Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.15.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The defending national champion LSU Tigers are now 3-12 in the SEC after they were swept at Tennessee this past weekend. It was the Tigers bullpen that struggled yesterday in an eight to four loss. Cam Johnson gave up a couple of runs, Gavin Guidry allowed a three-run homer and Kade Anderson was also touched for two runs. The Tigers host UNO tomorrow.

The 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns baseball team won their 14th straight Sun Belt game on Sunday as they blanked Marshall two to nothing. Carson Fluno carried a no hitter into the eighth inning. The 14 straight conference wins ties a Sun Belt record. The Cajuns host Southeastern on Tuesday.

ULM took two of three from Texas State, but lost the series finale 13 to 11. Arizona swept Louisiana Tech out in Tuscon. Southern swept Grambling in a three game series and the Jaguars are now tied with Texas Southern for first place in the SWAC Western Division. Lamar leads the Southland after sweeping the Southeastern Lions.

LSU’s spring game featured what we saw in 2023, receivers wide-open. Garrett Nussmeier threw two touchdown passes, receivers Zavion Thomas and Kyren Lacy were both wide open. Coach Brian Kelly says the defense is still a work in progress
Cut 18 (21) “..stout inside.”
LSU came out of spring practice without suffering any major injuries.

Disappointing game for the Pelicans yesterday as the were blown out by the Lakers 124 to 108 in the regular season finale. The defeat sends New Orleans to the play-in game where they’ll play the Lakers for the seventh seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

W-N-B-A draft is tonight, Angel Reese is expected to be selected in the first round.

04.15.24
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6:30 LRN Newscast

A bill restricting the use of bathrooms in schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters to a person’s biological sex is heading to the Senate after an emotional 79-16 vote in the House…
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There is a new chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Former state lawmaker Randal Gaines of LaPlace replaces Katie Bernhardt who was heavily criticized for the poor voter turnout of Democrats in the 2023 governor’s election.

The Louisiana House will consider a bill today to eliminate the TOPS Tech award. It’s a state-funded scholarship for graduating seniors to attend a two-year school. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc says he wants to discontinue the TOPS Tech Award in four years because interest has declined since 2014…
Cut 14 (10) “…elsewhere”
St. Blanc says by eliminating Tops Tech, the state can put more money towards the M-J Foster Promise Program which provides 32 hundred dollars in an academic year to adults who want to be trained for employment in a high-demand field.

Today is the deadline to file federal tax returns. C-P-A Carr Riggs in Shreveport says you can file for an extension, but it’s not an extension to pay. Riggs says for taxpayers filing an extension and unsure of the exact amount they owe, pay a little more than last year…
cut 9 (07) “…penalties”

04.15.24
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April 15 Legislative Report

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns.

Governor Jeff Landry has released the names of the people he plans to nominate as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention this year. Some of the more notable names include former House Speaker Jim Tucker, former Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, president of the Family Research Council Tony Perkins and businessmen Roy O. Martin and Boysie Bollinger. Landry has also selected a few Democrats, East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and former state supreme court justice Bernette Johnson.

On Tuesday, the House Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to discuss the legislation that would trigger a constitutional convention. Governor Landry wants a more streamlined constitution and the goal is to move sections from the constitution and put into state law, which would give legislators more financial flexibility.

There was spirited debate on the House floor over the Women’s Safety and Protection Act. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder’s bill says that biological females can only use female bathrooms and biological males can only use male bathrooms at schools, prisons and domestic violence shelters. It’s to prevent transgender women from using female bathrooms. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman voted against it…
cut 11 (11) “….of it”
But Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says the bill is not anti-anyone, it’s about protecting children against predators…
cut 12 (13) “…belong in”
The bill passed on an 80-17 vote and heads to the Senate for further discussion.

This has been the legislative report on the Louisiana Radio Network.

04.14.24
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LRN AM Newscall April 15

Louisiana Key Academy is a free charter school for students with dyslexia and they are expanding to serve more students and more grades. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Today is the deadline to file your federal taxes and Shreveport CPA Hardy Foreman has tips for procrastinators…

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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A bill restricting the use of bathrooms in schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters to one’s biological sex advances from the House on a 79-16 vote after an emotional debate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana Key Academy, a tuition-free charter school serving students with dyslexia is expanding, opening a new 14-acre campus in Baton Rouge for K through 10th grade this Fall, with grades 11 and 12 added by Fall 2026. Co-Founder Dr. Laura Cassidy says 20 % of the population has Dyslexia and students succeed with a specialized curriculum and highly trained teachers…

Cut 4 (11) “…go forward.”

In addition to the expanding school in Baton Rouge, LKA has schools in Caddo and St. Tammany parishes with a learning Pod opening in Ruston this fall, and there are plans to open another School in Jefferson Parish. Cassidy says though it’s not always possible, early intervention is best.

Cut 5 (11) “…much better.” 

Cassidy says because the curriculum is highly specialized and training teachers takes time, adding grades is a slow process. What began as a K through 2nd-grade school in Baton Rouge has grown to several campuses across the state and expanded one grade at a time. She says expanding and adding the high school grades is important.

Cut 6 (07) “…they need.”

LKA provides free testing. Information, applications, and resources are available on their website, lakeyacademy.com.

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Today is the deadline to file your federal taxes. CPA Hardy Foreman with the firm, Carr Riggs and Ingram in Shreveport says 65 percent of his clients file for an extension, but it’s not an extension to pay…

Cut 7 (11) “…and penalties.”

Foreman says since the COVID pandemic there’s been an increase in taxpayers filing for extensions. He says it’s taking longer for business owners to get the proper documentation needed for them to file before the April 15th deadline…

Cut 8 (13) “…April 15th.” 

Foreman says for those who need to file an extension and do not know the exact amount they owe, referring back to what they paid last year is a good estimate.

Cut 9 (07)  “…payment penalties.”

Foreman says the IRS offers multiple payment options for those unable to pay their tax bill in full.

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Legislation to restrict the use of bathrooms in schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters to one’s biological sex passes in the House on a 79-16 vote.

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the bill because it protects females from biological males who identify as females from entering a women’s restroom.

Cut 10 (12) “…protect women.”

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says there are real issues they need to address instead of a bill that is vindictive towards the transgender community.

Cut 11 (11) “…of it.”

Freeman referred to a gay physician in her district who moved, along with his family, to another state because of anti-LGBTQ laws that have been enacted in Louisiana.

Horton says the bill is not anti-anyone, it’s about protecting children against predators.

Cut 12 (13) “…belong in.” 

Freeman says the small transgender population, which makes up 1.4% of the US residents, are not known to be sex offenders so why prohibit them from using the bathroom of their choice on a state level?

Cut 13 (08)  “…great idea.”

Bill author Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s working with domestic violence advocates on the bill because such legislation will keep them from receiving federal funds which is most of their budget.

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The Louisiana House will consider a bill today that would eliminate the TOPS Tech award. It’s a state-funded scholarship for graduating seniors to attend a two-year school. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc says he wants to discontinue the TOPS Tech Award in four years because interest has been declining since 2014…

Cut 14 (10)  “…elsehwhere”

St. Blanc says by eliminating Tops Tech, the state can put more money towards the M-J Foster Promise Program which provides 32 hundred dollars in an academic year to adults who want to be trained for employment in a high-demand field…

Cut 15 (10)  “..greater support.”

Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin supports the elimination of TOPS Tech. He says interest is high in the Foster Promise Program, but only 10 million dollars is dedicated to it and the money goes quickly

Cut 16 (10)  “…to work.”  

At least a 17 on the ACT and a 2.5 GPA are needed to qualify for the TOPS Tech Award. But the Foster Promise Program is needs-based, so no academic qualifications are required.

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LSU’s offense showed the potential of still being explosive based on Saturday’s Spring Game. Garrett Nussmeier completed all seven passes he threw, two were touchdowns as the Tigers scored on several long plays.

Nussmeier threw two long touchdown passes to Zavion Thomas and Kyren Lacy, while Kaleb Jackson had a 32-yard touchdown run. Coach Brian Kelly liked how the offensive line established the line of scrimmage…

Cut 17 (22) “…good first step.”

The spring game featured what we saw in 2023, receivers wide-open. Kelly says the defense is still a work in progress

Cut 18 (21)  “..stout inside.” 

The official countdown is on to the season opener against USC on September 1st in Las Vegas. Kelly says there’s time to get better on defense. He says they plan to add defensive tackles through the transfer portal and figuring out the starting cornerbacks is also critical…

Cut 19 (22) “…solid defense” 

04.13.24
by

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Another frustrating loss for LSU baseball last night as they fell to Tennessee six to three. Tommy White had three hits, but the Tigers left ten runners on base. Gage Jump suffered the loss as he allowed five runs over four innings. He walked four hitters. Game two is today at 4:30.

The 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns won their 12th straight Sun Belt game beating Marshall three to one. Lee Amedee and Conor Higgs hit solo home runs and Andrew Herrmann and LP Langevin combined on a five-hitter and struckout 12. Game two is at two PM.

ULM defeated Texas State Seven to five. Easton Winfield had three hits and drove in two runs. Brandon Brewer was the winning pitcher and Carson Orton got the save.

Louisiana Tech had just three hits in a nine to one loss to Arizona.

Balin Valentine hit a two-run home run in the tenth inning as Northwestern State defeated Nicholls seven to five in ten innings. Southeastern and McNeese lost.

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Today is the spring game for the LSU Tigers. It was a disastrous season on defense for the Tigers last season, but Coach Brian Kelly likes what he has seen this spring from the defensive backs…
cut 19 (16) “…confidence”
Kelly has spoken highly of Sage Ryan, Major Burns and Jardin Gilbert this spring.

CJ McCollum had another hot shooting night last night and the Pelicans defeated Golden State 114 to 109. McCollum hit eight three-pointers and finished with 28 points. The win completed a 4-and-0 road trip and New Orleans will host the Lakers on Sunday in the regular season finale. The Pels need a win or a Suns loss to the Timberwolves to secure the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Tip time Sunday is at 2:30.

04.12.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team beat Tennessee twice in the College World Series last year and would love to get two wins against the Vols this weekend in a three-game series that begins tonight in Knoxville. Tennessee is ranked 4th and they are 7-5 in SEC play, while the Tigers are 3-and-9. 6:30 first pitch.

19th ranked U-L Lafayette hosts Marshall. The Cajuns have won eleven straight Sun Belt games, while the Thundering Herd are five and seven in league play.

ULM, who was swept last weekend by the Cajuns, is home this weekend to take on Texas State. The Bobcats are 5-and-7 in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech is at Arizona for a three game series. The Wildcats are 18-and-13 and they are on an eight game winning streak.

It’s the final weekend of the NBA regular season, A Pelicans win tonight over Golden State and a Suns loss to the Kings and New Orleans will clinch the sixth seed in the West and avoid the Play in Tournament.

LSU will hold its spring game on Saturday. The offense will take on the defense, but don’t expect the top players to get a ton of snaps. Coach Brian Kelly says Saturday will be a day for back-ups to showcase their talents, like reserve tight ends Mac Markway and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Kelly says this also a chance to see Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson carry the ball…
Cut 18 (19) “…key roles.”
The spring game starts at 1 PM.

The Saints have signed former Texas A-and-M and Minnesota Viking quarterback Kellen Mond.

Shreveport’s Sam Burns will not make the cut a the Masters. Burns shot an 80 on Thursday and then a 73 today and he’s at 9 over. The projected cut line is four over.

04.12.24
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LRN PM Newscall April 12

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is holding a virtual FAFSA marathon next week to help students with their applications. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Good news for crawfish lovers. The average price per pound for mudbugs is 50 cents lower this week. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Monday is Tax Day. Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher (Os-stric-ker) has a tax tip for seniors. Oestricher says people over the age of 70 can use a portion of their minimum retirement distribution to get a tax break if they donate it to a church or a charitable organization.

Cut 3 (13) “…30 thousand.” 

Oestriecher says for taxpayers looking to reduce their tax burden when they file, making a significant contribution to your 401k plan or ROTH IRA.

Cut 4 (12) “…ROTH IRA.” 

Oestriecher says for those who won big by gambling, they will have to pay taxes on those winnings even if they suffered gambling loses with other bets.

Cut 5 (12)  “…may have.”

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After multiple delays with Federal Student Aid, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance anticipates students can make changes if needed to their applications next week. LOSFA Spokesperson Ebony Holmes says students can register now for virtual help with their application on their website.

Cut 6  (11) “…office hours.” 

The website is mylosfa.la.gov

Holmes says applicants should be on the lookout for emails from FAFSA if they need to make changes or submit additional information on their application. Despite all the delays she says there are still benefits to filling out the application.

Cut 7 (11) “…get it done. ”  

Holmes says they know it’s delaying the timeframe for students to know how much financial assistance they will receive at institutions and many postsecondary institutions have pushed their deadlines as a result.

Until colleges can send award letters Holmes encourages students who are eligible for TOPS to visit their student hub tracker and…

Cut 8 (12) “…of use.” 

LOSFA will have expanded virtual hours April 15-19 from 8 am until 8 pm and you can register now for an appointment if you need assistance. And if you can’t next week, normal hours are 9 AM – to 3 PM.

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It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. In addition to the state’s signature fruit, there’s plenty of food, rides, and music and it wouldn’t be a festival without a parade in Louisiana. Festival Queen, Lauren van Mullem says it’s a great way to support the community and Louisiana berry farmers.

Cut 9 (12) “…and farmers.” 

The parade is on Saturday at 9:30.

The event which has been going strong since 1972, is the state’s largest free harvest festival. Festival King Donald Lanier says they honor berry farmers across the state.

Cut 10 (12) “…many around. “

You’ll also want to bring your appetite and enter the strawberry eating contest on Saturday and Sunday.

Rhonda Poche says this year’s strawberry crop looks amazing and there’s a reason Louisiana has the best strawberries in the world.

Cut 11 (11) “…best around.”

Festival hours are noon to 11 pm on Friday, 9 am until 11 pm on Saturday, and 10 to 6 pm on Sunday.

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It’s another great week for crawfish lovers with a 50-cent drop on average in prices this week. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says the industry lowered prices again which brings the average price for a sack under $100.

Cut 12 (09) “…sweet spot.” 

King says expect to pay about $5.99 a pound for boiled crawfish. She says there’s been a consistent weekly drop in crawfish prices since Easter, but the average price for live crawfish last year was at $2.57 .

Cut 13 (11) “…it is.”

While Orleans Parish has the cheapest mudbugs at $2.65 a pound, she says it’s always worth checking the crawfish app for price change.

Cut  14 (12) “…might drop.” 

To compare prices, download the Crawfish App on your smartphone.

04.12.24
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans defeated Sacramento 135 to 123 last night. New Orleans made 22 three-pointers. CJ McCollum made nine threes and finished with 31 points. Zion Williamson also had 31 as the Pels remain in control of occupying the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs and avoid the play-in tournament. New Orleans is at Golden State tonight.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey gave an emotional speech at the team’s banquet last night. Mulkey says she’s emotional as the program has been in the headlines for a variety of reasons, including not being present for the national anthem before their Elite Eight loss to Iowa. And LSU has lost another player to transfer portal, Jenae Kent.

The LSU football team will conclude spring practice with a spring game on Saturday. Coach Brian Kelly is entering his third season in Tiger Town and he feels good about the talent and depth on the 2024 team. LSU struggled defensively last year as they tried to plug holes with incoming transfers. He says this year there’s more carryover from the 2023 squad…
Cut 17 (15) “…as well.”
Kelly says the spring game will be the offense versus the defense.

The Saints have signed another back-up quarterback. Kellen Mond joins Q-B room that has Derek Carr, Jake Haener and Nathan Peterman. Mond is a former Texas A-and-M Aggie and was drafted by the Vikings in 2021. New Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was the offensive coordinator Minnesota that season.

04.12.24
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Last week former President Donadl Trump called Senator Bill Cassidy one of the worst U-S Senators in the country, but the Republican from Baton Rouge is taking it all in stride. Cassidy says as long as he’s working to do something positive for the country, the state, and those around him…
Cut 7 (08) “…achieve them.”
Cassidy his office was able to secure one-point-two billion dollars in federal funding for Louisiana for fiscal year 2024.

It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. In addition to the state’s signature fruit, there’s plenty of food, and music and it wouldn’t be a festival without a parade in Louisiana. Festival Queen, Lauren van Mullem says it’s a great way to support the community and Louisiana berry farmers.
Cut 9 (12) “…and farmers.”
The event which has been going strong since 1972, is the state’s largest free harvest festival.

Monday is federal Tax Day. Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher (Os-stric-ker) has a tax tip for seniors. Oestricher says people over the age of 70 can use a portion of their minimum retirement distribution to get a tax break if they donate it to a church or a charitable organization.
Cut 3 (13) “…30 thousand.”

LSU will complete spring practice with a spring game at 1 PM tomorrow. The Tigers are missing standout wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas from last year’s team, but Coach Brian Kelly likes the depth he has at wide out…
cut 20 (20) “…position”
Kelly says there’s a competitive battle for the number two quarterback spot, so expect to see a lot of Rickie Collins and A-J Swann in Saturdays’ spring game.

04.12.24
by

10:30 LRN Newscast

The House Labor Committee has once again voted down bills seeking to raise the state’s minimum wage. Every year business groups are successful in killing this legislation. Patrick Robinson from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says increasing the minimum wage is not the way to grow the economy…
Cut 13 (09) “…environment.”
The vote was 10-5 against raising the minimum wage.

A big money maker for Tangipahoa Parish, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state’s second largest festival has arts, crafts, and of course strawberries….
cut 5 (07) “…their living”
Also this weekend, the New Orleans French Quarter Festival and in DeQuincy it’s the Louisiana Railroad days festival.

As Monday’s Tax deadline approaches you might think it’s a bonus if you’re getting money back, but truth be told it isn’t. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says Wednesday’s severe weather resulted in one death when a tree fell on a camper trailer in Pineville. The victim’s identity has not been released.

Entergy Louisiana says four-thousand of its customers are still without power, Cleco says 8-thousand customers in Slidell are without power and another 19-hundred in St. Landry Parish.