Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.24.23
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Christmas Day Newscall

Saints fans are frustrated with their team on this Christmas Day and there’s growing belief among Who Dat Nation that a change in leadership is needed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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 Sad news as Louisiana sees this year’s first pediatric flu death. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Saints could miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season and many in Who Dat Nation would like to see a new head coach. But Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints Podcast, doesn’t see the franchise firing coach Dennis Allen, unless the team gets blown out in their last two regular season games…

Cut 3 (12) “…their head coach.”

Jackson says the Saints have always valued continuity at the head coaching position…

 Cut 4 (08) “..franchise history”

Jackson says even if the Saints miss the playoffs, he expects head coach Dennis Allen back, but longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael could be let go…

Cut 5 (11) “…Miami Dolphins”

Dennis Allen is 14-and-18 in his two seasons.  The Saints next game is on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

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The flu has taken the life of a Louisiana child. The Department of Health confirms the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says Louisiana and South Carolina have the highest flu activity in the nation…

Cut 6 (06) “…ten years.”

While the state’s flu activity is extremely high, RSV cases are on the decline except for children under one year. Louisiana saw 3 RSV related deaths this season.

Sokol says the age group most impacted by the flu right now is children between the ages of two and eleven. Preventing respiratory illnesses is important to avoid dangerous consequences. Sokol says stay home when you are sick, wash your hands, wear a mask if necessary and…

Cut 7 (09) “…serious complications.”

It is especially important to be mindful of protecting the very young, the old, and those with underlying medical conditions. Sokol says this year, new tools join the flu vaccine in reducing complications of respiratory illnesses. For those 60 year and older, an RSV vaccine is available and for the very young…

Cut 8 (09) “…young infants.” 

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This holiday season, the Red Cross is asking Louisianans to give a gift with meaning and help with growing disaster needs. Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush says funds are needed to provide safe shelter and meals to thousands of people affected by disasters.

Cut 9 (13)  “…financial support.”

This year, the Red Cross distributed 108 million dollars in assistance to people after disasters including the power outage in north Louisiana and the Tiger Island wildfire.

Bush says dedicating time and manpower is an incredibly meaningful gift for many residents during local disasters.

Cut 10 (13) “…in helping.”

Bush says the Red Cross has provided relief and assistance to nearly six thousand Louisianans in time of need this year. With a growing frequency of disasters, he urges everyone to help provide support for those who need support in the face of emergencies.

Cut 11 (12) “…need help.” 

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Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wished everyone a Merry Christmas. The Republican says he’s pleased to be home spending the holidays with his family and friends and that there’s no better place to celebrate the birth of Christ than the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (13) “…than Louisiana.” 

Kennedy extended well wishes from his wife Becky, son Preston, dogs Lily Grace and Charlie, and his stuffed alligator…

Cut 13 (13) “…and Alphones.”

12.22.23
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

After a two-year successful run as LSU’s offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is heading back to Notre Dame. A reason on why Denbrock is leaving the Tigers has not been given. But we know that the Michigan native will be coaching closer to home, has a good relationship with Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman and you can bet money is also part of the equation.

This will be Denbrock’s third stint as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.

Denbrock’s departure is a big loss for LSU. Tiger Rag assistant editor William Weathers says Denbrock helped develop quarterback Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner and he guided an offense that leads the nation in scoring…
cut 13 (13) “…to gold”
Denbrock was a finalist this past season for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.

The Saints playoff chances took a major hit Thursday night as New Orleans lost to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. The loss drops the Black and Gold’s record to seven and eight and according to ESPN Analytics, the Saints have a 24-percent chance to make the playoffs. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 20 (11) “…play Tampa”
Tampa Bay leads the Saints by a half game for first place in the NFC South. The Buccaneers are home to face the Jacksonville Jaguars and then New Orleans will visit the Bucs on New Year’s eve. The Saints end the season by hosting the Falcons.

Calvary Baptist Quarterback Abram Wardell has been named the Class 2A offensive player of the year. The junior threw for 3,883 yards, 45 touchdowns and just two interceptions as he led the Cavaliers to a division three select state championship.

Calvary’s Rodney Guin is the Coach of the Year.

12.22.23
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Sources say LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is leaving after two seasons in Baton Rouge to return to Notre Dame to be the offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says Denbrock is from the Midwest and that could be a reason why he’s going back to South Bend…
cut 12 (09) “…his career”
This will be Denbrock’s third stint as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.

An LSU spokesperson says quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton will serve as co-offensive coordinators against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day.

Garrett Nussmeier will be making his first collegiate start at quarterback. 2020 was the last time Nussmeier started a football game and that was at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas…
cut 16 (14) “…focused on”

The Saints were a disappointment last night as they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. A defeat that’s a blow to their playoff chances. The defense once again got off to a slow start and the offense was not much better. Coach Dennis Allen’s team failed to capitalize on some scoring opportunities in the first half…
cut 29 (12) “…Tampa Bay”
New Orleans is 7-8 and will likely need to win their final two games for a chance at the playoffs. They are a half game back of the Buccaneers. Tampa hosts Jacksonville this Sunday and then the Saints on New Year’s Eve.

Zion Williamson did not play last night because of an illness, but Trey Murphy stepped up and scored a season-high 28 points as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers in Cleveland 123 to 104. New Orleans is now 17-12 on the season and will Houston on Saturday.

LSU men’s basketball beat Lamar last night 87 to 66.

12.22.23
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8:30 LRN Newscast

The Saints playoff chances took a major hit last night as New Orleans lost to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. The loss drops the Black and Gold’s record to seven and eight and according to ESPN Analytics, the Saints have a 24-percent chance to make the playoffs. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 20 (11) “…play Tampa”
Tampa Bay leads the Saints by a half game for first place in the NFC South with two games left.

AAA estimates 115 million Americans will travel over the Christmas and the New Year’s holiday, the second highest year-end holiday travel forecast since they began tracking in 2000. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the number of people who will travel by car for the holidays is up two percent over last year…
cut 8 (11) “….the road”

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will not have a presence in New Orleans on New Year’s eve for the first time in five years. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is pointing the blame at New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office, who was in charge of working with Dick Clark’s producers the last two years…
cut 14 (08) “…of tourism”
New Orleans and Company President Walt Leger says the show was looking for a financial subsidy and they decided against paying the subsidy this year.

The annual bonfires on the Mississippi River levee in St. James and John parishes has been moved up to Saturday because of the likelihood of inclement weather on Sunday, Christmas Eve night. St. James Parish President Pete Dufrense says its the safest thing to do…
cut 6 (11) “….good so”
The bonfires will be lit at 7 PM.

12.22.23
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Roads and airports will be busy leading up to Christmas Day. Teiko Foxx reports AAA is estimating 115-million Americans will travel during the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday…
cut 2 (31) “>….I’m Teiko Foxx”

The Saints were an eight point loser last night falling to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. New Orleans defense struggled, the Saints offense could not run the ball and they were 0-for-3 on fourth down. New Orleans is 7-8 and trail Tampa Bay by a half game for first place in the NFC South. Two more games left in the season.

Children’s Hospital New Orleans is raffling off suite tickets for Taylor Swift’s October 26th show at the Superdome to help fund a new Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Unit. Director of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Ben Watkins…
cut 10 (13) “…socialize”
It’s 200-dollars per raffle ticket and they can be purchased at chnola.org/taylor and seven winners will be chosen in March.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will not have a presence in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve for the first time in five years. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office used to sponsor the event, but New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office took it over three years ago and he says it has not been the same since..
cut 15 (10) “…doing that”

12.22.23
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints playoff chances received a huge blow last night as New Orleans could not keep up with a surging Rams team, losing in Los Angeles 30-22. The game was not as close as the score indicates. The Black and Gold trailed 30-7 before scoring a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

It was another slow start for the defense, giving up a 95-yard scoring drive on L-A’s first possession. And the Saints offense only rushed for 35 yards and they were 0-for-3 on fourth down. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 19 (13) “…offensively”
And the Saints are missing an opportunity to win the NFC South. The loss drops their record to 7-8, a half game back of Tampa Bay, who hosts Jacksonville on Sunday. New Orleans next game is in Tampa on New Year’s eve.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is preparing to make his first start at quarterback for the Tigers when they face Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day. During the offseason, Nussmeier will battle with Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann for starting quarterback in 2024. Nuss says he doesn’t feel pressure to make a statement on New Year’s Day..
Cut 18 (17) “…I’m excited”
There’s a chance LSU could lose offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are reportedly interested in bringing Denbrock back for a third time. LSU and Denbrock have discussed a three-year contract extension, but the LSU Board of Supervisors has yet to approve.

In basketball…Trey Murphy had a season-high 28 points as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 123 to 104 last night. Jalen Cook had 17 points, Carlos Stewart added 16 and LSU defeated Lamar 87-66.

12.22.23
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Today is the start of a very busy holiday travel period as Triple-A estimates 115 million will travel during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays…
cut 7 (10) “…New Year’s”
That’s AAA spokesperson Don Redman.

The annual Bonfires along the Mississippi River in St. James and St John Parishes have been moved up to Saturday, because of the threat inclement weather on Christmas Eve…
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Tickets to see Taylor Swift when she performs in New Orleans next October is on that Christmas wish list for many. Well, Children’s Hospital New Orleans is raffling off 28 suite tickets for her October 26th show int he Caesars Superdome. Director of Stem C3ell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Ben Watkins says they’ll pick seven winners, who will receive four tickets each…
cut 11 (07) “>….Taylor Swift”
Al proceeds will benefit the hospitals Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The raffle is live at cchnola.org/taylor and the winners will be notified on March 23rd.

The Saints were losers last night as they fell to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. Coach Dennis Allen’s team failed to capitalize on some scoring opportunities in the first half…
cut 29 (12) “…Tampa Bay”
New Orleans is 7-8 and will need to win their final two games for a chance at the playoffs.

12.21.23
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints and Rams face each other tonight in Los Angeles. Both teams have a record of 7-and-7 and fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC. The Rams have won four of their last five and quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing well. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan on tonight’s matchup…
cut 18 (17) “….create some problems”
Kick-off is at 7:15.

Also tonight…the Pelicans are at Cleveland. Both teams have identical records at 16-12. New Orleans would like to erase Tuesday’s loss to Memphis where they gave up a big second-half lead in a two-point defeat to the Grizzlies.

LSU men’s basketball also hosts Lamar tonight. The Tigers are 6-and-5, while the Cardinals are 5-and-6.

Last night, the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers took down Coppin State 80-48. The game was played in Angel Reese’s hometown and the Bayou Barbie scored 26 points in front of a sold-out crowd.

After the game head coach Kim Mulkey talked about playing a game next season in Tiger Stadium, but there are a lot of hoops to go through…
Cut 12 (14) “…court down there.”
Mulkey says if they could play in Tiger Stadium in front of tens of thousands of fans, she would like Southern to be the opponent and the proceeds would help pay for NIL deals for Southern athletes.

Notre Dame is reportedly interested in hiring LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to be the Fighting Irish’s new play-caller. LSU is looking to lock up Denbrock and sign him to a three-year contract extension, but the deal has not been approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

12.21.23
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LRN PM Newscall

Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s pick as the next Secretary for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has no ties to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo on why Landry may have selected 26-year-old Madison Sheahan from Ohio…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Livingston Parish has been awarded $45 million to build a disaster response rescue center.  Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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With Christmas dinner right around the corner, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain reminds Louisianans to safely handle their turkey this holiday season.  He says it takes about 24 hours for every four to five pounds to defrost a turkey.

Cut 3 (10) “…next day.”

Strain urges Louisianans to never thaw the turkey in the sink or on the kitchen counter. He says the safest way is to thaw it in the fridge.

Cut 4 (13) “…the refrigerator.”

If you don’t have much time, you can place the turkey in a clean sink and cover it with cold water, according to the CDC. You can even safely defrost it in the microwave.

Strain says folks shouldn’t bypass having Louisiana homegrown produce on their Christmas dinner table. In the Strain household, Louisiana-certified food and products are always a part of the holiday feast.

Cut 5 (12) “ …Louisiana first.”  

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Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed Madison Sheahan as the new Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The 26-year-old old from Ohio and has spent the last three years working with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Landry may have felt the need to bring an outsider because former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet has been implicated in a bribery scandal

Cut 6 (09) “…who can you trust”

Montoucet resigned abruptly last April. A former contract worker in the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office has pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme involving LDWF that allowed people facing felony and misdemeanor charges to pay money to avoid a pre-trial diversion program. Montoucet has not been indicted.

Alford says Landry is confident Sheahan will reshape and rebrand the department…

Cut 7 (10) “…from Louisiana” 

Some will question what a person living in South Dakota for the last three years knows about hunting and fishing issues in Louisiana. Alford says Sheahan’s role will be to reform the department and provide leadership, while her staff and the Louisiana Wildlife Commission can focus on regulations…

Cut 8 (12) “…this is one of those jobs” 

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Livingston Parish has received $45 million in state dollars to build a disaster response rescue center. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says after the 2016 floods and other natural disasters they know how important it is to not only have a place to house those who are displaced…

Cut 9 (12) “…vehicles.” 

The 100,000-square-foot Livingston Parish Emergency Response and Evacuation Center will be able to seat 5,000 people and will be located south of Livingston on LA 63 south of I-12.

Ard says he got the idea for a shelter when Hurricane Gustav struck. At the time they were able to use a newly constructed detention center that had 700 beds and no inmates yet. That’s where first responders stayed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this parish.”

And it’s not only going to benefit Livingston Parish, but surrounding parishes also. Ard says the site will have space for rescue and utility vehicles and will be ideal to house linemen and National Guardsmen.

Cut 11 (11) “…the future.”

Construction is expected to be completed in late summer, or early fall of 2025.

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The LSU Lady Tigers could host a game against Southern in Tiger Stadium as soon as next year. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says she’s not sure how possible it would be but likes the idea of hosting a game that could have over 100,000 fans…

Cut 12 (14)  “…court down there.”  

Iowa set a women’s basketball attendance record earlier this year as over 55,000 fans packed their football stadium for an exhibition game against DePaul. Nebraska volleyball set the record for most fans at any women’s sporting event with over 92,000 at their Memorial Stadium in August. While Mulkey says the idea hasn’t been shared with Southern, a historic game against their cross-town rival could be in the works…

Cut 13 (11) “…had a conversation.” 

Proceeds from the game could go to assist Southern’s women’s basketball program and their NIL fund.

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Louisiana will be impacted by a Christmas weekend storm system that could produce heavy rainfall on Sunday….Christmas eve. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says rain is expected to develop tomorrow afternoon and evening….

Cut  14 (14) “…on Sunday night”

Jacquemin says rain during a holiday weekend is never fun, but the rainfall is much needed…

Cut 15 (10) “…some time.”

There’s the potential for one to three of inches of rain will fall this weekend.

12.21.23
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed Madison Sheahan as the new Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
cut 11 (06) “…hunter and fishermen”
The 26-year-old old from Ohio and has spent the last three years working with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Landry may have felt the need to bring in an outsider because former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet has been implicated in a bribery scandal
cut 6 (09) “…and trust”
Montoucet resigned abruptly last April. A former contract worker in the Lafayette District Attorney’s office has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme involving LDWF that allowed people facing felony and misdemeanor charges to pay money in order to avoid participating in a pre-trial diversion program. Montoucet has not been indicted.

Enjoying the season with family and friends can be wonderful, and stressful. Colleen Crain takes a look at holiday stress…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

With Christmas dinner right around the corner, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says now might be the time to start defrosting your frozen turkey….
Cut 3 (12) “…next day.”