Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.02.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints mini two-game winning streak ended Sunday and the season is over for offensive utility man Taysom Hill. The Los Angeles Rams scored three second half touchdowns to beat New Orleans 21 to 14 and late in the fourth quarter, Hill was carted off the field with a knee injury. Tests confirmed today that Hill has a torn A-C-L. The 4-and-8 Saints visit the Giants this Sunday.

The LSU football team defeated Oklahoma 37-17 in the regular season finale on Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier came back from an in-game injury to his shoulder to throw for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Nussmeier says he was determined to finish the game…

Cut 20 (15) “….out there”

Back-up quarterback Rickie Collins reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal. The former Woodlawn of Baton Rouge star is the Tigers third string quarterback.

Three Louisiana college football teams are involved in conference championship games this weekend. Tulane is at Army in the A-A-C title game, Southern faces Jackson State in the SWAC Title game and the Ragin Cajuns will host Marshall in the Sun Belt title game. U-L Lafayette beat ULM on Saturday 37 to 23. Running back Zylan Perry rushed for a career-high 150 yards and a two touchdowns. Perry was questionable for the game, Coach Michael Desormeaux…

Cut 17 (15) “…his today”

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season. The Bulldogs went 5-and-7 this past season after going 3-and-9 in Cumbie’s first two seasons in Ruston.

But Tim Rebowe is done after ten seasons as the head coach at Nicholls State. Rebowe announced his retirement on Sunday after leading the Colonels to four FCS playoff appearances and three Southland championships.

12.02.24
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LRN PM Newscall December 2

Another Louisiana representative is added to a powerful GOP committee. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (26) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a 3-year-old child dead, and nine others injured. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says group fights on Canal and Bourbon Streets led to three shootings on Saturday night and into early Sunday, wounding six people…

Cut 3 (14) “…settling their beefs.” 

One of the victims included a 15-year-old shot on Bourbon Street, and another wounded on Canal Street.  NOPD Captain Lejon Roberts says the two shootings could be related.

Cut 4 (15) “…on Canal Street.”

One shooting that happened away from the French Quarter in Central City claimed the life of 3-year-old Rudy Ratliff, who died from a gunshot wound at a Willow Street home.  NOPD Sgt. Ron Howard says child found a gun inside Tatisha Refuge’s home and accidentally killed himself.  Howard says Refuge is facing criminal charges…

Cut 5 (13) “…investigation on Ms. Refuge.”

Refuge turned herself into police custody today

The weekend coincided with the Bayou Classic and holiday shopping, further amplifying community concerns. Authorities have not identified suspects in the shootings that happened in the French Quarter.

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Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with selecting chairs for all standing committees and deciding on the strategy for the Republican caucus. Letlow says she’s looking forward to serving on the committee.

Cut 6 (07) “…that they desire.”

Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say on what the 119th Congress will look like…

Cut 7 (11) “…committee selections.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are also on the Republican Steering Committee, giving Louisiana 18-percent of the voting block. Letlow says she can’t wait to get to work for the people of Louisiana in the new Congress.

Cut 8 (13) “…of the state.”

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Despite three consecutive losing seasons, Louisiana Tech is bringing back football coach Sonny Cumbie for a fourth season. The Bulldogs went 5-and-7 this season, but 97.7 in Ruston Sports Director Sean Fox says an upset win over Western Kentucky and shutout victory over Kennesaw State likely saved Cumbie’s job…

Cut 9 (07)  “…the season.”

Louisiana Tech’s offense held them back in 2024. The Bulldogs ranked 113th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 22 points per game, while the defense allowed just 20 points a game after a dismal 2023 season. Fox says for Cumbie to keep his job, the offense has to improve…

Cut 10 (09) “…going into 2025.”

There are Bulldog fans who say athletics director Ryan Ivey kept Cumbie, because the buyout to fire him was too expensive. But Fox doesn’t see it that way

Cut 11 (14) “…a chance.”

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The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended over the weekend and the final number was 18 named storms. NOAA was anticipating as many as 25 named storms, but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions never developed for there to be two dozen named storms…

Cut 12 (12) “…that was anticipated.”

Keim says after a mid-season lull we saw  lot of activity in September and October with Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Cut 13 (08)  “…Hurricane Harvey.”

Of the 18 named storms, two impacted Louisiana. Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas in early July and spawned tornadoes in northwest Louisiana. Keim says there was also Hurricane Francine which crossed over southeast Louisiana in early September….

Cut 14 (11) “…pretty good year.”

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The Saints have lost one of their best offensive playmakers for the season. Taysom Hill, who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter in yesterday’s 21-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, will need surgery to repair a torn ACL. Quarterback Derek Carr says Hill has the utmost respect of the players on the Saints and across the NFL…

Cut 15 (13) “…like that.”

The Saints are 4-and-8 and will visit the Giants on Sunday.

12.02.24
by

2:30 LRN Newscast

Another Louisiana representative is added to a powerful GOP committee. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane season ended over the weekend with 18 named storms. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says after a mid-season lull we saw  lot of activity in September and October with Hurricanes Helene and Milton…        Cut 13 (08) “…and Harvey”

One of the Saints top players is out for the season. Taysom Hill, who plays multiple positions on offense, was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Rams and it was confirmed today he tore his A-C-L. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says it’s a big loss…

Cut 24 (11) “…multi-dimensional”

The Saints are now 4-and-8 and will visit the Giants on Sunday.

Sonny Cumbie is staying on as the head coach of Louisiana Tech despite a third consecutive losing season with Cumbie at the helm. Tech’s offense held them back in 2024. The Bulldogs ranked 113th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 22 points per game, while the defense allowed just 20 points a game after a dismal 2023 season. Ruston radio sports talk show host Sean Fox says for Cumbie to keep his job, the offense has to improve…

Cut 10 (09) “…going into 2025.”

12.02.24
by

12:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a 3-year-old child dead, and nine others injured. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says group fights on Canal and Bourbon Streets led to three shootings on Saturday night and into early Sunday, wounding six people…

Cut 3 (14) “…settling their beefs.”

Monroe-area Congressman Julia Letlow has landed a spot on the Republican’s Steering Committee. Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say on what the 119th Congress will look like…

Cut 7 (11) “…selections.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are also on the Republican Steering Committee, giving Louisiana 18-percent of the voting block.

The Saints have lost one of their best offensive playmakers for the season. Taysom Hill, who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter in yesterday’s 21-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, will need surgery to repair a torn ACL. Quarterback Derek Carr says Hill has the utmost respect of the players on the Saints and across the NFL…

Cut 15 (13) “…like that.”

The Saints are 4-and-8 and will visit the Giants on Sunday.

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season, despite a third consecutive losing season in Ruston. There are Bulldog fans who say athletics director Ryan Ivey kept Cumbie, because the buyout to fire him was too expensive. But sports talk show host Sean Fox doesn’t see it that way

Cut 11 (14) “…a chance.”

12.02.24
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Rams offense came to life after halftime and scored three touchdowns in the second half to beat the Saints 21 to 14 yesterday. It’s the first loss for interim head coach Darren Rizzi…

Cut 16 (13) “….consistent enough”

The loss drops New Orleans to 4-and-8. They had an opportunity to jump back into the race for an NFC South Title because the Falcons lost again and they are now tied with Tampa Bay for first place with six and six records.

And it’s expected Taysom Hill will miss the rest of the season. The Saints swiss army knife on offense went down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter and had to be carted off.

Nicholls football coach Tim Rebowe has retired. Rebowe led the Colonels to four FCS playoff appearances and three Southland championships in ten seasons.

LSU beat Oklahoma 37-17 on Saturday night. The Tigers finished the regular season with an 8-and-4 record, but Coach Brian Kelly believes this program is on the verge of playing for a national championship….

Cut 18 (17) “….national championship game”

The Tigers await their bowl game assignment. Meanwhile, the Ragin Cajuns, Southern and Tulane are preparing to play in a conference championship this weekend.

Despite three consecutive losing seasons, Louisiana Tech is bringing back football coach Sonny Cumbie for a fourth season. The Bulldogs went 5-and-7 this season, but 97.7 in Ruston Sports Director Sean Fox says an upset win over Western Kentucky and shutout victory over Kennesaw State likely saved Cumbie’s job…

Cut 9 (07) “….the season”

Louisiana Tech’s offense held them back in 2024. The Bulldogs ranked 113th in the country in offense, averaging 22 points per game, while the defense allowed just 20 points a game after a dismal 2023 season.

12.02.24
by

11:30 LRN Newscast

This week, Governor Jeff Landry could sign the tax reform legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. Landry lauds the tax reform package as a tax cut for Louisiana residents, but Representative New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says a reduction to personal income taxes, combined with a higher sales tax, is a wash for most taxpayers …

Cut 14 (16) “…going up.”

In order to pay for the cut to income taxes, legislators raised the state sales tax to five-percent, giving Louisiana the highest or one of the highest sales tax rates in the country. But Senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, Manish Batt says legislators can do more reform to the soften the higher sales tax hit…

Cut 12 (09) “…two years.”

Louisiana ranks among the worst in the nation for lung cancer survival, with a survival rate of 23-percent, significantly below the national average of 28-percent. American Lung Association Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says targeted actions are taking place to increase the survival rate and that includes lung cancer screening…

Cut 9 (10) “….outreach about screening”

The LSU football team defeated Oklahoma 37-17 in the regular season finale on Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier came back from an in-game injury to his shoulder to throw for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Nussmeier says he was determined to finish the game…

Cut 20 (15) “….out there”

12.02.24
by

10:30 LRN Newscast

Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with selecting chairs for all standing committees and deciding on the strategy for the Republican caucus. Letlow says she’s looking forward to serving on the committee.

Cut 6 (07) “…that they desire.”

Louisiana ranks among the worst in the nation for lung cancer survival, a survival rate of 23-percent. The national lung cancer survival rate has improved by 26-percent over the past five years due to advancements in early detection and treatment. American Lung Association Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says targeted actions are being taken in Louisiana and that includes biomarker testing and lung cancer screening.

Cut 8 (12) “…care of with surgery.”

This year, the calendar is not on the side of retailers. Since Thanksgiving fell on the latest date possible, that leads to the shortest Christmas shopping season possible, when defined as starting the day after Thanksgiving and ending Christmas Eve. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says it’s one reason why retailers started their deals early this year…

Cut 4 (07) “…some next week.”

Today is a big shopping day as it’s Cyber Monday.

LSU beat Oklahoma 37-17 on Saturday night. The Tigers finished the regular season with an 8-and-4 record, but Coach Brian Kelly believes this program is on the verge of playing for a national championship….

Cut 18 (17) “….national championship game”

The Tigers await their bowl game assignment. Meanwhile, the Ragin Cajuns, Southern and Tulane are preparing to play in a conference championship this weekend

11.29.24
by

12:30 LRN Newscast

Shoppers and retailers both face unique challenges this holiday shopping season.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (30)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is advising shoppers to be vigilant on the busiest shopping day of the year. She says be cautious this Black Friday

Cut 10 (11) “…over merchandise.”

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a day small businesses push as a way to get holiday shoppers to buy from locally owned retail shops. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says small business owners look forward to the holidays every year

Cut 8 (09) “…kind of thing.”

LSU will close out the regular season against Oklahoma tomorrow night, they’re hoping for a win on senior night. Kave Kieschnick has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

11.29.24
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The final regular season game of the year is tomorrow night for the LSU Tigers, who will host Oklahoma at 6 PM. Running back Josh Williams has been at LSU since 2019 and he’ll play his final game in Tiger Stadium…

Cut 15 (17) “…every day and compete”

Williams and the LSU offense will go up against a good Oklahoma defense. The Sooners are sixth in the country in yards per carry averaging less than three yards a carry.

Tulane could not run the ball last night against Memphis and were upset by the Tigers 34-24. Just 57 yards rushing for Jon Sumrall’s team…

Cut 28 (12) “…in the box”

Tulane is still heading to the A-A-C Championship game, but if Army beats U-T-S-A tomorrow, the Black Knights will host.

A win for the Ragin Cajuns over in-state rival ULM will give U-L Lafayette a Sun Belt West Title, their fifth division championship in seven years. There’s also a chance they host the championship game. It could come down to tiebreakers based on online FBS rankings. Coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s focused on one thing…

Cut 18 (17) “….that’s ideal”

A win for ULM, ends its five game losing streak and they will become bowl eligible for the first time since 2018. Kick off isa t11 AM in Malone Stadium.

Louisiana Tech ends the regular season by hosting Kennesaw State. Will this be Sonny Cumbie’s final game as the Bulldogs head coach?

Tomorrow is the Bayou Classic in the Superdome. Redshirt freshman Jalen Woods could get the start at quarterback after winning his first start at quarterback over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Grambling has been stingy against the pass, allowing 181 passing yards a game and they have 14 interceptions.

The Saints will host the Rams on Sunday. New Orleans will try to go 3-and-0 with Darren Rizzi as its interim head coach.

11.29.24
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

17th ranked Tulane’s chances of getting into the College Football Playoff were dashed last night as they were upset at home by Memphis 34 to 24. The Green Wave will still play in the American Athletic Conference Championship game but Army will host if they beat U-T-S-A tomorrow.

Tomorrow night is senior night for the LSU Tigers as they host the Oklahoma Sooners. It’s O-U’s first ever visit to Tiger Stadium. Senior linebacker Greg Penn has held down the middle of the field this year and wears 18 on the defensive side of the ball. Penn came to Baton Rouge from Baltimore…

Cut 16 (18) “…I went here.”

Kickoff in Death Valley is at 6:00

UL-Lafayette will visit rival ULM with Sun-Belt Championship hopes on the line. The Cajuns can clinch a Sun Belt West title and a spot in the conference championship game with a win, but the Warhawks will be fighting to earn their 6th win and bowl eligibility. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says these are the games you hope for every year…

Cut 17 (19) “…on Saturday” 

Kick off is at 11 AM.

Also on Saturday…Louisiana Tech hosts Kennesaw State and tomorrow is also the Bayou Classic as Southern battles Grambling.

Quarterfinals of the high school football playoffs are tonight…Destrehan is at undefeated Airline, Vandebilt Catholic and E-D White face off on the Bayou and Southside will try to pull off the upset at Ruston.