Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.21.22
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LRN PM Newscall July 21

The BA-dot-5 variant is keeping the current surge of COVID in Louisiana on track to becoming one of the longest. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Bond Commission withholds funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat not to enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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With news of President Biden testing positive for COVID today it’s also reflective of case counts and coronavirus hospitalizations on the rise in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Bayou State is still in its sixth surge that started about two months ago and it’s on track to be one of the longest upticks in cases.

Cut 3 (07) “…transmissible variant” 

Kanter says the current surge would have most likely ended had it not been for the BA-dot-5 variant.

Today the state reports more than 34-hundred additional COVID cases but Kanter says that’s not necessarily reflective of the actual amount of COVID circulating in Louisiana.

Cut 4  (07) “…to testing.”

And while the BA-dot-5 variant is highly transmissible Kanter says it’s not necessarily virulent and hospitalizations remain low, at 747 when you compare them to case counts.

And after 28 months Kanter says COVID fatigue has definitely set in.

Cut 5  (11) “…get it again.”

According to John Hopkins School of Public Health symptoms of the BA-dot-5 include sore throat, and fatigue, but they are less likely to report fevers and/or loss of taste and smell

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Senator Bill Cassidy’s bicameral bill to provide the state bigger revenue shares of offshore energy developed passed the U.S. Senate Energy committee this morning. Cassidy says it’s called the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems Act, aka RISE…:

Cut 6 (10) “…restore that coastline.” 

Cassidy says the bill will lift a cap on state revenue sharing (currently at $375-million a year), and create a revenue sharing mechanism for offshore wind energy..:

Cut 7 (11) “…other coastal states.” 

The bill is co-authored by Rhode Island Democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Ten other senators have signed on as co-sponsors. Cassidy says the bill would remove limits on how much annual revenue sharing can flow into the state, and that money can be put to important use…:

Cut 8 (12) “…to natural resources.”

Cassidy says the bill is essential for rebuilding Louisiana’s coast and protecting against Gulf storms.  It goes next to the Senate floor.

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The Louisiana Bond Commission has voted to withhold 39-million dollars in non-cash line of credit for a sewerage and water board project. It’s in response to city officials pledge they would not enforce state laws that ban abortion. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin serves on the Bond Commission is in full support of withholding the money

Cut 9 (12) “…be impeached.”

A representative from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office made the recommendation to withhold the money in response to New Orleans city officials saying that abortion laws would not be enforced. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne voted against delaying this funding…

Cut 10 (09) “…correct vote” 

State Treasurer John Schroder is the chairman of the Bond Commission and voted to withhold the non-cash line of credit, but expressed his displeasure that the Attorney General’s office is using the Bond Commission to send a message to a city….

Cut 11 (11)  “…to get on.”

The Bond Commission will consider again next month whether to release the 39-million to the Sewerage and Water Board plant. A Baton Rouge judge has blocked the law the state’s abortion ban from going into effect.

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Today it’s northeast Louisiana under an excessive heat warning as heat indices are reaching 114-degrees. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this excessive heat has been helping to burn up the land, literally…

Cut 12 (11) “…getting dry”   

Strain says corn and soybean farmers are working to make sure their crops do not burn up in this heat…

Cut 13 (12) “..of the heat”

Some parts of the state are seeing rain cooling showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Strain says that causes another problem, mosquitos…

Cut 14 (12)  “…eastern encephalitis.” 

 

07.21.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list which goes to the best receiver in college football. Many are expecting a big year out of Boutte after an ankle injury cut his sophomore season short.

LSU has updated its football roster and two linebackers are no longer on it. Antoine Sampah and Phillip Webb. Sampah was a four-star recruit out of Virginia and played in six games over the last two seasons. Webb was a four-star recruit from Georgia and played in three games for LSU. According to Wilson Alexander at the Advocate, both players missed most of spring.

The Division One Council is proposing that college football players would have two windows during the calendar year to enter the transfer portal. One period would be in spring and the other would be winter. The recommendation needs the approval of the Division One Board.

Southeastern Louisiana is picked to win the Southland Conference in football this season. Last season’s Southland Champion UIW is picked to finish second and Nicholls finished third in the preseason poll. The Colonels missed the F-C-S playoffs last season with a six and five record. Coach Tim Rebowe says he likes the determination he’s seen from his team this offseason…
cut 17 (19) “…to go”
McNeese is picked to finish fourth. Northwestern State is picked to finish in fifth place.

In NFL news….the Tampa Bay Bucs have signed tight end Kyle Rudolph as a possible replacement to Rob Gronkowski. Rudolph is 32-years old and two-time Pro Bowler. He played last season with the Giants and was released this offseason.

And the Cardinals have signed Quarterback Kyler Murray to a five-year extension worth 230-million dollars that includes 160-million in guaranteed money.

07.21.22
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11:30 LRN Newscast July 21

Baton Rouge Judge Donald Johnson has ruled the state’s three licensed abortion clinics can continue to operate until a lawsuit challenging a law that bans nearly all abortions is resolved. Plaintiffs have argued that the trigger laws that make abortion a crime in Louisiana are so ambiguous it will make it difficult for doctors to do their job. State Attorney General Jeff Landry anticipates the case will ultimately end up before the state supreme court.

The man who murdered State Trooper Steven Vincent seven years ago in Calcasieu Parish gets the death penalty. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The coroner in St. Tammany Parish warns of the dangers of taking illegal pills that could contain the drug fentanyl. Dr. Charles Preston says the recent death of healthy 22-year-old Cameron Landry was alarming because he apparently overdosed on a single pill. Dr. Preston says lab results are pending, but he’s fairly certain that pill contained fentanyl…:
Cut 7 (11) “…than morphine.”
Preston says having an adult man weighing over 250 pounds O.D. on a single pill is unusual, but testament to how dangerous fentanyl can be.

Animal shelters across the state are overwhelmed with pets that have been surrendered. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says some pets are being left to fend for themselves in the woods and on the streets..:
Cut 14 (07) “as well”
To assist an animal in need you can donate at humaneLA.org.

07.20.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast July 20

LSU football has its share of question marks heading into the 2022 season. How will the offensive line perform, what kind of play will they get from the quarterback position and can the defensive secondary come together quickly with so many new faces. While, The strength of LSU’s 2022 football team appears to be the defensive line. Edge rusher B-J Ojulari says there’s a lot of talent with that position group…
cut 17 (22) “….D-Line chemistry’

The Saints have signed their second-round draft pick. Cornerback Alontae Taylor who had four career interceptions at Tennessee. Rookies have already reported for training camp.

Southeastern Louisiana is picked to win the Southland Conference football title this season. They were the preseason favorites last season as they returned quarterback Cole Kelley, who was named the top player in the F-C-S by winning the Walter Payton Award for the spring of 2021. Kelley has moved on to the NFL and Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says they may run the ball more this year…
cut 20 (19) “….stand point”
U-I-W, who won the conference last year, is picked to finish second in the preseason poll, followed by Nicholls, McNeese and Northwestern State is picked to finish fifth in the eight-team league.

07.20.22
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LRN PM Newscall July 20

Republican US Senator John Kennedy is being challenged by three democrats in his re-election campaign for his second term. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana has updated its Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand motorists were killed in car crashes last year, a 17-percent increase from the year before. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Qualifying for the U-S Senate race got underway this morning and the first one to sign up, Republican incumbent John Kennedy. Kennedy is finishing up his first term and believes his voting record represents the values of Louisiana

Cut 3 (07) “…116th Congress” 

Kennedy has a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents….

Cut 4  (09) “…message out.”

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Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers who’s best know for his campaign video that went viral where he’s smoking marijuana officially filed for to run for US Senate as a Democrat against Republican John Kennedy. Chambers was present when  Kennedy addressed the media and had this response.

Cut 5  (16) “…lives in.”

Chambers also had a gift for his opponent, he planned to present the state’s junior senator with a spray bottle of Round-up.

Cut 6 (10) “…next time” 

Chambers ran for Congress last year to fill New Orleans Representative Cedric Richmond’s seat when he left to work for the Biden administration but failed to make the runoff by 15-hundred votes against Troy Carter.

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Political newcomer Luke Mixon also filed to run as a Democrat against Kennedy. The former Top Gun Naval pilot called out Kennedy for not standing up for democracy when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

Cut 7 (12) “…to lie.” 

Mixon who also took an oath to uphold the Constitution when he served in the military, says he’s often asked why he’s running against Kennedy…

Cut 8 (13) “…to defend.”

The Bunkie native also criticized Kennedy for voting against the infrastructure bill and while he supports the Second Amendment, Mixon believes there should be red flag gun laws to keep those with mental illness from hurting others and themselves.

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Sylvia Taylor filed on behalf of her daughter Syrita Steib who is the third democrat hoping to unseat Kennedy. Taylor shared that Steib served time in prison but since completing her sentence she’s gone forward to help others.

Cut 9 (13) “…years before.”

Taylor says Steib’s platform includes a focus on infrastructure, education, women’s rights, energy and democracy. Taylor says her daughter’s life serves as an inspiration for her and others.

Cut 10 (10) “…the drive.” 

Stieb served over nine years in federal prison for her role in robbing and burning down a car dealership.

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The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crash crashes in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 971 motorists died, a 17-percent increase from 2020. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says that’s the highest percentage increase in one year since crash fatality records have been kept

Cut 11 (12)  “…community crisis.”

Increasing education efforts, strengthening laws and public policies to prohibit risky behaviors such as distracted driving and increasing accountability through enforcement are some of the strategies the state will deploy to reduce fatal crashes. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says they are committed to this effort

Cut 12 (12) “…negative behavior.”   

Governor John Bel Edwards says he sees way too many drivers looking at their phone instead of the road

Cut 13 (12) “..or whatever.”

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A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he failed to stay on the road…

Cut 14 (10)  “…overturn.” 

The driver and his two juvenile passengers were not buckled up and they were ejected from the Honda Accord. 15-year-old Ramiya Sowell of St. James died at a Baton Rouge area hospital, while the driver and other passenger sufffered moderate injuries. Brennan says seat belts could have saved a life

Cut 15 (07) “…crash.” 

07.20.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Halfway through the first day of qualifying, eight people have signed up to run for U-S Senate, including the Republican incumbent, John Kennedy, who says he’ll fight against the woke policies that are hurting pocketbooks of all Americans. Two of his main Democratic challengers are among the eight to qualify, including Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers…
cut 5 (16) “…lives in”
Political newcomer Luke Mixon also filed to run as a Democrat against Kennedy. The former Top Gun Naval pilot called out Kennedy for not standing up for democracy when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Cut 7 (12) “…to lie.”

Governor Edwards and the state department of transportation have updated their Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand motorists were killed in car crashes last year, a 17-percent increase from the year before. Increasing education efforts, strengthening laws and public policies to prohibit risky behaviors such as distracted driving and increasing accountability through enforcement are some of the strategies the state will deploy to reduce fatal crashes. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says they are committed to this effort
Cut 12 (12) “…negative behavior.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry has asked the state Bond Commission to withhold all state funding to the City of New Orleans, after the Mayor and criminal sheriff vowed NOT to enforce the state’s abortion trigger laws once it goes into effect. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Landry’s request only makes her double down to ensure that women in New Orleans are in a safe haven.

07.20.22
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12:30 LRN Newscast

Several candidates have signed up to run in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race, including the incumbent, Republican John Kennedy. One of his Democratic challengers, Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers, brought Kennedy a gift to the qualifying site at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge…
cut 6 (10) “…next time”
Political newcomer Luke Mixon also qualified and so did Syrita Stieb, who is the executive director of a nonprofit that helps women reenter society after serving in prison. Her mother Sylvia Taylor filed on her behalf…
cut 9 (14) “…years before”
Stieb served over nine years in federal prison for her role in robbing and burning down a car dealership.

The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crash crashes in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 971 motorists died, a 17-percent increase from 2020. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says that’s the highest percentage increase in one year since crash fatality records have been kept
Cut 11 (12) “…community crisis.”

A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he failed to stay on the road…
Cut 14 (10) “…overturn.”
15-year-old Ramiya Sowell of St. James was pronounced dead at a Baton Rouge area hospital.

07.20.22
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Qualifying is underway for candidates running in Louisiana’s November election. U-S Senator John Kennedy was one of the first candidates to sign-up at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. Kennedy has a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents…
cut 4 (09) “…message out”
At this moment it looks his main Democratic challengers are Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib.

Candidates running for Louisiana’s six U-S House seats can also sign up between now and Friday afternoon. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the rest of the country will see heated mid-term elections, but not here as none of the seats are expected to change political parties….
cut 9 (10) “…control of the House”

Not only does qualifying begin today for Louisiana’s federal elections, but the November eighth ballot also features several hotly contested local races. Mayoral incumbents in Shreveport and Alexandria are facing significant challengers. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are other races to watch….
cut 12 (12) “…lot going on”

BASF is committing 780-million dollars to complete a chemical plant expansion in Geismar, which is located in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says the investment will help them retain over one-thousand existing employees and create nearly 40 direct jobs…
cut 14 (13) “…a billion dollars”
Lebold says the expansion should be complete in 2025.

07.20.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

N-I-L has been around for over a year in college athletics as players are now able to receive cash for endorsement deals. That means some players are making more than others, but wide receiver Jack Bech says that does not create any dissension…
Cut 18 (18) “ …gets in our way”
Alabama Coach Nick Saban says his players made three million dollars on NIL deals.

It appears LSU pitcher Paul Gervase will end his college career and sign with the Mets after New York selected him in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Shortstop Jack Pineda who announced he was transferring to LSU from Baylor also was picked in the 12th round and is expected to join the Royals organization.

For the second straight year, Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite for the Southland Conference football season. The Lions received 90 total points, edging out U-I-W who is the defending champs. Nicholls is picked to finish third, McNeese fourth and Northwestern State is expected to finish in fifth place.

The Southland Conference a year ago was on the verge of falling apart with several Texas schools leaving the league. But with U-I-W staying and Lamar returning, plus the addition of Texas A-and-M Commerce, first year commissioner Chris Grant says the league is in great shape…
cut 19 (16) “…will rise”
The Southland is celebrating its 60th year in existence.

07.20.22
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10:30 LRN Newscast

Qualifying for the U-S Senate race got underway this morning and the first one to sign up, Republican Incumbent John Kennedy. Kennedy is finishing up his first term and believes his voting record represents the values of Louisiana…
cut 3 (07) “….116th Congress”
Kennedy’s three main Democratic challengers are also qualifying this morning. Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib. Kennedy would not commit to debating them before the November 8th primary.

Big economic news in the capital city area as BASF commits 780-million dollars to expanding its chemical plant in Geismar, which is located in Ascension Parish. BASF VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says they will retain more than one-thousand high-paying jobs…
cut 15 (12) “…for one another”

After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, the governor announces that some inmates will be transferred to Angola…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is set to hold a press conference at 11 AM to announce a statewide highway safety plan. Edwards will be joined by state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson, State Police Colonel Lamar Davis and Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.