Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.22.22
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll make an announcement in early January on whether he’ll run for Governor….
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana National Guard has fired the commander of its 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. An investigation determined Colonel Scott Desormeaux sent inappropriate text messages to other service members. The Army Times reports Desormeaux presided over the 256th’s 2020-21 deployment to Iraq and Syria.

Flu-like illnesses in Louisiana are at a five-year high according to the C-D-C. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people young than 25 years of age. So Lopez advises staying home if sick, washing hands frequently, and getting the flu vaccine…
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitalization.”
Lopez says health officials are concerned about influenza spreading even more with people getting together for Thanksgiving.

Law enforcement has a Click It or Ticket It campaign to coincide with a busy travel week for Thanksgiving. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says they will also be making sure kids are restrained properly, especially small ones who should be in a car seat. Lambert says it might be cold outside, but children wearing heavy coats in car seats is not a good match…
cut 9 (11) “…your seatbelt”
The first fine for not wearing a seatbelt is 50-dollars, subsequent fine is 75-dollars.

11.22.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The SEC West Champion Tigers will close out the regular season Saturday in College Station. Coach Brian Kelly has led the Bayou Bengals to a 9-2 record with a chance at the College Football Playoffs in his first season. Kelly, who said he came to the SEC for the chance to win a national championship, says the conference lived up to his expectations…
Cut 16 (12) “…lived up to that.”
LSU will visit Texas A-and-M on Saturday at 6 PM. The Aggies, who entered the season ranked sixth in the A-P Top poll, are 4-and-7 on the year and have failed to score more than 30 points against a Power five opponent.

The Saints won their 400th game in franchise history on Sunday when they defeated the Rams 27-20. Now its on to San Francisco. The 49ers rolled past the Cardinals 38-10 last night in Mexico City. San Fran has won three in a row and they are 6-and-4 on the season.

For the second time this season, the Warriors visited New Orleans and rested their top guys and the Pelicans took advantage. New Orleans easily won last night 128-83. The 45-point margin was the second largest in franchise history as the Pels closed out a six-game homestand with a four and two record. Zion Williamson returned after missing three games with a foot injury to score nine points in 23 minutes. Coach Willie Green on how Zion looked….
cut 28 (16) “…he’ll be fine”
Brandon Ingram led the way with 34 points.

Forward K-J Williams had a season-high 33 points as LSU easily defeated Illinois State 77-61 in the Cayman Islands on Monday. The Tigers face Akron today at 2:30.

Louisiana Tech downed ULM 79-58. Isaiah Crawford had 17 points for the bulldogs.

11.22.22
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, a potential candidate for governor next year, has some strong words for the leaders of the Louisiana Republican Party. Nungesser says state party chair Louis Gurvich should resign for already endorsing Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race…
cut 15 (10) “…should resign”
Nungesser says he’ll announce a decision on whether he’ll run by January 10th.

Law enforcement officers are ready to pass out fines for those not wearing their seatbelts during “Click It or Ticket” during the Thanksgiving traveling period. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the campaign wraps up Sunday.
Cut 7 (08) “…fifty dollar fine.”
Lambert says during last year’s Thanksgiving week, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu-like illness is at a five-year high. Kace Keischnick has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Visitation will begin Sunday for former First Gentleman of Louisiana and longtime U-L Lafayette administrator Raymond Coach Blanco. The funeral is set for Monday.

11.21.22
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3:30 LRN Newscast

State Police has released the name of the man who witnesses say attacked a DOTD worker with a knife killing him on Interstate Ten yesterday, before West Baton Rouge Sheriff Deputies shot and killed the suspect. He’s been identified as 31-year-old Ruben Ernesto Dorado of Miami, Florida. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is mourning the death of 66-year-old Darrell Guillory of Youngsville….
cut 3 (09) “….service mission”
Guillory was a DOTD Motorist Assistance Patrol worker.

Gas prices are falling as we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday. According to Gasbuddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan the price at the pump is down 11-cents in the last week to $3.09 a gallon statewide for regular gasoline…
cut 13 (11) “…a barrel”

Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump says footage of the fatal arrest of Derrick Kittling confirms what they suspected the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, Rodney Anderson, used unnecessary force during a traffic stop on November 6th in Alexandria. State Police released video of the physical altercation between the deputy and Kittling and Colonel Lamar Davis was asked what Kittling’s family thought…..
cut 15 (11) “…to comment on”
Kittling was pulled over because of his vehicle’s window tint and modified exhaust.

Former first gentleman and the husband of former governor Kathleen Blanco, Raymond “Coach” Blanco, has passed away at the age of 87. Coach Blanco was the vice president of student affairs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for decades. Current school president, Doctor Joe Savoie, says Coach felt it was his moral obligation to listen to students…
Cut 6 (10) “…exists today.”
Coach Blanco served as the school’s vice president of student affairs from 1974 to 2009.

11.21.22
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LRN PM Newscall November 21

The state Department of Transportation is mourning the stabbing death of a Motorist Assistance Patrol worker on Interstate 10 in West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday. Marsanne Golsby has more..

Cut 1(28)  “…Marsanne Golsby”

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The former First Gentleman of Louisiana and longtime University of Louisiana at Lafayette administrator Raymond “Coach” Blanco died over the weekend at the age of 87. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he’s sickened by the Sunday death of a Motorist Assistance Patrol worker who authorities believe was fatally stabbed by someone he was trying to help.

Cut 3 (09) “…service mission” 

Retired BRPD officer Darrell Guillory was helping the driver around noon. Witnesses called the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies, who killed the attacker. Wilson says Guillory joined DOTD in 2017.

He says the Motorist Assistance Patrol is one of the DOTD’s most popular services.

Cut 4 (14)  “…an accident” 

Wilson says Guillory received lots of compliments for the way he did his job.

Motorist Assistance Patrols operate throughout the state. Their services include changing a flat tire, jump-starting, filling a radiator with water, cell phone use, and providing one gallon of gas.

Cut 5 (09) “…very seriously”

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Former first gentleman and the husband former governor Kathleen Blanco, Raymond “Coach” Blanco, has passed away at the age of 87. Coach Blanco was the vice president of student affairs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for decades. Current school president, Doctor Joe Savoie, says Coach felt it was his moral obligation to listen to students…

Cut 6 (10)  “…exists today.”

Coach Blanco served as the school’s vice president of student affairs from 1974 to 2009. Savoie says there are hundreds of stories about his larger-than-life exuberance…

Cut 7 (12)  “…unique individual”

Raymond Blanco joined the football coaching staff in 1963 and then entered university administration in 1969. Savoie says Coach Blanco hired him in 1978 at the university after the two got to know each other while he was a student and a fraternity president…

Cut 8 (10)  “…student organizations“

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Holiday travel means more traffic and that means more accidents. AAA wants to remind motorists to “Slow Down and Move Over” for emergency crews. Those crews include law enforcement, ambulances, and tow truck operators. Spokesperson Don Redman says failure do so in Louisiana can cost you $200.

Cut 9 (11)  “…slow down.” 

Redman says nearly a quarter of those surveyed aren’t aware of the Move Over law. And it’s not just emergency responders who are injured, since 2015,  1,600 people have been struck or killed while outside of a disabled vehicle in the US.

Cut 10 (11) “…distracted.” 

In addition to cellphone usage when you’re behind the wheel, Redman says when traveling familiar roadways motorists tend to daydream and get distracted. One way to avoid that is to follow what you’re told in driver’s ed and check your mirrors every three to five seconds.

Cut 11 (08)  “…you’re driving.”

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Louisiana gas prices continue to fall, now down to a statewide average of $3.09 a gallon ahead of the busiest travel week of the year. This comes in just below last year’s Thanksgiving average of $3.10/gallon making Louisiana one of the only states to see a decrease from last year. GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst Patrick Dehaan says prices have been steadily dropping…

Cut 12 (07) “…for Thanksgiving.” 

Dehaan credited the decreasing price of oil for the price drop. The ongoing lockdown of China’s economy and decreased oil consumption combined with refineries returning to production from maintenance have helped to decrease the price at the pump. Dehaan says the price has fallen substantially in the last few weeks…

Cut 13 (11) “…a barrel.”  

Dehaan predicts that, at least for the next few weeks, prices will continue to fall. He says there’s no certainty when dealing with gas prices but things are looking good heading into December…

Cut 14 (12)  “…December for now.” 

11.21.22
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2:30 LRN Newscast

The state Department of Transportation is mourning the stabbing death of a Motorist Assistance Patrol worker on Interstate 10 in West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday. Marsanne Golsby has more..
Cut 1(30) “…Marsanne Golsby”

According to the Gas-Buddy-dot-com, gas prices are falling as we approach one of the busiest travel weekends of the year…
cut 12 (07) “….for Thanksgiving”
Gas-buddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says the statewide average is $3.10 for a gallon of regular gasoline.

Louisiana’s only First Gentleman, Raymond “Coach” Blanco passed away over the weekend at the age of 87. Blanco, the husband of former Governor Kathleen Blanco, was an institution at U-L Lafayette, serving as the school’s vice president of student affairs for decades. Current university president, Joe Savoie, says Blanco hired him as an administrator at U-L in 1978 after Savoie was a student and a fraternity president…
cut 8 (11) “…student organizations”
Coach Blanco retired from U-L Lafayette in 2009.

As we mentioned earlier in the newscast, there will be a lot of motorists on the road this week taking long drives to see family. AAA’s Don Redman says one way to avoid distractions or keep from daydreaming is to check your mirrors every three to five seconds…
cut 11 (12) “….you’re driving”

11.21.22
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump says footage of the fatal arrest of Derrick Kittling confirms what they suspected that the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, Rodney Anderson, escalated and demonstrated the use of unnecessary force during a traffic stop on November 6th in Alexandria. State Police released video of the physical altercation between the deputy and Kittling and Colonel Lamar Davis was asked what Kittling’s family thought…..
cut 15 (11) “…to comment on”

In West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday, authorities say a DOTD employee was stabbed to death and his attacker was fatally shot by sheriff deputies.
Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he’s sickened by the death of Darrell Guillory, a Motorist Assistance Patrol worker.
Cut 3 (09) “…service mission”
State Police is investigating and has not released details on what sparked the attack.

New labor statistics show Louisiana has again posted a new record low unemployment rate. Louisiana Workforce Commission Supervisor for Employment Statistics Mark Jones says the numbers are tremendous news…:
Cut 7 (09) “…the unemployment rate.”
Also, the number of employed persons statewide increased by over 7000 during October.

Soccer fans might be cutting out of the work or could be less productive this afternoon to watch the U-S take on Wales in the World Cup. President of the Louisiana Soccer Association Sean Esker says the hype is really building for Friday’s contest against England…
cut 12 (07) “….the community”
U-S Soccer player Cameron Carter-Vickers is the son of former LSU basketball player Howard Carter.

11.21.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints ended a two-game losing streak as Quarterback Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 win over the Rams yesterday. Dalton threw for 260 yards and zero interceptions. He completed passes to nine different players as the offense finally got on track after a couple of subpar performances…
Cut 19 (19) “…win today”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 297 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 129 yards and a score in the Tigers 41-10 win over UAB. Coach Brian Kelly says it might have been Daniels’ best game of the season…
Cut 17 (17) “…this week”

The World Cup kicked off over the weekend and today Team USA faces off with Wales today. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Pelicans host Golden State at the Smoothie King Center tonight. Zion Williamson says he’s definitely playing after missing the last three games with a right foot contusion. It’s the same foot that he broke that led to him missing all of last season.

For the fifth time in as many games, LSU women’s baskerball scored 100 points in a game. Yesterday they defeated Northwestern State 100-to-45 in the PMAC.

11.21.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints offense got back on track yesterday and it led to a 27-20 victory over the Rams in the Superdome yesterday. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes as he shared snaps with Taysom Hill, who saw more time at Q-B and led the team in rushing with 52 yards. Coach Dennis Allen says the players executed the game plan well…
cut 20 (20) “…when it works”
The Saints are now 4-7 and will head to San Francisco next Sunday to face the 49ers who are 5-an-4.

The Pelicans host Golden State at the Smoothie King Center tonight. Zion Williamson says he’s definitely playing after missing the last three games with a right foot contusion. It’s the same foot that he broke that led to him missing all of last season.

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels bounced back from a bad performance at Arkansas to throw for 297 yards and a touchdown and rush for another 111 yards and a score in the Tigers 41-10 beat down of the UAB Blazers on a very chilly night in Death Valley. Daniels says he prepared well for the game…
cut 18 (14) “…late in the season”
One more regular season game left for the Tigers and it’s Saturday at Texas A-and-M.

ULM, U-L Lafayette and Louisiana Tech will also close out their seasons on Saturday. The Warhawks will host Southern Miss with a chance at finishing Sun Belt play with a 4-and-4 record.

The Cajuns can get bowl eligible with a win at Texas State and La Tech hosts UAB.

Southeastern Louisiana will host Idaho in the first round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.

11.20.22
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LRN AM Newscall November 21 ### Cut 18 corrected###

Federal labor data shows Louisiana with another record low in unemployment. Jeff Palermo has more…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The World Cup kicked off over the weekend and today Team USA faces off with Wales. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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State Police has released video footage of the fatal deputy involved shooting of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A state department of transportation motorist assistance patrol unit employee is dead and so is the man who authorities say attacked him during a bizarre incident on Interstate 10 in Port Allen just before noon yesterday. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Deputies were the first to respond

Cut 4 (12)  “…stopping the threat”

A witness told a Baton Rouge TV station the DOTD worker was stabbed. Reed says responding deputies shot the suspect as the attack was ongoing…

Cut 5 (09) “…their arrival”

The MAP roadside assistance worker ahs been identified in media reports as Darrell Guillory, a retired Baton Rouge police officer. Reed says State Police is the lead investigating agency…

Cut 6 (10)  “…appropriate time” 

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New labor statistics show Louisiana has again posted a new record low unemployment rate. Louisiana Workforce Commission Supervisor for Employment Statistics Mark Jones says the numbers are tremendous news…:

Cut 7 (09) “…the unemployment rate.”

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is now at 3.3-percent, which is a new record low for Louisiana in Modern Times. What’s more the number of employed persons statewide increased by over 7000 during October. Jones says those jobs were mostly in education, health services, hospitality and manufacturing…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…proud about that.”

Jones says there was increased hiring in Lafayette, Alexandria and Lake Charles between October of last year and this past September, but two cities says much larger growth…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…over the year.”

Jones says there are over 14-thousand jobs posted on the LWC’s HIRE website (LAWorks.net). He says we are recovering from the pandemic and employers are ready to hire capable workers.

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World Cup fever is underway with the world’s premiere sporting event kicking off yesterday. So just how good is the U-S team? President of the Louisiana Soccer Association Sean Esker believes we might get an indication early on in their match against Wales today.

Cut 10 (10) “…that game.” 

That game begins at 1 pm Monday.

Because the World Cup is being played in Qatar, weather-wise its more ideal to play the matches in November and December instead of the summer.

US sports fans are typically focused on football this time of year, but Esker says with the tournament starting during Thanksgiving week and people off from work, it’s a good time to take in what the rest of the world refers to as football.

Cut  11 (07)   “…primed to do well.” 

The hype is building for Friday’s match between the US and England. Esker says there will be plenty of watch parties for the 1 PM kickoff

Cut 12 (07) “…the community.”

Because the US did not play in the 2018 World Cup, Esker says there’s plenty of excitement to see them return to the pitch.

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Authorities have released the police body camera and dash cam video of the fatal arrest attempt of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria on November sixth. Lt. Melissa Matey says the video shows a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy involved in a scuffle with Kittling during a traffic stop and during the physical altercation Kittling gained possession of the deputy’s taser…

Cut 13 (11) “…to his injuries.”

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says L-S-P is conducting a thorough investigation that will be done fairly and impartially…

Cut 14 (09)  “…this investigation”

Davis says Kittling’s vehicle was pulled over in a residential area due to a violation with his window tint and a modified exhaust. There have been a couple of peaceful protests since the shooting and the family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Davis says the family has seen the footage…

Cut 15 (11)  “…to comment on”

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On a day that saw several top-ranked college football teams play close games, the sixth-ranked LSU Tigers easily defeated UAB 41-10 in the final home game of the season at Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly says the Tigers performed well in a late-season game against a team they should beat..

Cut  16 (14)  “…has shown.”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 297 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 129 yards and a score. Kelly says it might have been Daniels’ best game of the season…

Cut 17 (17) “…this week”

Daniels struggled the week before against Arkansas and made sure he would have a bounce-back performance…

Cut 18 (14) “…late in the season” 

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The Saints ended a two-game losing streak as Quarterback Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 win over the Rams yesterday. Dalton threw for 260 yards and zero interceptions. He completed passes to nine different players as the offense finally got on track after a couple of subpar performances…

Cut 19 (19) “…win today”

The Saints used Taysom Hill a lot more at quarterback as he shared snaps with Dalton. Hill led the team in rushing with 52 yards. Coach Dennis Allen says the players executed the game plan well…

Cut 20 (20) “…when it works”