Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.31.24
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has named former state legislator and Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove as the new chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. Landry also named Benjamin Bienvenu as the new Commissioner of Conservation. Landry says Bienvenu and Natural Resources Secretary Tyler Gray will work to increase refining capacity…
cut 8 (11) “…..the country”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has requested federal assistance for crawfish farmers who have seen a dramatic decline in production because of last year’s historic drought and the recent freeze. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the state’s crawfish industry needs help…
Cut 13 (07) “…to be caught.”
The LSU AgCenter estimates the potential losses to be nearly 140-million dollars due to the combined drought freeze.

Retired Caddo Parish Juvenile Judge David Matlock says Governor Landry asked him personally to head the Department of Children and Family Services, an agency facing multiple challenges.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Advocate is reporting Governor Landry will not retain Curtis Nelson Junior as the Secretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice. Major changes could be coming to this state agency as one of the governor’s transition teams recommended a move towards probation and parole for certain juvenile offenders instead of the current therapeutic approach.

01.31.24
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Despite strong opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use a combination of federal and state dollars, plus tolls, to build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Director for the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Renee Amar, says truckers look at tolls as an additional tax…
Cut 7 (10) “…toll is.”
Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham knows tolls are unpopular, but necessary because there are not enough federal and state dollars available…
Cut 9 (13) “…on funding.”
The state Bond commission still has to give approval before construction can begin.

Despite winning the school’s first national championship in women’s basketball, the LSU program ran a deficit of nearly eight million dollars last fiscal year according to a report released by the Legislative Auditor’s Office. State auditor John Thiebaud (Tee-bow)…
cut 16 (07) “…winning perspective”
The NCAA recently agreed to a new TV deal which should help boost revenues for women’s basketball programs.

Former Louisiana death row inmate Michael Graham has passed away. He served on death row for 14 years, before DNA evidence cleared him of a double murder that took place in Union Parish in 1986. Director of Death Penalty Action Abe Bonowitz says Graham died a poor man because he was never compensated for being wrongfully convicted. He says they’ve set up a Go Fund me page in his memory…
cut 13 (10) “….Go Fund me”

01.31.24
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8:30 LRN Newscast

The House and Senate Transportation committees have approved a plan to fund a new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Tolls are part of the funding equation and the trucking industry is in opposition to using tolls to help fund the two-point-one billion dollar project. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says it will take seven years to build the bridge and during that time the state will look for additional funding to lower the cost of the tolls…
Cut 10 (10) “…or form.”

A state audit of the LSU athletic department found the Tigers football program generated 105 million dollars for the fiscal year that ended last June. That’s 18-million dollars more than the previous year and Brian Kelly’s program recorded a net profit of 54-million dollars, nearly a 50-percent increase from 2022. State auditor John Tiebaud…
cut 15 (07) “….their numbers”
The LSU football program received a commitment last night from four-star offensive lineman Devin Harper from Calvary Baptist High School. He’s considered the third best player in the state for the Class of 2025.

Governor Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council has recommended the state should begin the process of phasing out corporate and personal income taxes. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, expects the governor to take a long look at this recommendation
Cut 4 (09) “…that puzzle.”
Tax reform will have to wait until next year, when legislators hold a fiscal session.

Exonerated Death Row Survivor, Michael Graham Jr died has passed. He served 14 years on Louisiana’s death row until DNA cleared him of murdering a Union Parish couple in 1986. Executive Director of Death Penalty Action, Abe Bonowitz says Graham died in poverty in Virginia
Cut 11 (07) “…of that.”
Bonowitz says the Graham family has established the Michael Graham Legacy Fund and there’s also a Go Fund Me page in his memory.

01.31.24
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7:30 LRN Newscast

The House and Senate Transportation Committees have approved a contract that would lead to a new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. The public-private partnership would use tolls to help pay for the construction of the two-point-one billion dollar bridge. The CEO of Frisard’s Trucking Company, Cully Frisard, says it will cost his trucks $8.25 every time they cross the new bridge under the financing plan laid out by the Landry administration
Cut 8 (09) “…you buy at the store.”
Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham knows tolls are unpopular, but necessary because there are not enough federal and state tax dollars available…
Cut 9 (13) “…on funding.”
State Bond Commission approval is still needed before construction can begin.

The governor’s economic development and fiscal policy council has recommended the state should phase out corporate and personal income taxes. It’s a proposal Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson supports and he expects to see legislation next year to phase out state income taxes….
cut 6 (09) “….overnight”
Nelson says eliminating the numerous tax exemptions and credits in the state’s tax code can help offset the revenue loss from eliminating state income taxes.

Michael Graham Junior has passed away. He served 14 years on Louisiana’s death row for murdering a Union Parish couple in 1986, but DNA evidence eventually cleared him and he was released from Angola in 2000. Director of Death Penalty Action, Abe Bonowitz, says Graham’s story is an example of a miscarriage of justice…
cut 12 (08) “..it through”

01.31.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Former Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will reportedly work for Sean Payton again. The Broncos head coach is expected to hire Carmichael as a senior offensive assistant. Carmichael and Payton coached together in New Orleans from 2006 to 2021.

A state audit of the LSU athletic department found the Tigers football program generated 105 million dollars for the fiscal year that ended last June. That’s 18-million dollars more than the previous year and Brian Kelly’s program recorded a net profit of 54-million dollars, nearly a 50-percent increase from 2022. State auditor John Tiebaud…
cut 15 (07) “….their numbers”
The LSU football program received a commitment last night from four-star offensive lineman Devin Harper from Calvary Baptist High School. He’s considered the third best player in the state for the Class of 2025.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team looks to extend their winning steak to six games tonight when they host instate rival ULM. The Warhawks have won three in a row. U-L Lafayette is 6-3 in the Sun Belt, two games back of first place Appalachian State. ULM is 3-and-6. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin is concerned about the Warhawks’ ability to rebound the ball.

The Pelicans will try to snap a three-game losing streak tonight as they visit the Houston Rockets. New Orleans is 26-21 on the year and in eighth place in the West, while the Rockets are 22-and-24 and in 11th place.

LSU baseball led the country last year in runs scored. Tigers third baseman Tommy White believes LSU’s offense this year can be just as potent…
cut 19 (20) “….for that”
The season opener is February 16th against VMI.

01.31.24
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

Despite strong opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use a combination of federal and state dollars, plus tolls, to build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Director for the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Renee Amar, says truckers look at tolls as an additional tax…
Cut 7 (10) “…toll is.”
But supporters of the project say a new bridge is desperately needed in Lake Charles and there’s just not enough federal and state tax dollars available to fund the two-point-one billion dollar project. The State Bond Commission still has to give its support.

A state audit of the LSU athletics department finds it finished the fiscal year that ended last June with almost a four-million dollar deficit. But John Tiebaud with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office says the department would have finished in the red, if did not take five-million dollars in revenues and give it to the academic side of the university…
cut 14 (06) “…transfer”

Should the state phase out its personal and corporate income taxes? Gov. Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council thinks so. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

01.30.24
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5:30 LRN Newscast

A big vote went down at the state capitol today as the House and Senate Transportation Committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use tolls to help fund the construction of a new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Truckers oppose the use of tolls. The CEO of Frisard’s Trucking Company, Cully Frisard, says it will cost his trucks $8.25 every time they cross that bridge…
Cut 8 (10) “…you buy at the store.”
The State Bond Commission still has to give its approval. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says it will take seven years to build the bridge and during that time the Landry Administration will look for additional funding to lower the cost of the tolls…
Cut 10 (10) “…or form”
The price tag for the new bridge is 2.1 billion dollars.

The owner of Bittersweet Confections in New Orleans feels violated after a thief broke into her store last week, stole some vodka, cash and at least seven king cakes. Cheryl Scripter says the offender should receive jail time and also have to do dishes…
cut 4 (08) “….clean them all”
And King Cake Drive Thur says someone stole 100 king cakes from one of their delivery vans. The break-in happened when the van was parked outside of the owner’s home in New Orleans.

LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says Louisiana is seeing a high level of flu-like illnesses. Lopez says COVID cases have also peaked.
Cut 15 (11) …out there.“
Lopez encourages individuals to get their COVID booster shots.

01.30.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Many are asking what is going on with the defending champion LSU Lady Tigers? They dropped their second straight last night, falling to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey for the second straight game says they failed to get defensive stops in the second half. With just two starters back from last year’s team, Mulkey says they lack experience…
cut 10 (10) “…things get tough”
The ninth ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

Nothing wrong with the McNeese men’s team. The Cowboys won their 14th straight game last night, an 89 to 65 win over the Northwestern State Demons. The 14 straight wins is the longest winning streak in the nation.

The Ragin Cajuns look for their sixth straight win when they host in-state rival ULM tomorrow night.

Baseball America has LSU ranked second in its preseason Top 25 poll. Speaking of second, former West Monroe star Josh Pearson is trying to make the move from left field to second base. Pearson says he got advice form last year’ starting second baseman Gavin Dugas…
cut 19 (13) “….balls hit to me”
Over in Lafayette, Cajuns Coach Matt Deggs says their pitching staff is the strength of their team, as they have a half dozen candidates to start on the weekend. He says at the plate, they might not play for the big inning early on as the offense could be a work in progress…
cut 17 (14) “….behind that pitching”

01.30.24
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LRN PM Newscall January 30

Bittersweet Confections bakery social media post reminded followers of operating hours to purchase their sweet treats but one individual paid the bakery a visit on his own time. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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Despite opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation Committees approve of Governor Jeff Landry’s funding plan for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Bittersweet Confections bakery motto is “Let them eat cake” but not without paying for them. A king cake thief broke into the New Orleans bakery last week and stole cash, a case of vodka, and seven king cakes with the plastic babies inside. Owner Cheryl Scripter says watching her surveillance video gave her an uneasy feeling…

Cut 3 (10) “….and creepy”  

King cake thieves also hit up King Cake Drive Thru in New Orleans Monday night.

Scripter says she was alerted of the burglary after 5 pm after she closed the store to visit her second location. She says she’s not flattered the thief returned for her tasty rings of pastry with purple, green, and gold sugar.

Cut 4 (12) “…king cakes.”

Scripter says the bakery social media post received more than 100 likes of support. And while the action is disheartening, she says the support from individuals who stop by the store is overwhelming…

Cut 5 (12) “…my face.”  

Scripter encourage all king cake lovers to visit bittersweetconfections dot com to order their favorite flavor.

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We’re seeing a slight uptick in gas prices with the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas at $2.82, that’s up two cents from the day before and seven cents from a week ago. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says the increase is linked to the price of crude.

Cut 6  (10) “…a barrel.” 

As we approach spring, which typically begins sooner in the Gulf South compared to the rest of the country, Redman says we usually see an increase in gas prices as refineries transition to summer-grade gasoline and demand goes up.

Cut 7 (11) “…the summer.” 

Redman is quick to point out that the oil market is also reactionary to world news and depending on the United States’ response to three servicemen being killed in a drone attack in Jordan, we could see prices impacted as a result.

Cut 8 (12) “…world stage.” 

This time last year regular gas was $3.25 a gallon.

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The defending champion LSU women’s basketball team has its first two-game losing streak since 2022 as the Lady Tigers lost last night to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are not executing defensively…

Cut 9 (12) “…doing it”

The loss drops LSU’s record to 18-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. The Lady Tigers returned two starters from last year’s national championship team. Mulkey says the team is missing that experience that last year’s championship team possessed…

Cut 10 (10) “…things get tough.”

The ninth-ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

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While Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s not making a formal announcement, he does plan to seek re-election in 2026. The moderate Republican will have to win his party primary with new election laws in effect then.  He says changing to party primaries is too costly with an estimated price tag of $61 million over three years and $135 million over ten years.

Cut 11 (11) “…$60 million.”

About 28 percent of Louisiana voters who are unaffiliated will be able to vote in the party primary of their choice but not both. Individuals who are registered as an Independent, Libertarian, or Green Party will not be allowed to vote in the primary elections, only the general election. Cassidy says this excludes thousands of voters from the primaries.

Cut 12 (09)  “…the election.”  

Cassidy says there’s a point-four-five cent state sales tax that will sunset next year. He says this is not the time to add expenses to the state budget when they could potentially lose income.

Cut 13 (12) “…pocket.” 

The change to party primaries will only apply to Congressional, state school board, Public Service Commission, and state Supreme Court judicial elections.

01.30.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The defending champion LSU women’s basketball team has its first two-game losing streak since 2022 as the Lady Tigers lost last night to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are not executing defensively…
Cut 9 (12) “…doing it”
The loss drops LSU’s record to 18-4 and 5-3 in the SEC.

South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is in line to be LSU’s new starting shortstop. Braswell hit just three home runs in two seasons with the Gamecocks. He says he’s worked hard to lift the ball more and drive the ball into the gap…
Cut 20 (16) “…process though.”
The Tigers are ranked second in the Baseball America’s preseason poll.

Starting next school year, girls high school wrestling will be a championship sport within the LHSAA. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

McNeese men’s basketball extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 games wiht an 89-65 win over Northwestern State. Christian Shumate had 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Pelicans lost their third straight last night as New Orleans failed to hold on to a 17-point lead and lost Boston 118 to 112. The Pels’ record drops to 26-21, tied for seventh place in the Western Conference with Dallas.