ka’Maorreum Pimpton is the latest player to reportedly enter the NCAA transfer portal. The six-foot-six tight end from Fort Worth, Texas was reportedly in line to see a lot more playing time next season, with Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL draft. Pimpton’s departure leaves LSU with just two tight ends on its roster, freshman Trey’Dez Green and four-star signee J-D LaFleur.

Fourteen players from the 2024 LSU football team have entered the transfer portal and there’s speculation wide receiver Chris Hilton could join that group.  Blake Ruffino from A-Y-S Sports says it’s hard to say what Hilton will do…

Cut 18 (13)   “…for you.”

LSU is reportedly targeting Kentucky receiver Barion Brown in the transfer portal. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns last season. Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt will reportedly visit LSU after racking up five sacks for the Boilermakers this season.

Franklinton will play for a state championship on Friday night when they face Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

Cecilia is in the state championship game for a second straight season and they also have a talented quarterback in D-J Solari.

Former St. Thomas More and LSU quarterback Walker Howard is reportedly coming home. Howard who was a back-up Q-B at Ole Miss the last two seasons is returning to Lafayette to play for the Ragin Cajuns. Howard led the STM Cougars to back-to-back state championships and was ranked as one of the top quarterbacks coming out of high school.