Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.15.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

In just his third NFL game, Charlie Smyth from Ireland, kicked a 47-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the Saints a 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Smyth has been with the Saints since joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program in 2024. But it wasn’t until New Orleans released Blake Grupe that Smyth got his chance and he is taking advantage of the opportunity…

Cut 17 (17) “…a dream scenario”

The Saints have won two in row and they can make it three straight when they host the Jets this Sunday at noon.

The Pelicans beat the Bulls for a second time this season as Trey Murphy and Jeremiah Fears eached scored 20 points in 114 to 104 win. Zion Williamson returned from a hip injury and scored 18 points off the bench.

 

The LHSAA Prep Classic ended on Saturday with Edna Karr beating district rival Saint Augustine 49-14 to win their second consecutive state championship. Cougars Coach Brice Brown says what they’ve accomplished the last two years is nothing short of incredible…

Cut 13 (16) “…to their character.”

The Cougars have won 27 in a row.

In the first game Saturday, Ouachita Parish won its first state title since 1989 by rallying from a two-touchdown deficit to beat top-seeded Ruston, 21-20. Lions Coach Benyi Lewis says they played their best football of the season in the postseason after suffering through a four-game losing streak…

Cut  14 (15) “…I’ve been around”

12.15.25
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has announced that SureChoice, the state’s second largest home insurer, is cutting homeowners insurance premiums by an average of 7.5-percent. But on the flip side State Farm, the state’s largest insurer, is increasing rates by an average of 10-percent. Temple says State Farm is projecting higher future losses due to hurricanes…

cut 6 (10) “….exposure”

The state will not have to worry about a budget deficit next year, and in fact, the Legislature will have more money to spend than anticipated as a result of higher tax collections that were originally projected…..

Cut 9 (08) “…what they forecasted”

That’s Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council. Deslatte says income tax revenues came in higher than projected, even though lower income tax rates went into effect on January 1st.

 

The 2025 LHSAA Prep Classic produced some memorable moments and one of the wildest finishes ever. St. Charles Catholic kicker Tyler Milioto missed a potential game-tying extra point with 35 seconds left, but got another chance thanks to an Archbishop Shaw player throwing his helmet in the air in an act of celebration thinking the game was over. That and a shanked punt by Shaw, gave Milioto another chance and he nailed a game winning 44-yard field goal…

Cut 15 (13) “…what happened after”

It’s the fourth state championship for St. Charles Catholic, but a devasting loss for legendary coach Hank Tierney and the Archbishop Shaw Eagles.

Also heartache for the Ruston Bearcats as Ruston could not hold a two-touchdown lead and lost to 14th seeded Ouachita Parish as the Lions won their first state title since 1989.

12.15.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast December 15

While one insurance company is lowering its homeowners’ insurance premiums, another is raising them. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved a rate decrease of 7.5% on average for both SureChoice Underwriters and Elevate. Temple says this is a testament that the insurance reforms passed by the legislature are working.

Cut 4 (11) “…results of that.”

However, Temple says that, unfortunately, State Farm is raising homeowners’ insurance rates by an average of 10 percent. Temple says State Farm uses a different model to calculate rates and the company is projecting higher future losses due to hurricanes.

Louisiana has more money to spend. The Public Affairs Research Council’s Melinda Deslatte says it’s the result of higher-than-expected tax collections…

Cut 8 (08) “…217-million”

How the extra money will be spent will be decided by lawmakers during next year’s regular session.

Of the eight Prep Classic championship games, the Division Two select title game will live on in Louisiana high school football folklore forever. Andrew Greenstein looks back at Friday night’s crazy finish.

Cut 3 (46) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

12.15.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints rallied from a ten-point deficit to beat Carolina for their second win in a row and second win over the Panthers this season. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough orchestrated a seven-play, 78-yard drive to tie the game with just over two minutes to go. New Orleans’ defense got a quick stop and that set up a game-winning 47-yard field goal by Charlie Smyth with two seconds left to win it.

Head Coach Kellen Moore says Shough showed a lot of poise in that game-tying drive.

Cut 16 (12) “…that it was.”

Shough threw for 272 yards and a touchdown. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 32 yards as starting running back Devin Neal left the game with a hamstring injury after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter. The 4-and-10 Saints have a chance at a another win as they host the 3-and-11 Jets this Sunday.

It had to be a fun weekend in Iowa as the Yellow Jackets won their first state championship in high school football by outscoring North Desoto 50-43. Iowa coach and lifelong southwest Louisiana resident, Tommy Johns, can’t say enough about the community support his team received throughout the year…

Cut 19 (11) “…this journley.”

There was also a big party in Ouachita Parish as the Lions won their first state title since 1989 as Ouachita Parish rallied from a two touchdown deficit to beat top-seeded Ruston 21-20. Ouachita Coach Benjy Lewis on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 20 (20) “….what they did”

Running back M-J Dade was the most outstanding player for Ouachita, as he had 147 yards and two touchdowns.

12.15.25
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6:30 LRN AM Newscast December 15

While one insurance company will be decreasing its homeowners insurance rates, another is getting ready to hike them. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A nine-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was struck by an elderly driver in the parking lot of the Pecanland Mall in Monroe yesterday afternoon. After hitting the child, the driver then drove into a store called Vision Works. No other injuries were reported and the crash remains under investigation.

 

Louisiana has received an early Christmas gift. The state will not have to worry about a budget deficit next year, and in fact, the Legislature will have more money to spend than anticipated as a result of higher tax collections that were originally projected…..

Cut 9 (08) “…what they forecasted”

That’s Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council. Deslatte says income tax revenues came in higher than projected, even though lower income tax rates went into effect on January 1st.

The LHSAA Prep Classic ended on Saturday with Edna Karr beating district rival Saint Augustine 49-14 to win their second consecutive state championship. Cougars Coach Brice Brown says what they’ve accomplished the last two years is nothing short of incredible…

Cut 13 (16) “…to their character.”

The Cougars have won 27 in a row.

12.13.25
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

One of the wildest endings in Prep Classic history occurred last night in the Superdome as St. Charles Catholic came back in the final seconds to beat Shaw 23-21 to win the Division Two select state title. The Comets scored a touchdown with 35-seconds left to get within one point, but Tyler Milioto missed the extra point to tie the game.

However, Milioto got another chance due to a bizarre sequence of plays that included a Shaw player throwing his helmet into the air, thinking they had won, which resulted in a penalty against the Eagles. Also a bad punt by Shaw give Milioto a chance to win it with a 44-yard field. Our own Jeff Palermo had the call on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 30 (13) “….to hero”

It’s the Comets’ fourth state championship.

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Iowa won its first state championship in school history as the Yellow Jackets defeated North Desoto 50-43 to win the Division 2 non-select state title. Sterlington won its second title in a row as the Panthers defeated Jena 34-20.

Today at noon… Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance and is looking to capture its ninth state title in school history. Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says last season’s 42-0 loss to Central is something that’s motivating the players this season.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Ruston will take on Ouachita Parish at noon. The Bearcats beat the Lions 21-14 earlier this season.

Today at 3:30 Edna Karr looks to complete its second undefeated championship season as the Cougars host St. Aug. The Purple Knights are looking for their first state championship since 1979.

12.12.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 12

You can start making plans for the fall of 2026 as LSU’s full schedule was released last night and Lane Kiffin will make his return to Oxford on September 19th. The Tigers will kick off SEC play by visiting Ole Miss. The home schedule looks great, with games against Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama and Texas, but LSU’s final two games are on the road…at Tennessee and Arkansas.

At the LHSAA Prep Classic, the Dunham Tigers won their first state championship since 2004 as the Tigers topped Calvary Baptist 34-17. The nation’s number one quarterback in the Class of 2027, Elijah Haven threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

And Haynesville won its 18th state championship as the Golden Tornado denied Mangham its first state title since 1956 by beating the Panthers 39 to 37.

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The LHSAA Prep Classic continues today as Jena will make its first state championship game appearance at 3:30 as it takes on the defending champs in Division 3 non-select, the Sterlington Panthers. KNOE-TV sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Sterlington might have the best running game in the state…

Cut 11 (09) “…that is amazing”

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rushed for two touchdowns in last Sunday’s upset win over Tampa Bay. Shough says he always could run the ball and wants to make sure he keeps defenses on their toes.

Cut 19 (15) “…as I can.”

The Saints host the Panthers Sunday. Kickoff is at 3:25.

12.11.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 11

LSU’s third leading rusher on the season and one of the state’s most profilic high school quarterbacks says he’s entering the transfer portal. JuJuan Johnson rushed for 151 yards on 38 carries this season. At Lafayette Christian, Johnson set a Louisiana record for total yards with 14,451 and touchdowns 171.

According to LSU, since the hiring of Lane Kiffin, the school has received an additional 15-thousand season ticket requests and a large uptick in corporate partner and donor interest. LSU Economics professor Dek Terrell says Kiffin’s hiring will spark people to buy LSU merchandise this holiday season, but it’s nothing like winning a national championship…

Cut 12 (10) “…over 60-percent”

 

The Prep Classic starts today in the Superdome. Game one is the Division Four non-select state championship between the undefeated Haynesville Golden Tornado and the Mangham Dragons. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Haynesville is undefeated, but Mangham is battle-tested.

Cut 4 (09) “…Haynesville team again.”

Also today, Riverside versus Ascension Catholic, and tonigh,t Dunham takes on Calvary Baptist.

An arena football league is coming to Monroe this summer as the Monroe franchise will be part of the Arena League, which is expanding from four to eight teams. League owner Jeff Holmes says their band of football features seven players on the field per side, and there is no kicking…

Cut 14 (07) “….receive the ball”

The team will play at the Monroe Civic Center and there will be a contest to name the team.

12.10.25
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4:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4th.

After a series of meetings, the legislature’s task force on NIL deals for student-athletes is ready to draft some bills for the upcoming session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC as long as he’s at LSU.

12.10.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Small businesses are a little more optimistic as 2025 comes to close. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

After a series of meetings that concluded Monday, a task force on NIL deals for student athletes is ready to prepare a series of bills for the upcoming legislative session. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young is on the task force and says one central theme that came out of the meetings was the fact that there seemed to be no structure for interactions with amateur athletes.

Cut 6 (12) “…’the NIL space.”

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.