by Jeff Palermo

6:30 LRN newscast

The first big football weekend has arrived. You have high school football games tonight, college football on Saturday and Sunday’s LSU Tigers season opener with new coach Brian Kelly in the Superdome is expected to be a big boost to tourism in the Crescent City.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Last night, La Tech lost its season opener to Missouri 52-24.

In the NFL, Saints safety Marcus Maye has been charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Deputies say Maye pointed a gun at a vehicle occupied by several juvenile females in a road rage incident. Maye’s attorney says his client vehemently denies the allegation.

Construction is underway in Iberville Parish on a new state prison for women. And officials say the 280-thousand square foot facility is not designed just to lock up female criminals but to rehabilitate them. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says they’ll have several programs where inmates can learn cosmetology, horticulture, welding, and computer programming. He says there will also be mental health services…
cut 12 (10) “….with their children’

Weather permitting, Artemis One, will launch tomorrow from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The unmanned space ship is headed to the moon. In Louisiana classrooms it’s a topic of discussion. Hannah Populus is an English teacher in Baton Rouge, but she loves space so much she incorporates the theme into writing exercises. Recently the class pretended they were going to Mars.
Cut 5 (10) “…in reality”

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

4:45 LRN Sportsast

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested Saints safety Marcus Maye this morning in a road rage incident in which he allegedly brandished a pistol at a carload of juvenile girls. He faces multiple counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Maye’s attorney says his client “vehemently denies the allegation” and “looks forward to defending himself when all the facts come out.” Saints Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 29 (09) “…more information”

The LSU Tigers are putting their finishing touches on their game plan for Sunday’s season opener against Florida State in the Superdome. Coach Brian Kelly…
cut 16 (17) “…is there”
Kick-off Sunday is at 6:30.

Week one of the college football season begins tonight and there are several games on the schedule including Louisiana Tech at Missouri. It’s the start of the Sonny Cumbie era in Ruston as he looks to turn around a program that went three and nine last season. Despite that losing record, the Bulldogs had one of the best pass defenses in Conference USA. Cumbie is expecting a big season from safety BeeJay Williamson…
cut 17 (15) “….fall camp”
Tech returns eight starters on defense. Kick-off is at 7 PM.

Multiple reports say the College Football Playoff Board of Managers will meet tomorrow and vote on a 12-team playoff bracket that could begin as soon as the 2024 season. And the possibility of a 16-team postseason is also under consideration.

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

LRN PM Newscall September 1

There’s big economic news to report for a rural part of north Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story,…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Morgan City’s Shrimp and Petroleum Festival begins today, and organizers are excited it’s back after a two-year absence. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million dollar expansion at its paper mill in Hodge. The paper mill has been a major employer in Jackson Parish for 90 years as it’s responsible for 450 direct jobs. State Representative Jack McFarland says the facility is also a driver of economic activity for surrounding parishes

Cut 3 (11) “…wood chip community”

McFarland says the 97-million dollars will expand and modernize the facility which produces high-quality container board used in manufacturing containers…

Cut 4 (05) “…decade or two.”

The mill began operations in 1928.

The governor’s office says the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program and the initial start-up of the new wood processing equipment is scheduled for a year from now. McFarland thanks WestRock for securing jobs and supporting contractors who rely on the mill

Cut 5 (11) “…as well”

Construction is expected to continue into 2024, with a final completion date to be determined.

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Morgan City is gearing up for the first Shrimp and Petroleum Festival since 2019. The festival was canceled the last two years due to the pandemic and Ida. Carrie Stansbury, Executive Director of the Cajun Coast Visitor’s Bureau says the annual event celebrates two of the state’s largest industries.

Cut 6 (07) “…culture of our community.”

The festival includes continuous music, plenty of seafood, along with arts and crafts. Stansbury says Sunday however is their traditional day.

Cut 7 (07) “…fireworks at night.”

Stansbury says the oldest charted harvest festival in the state began as an event to pay homage to shrimpers with the blessing of their boats and has grown to also honor the oil & gas industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…gas industry.”

The 87th annual festival kicks off today and wraps up on Labor Day.

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The first week of the college football season kicks off tonight and two new sports betting parlors open today in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says there’s the Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and last night he toured the DraftKings sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles…

Cut 9 (10)) “..it’s huge.”

Johns says the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge is expected to open its Barstool sportsbook soon and the Caesars Sportsbook opened at Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City last night…

Cut 10 (10) “..their market”

Johns says they’ve issued 17 sportsbook licenses and they expect three more to come on line over the next year or so.

He says in the first half of this year one-point-four billion dollars in legal sports bets were made, which has generated 16.5 million dollars in tax revenue for the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…that goal.”

Johns says most sports bets are made on a person’s phone or computer, with mobile sports betting accounting for 80-percent of the sports betting business.

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There was a fatal shooting last night in Lafayette. Lafayette PD Sgt. Robin Green says the victim was only fifteen.

Cut 12 (08) “…drug transaction”

Green says the suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle prior to the officers’ arrival. She says they hope to make an arrest soon. She also says detectives are having better luck than usual with getting help with the case.

Cut 13 (07) “right now”

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Sonny Cumbie era begins tonight as Louisiana Tech visits Missouri for a game that will be televised on ESPN-U. Tech returns eight starters on defense headlined by two-time All-Conference USA linebacker Tyler Grubbs. Cumbie feels good about his defense heading into the season…
Cut 18 (16)“…production standpoint.”
Missouri is a 20-point favorite tonight as the Tigers have whole new team basically, with 50 new players from last season. Kick-off is at 7 PM.

Just three days away from the season opener between LSU and Florida State. FSU rushed for 406 yards in its season-opening 47-7 win over Duquense. Senior defensive end Ali Gaye doesn’t expect the Seminoles to have much success on Sunday…
Cut 20 (08) “ …will stop that team.”
Many believe the Tigers have one of the top defensive lines in the country.

Multipe reports say the College Football Playoff Board of Managers will meet tomorrow and vote on a 12-team playoff bracket that could begin as soon as the 2024 season. The Board of Managers is eleven members representing each FBS conference and Notre Dame and the vote needs to be unanimous.

Saints coach Dennis Allen says cornerback Paulson Adebo has been dealing with an ankle injury. Adebo told reporters he expects to play in the regular season opener. Meanwhile, the Saints practice squad is set. It includes former Nicholls receiver Dai-Jean Dixon, former Cajuns defensive tackle Christian Ringo and former Destrehan standout Kirk Merritt.

And according to Baseball America, LSU’s 2022 transfer class is ranked number one in the nation. The class features North Carolina State transfer Tommy White, who hit a freshman record 27 home runs last season and two way standout Paul Skenes, who was an all-American at Air Force last season.

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is donating up to 300 travel trailers to eastern Kentucky, which is suffering from severe flooding. They were used by residents who suffered severe damage to their homes from Hurricane Ida. Kentucky is paying for the transportation. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle says the state still has a good supply of travel trailers if another hurricane hits Louisiana…
cut 6 (11) “….need them”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans to invest 50-million dollars in state money to create a biopharmaceutical corridor. 25-million dollars will go towards a creating a Level 3 biosafety Lab at the New Iberia Research Center and U-L-L President Doctor Joe Savoie says the other 25-million is for the construction of the Iberia Bio-Innovation Accelerator…
cut 9 (13) “…out of Louisiana”

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million dollar expansion of its paper mill in Hodge. The governor’s office says the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program to expand and modernize the facility which is responsible for more than 450 direct jobs in Jackson Parish.

September is national suicide prevention awareness month and the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs has a website where vets can get instant support at V-A-dot-gov-slash reach…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas”

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

7:30 LRN Newscast

Up to 300 travel trailers that the state purchased for residents that lost their homes in Ida are headed to Kentucky. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

During an event in Alexandria where federal, state, local and community leaders were on hand for the Broadband Solutions Summit, Governor John Bel Edwards announced over 35-million dollars in grants will help bring affordable high speed internet within the next two years to nearly 15-thousand locations in Vernon and LaSalle Parishes.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans to create a biopharmaceutical corridor in Iberia Parish. The plans call for the expansion of the school’s New Iberia Research Center…
cut 8 (11) “….can be developed”
That’s university president Doctor Joe Savoie who says a Level 3 biosafety lab will have global implications on infectious diseases.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and unfortunately military veterans are more at risk. Executive Director of the Veterans Crisis Line, Doctor Lisa Kearney, wants veterans to know there is a website where they can get help, it’s v-a-dot-gov-slash reach…
cut 11 (09) “….all in one place”
Kearney is encouraging veterans to reach out before a crisis happens.

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

6:45 LRN Sportscast

According to Dennis Dodd at CBS Sports, the College Football Playoff Board of Managers will meet tomorrow and vote on a 12-team playoff bracket that could begin as soon as the 2024 season. The Board of Managers is eleven members representing each FBS conference and Notre Dame and the vote needs to be unanimous.

BJ Ojulari, Ali Gaye, and Mike Jones Junior have been named team captains for LSU football this season. Coach Brian Kelly says they were selected based on a vote by the team…
Cut 19 (18) “…weigh in.”
Kelly says a player on offense each week will also be nominated to be a co-captain.

And according to Baseball America, LSU’s 2022 transfer class is ranked number one in the nation.

09.01.22

by Jeff Palermo

6:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is donating up to 300 travel trailers, originally acquired for Hurricane Ida to assist flood survivors in Eastern Kentucky. GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle, says the trailers are ones that have been returned to the state by Louisiana residents who now have permanent housing.
Cut 4 (11) “…and Ida.”
The state acquired these trailers to speed up the process for those who lost their homes after Ida.

An LSU study of how football players reacted to COVID indicates their immune system fared better compared to older adults with co-morbidities. LSU’s School of Kinesiology Associate Professor Guillaume (gee-um) Spielman says the findings were reassuring that the players were healthy after the CDC-recommended isolation period.
Cut 13 (10) “…from COVID-19.”

UL-Lafayette embarks on two projects to establish a biopharmaceutical corridor in Louisiana. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

08.31.22

by Jeff Palermo

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 31

BJ Ojulari, Ali Gaye and Mike Jones Junior have been name co-captains for the LSU football team. And it was announced today that the LSU-Florida State game in the Superdome is a sell out.

The Saints active roster is down to 53 after cutting several players on Tuesday. Ian Book, Kirk Merritt, Dai Jean Dixon adn Taco Charlton are among the players who were cut. Coach Dennis Allen says a lot of thought goes into these moves…
cut 18 (18) “….final decision”
And there are reports the Eagles have claimed Ian Book.

Former Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis has signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Lewis was a three-year starter at U-L Lafayette and is the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.

ULM is a huge underdog heading into its season opener against the Texas Longhorns who are ranked 18th in the coaches poll. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden calls the Longhorns a great team…
Cut 19 (27) “…ready to play.”

TCU transfer Matthew Downing will get the start tomorrow night at quarterback when Louisiana Tech kicks off the season at Missouri. Head Coach Sonny Cumbie says Downing faced a Power Five team in 2020 when Cumbie was the offensive coordinator for the Horned Fogs…
cut 16 (16) “…take over”
Kick off is at 7 PM on ESPN U.

08.31.22

by Jeff Palermo

PM Newscall August 31

An East Carrol Parish group called Delta Interfaith is trying to keep some internet providers from derailing broadband expansion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Hurricane forecasters are celebrating two milestones today. August is ending without a named storm since 1997. But that’s not all. Marsanne Golsby reports.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a man who disappeared nearly 33 years ago. Investigators say Robert Fulton Browning was last seen walking away from his home on November 27^th 1989 after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says they are hoping to find new information to lead them to Browning.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the case.”

Browning was 53 when he disappeared and would be 85 now. He’s 6 feet tall, with gray eyes and had brown hair at the time. He had moved to Monroe from Indiana. Springfield says they haven’t given up on finding Browning.

Cut 4 (05) “…with him.”

Springfield says the investigation at the time found no leads. He says Browning’s family hasn’t given up either.

Cut 5 (06) “…actually happen.”

If you know anything that could help find Browning, contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s investigative division at 318-329-1200.

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A group from East Carroll Parish is in Baton Rouge today hoping to keep the broadband expansion project on track. Nathanael Wills with Delta Interfaith says it’s on hold due to Sparklight, a subsidiary of Cable One protesting the grant awards that they didn’t even apply for to stop competition from providing service.

Cut 6 (08) “…to do.”

Wills says current laws and rules are written so they favor incumbent providers and what’s happening is if a company that serves even a portion of the area, they can stop competing providers from establishing service and basically block access.

Cut 7 (10) “…pretty messed up.”

And this is not unique to East Carroll or Louisiana, Wills says Sparklight is holding protests across the country trying to keep competition from being able to provide access to other areas. Wills says they are hoping Governor John Bel Edwards and Commissioner Jay Dardenne will assist their efforts.

Cut 8 (07) “..unfeasible projects.”

Wills says Sparklight is trying to stop expansion in 26 Louisiana communities.

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August is ending without a named storm for the first time since 1997. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve gone since early July without a named storm and that’s the first time since 1941 that there have been no named storms between July 3^rd and August 31^st. He says it’s been an odd hurricane season….

Cut 9 (09) “…above normal year.”

Keim says dust from Africa has played a role in keeping the tropics quiet…

Cut 10 (09) “..air layer.”

He says the air layer stabilizes the atmosphere.

But Keim says we can’t let our guard down as September 10^th is the peak and there’s still time for a major storm to develop.

Cut 11 (08) “…pretty low.”

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American Cruise Line announces its newest river cruise ship, the American Symphony, will call Natchez, Mississippi its port of origin by 2025. Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says it’s wonderful news for the Miss-Lou region….

Cut 12 (08) “…Miss-Lou”

The American Symphony currently sails out of New Orleans up the Mississippi River. It’s a 175-passenger boat.

American Cruise Lines CEO Charles Robertson on why Natchez…

Cut 13 (09) “it all”

Next year, American Cruise Lines plans on introducing three more small ships and Craft says Vidalia could be the home port of one of those vessels…

Cut 14 (11) “..that ship”