Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.30.24
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LRN PM Newscall April 30

Opelousas High School can once again say they are state champs in football. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Senate bill to make it a crime with harsh penalties to poison a pregnant woman without her consent with an abortion pill advances from House Criminal Justice.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Opelousas High School can once again say they are state champions in football. In February, the LHSAA stripped the school of its title over the alleged use of an ineligible player last season, but coach Jimmy Zachery says an agreement with the LHSAA brings the title back to Opelousas…

Cut 3 (12) “…what we earned.” 

In December, Opelousas won its first state championship in football when it defeated Cecilia 26-13. In late February, the LHSAA stripped Opelousas of its title. Zachery thanks the school board and St. Landry Parish Superintendent Milton Batiste who had his back…

Cut 4 (08) “..keep fighting” 

Zachery will remain on probation for one year, but will be allowed to coach the team in 2024. He says his main concern was making sure Opelousas retained a championship it rightfully deserved…

Cut 5 (11)  “..thrilling man” 

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Legislation inspired by a Shreveport native Catherine Herring, whose husband poisoned her with an abortion pill in Texas, but only spent 180 in jail advances from Louisiana’s House Criminal Justice Committee. Herring is the sister of bill sponsor Senator Thomas Pressly, who says the bill creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by fraud….

Cut 6  (10) “…an abortion.” 

Pressly says the Louisiana bill of criminalized coerced abortion in the first trimester would be punishable by imprisonment of no less than five, no more than 10 years.

Cut 7 (09) “…maximum.”  

Herring was able to receive an abortion reversing medication in time to save her daughter, but  Josephine does have health complications as a result.

Cut 8 (13) “…political parties.” 

The bill has passed in the Senate and is headed to the full House.

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The Louisiana House is expected to vote tomorrow on legislation that would result in the state holding a constitutional convention starting on May 20th and end as early as June 3rd. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says several legislators are concerned with the speed that this happening…

Cut 9 (06) “…few weeks.” 

A two-thirds vote is needed in the House for the constitutional convention proposal to advance to the Senate. Alford says it appears the voters are there in the House for it to pass…

Cut 10 (09) “..this convention.” 

A constitutional convention would let 171 delegates, most of them state lawmakers, make significant changes to the state’s constitution that would require voter approval on November 5th.

Governor Landry says the current constitution is too restrictive and forces state lawmakers to make big cuts to education and health care when there’s a budget deficit.

Alford says Landry has said the constitutional convention is a chance to reorganize the state constitution…

Cut 11 (12) ” …budget cuts.”

04.30.24
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12:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation inspired by a Shreveport native Catherine Herring, whose husband poisoned her with an abortion pill in Texas, but only spent 180 in jail advances from Louisiana’s House Criminal Justice Committee. Herring is the sister of bill sponsor Senator Thomas Pressly, who says the bill creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by fraud….
Cut 6 (10) “…an abortion”
Pressly’s bill calls for a sentence of at least five years in prison if a person is found guilty of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud.

A bill to raise a driver’s license fee by $6.00 to fund litter abatement advances from House Appropriations. Currently, $1.50 from license fees goes towards cleaning up the state, but the increase would send $7.50 from your driver’s license to help clean up the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
Cut 9 (11) “…way of grants.”
The bill advances to the House floor.

Louisiana is a step closer to its first Buc-ees as the City of Ruston, the state department of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration sign a memorandum of understanding for the design concept of the I-20 interchange and service road to allow easy access to the future store…
Cut 2 (28 “I’m Colleen Crain.”

04.30.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans season is over as Oklahoma City completed a sweep of New Orleans last night with a 97 to 89 win over the Birds. It was a rough series for Brandon Ingram, who only scored eight points last night on two of 14 shooting. Ingram admits he didn’t play well…
cut 18 (18) “…help this team”
The Pelicans will have to make a decision this summer on whether to offer Ingram a contract extension.

In college baseball action tonight…LSU hosts Grambling. Louisiana Tech looks for its third win over ULM on the season as the rivals meet in Monroe. The Nicholls-Southern baseball game has been moved to Thibodaux and Tulane and Southeastern Louisiana meet in New Orleans.

Opelousas High School can once again say they are state champions in football. In February, the LHSAA stripped the school of its title over the alleged use of an ineligible player last season, but coach Jimmy Zachery says an agreement with the LHSAA brings the title back to Opelousas…
Cut 3 (12) “…what we earned.”
In December, Opelousas won its first state championship in football when it defeated Cecilia 26-13. In late February, the LHSAA stripped Opelousas of its title. Zachery thanks the school board and St. Landry Parish Superintendent Milton Batiste who had his back

In hockey, the Shreveport Mudbugs have advanced to the South Division Finals after winning their series over El Paso three games to two. They’ll play Lone Star next.

04.30.24
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is suing the Biden Administration over new rules against discriminating against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. State A-G Liz Murrill says the feds are telling schools and universities disregard the concept of biological sex…
cut 30 (07) “…biological women”
Murrill says the revised Title Nine rules will result in biological females sharing a bathroom and locker room with a biological male who identifies as a female. The Louisiana Forum for Equality says the state continues to attack human beings that deserve love, respect and acceptance.

A bill to raise a driver’s license fee by $6.00 to $48.75 to fund litter abatement receives approval from House Appropriations. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser….
Cut 8 (06) “…(x2) paradise.”
The measure moves to the House floor.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched a new website called birding-Louisiana-dot-com. It offers birders the ultimate guide to bird watching in Louisiana. Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois says interest in birding is increasing and a large majority of birders are retired, so they tend to visit longer…
cut 15 (08) “….the state”
The site features 256 places in Louisiana to watch all kinds of different birds.

Opelousas High School can once again say they are state champions in football. The LHSAA stripped the school of its title in February over the alleged use of an ineligible player last season, but coach Jimmy Zachery says an agreement with the LHSAA brings the title back to Opelousas…
cut 3 (12) “…got what we earned”

04.30.24
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8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill making its way through the Louisiana House will increase the cost of a driver’s license by six dollars and that extra money will go towards litter abatement. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cost to clean up the litter on the side of Louisiana roads is costly…
cut 10 (08) “….that mess”
The proposal is heading to the House floor. It would raise the cost of a driver’s license from $42.75 to $48.75.

Construction on the state’s first ever Buc-ees has moved a step closer after a memorandum of understanding has been signed between Ruston, the state DOTD and the federal highway administration on the roads needed for access to the store off of I-20 in Lincoln Parish. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker can’t wait until Buc-ees opens in 2025…
cut 11 (09) “…huge”

We know Louisiana is the Sportsman’s Paradise but it’s also ideal for bird watchers. Brooke Thorington has more on a new website, especially for them.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Opelousas High School has its state championship in football back. An agreement has been reached between the school and the LHSAA that led to the reinstatement of Opelousas High as Division Two non-select state football champions. The LHSAA stripped Opelousas of its title in February, because they allegedly used an ineligible player.

04.30.24
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is suing the Biden Administration over revised Title IX rules that prohibit discrimination based on a student’s sexual and gender identity. Governor Jeff Landry says the state department of education has already told public schools not to follow these new rules…
cut 6 (12) “…set forth”
State officials say the new rules will result in biological girls sharing bathroom and locker room space with biological boys who are transgender girls.

Director of Louisiana Trans Advocates, Peyton Rose Michelle, says Louisiana’s government leaders continue to try and erase trans individuals…
Cut 7 (12) “…queer kids.”

The city of Ruston, the state DOTD and the federal highway administration have signed a memorandum of understanding that acknowledges the type of infrastructure needed to build the first Buc-ees off of I-20 in Lincoln Parish. Construction is expected to begin later this year and the store will open next year. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker is excited about the economic impact Buc-ees will have on the region…
cut 12 (11) “…at Buccees”

In an effort to bring more bird watchers to Louisiana, the state office of tourism has launched a new website called birding-louisiana-dot-com. Assistant secretary for the state office of tourism, Doug Bouregois, says bird watchers means international visitors, which the state already experiences with the Yellows Rails and Rice Festival in Jefferson Davis Parish in October…
cut 16 (09) “…Yellow Rails”
The website is briding-louisiana-dot-com.

04.30.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans season is over as the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a four game sweep of New Orleans beating the Birds 97 to 89 in the Smoothie King Center. The Pels had a lead in the fourth quarter, but O-K-C went on an 18-2 run in the fourth quarter to put a fork in New Orleans’ season. Coach Willie Green was dejected after the game…
cut 18 (18) “…more after”
One of the big decisions for the Pelicans to make in the offseason is whether they’ll sign Brandon Ingram to a contract extension. Ingram struggled in this playoff series as he tried to come back from a late season knee injury.

In hockey, the Shreveport Mudbugs have advanced to the South Division Finals after winning their series over El Paso three games to two. They’ll play Lone Star next.

LSU baseball back in action tonight as the Tigers host Grambling. The Tigers are coming off a second consecutive SEC Series win, beating Auburn two games to one. Grambling just took two of three from Texas Southern. Grambling’s Trevor Hatton was named the SWAC Hitter of the Week as he was six for 11 at the plate with 8 RBIs, three doubles, two home runs and one triple.

A red hot Louisiana Tech travels to ULM tonight. The Bulldogs have won five in a row. The Warhawks are coming off a series loss to Old Dominion.

The Ragin Cajuns are off tonight. They are now ranked 18th in the D-1 baseball poll. They have a big series coming up this weekend at Troy.

Opelousas has been reinstated as state champions of Division Two non-select in Louisiana High School football. Coach Jimmy Zachery will remain on probation for one year, but he says an agreement has been reached with the LHSAA for the Tigers to keep their title. The LHSAA ruled in February Opelousas had to vacate its championship because of an ineligible player.

04.30.24
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LRN Newscast 6:30

Louisiana has filed suit against the federal government for changing its Title Nine rules to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination. State Attorney General Liz Murrill says the new rules disregard the concept of a person’s biological sex and provide protections based on gender identity
Cut 4 (13) “…an administration.”
Murrill says the new Title Nine rules could result in boys and girls sharing locker rooms, bathrooms and perhaps lodging on overnight field trips with members of the opposite sex.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would prevent transgender children from using the bathroom that does not align with their biological sex. Director of Forum for Equality Sarah Jane Guidry calls it harmful legislation and it’s why the U-S Department of Education needs to protect transgender students
Cut 5 (10) “…their identity.”

Louisiana is a step closer to its first Buc-ees as the City of Ruston, the state department of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration sign a memorandum of understanding for the design concept of the I-20 interchange and service road to allow easy access to the future store…
Cut 2 (28 “I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Pelicans season ended last night with a 97-89 loss to Oklahoma City. The Thunder swept New Orleans four games to nothing.

Tonight in college baseball action…LSU hosts Grambling and ULM hosts La Tech.

04.29.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is Game Four of the NBA playoff series between the Pelicans and the Thunder. New Orleans needs to win to avoid a sweep. Tip off is at 7:30. The Pels can use some production from Brandon Ingram, he’s yet to score more than 20 points in any game this series.

The LSU Tigers missed out on sweeping Auburn as the Bayou Bengals lost to Auburn seven to five after winning the first two games of the series. The defeat drops LSU’s record to 7-and-14 in the SEC with nine conference games left. The Tigers will host Grambling tomorrow night.

The G-S-U Tigers are a half game back of Texas Southern for first place in the SWAC West after taking two of three from T-S-U.

The Ragin Cajuns dropped one spot in the Top 25 D-1 baseball poll to number 18 after taking two of three from Southern Miss this past weekend.

Louisiana Tech won in walk-off fashion on Sunday to complete a sweep of Sam Houston. The Bulldogs have won five in a row and they are in first place in Conference USA.

The Saints selected five players in the draft on Saturday and the highlight was South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in Arizona. He had ups and downs during college but finished at South Carolina throwing for 31-hundred yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season. Coach Dennis Allen likes the potential of Rattler…
Cut 16 (17) “…as a quarterback.”

Opelousas has been reinstated as state champions of Division Two non-select in Louisiana High School football. Coach Jimmy Zachery will remain on probation for one year, but he says an agreement has been reached with the LHSAA for the Tigers to keep their title. The LHSAA ruled in February that Opelousas had to vacate its championship because of an ineligible player.

 

04.29.24
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LRN PM Newscall April 29

A small town in north Louisiana is mourning the loss of a police officer, killed while on duty on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Legislation to hold a constitutional convention heads to the Full House, after costs were discussed in House Appropriations. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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In Lincoln Parish, a Dubach police officer was killed while conducting a traffic stop on U-S 167 just south of Hamilton Road. State Police spokesperson Ryan Davis says officer Russell Croxton’s police vehicle was hit by a truck driver from Arkansas who didn’t see Croxton’s police vehicle in the right lane…

Cut 3 (05) “…flashing lights.” 

61-year-old Michael Sutterfield of Russellville, Arkansas was the driver of the truck. After making impact with Croxton’s police vehicle, Davis says Sutterfield’s commercial motor vehicle hit Croxton…

Cut 4 (11) “..injuries” 

Davis says this is a reminder to obey the “Move Over” law. He says if you see an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated, please reduce your speed and change lanes to give first responders room to operate safely…

Cut 5 (11)  “..investigation.” 

Croxton’s father, Ruston Police Sergeant Raymond Croxton, also died while on duty. He was killed in 1978 in a traffic crash while pursuing a suspect.

Russell Croxton was a police officer for 17 years. He started with the Dubach Police Department in 2007, left to work for another agency and just returned to the Dubach Police Department two weeks ago.

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Legislation to hold a constitutional convention beginning May 20th advances from House Appropriations. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu told committee members were told the convention would cost 63-thousand-dollars if it wraps by June 3rd, but the cost could grow to 1.5 million if it concludes in mid-July.

Cut 6  (11) “…our per diem.” 

Beaullieu was asked if overtime for legislative staff was also considered along with rental space if it can’t be held the House chamber. He says they were not included.

Beaullieu told Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley the bill was crafted from previous convention bills and donations could help cover the costs.

Cut 7 (12) “…need to.”  

Because little details of what will be discussed in the constitutional convention, Bagley believes outside funding is a concern.

Cut 8 (10) “…on a fire.” 

The bill passed on a 14 to 6 vote, along party lines and advances to the House floor.

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Three Kenner Police officers shot during a lengthy standoff with a gunman on Sunday have been released from the hospital. The gunman, Matthew Lathers, was killed. Lathers exchanged gunfire with both Kenner Police officers and Jefferson Parish deputies. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a member of his SWAT team fatally shot Lathers

Cut 9 (04) “…in time.” 

Lopinto says Lathers was wanted for an armed robbery and an attempted murder that occurred last week. The sheriff says the incident started when Lathers shot two people sitting in a vehicle outside of his home…

Cut 10 (06) “..fired upon them.” 

At last report, one of the victims shot in the vehicle was listed in critical condition.

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Louisiana is joining several other states in a lawsuit against the federal government over new Title IX rules that expand protections to LGBTQ-plus students in a classroom setting. Attorney General Liz Murrill on what the new rules mean for every school that receives federal funding

Cut 11 (11) ” …as well.”

Murrill says these new rules will result in transgender women sharing bathrooms, locker rooms and perhaps even lodging on overnight field trips with biological girls. She says the federal government is telling colleges and universities to disregard the concept of biological sex…

Cut 12 (07) “…biological women.” 

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has already told public schools not to follow the revised Title IX rules….

Cut 13 (06) “…across the country”

Transgender advocates say the new rules are needed in Louisiana as the state legislature seeks to pass the legislation that goes against treating everyone with dignity and respect.