Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.17.23
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Nitazines, a synthetic opioid nicknamed the Frankenstein Opioids, is being linked to a growing number of overdose deaths. St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston says their potency is alarming…
Cut 10 (12) “…kinds of stores.”
A recent study found that some of the people who overdosed on nitazenes thought they were using heroin or fentanyl.

Tomorrow is election day as three statewide offices are in a four run-off. The ballot also has four constitutional amendments. 20 legislative races still need to be decided and there’s also local races on many ballots. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says use geaux-vote-do-com to find your polling place and if you need help, you can always make a phone call…
cut 5 (10) “….to go”

Saturday is Election Day and voters will decide on candidates for three statewide offices including Secretary of State. We talked to both candidates. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

11.16.23
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LRN AM Newscall November 17

New Orleans po-boy shop owner Mike Serio will attend his 500th consecutive LSU game on Saturday night. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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Along with the fentanyl crisis, there’s a growing number of overdoses linked to nitazines. Brooke Thorington has more on this deadly synthetic opioid.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Saturday is Election Day and voters will decide on candidates for three vacant statewide offices including Secretary of State. We talked to both candidates competing for the office. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Election Day is this Saturday. Three statewide elections, four constitutional amendments, several legislative races and other local races will be decided. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says they provide sample ballots…

Cut 4 (07) “…Eight PM.”

Fortunately, most people are able to vote without any issues. When there are problems, Watson says the Secretary of State’s office and other officials can help…

Cut 5 (10) “…to go.”

While you exercise your right to vote, Watson says you can dedicate that vote to someone who has served to ensure your right…

Cut 6 (10) “…to them.”

Go to SOS.LA.GOV and search Honor Vets Vote to let the Secretary of State’s office know the name of the veteran you want to honor.

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New Orleans po boy shop owner Mike Serio is the iron man of LSU fans as he’ll attend his 500th consecutive game tomorrow night when the Tigers host Georgia State. His incredible streak started in 1983 and there have been some close calls. In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, Serio had to scramble after LSU’s home game against Arizona State was shifted to Tempe…

Cut 7 (11) “…pretty wild”

During the 2020 COVID season, Serio watched the LSU-Vanderbilt game from a parking lot in Nashville. He also had to quickly pivot in 2021, when LSU’s game against Missouri was moved to Columbia because of a hurricane.

Not only does Serio go to every game, but he stays until the end, except for one game during a dark time for LSU football, the Curly Hallman years…

Cut 8 (08) “…early Curly” 

Serio says his favorite trip in the SEC is Kentucky. He says LSU’s game at Washington was cool in 2009, but his favorite trip was to Green Bay in 2016…

Cut 9 (08)  “…Yankee Stadium”

The 72-year-old Serio doesn’t expect missing a game anytime soon and is looking forward to next year’s season opener in Las Vegas.

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Nitazines, a synthetic opioid, are being linked to a growing number of overdose deaths, and St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston says their potency is alarming…

Cut 10 (12) “…kinds of stores.”

In the last few years, the use of nitazines has spiked in Louisiana and other parts of the country. But Preston says it’s hard to know just how many are linked to the drug that’s being created in illicit laboratories…

Cut 11 (10) “…for them.” 

Preston says if they suspect someone has died from an overdose, but the toxicology is negative the case is sent to the DEA for further investigation for confirmation.

He says fentanyl test strips do not detect nitazines and if you do consume it, it could take multiple doses of Narcan to be revived.

Cut 12 (11) “…your body.” 

Preston says nitazines were developed in the 1950s but never received FDA approval because they can stop you from breathing.

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On the ballot, this Saturday is a runoff for Secretary of State between two women, Republican Nancy Landry and Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. Landry has served three terms as State Representative for Lafayette and Vermillion Parishes. Landry says serving as the First Assistant Secretary of State makes her the only candidate with experience running a statewide election…

Cut 13 (11) “…that election.”

Landry says if elected she plans to use federal and state dollars in new voting machines that produce a paper copy for voters.

Cut 14 (12) “…their ballot.”

Her opposition is the former clerk of court in East Feliciana Parish, Gwen Collins-Greenup. Collins-Greenup says her experience encompasses many dimensions as she’s also an attorney and an accountant. The Democrat says her first priority is replacing old voting machines and upgrading voter registration databases.

Cut 15 (12) “…are voting.”

Collins-Greenup says she wants to modernize business services, streamline the business filing process, expand business resources, and combat business identity theft. She plans to improve voter access and voter participation…

Cut 16 (13) “…to vote.”

On Saturday’s ballot, voters will also elect a new Attorney General and Treasurer. Voting polls open at 7 am and close at 8 pm.

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Saturday night’s matchup between 15th-ranked LSU and Georgia State is not a marque matchup on the college football schedule. But Heisman voters will be paying attention to quarterback Jayden Daniels’ performance. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says Daniels has had little trouble with the increased media coverage that has been associated with his Heisman campaign

Cut 17 (14) “…a great job.”

Daniels’ main competition for the Heisman is Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr, who have similar numbers and better records, Kelly says some of Daniels’ best qualities can’t be measured by statistics or records.

Cut 18 (19) “…quarterback position”

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Louisiana Tech will close out the season tomorrow when they face Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks are 7-and-3 and have one of the best defenses in Conference USA. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is impressed with their pass rush…

Cut 19 (19) “…identification.” 

Tech has lost five in a row and they have just three wins on the season. Cumbie says a victory on Saturday would be big…

Cut 20 (20) “…this program” 

11.16.23
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LRN PM Newscall

On his monthly call-in radio program”Ask the Governor,” Governor John Bel Edwards talked about his transition out of office…Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns’ football stadium is set to undergo a major renovation starting on December 11th. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Governor-Elect Jeff Landry has set aside five thousand tickets for the public to attend the inaugural ball on January 8. Landry says tickets can be purchased at one-team-dot-la.

Cut 3 (07) “….served basis.”

The theme of the ball is “Come Back Home Louisiana” and tickets can be purchased for $100 each. Landry says in order to reserve a ticket…

Cut 4 (09) “…that form”

The black-tie ball will be held at the Raising Canes River Center in Baton Rouge. Landry says he wants to give Louisianans the opportunity to be a part of a memorable occasion.

Cut 5 (12) “ …with us.”  

Landry will be inaugurated as Louisiana’s 57th governor. The ball is set to begin at 7 pm.

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Term-limited Governor John Bel Edwards says his transition out of office is going as planned. As he prepares to turn over power to Louisiana’s 57th governor, Edwards says his team is prepared to hand over the reins to Landry’s administration.

Cut 6 (12) “…be surprised.”

Governor Bobby Jindal, Edwards’s predecessor, left the state in a huge fiscal crisis. Edwards says his administration is leaving the state in a better position.

Cut 7 (09) “…do this.” 

Under the Edwards administration, he expanded Medicare and implemented a $53 hundred teacher pay raise. He has also managed the recovery of Hurricane Delta, Ida, and Laura.

Edwards says he plans to meet with Governor-Elect Landry next week. He says he’s rooting for Landry’s success and hopes he can continue to move the state forward.

Cut 8 (13) “…same direction.” 

Edwards plans to remain in the Bayou State with his family after his term ends.

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Ragin Cajuns athletics announced today that 65-million dollar renovation of the west side of their football stadium will begin December 11th. Athletic department spokesperson Evan Roberts says the project will transform the gameday experience for Cajun Nation…..

Cut 9 (09) “…chairback seating” 

It’s the most significant improvement to the facility since it opened in 1971. Roberts says fans can view renderings of what the new stadium will look like at build-the-culture-dot-com…

Cut 10 (10) “…going to love” 

The Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium Renovation has been talked about for more than a decade. The new west side of the stadium will be ready for the 2025 stadium. Roberts that means limited seating for the 2024 season…

Cut 11 (11) “…construction.”

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Saturday is election day and among the statewide races is the run-off for Treasurer. Republican John Fleming, says his combined experience as a family physician, business owner, former member of Congress, and tenure in the Trump administration make the better choice for the office. He says the role of the treasurer is to protect taxpayers’ money.

Cut 12 (09) “…on investment.”  

Fleming says in addition to making proper investments with state funds, the treasurer also serves on the bond commission and oversees unclaimed property. He says he also wants to work with the Landry administration…

Cut 13 (09) “…young people.”

His opponent is Democrat Dustin Granger, a small business owner and financial advisor. He says he’s the better choice because of his financial background and that he wants to put Louisiana residents first instead of businesses. Granger says for too long, Louisiana has cut investments in people, health, education, and infrastructure…

Cut  14 (12) “…against that.”

Granger says another example of the state giving away money is incentives to insurance companies.

Cut 15 (11) “…get worse.”

In addition to the Treasurer’s race, there are two other statewide run-offs; Secretary of State, Attorney General, and four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 8 pm.

11.16.23
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Former Republican Congressman John Fleming and Democrat and financial advisor Dustin Granger are facing each other in Saturday’s State Treasurer election. Fleming says he’s looking forward to working with the Landry administration….
cut 13 (09) “….young people”
Granger wants to expand the responsibilities of the state treasurer. He says he would like to work with insurance commissioner elect Tim Temple on fixing the state’s insurance crisis…
cut 15 (11) “…get worse”
In addition to the Treasurer’s race, there are two other statewide run-offs; Secretary of State, Attorney General, and four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 8 pm.

Governor John Bel Edwards has just over 50 days left in office and he says his staff is speaking on a daily baisis with Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s transition team. Edwards says so far everything is going smoothly…
cut 7 (09) “….do this”
Edwards says eight years ago, he knew the budget was in bad shape, but didn’t realize the shortfall was much as two-billion dollars for the next fiscal year.

Landry will be sworn-in on January 8th and the inaugural ball is that night at the Raisin Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. Landry says if you go to his transition website, one-team-dot-la, you can purchase tickets for 100-dollars…
cut 4 (10) “…on that form”
It’s a black tie affair and he’s making available five-thousand tickets for the general public.

11.16.23
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

If you asked Jadyn Daniels teammates, they believe he should win the Heisman Trophy. LSU Defensive end Bradyn Swinson says Daniels and wide receiver Mailik Nabers are having unbelievable seasons…
cut 17 (20) “….getting groovy”
Nabers has a chance at winning the Biletnikoff Award. He is 282 yards away from 3,000 career receiving yards.

Nicholls will try to become the first Southland Conference team since Central Arkansas in 2017 to completed an undefeated season in league play when they visit Southeastern Louisiana tonight in the River Bell Classic. The Lions have won three in a row. Kick off in Hammond is at 6 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns go after their sixth win of the season on Saturday when they visit Troy. A sixth win will make the Cajuns bowl-eligible for a sixth consecutive season. They still have one more game left after Troy, but Coach Michael Desormeaux says they want to get that sixth victory this Saturday…
Cut 20 (19) “…challenged everybody.”
And U-L Lafayette announced today that its 65-million dollar project to renovate the west side of the football stadium will begin December 11th. It will be completed before the 2025 season.

In basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech is at ULM. LSU faces Dayton at in Charleston, South Carolina this afternoon.

Longtime NASCAR announcer Ken Squier has passed away at the age of 88. He served as the voice of CBS NASCAR coverage from 1979 to 1997. He was on the call for Richard Petty’s 1979 win at Daytona. the first NASCAR race to be broadcast live on television in its entirety.

11.16.23
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10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards has set a goal for Louisiana to be carbon neutral by 2050, but Governor-Elect Jeff Landry says zero carbon emissions policies are extremely descrutive to the economy. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state department of transportation announces the right lane on Interstate 10 near the Whiskey Bay exit on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge will remain closed through Monday because emergency repairs are needed on a damaged section of the bridge deck. Delays are possible.

Governor John Bel Edwards is not sure what will happen now that a federal appeals court has ordered the Louisiana Legislature to redraw a Congressional map that has two majority-minority districts. The court gave a January 15th deadline. Edwards could call a special session, but legislative leaders are willing to allow the next legislature to handle it. The governor believes there are some delay tactics going on…
cut 12 (08) “…bad map”
Governor-elect Jeff Landry has said he’ll call a special special session after his January 8th inauguration.

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry has set aside five thousand tickets for the public to attend the inaugural ball on January 8. Landry says tickets can be purchased at one-team-dot-la.
Cut 3 (07) “….served basis.”
Tickets are $100 each. The black-tie affair will take place at the Baton Rouge River Center.

11.16.23
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards has a little over 50 days left in office. Will he call a special session now that the federal appeals court has given the state legislature a January 15th deadline to redraw the state’s Congressional district map? Edwards says he’s waiting to see if the federal judge overseeing the case will push the deadline back to give the new legislature time to draw a map featuring two majority minority districts…
cut 11 (09) “…move forward”

Governor Edwards has set a goal for Louisiana to be carbon neutral by 2050, but Governor-elect Jeff Landry says policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero have a negative effect on the economy so a balance needs to be met…
cut 8 (11) “…grow those jobs”

A blood drive is underway on Louisiana Tech’s campus in response to Monday’s deadly knife attack that killed one person and hospitalized two others. Life Share Blood Centers regional director Michael Bricker…
cut 15 (09) “….donates blood
Annie Richardson has died from her injuries in the attack. She was leaving an exercise class when police say 23-year-old Jacoby Johnson of Rayville attacked her and three other women.

LSU-Eunice has started a Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship Training Program in conjunction with Ochsner Lafayette General where students will have the opportunity to earn money while they train to be a respiratory therapist…
cut 5 (12) “….therapy program”
That’s LSU-E Chancellor Nancee Sorenson, who says there’s a growing need for respiratory therapists.

11.16.23
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8:30 LRN Newscast

A blood drive takes place today on Louisiana Tech’s campus in support of the victims of Monday’s stabbings outside the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The suspect, Jacoby Johnson, is being held without bond. He faces life in prison if convicted. Ruston police say Johnson was inside the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center when he pulled a knife on a student playing basketball and chased him oustide. That’s when the attack on the four unsuspecting women occurred.

When announcing his appointment to lead the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Governor-elect Jeff Landry was asked if he plans to continue Governor John Bel Edwards’ 2050 Carbon-Neutral initiative.
Cut 7 (12) “…working people.”
Edwards’ climate action plan is the only one in the Deep South and has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

LSU Eunice has announced a Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship Training Program that will provide students with a paid position at Ochsner Lafayette General as they work towards their degrees. LSU-E Chancellor Doctor Nancee Sorenson says there is a growing need for Respiratory Therapists
cut 6 (12) “….healthcare organization”
LSU E’s Respiratory Care program is regarded as one fo the top programs in the state.

11.16.23
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7:30 LRN Newscast

LifeShare Blood Center and Louisiana Tech are holding a replenishment blood drive today on Tech’s campus for the victims of Monday’s knife attack that killed one person and wounded three others. Regional director of Life Share Blood Centers, Michael Bricker…
cut 13 (10) “….in our area”
Annie Richardson died from her wounds. The Ruston resident is being remembered as a creative, compassionate artist who had a zest for life.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has said he’ll call a special session after his January 8th inauguration so lawmakers can redraw the state’s congressional map so it contains two majority minority districts. A federal appeals court has given state lawmakers a January 15th deadline but current Governor John Bel Edwards says he may need to call the special session if the deadline is not push backed…
cut 10 (12) “….15th deadline”

LSU-Eunice aims to address the need for more respiratory therapists through a new paid apprenticeship program. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Saturday is election day and a new poll paid for by KADN-TV and KLAF-TV shows the race for Lafayette-Mayor President is very close. 40-percent of the respondents say they are voting for former Acadiana Planning Commission CEO Monique Blanco Boulet, while incumbent Josh Guillory is getting 37-percent of the vote. 22-percent are undecided.

11.16.23
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The 15th ranked LSU Tigers are 7-and-3 heading into Saturday’s game with Georgia State. The Bayou Bengals are out of the hunt for an SEC Championship but defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson says the Tigers still have a lot to play for…
Cut 16 (20) “…end of the season”

Nicholls can win an outright Southland Conference title tonight when they visit Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond. The Colonels are trying to become the first conference team to go undefeated in league play since Central Arkansas in 2017. The Lions are 3-and-7 and enter the game on a three-game winning streak. Kick-off is at 6 PM.

In the NFL tonight…Joe Burrow and the Bengals are in Baltimore.

The Ragin Cajuns will try to get that elusive sixth win of the season on Saturday when they visit Troy. U-L Lafayette has lost two in a row and this Saturday they face a Trojans team that’s won seven in a row and they have the best defense in the Sun Belt. Coach Michael Desormeaux says they face a big challenge…
Cut 19 (19) “…formation it correctly.”

Cajuns men’s basketball hit 18 three-pointers and defeated Louisiana Christian 107-56. Kentrell Garnett led the way with 20 points. Also yesterday, Denver downed Nicholls 91-85 and BYU beat Southeastern 105 to 48.

LSU men face Dayton this afternoon in Charleston, South Carolina.