Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.15.22
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency after 21 tornados touched down across the state in a 24-hour period. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A tornado also destroyed an apartment complex and a small trailer park in Farmerville. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says the Willie Davis Recreation Center has been accepting donations for residents affected by the tornado…
cut 26 (10) “…help us”

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications from eligible families who are seeking a taxpayer voucher to attend a nonpublic school or a high-performing public school. The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the program allows parents more freedom in choosing their child’s educational journey.
Cut 5 (11) “…they qualify.”
Applications are due by January 27th at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

According to the N-F-I-B’s latest survey, 32-percent of owners report infation is their single most important problem. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says owners have tried to keep prices low, but it’s impossible when the price of everything has surged…
cut 11 (12) “….a challenge”

12.15.22
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7:30 LRN Newscast

The governor’s office says a total of 21 tornadoes hit Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people. On Tuesday a 30-year-old mother and her 8-year-old son were killed in Caddo Parish after a twister touched down in the Keithville area and in St. Charles Parish a 56-year-old woman was killed after a tornado struck her home in the Killona area Wednesday afternoon. Governor Edwards spoke after viewing some of the damage in north Louisiana….
Cut 8 (09) “…can bare.”
Now that the severe weather is out of the state, the clean-up and recovery can really begin. St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell is encouraging residents to stay off the roads in tornado damaged areas…
cut 15 (08) “…later time”

Small business owners have more optimism now compared to the beginning of the year but concerns remain with inflation and worker shortages…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says it’s now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The program provides taxpayer funded vouchers allowing low-income families to send their children attending a low performing school to a private school or a high-performing public school…
cut 6 (09) “…their child”

12.15.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans hope to start a new winning streak when they face Utah tonight in Salt Lake City. The Jazz ended New Orleans seven-game winning streak on Tuesday with a 121 to 100 victory.

Last night in Ruston, Louisiana Tech fell to Stephen F Austin in overtime 80-79. Stephen F Austin scored the winning basket with point-nine seconds left in O-T. The Lumberjacks hit 14 three-pointers, while the Bulldogs only made four threes.

The LSU Lady Tigers returned to the court last night after a ten-day layoff and easily defeated Lamar 88-42 at the PMAC last night. Angel Reese scored a career-high 32 points and she also collected 15 rebounds.

Also last night, McNeese defeated ULM in women’s basketball 76-66. Tonight the McNeese men’s team hosts the Ragin Cajuns. U-L Lafayette is 9-and-1, it’s best start since 1990 and the Cowboys are 3-and-7. Tip time is 7 PM.

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie took a break from recruiting last night to talk about his mentor Mike Leach, who died on Tuesday at the age of 61 after a massive heart attack. Cumbie played for Leach at Texas Tech and later served on his coaching.

Then last season, Cumbie had a chance to coach against Leach in the Liberty Bowl when Cumbie served as an interim coach for the Red Raiders. He says meeting up with Leach after the game was a special moment…
cut 17 (18) “…thought of him”
22nd ranked Mississippi State is promoting Zach Arnett from defensive coordinator to head coach. The 36-year-old Arnett will reportedly receive a four-year contract.

12.15.22
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says 21 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people, two in Caddo Parish and one in St. Charles Parish. Edwards has declared a state of emergency…
cut 7 (11) “….this disaster”
A 30-year-old mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in the Keithville area in Caddo Parish.

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon. One person is dead, a 56-year-old female. Parish president Matthew Jewell says authorities responded quickly.
Cut 13 (13) “…every-bodies out.”
Entergy reports 95-hundred customers are without power, many of those in the New Orleans area. Cleco is reporting over three-thousand outages.

Applications for the Louisiana Department of Education scholarship program are being accepted for the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says students of low income families can receive scholarships to attend a participating nonpublic school or high-performing public school.
Cut 4 (12) “…non-public school.”
The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Families have until January 27th to submit an online application at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

12.14.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans seven game winning streak came to a halt last night as New Orleans was just 4 of 27 from three point territory in a 121 to 100 loss to Utah. The Jazz also outrebounded New Orleans 59-43. Zion Williamson had 26 points. But C-J McCollum was held to 14 points and Trey Murphy did not score. The Pelicans are still in Salt Lake City as they’ll face the Jazz again tomorrow night.

Derek Fountain and K-J Williams each had double-doubles last night as the LSU Tgiers defeated North Carolina Central 67-57 last night. Fountain had 17 points and 14 rebounds for his first college double-double. Williams had 18 points and 12 rebounds. That’s his fourth double-double of the year.

Tonight Louisiana Tech hosts Stephen F Austin, the reigning regular season WAC Champions. The Bulldogs are 6-and-3, while the Lumberjacks are 5-and-4. Tip off is at 6:00 on ESPN-U.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Saints have claimed running back Eno Benjamin off of waivers. The 23-year-old has appeared in 12 games for the Cardinals and Texans this season and has rushed for 300 yards and has caught 24 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

Many Saints fans are hoping management makes a change at head coach and fire Dennis Allen after one disappointing season. Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan floated the possibility of a possible return of Sean Payton. But Saints analyst Mike Detillier is not confident in this possibility…
cut 18 (19) “..long shot”
Detillier says the Rams and Chargers are more likely scenarios if the two teams in L-A are searching for a new head coach.

12.14.22
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3:30 LRN Newscast

Numerous tornadoes have hit the state over the last 24 hours or so. One of the twisters killed 30-year-old Yoshiko Smith and her eight-year-old son Nikolaus Little. Marsanne Golsby has more…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A tornado also hit Union Parish last night. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says the twister hit the northern part of the town.
Cut 4 (09) “…left standing”
No major injuries reported in Farmerville.

The tornado outbreak did not spare south Louisiana as New Iberia officials say two twisters were spotted in their town, causing damage in a residential area and at a hospital. New Iberia Police Captain Leland Lasiter says first responders were deployed to the Southport Subdivision area and it appears everyone survived the harrowing experience…
cut 14 (11) “…local hospitals”
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office says a tornado hit the town of Kilona and deputies have reported heavy damage to homes in the area of Schoolhouse Road.

In other news, since a law that allows those 24 and older who are adopted access to their original birth certificate went into effect more than 600 have applied. Leesville Representative Charles Owen, who authored the legislation says he’s grateful the legislature realized it’s ok to change a law you believe was intended to protect individuals but instead it hurts people.
Cut 22 (09) “…right a wrong.”
The law went into effect on August 1st.

12.14.22
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LRN PM Newscall December 14

A tornado destroyed a neighborhood in Farmerville last night. Jeff Palermo spoke with mayor John Crow….

Cut 1(27)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Authorities have released the names of the mother and son killed in the tornado that struck Keithville yesterday. They are 30-year-old Yoshiko Smith and eight-year-old Nikolus Little. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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A 30-year-old mother and her eight-year-old son were killed by a tornado that tore through the town of Keithville in Caddo Parish last night. Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Robert Jump says the tornado touched down in the Pecan Farms area

Cut 3 (06) “…subdivision” 

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the young boy was found dead in a wooded area of Pecan Farms and the woman was found deceased one street over from where her home was destroyed. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s office has determined they died of blunt force trauma.

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Last night a tornado also hit Union Parish. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says the tornado hit the northern part of the town.

Cut 4 (09)  “…left standing” 

He said the tornado flipped over cars at the apartment complex, then crossed Lake D’Arbonne and did other damage on the lake’s south side.

Cut 5 (07) “…some barns”

Crow estimates about twenty people were checked out for minor injuries. He says the sheriff is bringing in dogs to check the debris but he believes everyone is accounted for. He says there is an emergency shelter in town for those who lost their homes. He says help is pouring into the town.

Cut 6 (10)  “…help us.”

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Authorities have identified the mother and son killed in the powerful tornado that struck near Keithville yesterday. The Caddo Parish coroner’s office says 30-year-old Yoshiko Smith and eight-year-old Nikolus Little were killed when the storm stuck around 5 pm. Sheriff Steve Prator says their husband and father was at work when the storm stuck and he came home to try to find them.

Cut 7 (12)  “…them missing.”

Prator says he sent about 20 deputies to go look for the house, but they couldn’t find it.

Cut 8 (09)  “…find it.“

Prator says the search was difficult and took a long time because of the amount of damage in the neighborhood.

Cut 9 (15) “… horrible situation.” 

Prator says one person was also seriously injury, four homes destroyed, and at least 20 others damaged.

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In ten months, Louisiana voters will go to the polls to elect the state’s next governor. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s supporting the first Republican, Attorney General Jeff Landry, who officially announced his candidacy. In the video ad Higgins is shown driving his vehicle and talking to the camera about Landry.

Cut 10 (11) “… people.” 

Republicans like Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Treasurer John Schroder, who are also considering running for governor, have criticized the state party for its early endorsement of Landry. Higgins disagrees.

Cut 11 (11)  “…and strategic.”

Less than a week after he was re-elected to a second-term Senator John Kennedy stated he was considering a run for governor but has yet to make it official. Higgins, who was re-elected to his fourth congressional term in November is backing Landry for the state’s highest office.

Cut 12 (08) “… certainly am.”  

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New Iberia officials are also reporting tornado damage. Captain Leland Lasiter with the New Iberia Police Department says two tornadoes hit their town this morning…

Cut 13 (12) “…as well”  

Leland says first responders were deployed to the Southport Subdivision area and it appears everyone survived the harrowing experience

Cut 14 (11)   “…local hospitals”

Leland says a temporary shelter has been set up at New Iberia Senior High School in the gym…

Cut 15 (11) “…has been displaced.”

12.14.22
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a state of emergency as a result of tornado damage across the state. In Caddo Parish, a mother and her eight-year-old son died from a twister that hit Keithville yesterday. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the search for the victims was difficult because of the amount of damage in the neighborhood…
cut 9 (15) “…horrible situation”
The Caddo Parish Coroner says they both died of blunt force trauma.

New Iberia officials are also reporting tornado damage. Captain Leland Lasiter with the New Iberia Police Department says two tornadoes hit their town this morning…
Cut 13 (12) “…as well”
No fatalities reported in New Iberia.

Southeast Louisiana remains under a tornado watch until 8 o’ clock tonight. The watch box also covers New Iberia and St. Martin Parish. In Union Parish, clean-up is underway after a twister destroyed an apartment complex and a small trailer park. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says 20 people were checked for minor injuries. Crow says help is pouring into the town….
cut 6 (10) “…help us”
Governor Edwards will be in Farmerville later today.

In other news, southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins endorsed Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor. Higgins also applauds the Louisiana Republican Party for endorsing Landry, even though the election is still ten months away….
cut 12 (08) “…certainly am”
It remains to be seen if Republican Senator John Kennedy will get into the race.

12.14.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

It just wasn’t the Pelicans night last night as they lost to the Utah Jazz 121 to 100. The Pels were four of 27 from three point territory and shot just 40-percent from the field. Zion Williamson had 26 points, but it wasn’t enough. New Orleans is now 18-and-9 and tied with Memphis for the best record in the Western Conference. The Pels get another shot at the Jazz tomorrow night.

The LSU men’s basketball team remained perfect at home last night as they defeated North Carolina Central 67-57. K-J Williams had his second consecutive double-double as he scored 18 points and had 12 rebounds. Derek Fountain also had a double-double, 17 points and a career-high 14 boards.

Tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Stephen F Austin. The Bulldogs enter the game with a six and three record, while the Lumberjacks are 5-and-4. Tip-off is at 6 PM on ESPN U.

Many of those covering the NFL both with organizations and in the media believe former Saints Head Coach Sean Payton isn’t done coaching, and some have even gone on to say he could be back with a team as early as next year. Payton is currently with Fox Sports in Los Angeles and has spent time with both the Chargers and Rams organizations. Many have speculated he would like to coach Justin Herbert and the young, talented offense of the Chargers, but new rumors have arisen surrounding the Rams coaching job as Sean McVay considers an early retirement. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Payton has an interest in those teams…
Cut 16 (17) “..the west coast.”

Trev Faulk has stepped down as head coach of Lafayette Christian. The former LSU linebacker spent seven seasons at L-C-A and the Knights made six straight state championship game appearances.

12.14.22
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11:30 LRN Newscast

A 30-year-old mother and her eight-year-old son were killed last night from a tornado that tore through the Caddo Parish town of Keithville. In Union Parish, Farmerville Mayor John Crow says a twister hit a northern part of his town…
cut 4 (09) “…left standing”
Crow says several people were injured, but no serious injuries or deaths.

Children’s Hospital in New Orleans announces it’s open the first center in the Gulf South that’s designed to treat eating disorders involving kids. Doctor Amy Henke, pediatric psychologist at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans says even if a family does not live in New Orleans, they could still provide treatment with virtual visits…
cut 26 (08) “…across the sate”
Henke eating disorders among children has risen significantly since COVID.

State lawmaker Blake Miguez represented the USA in the 2022 ISPC World Shoot on their way to a silver medal.
Cut 30 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

A National Treasure series filmed in Baton Rouge debuts tonight on Disney Plus. The series uses multiple locations in Baton Rouge, like the Old State Capitol, the Old Governor’s Mansion, and the USS Kidd. Film Baton Rouge Executive Director Katie Pryor says when attractions like that are featured in a Disney production it’s a visual postcard on a global scale.
Cut 8 (04) “…unbelievable.”