Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.02.23
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

Louisiana Radio Network Sports, I’m Jeanne Burns….
What a night of high school football last night as 13 teams punched their ticket to next week’s Prep Classic in the Ceasars Superdome.

For the first time in 67 years Opelousas will play for a state championship in football as the 12th seeded Tigers upset top seeded North Desoto 28-20.

Cecilia will play for a state title in football for the first time in 28 years as the Bulldogs knocked off Northwest 55-18. Cecilia will play its district rival Opelousas on Friday afternoon.

St. Charles Catholic will play in a state championship game for a fifth consecutive season after beating University High 10 to seven in overtime.

Union Parish knocked off Jena and will play St. James for a state championship. It’s the fourth straight year the Farmers have made it to the Prep Classic.

Haynesville will make its 26th state title appearance after beating Logansport and they’ll play Oak Grove on Thursday night.
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The betting odds have LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after last night’s Pac-12 championship game. Washington defeated Oregon 34-31 and Ducks quarterback Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes, but he only threw for 239 yards in a second loss to the Huskies this season. If Nix and the Ducks won, the former Auburn quarterback might have been the favorite to win the Heisman.

Tulane is looking to lock up a second straight American Athletic Conference Championship today as they host S-M-U. A win for the Green Wave and they could find themselves in a New Year’s Six Bowl.

The Ragin Cajuns are reportedly headed to the New Orleans Bowl and will play Jacksonsville State on December 16th. LSU will find out its bowl destination and opponent tomorrow. The Tigers are expected to play in Tampa, possibly against Notre Dame.

The Saints host the Lions on Sunday. Four starters out for New Orleans with injuries and defensive end Cam Jordan is questionable. Kick-off Sunday is at noon.

12.01.23
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday and New Orleans can not do what they did last week in a loss to Atlanta and that’s make five trips into the red zone and not score a touchdown. Quarterback Derek Carr says they’ve spent more time on red zone drills this week…
cut 16 (12) “…in house”
New Orleans has only scored 17 touchdowns on 40 trips to the red zone, fourth worst percentage in the NFL. Four Saints players have been ruled out of Sunday’s game…Pete Werner, Rashid Shaheed, Kendre Miller and Marcus Maye. Cameron Jordan and Chris Olave are questionable.

LSU cornerback Laterrence Welch has entered the transfer portal. So has Louisiana Tech running back Charvis Thornton. The Ragin Cajuns will reportedly play Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl on December 16th.

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. After a four-game absence, Reese says she used her time away to reset and refocus. She says LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal was her daily motivator.
Cut 4 (15) “…I am.”
Former LSU star Seimone Augustus has been elected to the Women’s College Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony Thursday April 27th. Augustus is also going into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June.

12.01.23
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LRN PM Newscall December 1

After a four-game absence, LSU women’s basketball star forward Angel Reese made a powerful return to the court last night but felt her time off was necessary to recharge and refocus. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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If you’re looking for the perfect festival to get you in the holiday spirit and knock out some of your shopping, you need to head to downtown Alexandria. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. After a four-game absence, the Bayou Barbie says it felt good to be back.

Cut 3 (11) “….with them.”

For unknown reasons, Reese missed a home game against Texas Southern. She also missed games at SLU and two contests in the Cayman Island Classic.

Reese says she used her time away to reset and refocus. She says LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal was her daily motivator.

Cut 4 (15) “…I am.”

Reese made 9 of 16 free throws against the Hokies which contributed to Coach Kim Mulkey’s 700th career victory. Mulkey feels Reese’s return was good for Reese, the team, and Tiger Nation.

Cut 5 (13) “ …she’s comfortable.”  

The Lady Tigers take a break for final exams and will play again on December 10th when they host the Lady Cajuns.

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Alexandria’s favorite Winter Festival is back for the seventh year and there’s plenty of free-family-friendly entertainment. AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says they even have an ice-skating rink with real ice, Santa Claus, a petting zoo, plenty of inflatables for the kids, and more….

Cut 6 (09) “…shopping vendors.”

Spiller says the ice-skating rink is a crowd favorite and you can buy a $10 fast pass that allows you to wait in a shorter line.

Cut 7 (12) “…don’t get” 

AlexWinterFete, which attracts an average of 30 thousand attendees, is a companion festival to the city’s spring event RiverFete. Spiller says WinterFete also has live music, and the festivities continue rain or shine…

Cut 8 (10) “…F-E-T-E.” 

The hours on Friday in downtown Alexandria are four to ten and on Saturday 10 am until 10 pm.

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Louisiana residents can now request an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” decal for their vehicle at no cost from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the decal will indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability.

Cut 9 (13) “…the stop.” 

The sticker will be placed on the rear window of the occupant’s vehicle.

Boudreaux says customers must provide a statement from a qualified health professional verifying their diagnosis. But if you already have a driver’s license or identification card with Autism or Needs Accommodation indicator…

Cut 10 (09) “…the decal.”  

He says the indicator can removed at any time without documentation. Boudreaux says this will have a great effect on people on both sides.

Cut 11 (07) “…huge impact.”

To make an appointment with OMV, visit expresslane.org.

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A ruling is not expected until next week in Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit challenging the result of the November election. Nickelson lost by one vote, to Henry Whitehorn. Political analyst Scott Hughes says Nickelson’s attorneys presented the judge with some compelling evidence…

Cut 12 (12)  “…proper form”  

Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Joseph Bleich is hearing the case. He’s asked the attorneys for both candidates to provide more written evidence. Hughes says Whitehorn believes he’s the undisputed winner, but NIckelson’s attorneys believe they’ve uncovered some questionable ballots…

Cut 13 (12) “…determine the winner.”

Retiring sheriff Steve Prator’s term does not end until June 30th. Hughes says if Judge Bleich rules another election should take place, it would occur in March…

Cut  14 (09) “…very difficult.”

12.01.23
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Angel Reese returned from a four-game unexplained absence and scored 19 points as the seventh ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82-64 in a rematch of last year’s national semi-final game. It was win number 700 for Coach Kim Mulkey. Mulkey is glad to have her All-American back…
cut 5 (12) “….she’s comfortable’
Reese says she used the time away to reset and refocus and credits former LSU star Shaquille O’ Neal for providing her with advice.

The Pelicans host San Antonio tonight. Trey Murphy is expected to make his season debut. He injured his knee in September.

The Ragin Cajuns will reportedly play Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl on December 16th.

The Saints are getting ready to the face the 8-and-3 Detroit Lions on Sunday. Detroit has one of the better rushing offenses in the NFL as they average 4.6 yards a carry. New Orleans safety Tyrann Mathieu on Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs…
Cut 18 (21) “…last weekend.”

There will be excitement on 16 high school football fields as the semifinals are tonight. North DeSoto hosts Opelousas in an intriguing matchup in Division two non-select. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says Opelousas is in the semi-finals for the first time since 1994…
cut 14 (12) “….move”

12.01.23
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11:30 LRN Newscast

LSU AgCenter researchers say the preliminary estimate on losses as a result of the drought and excessive heat this summer is nearly one-point-seven billion dollars to the state’s ag and forestry industry. About half of the total damage occurred on farms where crops performed poorly or died. Even the crawfish industry suffered 140-million dollars in damages and Economist Kurt Guidry says water availability is expected to limit crawfish acres…
cut 9 (11) “….point in time”

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th ranked Lady Tigers beat ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. After a four-game absence, the Bayou Barbie says it felt good to be back.
Cut 3 (11) “….with them.”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus for the 2024 legislative term. A republican is moving into the governor’s mansion and the GOP has a super majority in the Legislature. But Willard says Democrats will continue to champion people-centric issues like insurance reform, equal pay for women, and rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
Cut 4 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

There will be excitement on 16 high school football fields as the semifinals are tonight. North DeSoto hosts Opelousas in an intriguing matchup in Division two non-select. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says Opelousas is in the semi-finals for the first time since 1994…
cut 14 (12) “….move”

12.01.23
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Drought, record heat, and historic wildfires cost Louisiana agriculture and forestry 1.7 billion dollars this year based on preliminary estimates by the LSU Ag Center. Economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says soybeans and sugarcane took the hardest economic hit, with those industries losing a combined 595-million dollars…
Cut 7 (12) “…a acre”
Livestock and hay producers sustained 389-million dollars in losses.

The CDC says nearly 50-thousand people in the U.S. died as a result of a suicide in 2022. The suicide rate of 14.3 deaths per 100-thousand people reached its highest level since 1941. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey says the stigma of mental illness needs to be removed so individuals are more likely to seek help…
cut 12 (12) “…professional care”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected as the new chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. The first task for the new Legislature that convenes in January is to draw a new Congressional district map that has two majority-minority districts. Federal courts have ruled the current map, which has just one majority-minority district, dilutes black voting power. Willard believes the Republican controlled legislature can complete the task…
cut 5 (09) “….majority-minority seats”

There are 16 high school football semi-final games tonight. In Shreveport, Calvary Baptist hosts Newman. Louisiana Football Magazine Publisher Lee Brecheen says the Cavaliers will be tough to beat…
cut 15 (12) “…much speed”

12.01.23
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

According to the CDC, U-S suicide rates reached a record high last year with nearly 50 thousand people taking their own life. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The U-S Justice Department has announced the arrest of a Covington father and his son for their actions in the January 6th, 2021 breach of the U-S Capitol. Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old Willard Purkel Jr and his 27-year-old son Cody face federal charges of civil disorder.

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus for the 2024 legislative term. A republican is moving into the governor’s mansion and the GOP has a super majority in the Legislature. But Willard says Democrats will continue to champion people-centric issues like insurance reform, equal pay for women, and rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
Cut 4 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

There will be excitement on 16 high school football fields as the semifinals are tonight. North DeSoto hosts Opelousas in an intriguing matchup in Division two non-select. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says Opelousas is in the semi-finals for the first time since 1994…
cut 14 (12) “….move”

12.01.23
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team got off to a slow start last night, as All-American Angel Reese returned from a four-game unexplained absence, but once the shots started falling, the Lady Tigers rolled past ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82 to 64. It was win number 700 for Coach Kim Mulkey and it was a successful return for Reese who had 19 points and nine rebounds. It was Reese’s first game since November 14th. During her time away, she spoke with LSU legend Shaquille O’ Neal every day…
cut 20 (14) “….I am”
LSU is now 8-and-1 and they’ll take a break for final exams.

Kobe Julien scored 29 points but the Ragin Cajuns still lost at Samford 88 to 65.

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels has won the 2023 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation’s top quarterback who best exemplifies character, scholastic and athletic achievement.

Louisiana Tech’s starting offensive tackles from this past season, Carson Bruno and Dakota White say they are entering the transfer portal.

In recruiting news…University High four-star linebacker Keylan Moses committed to LSU last night on his 17th birthday. The 2025 recruit is six-foot-three, 215 pounds and plans to stay home after also considering offers from Texas and Florida.

University High visits St. Charles Catholic in a Division Three select playoff game tonight. The other semi-final game in that bracket is Newman at Calvary Baptist. Louisiana Football Magazine Publisher Lee Brecheen says the Cavaliers will be tough to beat…
cut 15 (12) “…much speed”

The Pelicans host San Antonio tonight. Trey Murphy is expected to make his season debut. He injured his knee in September.

12.01.23
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6:30 LRN Newscast

This year’s drought has had a tremendous economic impact on Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Angel Reese returned from a four-game unexplained absence and scored 19 points as the seventh ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82-64 in a rematch of last year’s national semi-final game. Aneesah Morrow also had 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. It was win number 700 for Coach Kim Mulkey. She became the quickest coach in men’s or women’s Division basketball history to reach 700 wins.

A new report by the C-D-C reveals the suicide rate in the U-S last year reached a record high. More than 49 thousand people took their own life. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says the rate of suicides involving guns in the U-S has reached its highest level…
Cut 10 (07) “…with pills.”
The federal data shows the rate of suicide by any method has increased by one-third in the past two decades, more than half of those involve firearm, a figure that translates to about one every 20 minutes.

It’s the semifinal round of the high school football playoffs. The top-seed in Division One non-select, Ruston, is seeking its first state championship since 1990 but they face a red-hot Mandeville team tonight. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says the Bearkats are one of the best teams in the state…
Cut 13 (11) “…college prospects.”

11.30.23
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are gearing up for a big home game this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. New Orleans is 5-and-6, while the Lions are 8-and-3. Safety Tyrann Mathieu says this is a good measuring stick game for the Black and Gold…
cut 17 (19) “…going forward”
Kick-off is at noon.

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels has won the 2023 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation’s top quarterback who best exemplifies character, scholastic and athletic achievement.

Louisiana Tech’s starting offensive tackles from this past season, Carson Bruno and Dakota White says they will entering the transfer portal, which opens on Monday.

Big game at the PMAC tonight as the seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team hosts ninth ranked Virginia Tech. All-American forward Angel Reese returns after a four-game unexplained absence, but sophomore forward Sa’Myah Smith is done for the rest of the season after injuring her knee in a game last week. Smith is a six-foot-two post player and Coach Kim Mulkey says she’ll be missed…
cut 28 (18) “:….thus far”
Smith is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds a game this season. LSU could use Smith against Va Tech. Six-foot-six Elizabeth Kitley is averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds a game for the Hokies. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Also tonight the Ragin Cajuns are at Samford, last night New Mexico beat Louisiana Tech 74-65.