Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.06.23
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Big win for the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team on the road last night as the Bulldogs defeated Rice 88-82 in overtime. The Owls tied the game at the end of regulation with a 45-foot three-point shot. But Tech bounced back and scored 19 points in O-T. It was a team win for the Bulldogs, as Cobe Williams, Kenny Hunter and Keaston Willis each had 18 points.

ULM is now 3-0 in the Sun Belt. Tyreke Locure had a career-high 25 points as the Warhawks held off Georgia State for a 66-58 win. It’s the first time ULM started Sun Belt play with three straight victories since the 2006-07 season.

The Ragin Cajuns won their first Sun Belt game of the season as they defeated Southern Miss 75-61. Kentrell Garnett scored a career high 20 points and hit six-three pointers.

Nicholls and McNeese are now 2-0 in Southland play as the Colonels defeated Texas A-and-M Commerce 66-63 and McNeese outlasted Northwestern State 92-77.

The Saints will close out the regular season on Sunday by hosting the Carolina Panthers. Since shutting out Las Vegas on October 30th, New Orleans has played some great defense, allowing just 15 points and 176 passing yards.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are preparing for a matchup against division rival Baltimore as they are fighting for the one seed in the A-F-C. It’s Cincinnati’s first game since Monday’s canceled game when Damar Hamlin collapsed. Burrow says opinions in the locker room are still split on those who ready to play Sunday…
cut 18 (17) “….dealing with it”
Hamlin’s doctors say he’s still critically ill but he’s made substantial improvement and is able communicate through writing.

01.06.23
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

With Senator John Kennedy out of the governor’s race, it’s expected those who are running will make their intentions known by the end of the month. We’ve heard of several Republicans considering the office, but is there a clear frontrunner for Democrats? LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one possibility is a current cabinet member of Governor John Bel Edwards.
Cut 4 (06) “…the governor.”
In addition to Wilson, Alford says current state Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli announced she’s doing Dry January. It’s where people give up alcohol for the first month of the year. Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Doctor Jennifer Creedon says among the benefits are improved sleep, weight loss, thinking more clearly, and fewer negative thoughts. Creedon says alcohol is also a depressant.
Cut 11 (05) “…on mood.”

The U.S. House will try again today to elect a House Speaker, but could Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise be a possible alternate candidate to lead the House? More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

01.05.23
by

LRN PM Newscall January 5 (UPDATED: Change to copy in Mark Ballard story)

Senator John Kennedy has told supporters he will not run for governor. Fellow Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces his decision Tuesday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two children for a string of car thefts and burglaries, and they’re looking for two other suspects. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Now that Senator John Kennedy has told supporters he will not run for governor this year, the next shoe to drop appears to be Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The 63-year-old Republican was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster today and says tourism officials are encouraging him to run for re-election…

Cut 3 (09) “…decision to make.” 

Nungesser says he’ll make his announcement on WWL Radio in New Orleans on January 10th.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is the only major candidate to announce his candidacy for governor. Nungesser and Landry are not on friendly terms and on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana Nungesser said Landry is not electable because of his nasty political style…

Cut 4 (11)  “…good of Louisiana.” 

Several Republicans are considering a run at governor, including State Treasurer John Schroder, Congressman Garret Graves, state lawmakers Richard Nelson and Sharon Hewitt and there will be Democrats who will get in the race too. Nungesser is a moderate and is concerned if too many Republicans run, it will hurt his chances at making the run-off…

Cut 5 (10) “…the runoff”

Nungesser says if he can get in the run-off he likes his chances at becoming Louisiana’s next governor.

_______________________________________________

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two children, ages 12 and 14, for a string of car thefts and burglaries. The two were apprehended early Wednesday morning in the midst of a car burglary at the Creeks of River Ridge apartment complex and two suspects got away in dramatic fashion. Sheriff Joe Lopinto said one suspect fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, crashed it, and ran off on foot. While the other suspect drove off, he encountered two deputies blocking the complex exit.

 Cut 6 (12)  “…catch up with him.” (2x)

Lopinto says the getaway car was a vehicle that had been carjacked from St. John on Tuesday.

A 12-year-old and 14-year-old were arrested and the four are believed to be linked to more than 60 car burglaries. Lopinto says the mother of the two juveniles, 42-year-old Tiffany Broomfield came to the sheriff’s office and was questioned why she didn’t know where her children were at 2 am.

Cut 7 (08)  “…(x2) who they were with.”

Lopinto says after Broomfield argued with officers she was arrested on outstanding warrants and told her two children would not be going home with her. Lopinto says he has a 12-year-old, and he knows where they are in the middle of the night.

Cut 8 (09)  “….know where they are.” 

Deputies say they’ve checked with local hospitals for any gunshot wounds possibly related to the incident in case one of the suspects was shot when he drove off.

___________________________________________

The work release inmate accused of killing a co-worker at Foster Farms in Farmerville has been arrested in Texas. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates and his deputies have been looking for 48-year-old Bruce Causey since April

Cut 9 (10) “…warrants on him” 

Gates says Causey fatally stabbed Ketrick Lavon Calhoun at the chicken processing plant and fled the scene. He says police in Texas responding to a verbal domestic incident near Houston resulted in Causey’s arrest.

Cut 10 (09) “…make a mistake” 

Gates says Causey will have to face a firearm charge in Texas before he’s extradited to Louisiana. The sheriff says the Calhoun family is relieved…

Cut 11 (10)  “…to hear that.”

_________________________________________________________

It looks like a third day of voting will pass without the U.S. House selecting a Speaker. Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has fallen short of the 218 votes needed to become speaker for a 9th time today. “The Advocate” reporter Mark Ballard – who is in D.C. at the Capitol – says this is despite talk in the halls of Congress that negotiations with McCarthy’s naysayers were making progress…:

Cut 12 (13) “…and House procedures.”  

In a seventh vote taken at mid-day today (Thursday), McCarthy gathered only 201 votes. Democrat Hakeem Jeffries had 213. A motion for an 8th vote fell short of enough votes to proceed.  A 9th vote today also failed to elect him. Ballard says behind-the-scenes negotiations will go on until the GOP can unite sufficient votes behind McCarthy’s leadership..:

Cut 13 (o7) “…Speaker of the House.” 

There are 20 Republican holdouts, who want concessions from McCarthy as House leader. Ballard says they want House rules changed so it no longer takes a majority vote to call for a vote to replace the Speaker. They also demand he commit to allowing far fewer so-called omnibus federal spending bills…:

Cut 14 (13)   “…passed at that moment.”

Ballard says there are still 5 congressmen who vow they will never vote for McCarthy as Speaker, and he’ll need at least three of their votes to cross the finish line.

01.05.23
by

11:40 LRN sportscast

The Saints are preparing for Sunday’s game against Carolina with heavy hearts over the health of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin is in critical condition after going into cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against Cincinnati. Saints quarterback Andy Dalton says seeing a life and death situation on the football field makes you take a step back…
cut 17 (15) “….this game”
There is good news to report on Hamlin’s recovery. The Bills say he’s shown remarkable improvement and the player’s agent says he is awake.

The Pelicans easily defeated the Rockets last night 119 to 108. The Pels led by 23 points after the first quarter and six players finished in double figures led by CJ McCollum, who had 28. Up next a visit from the Nets on Friday.

Last night in college hoops, Tulane trounced Tulsa 93 to 77. Cameron Christon had 25 points and nine rebounds as Grambling defeated Texas Southern 85-72. Southern improved to 2-0 in the SWAC with a 66-62 win over Prairie View A-and-M.

ULM men’s basketball returns to Fant-Ewing Coliseum tonight after winning its first two Sun Belt games on the road last week, a four-point win over Texas State and a 12-point victory over Arkansas State. Warhawks Coach Keith Richard says they are rebounding the ball better…
Cut 18 (21) “…some games”

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Southern Miss. Louisiana Tech is at Rice. Northwestern State visits McNeese.

01.05.23
by

9:30 LRN Newscast

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not running for governor and will stay in DC to represent the Bayou State. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says his decision brings the focus back to where we were in the fall with about a dozen different politicians considering a gubernatorial run.
Cut 13 (11) “…wait long.”
Alford says expect to hear announcements from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Treasurer John Schroder next week.

The latest U-S Census data shows Louisiana lost nearly 37-thousand residents from July 2021 to July 2022. Louisiana ranks fifth in the country in the number of residents lost. Demographer Greg Rigamer says many leave the state for better paying jobs…
cut 6 (08) “…is very low”

DOTD has opened one lane on eastbound Interstate 10 where an overpass was damaged at I-10 and Evangeline Thruway. Whitney Thomas reports transportation officials are still expecting delays…
cut 2 (28) “…I’m Whitney Thomas”

The work release inmate accused of killing a co-worker at Foster Farms in Farmerville has been arrested in Texas. 48-year-old Bruce Causey allegedly fatally stabbed Ketrick Lavon Calhoun last April and then fled the scene. Authorities found Causey after responding to a verbal domestic incident at home in Pearland, Texas on New Year’s Eve.

01.05.23
by

8:30 LRN newscast

In an email to supporters, Senator John Kennedy said he will not run for governor as he believes he can best serve the state in Washington D-C. Kennedy’s decision to opt out, opens the door for a large field of candidates in the October primary. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one of those potential candidates is Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves…
cut 15 (11) “..have to”

On Capitol Hill, Congress is paralyzed at the moment. New Orleans Representative Troy Carter…
cut 11 (07) “….a Speaker”
And without a chosen speaker, House members in the 118th Congress have yet to be sworn in. Carter says committees are unable to be assigned and important votes concerning the war in Ukraine, the economy, healthcare, crime, and the environment remain stalled.

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Louisiana among the top states for population loss. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Ruston Police have made an arrest in the Christmas morning fatal shooting that took place outside of a Waffle House Restaurant. 28-year-old Gerkerrio Demon Womack was taken into custody at a home in Ruston. He’s charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 30-year-old Germil Deantonious Rhone.

01.05.23
by

7:30 LRN newscast January 5

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not running for governor and will stay in DC to represent the Bayou State. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says his decision brings the focus back to where we were in the fall with about a dozen different politicians considering a gubernatorial run.
Cut 13 (11) “…wait long.”
Alford says expect to hear announcements from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Treasurer John Schroder next week.

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Louisiana among the top states losing population. From 2021 through 2022, our state lost nearly 37-thousand residents. Demographer Greg Rigamer says a great many left to take higher-paying jobs in other states…:
Cut 4 (06) “…in Louisiana.”
Rigamer says we rank 45th among states for median household income, and that results in people leaving.

Congress remains stalled after multiple votes for House Speaker continue to keep California Republican Kevin McCarthy from reaching a majority. And Louisiana’s lone Democrat in the House, New Orleans Representative Troy Carter says each vote appears to further diminish McCarthy’s chances for Speaker.
Cut 10 (11) “…Speaker of the House.”
McCarthy remains committed he’ll get the necessary votes to be the next House Speaker.

For motorists in the Lafayette area, the left lane of eastbound I-10 has reopened but the right lane remains blocked after an 18-wheeler hit the overpass at Evangeline Thruway. There were heavy traffic delays yesterday and DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they expect more today, even though one lane has been reopened…
cut 9 (09) “…165 as well”
Mallett says it will take some work to that overpass before the interstate is fully re-opened.

01.05.23
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are back at practice, but with heavy hearts over the health of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin is in critical condition after going into cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against Cincinnati. Saints quarterback Andy Dalton says seeing a life and death situation on the football field makes you take a step back…
cut 17 (15) “….this game”
A family spokesperson told the Associated Press that Hamlin’s recovery is moving in a positive direction, but didn’t provide specifics.

The Pelicans easily defeated the Rockets last night 119 to 108. They led by double figures for most of the game as six players scored in double figures led by CJ McCollum, who had 28 points. It was New Orleans first game since knowing Zion Williamson will miss at least the next three weeks because of a strained hamstring.

Last night in college hoops, Tulane trounced Tulsa 93 to 77 as Jalen Cook scored 24 points and dished out seven assists. Cameron Christon had 25 points and nine rebounds as Grambling defeated Texas Southern 85-72. Southern improved to 2-0 in the SWAC with a 66-62 win over Prairie View A-and-M.

Tonight, the Ragin Cajuns who are 0-2 in Sun Belt play will host Southern Miss. Coach Bob Marlin says they need to defend their home court…
cut 20 (19) “…big difference”
Tip-off is at 7 PM.

ULM is 2-0 in the Sun Belt and the Warhawks host Georgia State. Louisiana Tech is in Houston to take on Rice. The Owls are 11-and-3 and have won five in a row.

01.05.23
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

Senator John Kennedy tells supporters in an email he will not run for governor. This opens the door for several Republicans to enter the race that has Attorney General Jeff Landry as an announced candidate. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is expected to announce his candidacy Tuesday, his 64th birthday…
cut 14 (12) “….his announcement”

There is a major traffic issue in Lafayette as result of an 18-wheeler hitting the I-10 Eastbound overpass at Evangeline Thruway. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…
cut 7 (13) “…working order”
And last night the eastbound left lane of I-10 was reopened, but expect more delays.

The quandary over who will reign as Speaker of the House has completely stalled the 118th congress. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

01.04.23
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans have announced star forward Zion Williamson will miss at least the next three weeks because of a hamstring strain. New Orleans will host the Houston Rockets tonight. The Pels are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They are one game back of Denver for first place in the West.

LSU is now 1-and-1 in SEC play after losing a hard fought game to Kentucky 74-71 last night. The Tigers are at Texas A-and-M on Saturday.

The Aggies have reportedly hired Bobby Petrino as their new offensive coordinator and he’ll take over play calling responsibilities from head coach Jimbo Fisher. Petrino has served as the offensive coordinator at Missouri State the last three seasons. He’s previously been a head coach at Arkansas and Louisville, when Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016.

On the prep level, Lafayette Christian has a new head football coach, Hunter Landry. He was the Knights offensive coordinator the last two seasons.

The Buffalo Bills say safety Damar Hamlin remains in the ICU and in critical condition, but signs of improvement have been noted since he collapsed on the field in Monday night’s game against the Bengals. LSU Health New Orleans cardiac electrophysiologist Doctor Jameel Ahmed says being in the I-C-U allows the body to rehabilitate after a traumatic event…
cut 15 (12) “….its own”

Week 18 of the NFL season will go on as scheduled. That means the Saints will host Carolina this Sunday. It’s a meaningless game but Coach Dennis Allen says every player who is healthy will play….
cut 18 (21) “…what we do”
The Saints have won three straight.