Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.18.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Atlanta. Many fans consider it the start of the college football season…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former LSU Tiger Jacob Berry was selected number six overall in the Major League Baseball draft by the Miami Marlins. He’s LSU’s first first-round draft choice since 2017 and the Tigers’ highest pick since 2015, when Alex Bregman was selected number two overall by the Astros. The Toronto Blue Jays took LSU second baseman Cade Doughty with the 78th pick in the second round.

The Pelicans wrapped up the summer league with a 107-71 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. John Butler Junior was six of six from three-point territory and finished with 25 points. He also had seven rebounds. Butler is from Florida State and went undrafted. New Orleans went three and two in the summer league.

The Blazers won the Summer League Championship with an 85-77 win over the New York Knicks. Former LSU Tiger Trendon Watford earned MVP honors as he scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

LSU women’s basketball commitment and Parkway star Mikaylah Williams had 10 points and six rebounds as the United States defeated Spain 82-61 to win the gold medal in the under 17 Women’s World Cup in Hungary. Williams is rated as the nation’s number one recruit for the class of 2023.

Australian Cameron Smith rallied from four shots down yesterday to win his first British Open Championship. Smith shot a 64 and had a run of five straight birdies on the back nine to edge Cameron Young by one shot and Rory McIlroy by two strokes.

07.16.22
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LRN AM Newscall July 18

A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments  for and against blocking the state’s abortion ban trigger law, which is currently on hold. More from Don Molino on today’s hearing…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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 Qualifying for the federal elections in November begins Wednesday, but Louisiana is looking at a quiet election season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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SEC Football Media Days begin today in Atlanta. Many fans consider it the start of the college football season…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today in Baton Rouge, a judge will hear arguments on a petition to block the state’s abortion trigger law from taking effect. A New Orleans judge punted the case back to the Capital City. Last week, 19th JDC Judge Don Johnson order the law on hold, pending the outcome of this morning’s hearing. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the judge has an important task to decide…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…indeterminate”

The suit was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, triggering Louisiana’s law into effect. Plaintiff say the law is too vague, and make that argument today. Ciolino thinks the hearing will NOT go their way…:

Cut 5 (09) “…illegal in Louisiana.”

If the judge rules against the plaintiffs, Ciolino says they will undoubtedly file another challenge. However, he feels they are just delaying the inevitable…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…not vague”

That hearing is this morning in downtown Baton Rouge.

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Qualifying for the federal elections in November will get underway on Wednesday at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge. Republican Senator John Kennedy and the state’s six U-S House members are up for re-election and expected to win. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s by design…

Cut 7 (11) “…the incumbent”

Alford says if there’s a race to watch, it might be the third Congressional District, as Clay Higgins is seeking his fourth term, but he might face a formidable candidate…

Cut 8 (10)  “…community leaders.”

Higgins has faced criticism for not helping to secure federal hurricane recovery dollars for southwest Louisiana in a timely manner.

Kennedy is seeking a second term as U-S Senator and there are at least two Democratic challengers that are active on social media who plan to oppose him. Reverend Tony Spell in East Baton Rouge told the Advocate newspaper he’s thinking about running against Kennedy as a Republican, but Alford says that’s unlikely

Cut 9 (12)  “…never know.”

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A well-known Lafayette eatery is ranked by The Food Network as one of America’s finest barbecue joints and THE best barbecue in Louisiana. The TV network highlighted the brisket and pulled pork at Johnson’s Boucaniere (boo-ken-YAIR) in downtown Lafayette. Proprietor Lori Johnson Walls says she cannot reveal the secret to their tasty barbecue; a special recipe rub made by her husband…:

Cut 10 (09) “…eleven to twelve hours.”

In Cajun French, a “boucaniere” is, basically, a smokehouse. Walls says they get rave reviews for their Cajun smoked sausage, ribs, boudin and, of course, barbecue. The restaurant was recently named among Food Network’s “50 States of Barbecue”; a list of the very finest across the U.S. Walls says their success is a real team effort…:

Cut  11 (09)  “..to them as well.” 

Originally founded in Eunice by Lori’s grandfather, Johnson’s Boucaniere has been around since 1937 but is now located on St. John Street, near downtown Lafayette. You may want to drop by and try their bill of fare. Walls says their model for success is “make it great, make it consistent and make it with love”…:

Cut 12 (11) “…barbecued at home.” 

Walls says they’re very honored by The Food Network’s accolades, which she calls “an awesome surprise.”

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SEC Football Media Days kick-off today in Atlanta, the unofficial start of the college football season. LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly speaks today and Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says Kelly will get a bunch of questions about his three-way battle for starting quarterback

Cut 13 (11) “…to start.”

Kelly downplayed the idea of playing two quarterbacks in a game when asked during spring football, but Buckley says it’s an idea the coach could be warming up to

Cut 14 (12)  “…change of pace guy.”

Before Kelly and the rest of the SEC coaches speech, Commissioner Greg Sankey will give his state of the league address. Buckley says Sankey will discuss the NIL and transfer portal issues and possible expansion now that USC and UCLA are heading to the Big 10…

Cut 15 (10)  “…it grow”

07.16.22
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10:30 LRN Newscast July 16

The U.S. House passes a new defense spending bill containing a LOT of money for Louisiana military bases. More from Don Molino…:
CUT 01(28) “…don Molino.”

42-thousand homeowners who had insurance through Southern Fidelity need to find a new insurance policy. Southern Fidelity is the latest insurance provider to pull out of the state as a result of back to back destructive hurricane seasons. Southern Fidelity customers who do not find an insurance provider by September 13th will end up with Citizens, the state’s insurer of last resort.

While President Biden visits with Saudi Arabian leaders, to try to convince them to step up oil production…back at home Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says a much simpler answer is for the White House to stop hindering domestic oil & gas production…:
CUT 13 (12) “…Louisiana jobs.”
The Biden administration has placed restrictions on fossil fuel development in the United States as a way to combat climate change.

Add Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell to the list of folks angry with Entergy over huge power bill increases. 2021 & 22 storm damage repair costs AND higher natural gas prices have caused sticker shot for some ratepayers. Campbell says utility companies having a monopoly in this state is not good…:
CUT 10(12) “…do something”

07.16.22
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9:30 LRN Newscast

President Joe Biden is in Saudi Arabi to see if the Middle Eastern country can produce more oil. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy…
CUT 12(12) “…energy production.”
Fox News reports that Saudi Arabi said it’s nearly at its limit for producing oil.

The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing hundreds-of-millions for Louisiana military facilities. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson says Fort Polk will get an additional $61-million to build a new Joint Operations Center, and Barksdale will get $125-million to facilitate weapons. The bill must also pass the Senate but Johnson doesn’t expect a partisan fight…:
CUT 08(08) “…funding the military”

State Police seeks the public’s help in finding a gunman who fatally shot one person and injured two others in Richland Parish, in an ambush attack. Master Trooper Javier Leija says the fatal shooting took place late Wednesday afternoon in Delhi. 22-year-old Quattrous Jones of Delhi was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. Trooper Leija says if anyone has information they should contact the North Delta Crime Stoppers…:
CUT 05(11) “zero-zero-zero-zero.”
He says they’re looking for a Chevy Tahoe SUV used in the attack.

In Livingston Parish, a 33-year-old Denham Springs woman was killed when she was struck from behind by a Livingtson Parish Sheriff’s deputy who state police says was responding to a call of service. Christina Estave was stopped on L-A 16 when her Saturn was struck in the rear end. Estave was not buckled up. The deputy was also not restrained, but sustained minor injuries.

07.16.22
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8:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Entergy customers are seeing higher electricity bills this summer. The utility company warned its customers their utility bill will go up, because of previous storm repair costs and higher natural gas prices. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell still believes the power company is charging ratepayers too much…
Cut 9 (11) “..sympathy.”
But fellow Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta told Fox 8 TV in New Orleans that Louisiana has some of the lowest rates in the nation.

The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing 125 million dollars for Barksdale Air Force Base and 61-million dollars for construction of a new Joint Operations Center at Fort Polk. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson…
Cut 6 (13) ” …important to us.”

The state Department of Health says more cases of monkeypox are turning up. Kevin Gallagher reports all cases so far are in and around New Orleans…:
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Caddo Parish judge sentenced a 26-year-old Louisiana man to 70 years in prison for killing a man in 2020 with a crossbow. Daniel Ralph Hair will not be eligible for probation, parole or a suspended sentence because he’s habitual offender. Haire was convicted in May of manslaughter in the death of 33-year-old Rodney Nordby. Nordby’s body was found wrapped in two comforters in a park in February of 2020.

07.16.22
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7:30 LRN Sportscast July 16

The Major League Baseball Draft begins tomorrow and Tigers Baseball Coach Jay Johnson will soon have a better idea how many players from his 2022 recruiting class will end up at LSU. Nine of Johnson’s recruits are ranked among the Top 100 MLB draft prospects. But LSU’s coach believes going to school before professional ball is a better path to the majors…
Cut 15 (23) “…minor leagues”
LSU has seven players this summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League and two other Tigers, Dylan Crews and Tre’ Morgan won a bronze tournament for team U-S-A at an international tournament in the Netherlands.

The Pelcians dropped to two and two in the Summer League with a 102-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last night. New Orleans was led by Jared Harper who had 20 points, while John Petty Junior had 16 points. The Pelicans will take on the Thunder tomorrow night at 5 PM.

LSU football has picked up its first commitment from an offensive lineman for the Class of 2023. It comes from three-star prospect Paul Mubenga from Buford, Georgia. LSU’s 2023 class has 16 verbal commitments, including four from Georgia.

Louisiana Tech football has received a four-star commitment from a quarterback in Mississippi. Vic Sutton is six-foot-three, 200 pounds and also received offers from Virginia Tech, Arkansas and Memphis. He’s entering his senior season at Madison Central after throwing 17 touchdown passes and three interceptions as a junior. He is recovering from a torn A-C-L in the playoffs.

Australian Cameron Smith is the leader as third round of the British Open is underway. He’s at 13-under par. American Cameron Young is two shots back.

07.15.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast July 15

The three-day major league baseball draft gets underway Sunday and LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is hopeful some of his top recruiting prospects will not be swayed by the money and decide to play professional baseball instead of coming to college. Johnson says he’s made his best recruiting pitch to his signees that playing at LSU is better for their development….
cut 16 (20) “…what happens”
Eight of LSU’s signees could be selected in the first two rounds based on M-L-B’s Top 200 prospect list.

Also the NCAA Baseball Rules committee has proposes that conferences can determine if a runner should be put on second base in extra innings, also no more celebratory props, like the boom box LSU had.

LSU football received its 12th commitment in the last 14 days. It comes from three-star offensive lineman Paul Mubenga from Buford, Georgia. Mubenga is the first offensive lineman in LSU’s 2023 class which now has 16 verbal commitments, including four from Georgia.

Louisiana Tech football has received a four-star commitment from a quarterback in Mississippi. Vic Sutton is six-foot-three, 200 pounds and also received offers from Virginia Tech, Arkansas and Memphis. He’s entering his senior season at Madison Central after throwing 17 touchdown passes and three interceptions as a junior. He suffered a torn A-C-L in the playoffs.

In NBA summer league action, the Pelicans face the Lakers tonight. New Orleans is two and one despite injuries to their top two draft picks. Tip off is at 10 PM on ESPN Two.

At the British Open, Tiger Woods did not make the cut while Australia’s Cameron Smith is the leader after two rounds at 13-under par.

07.15.22
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LRN PM Newscall July 15

The U.S. House passes a new defense spending bill containing a lot of money for Louisiana military bases. More from Don Molino…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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The state Department of Health says more cases of monkeypox are turning up. Kevin Gallagher reports all cases so far are in and around New Orleans…:

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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State Police is seeking the public’s help in finding a gunman who exited a vehicle and fatally shot one person and injured two others in Richland Parish. Master Trooper Javier Leija says the fatal shooting took place late Wednesday afternoon in Delhi…

Cut 3 (10) “…black male” 

Leija says they are searching for a Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in the shooting…

Cut 4  (12) “…with Quattrous”

22-year-old Quattrous Jones of Delhi was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Leija says if anyone has information they should contact the North Delta Crime Stoppers…

Cut 5  (11) “…0000”

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The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing hundreds-of-millions for projects Louisiana military facilities. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson is on a House Armed services sub-committee. He says it’s pleasing to see substantial investments at bases so important to the state’s fiscal picture…:

Cut 6 (13) ” …important to us.” 

The NDAA for the 2023 federal fiscal year contains an additional $61-million to build a new Joint Operations Center at Fort Polk, and $125-million for the planned Weapons Generating Facility at Barksdale. Johnson explain why the WGY is needed…:

Cut 7 (11) “…in the Dakotas.” 

When deployed, Barksdale’s B-52 have to first fly to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to receive their bomb payload, before proceeding on mission. The WGY will cut mission time, by having those munitions available at Barksdale. Johnson expects the defense bill will go to the President’s desk without a partisan fight…:

Cut 8 (08) “…funding the military.”

The Senate must now pass it’s version of the bill.

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Many Entergy customers are seeing higher electricity bills this summer. The utility company warned its customers before the summer started that their utility bill will go up, because of storm repairs and higher natural gas costs. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell still believes the power company is charging ratepayers too much…

Cut 9 (11) “..sympathy.”

But fellow Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta told Fox 8 TV in New Orleans that Louisiana has some of the lowest rates in the nation. But Campbell believes rates would go down in Louisiana if Entergy didn’t have a monopoly on most of the state…

Cut 10 (12) “…do something.” 

Campbell says he’s upset rising energy prices are making it difficult on Louisiana families, while Entergy’s stockholders and CEO see more money….

Cut 11 (12)  “..17 million a year.”

Entergy says it can not stop paying dividends to its shareholders.

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President Joe Biden is in Saudi Arabi where he’ll urge the Middle Eastern country to produce more oil. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the President doesn’t have to travel halfway across the globe in order to increase the supply of oil….

Cut 12 (12) “…North American Energy Production”   

National media reports say it’s unlikely Saudi Arabia will quickly react to the President’s request, instead any potential announcement would wait until next month when OPEC-plus meets. Cassidy says the President would get faster and better results if he wasn’t determined to stop domestic oil and gas production…

Cut 13 (12) “..Louisiana jobs”

The Biden administration has placed restrictions on fossil fuel development in the United States as a way to combat climate change. But Cassidy asks would you rather want Saudi Arabi to produce the oil or America…

Cut 14 (09)  “.and oil ” 

07.15.22
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2:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S House passes legislation that will result in a 222-million dollar investment in Louisiana’s military installations. More than half of that money will go to Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish for the construction of a Weapons Generation Facility. Congressman Mike Johnson on why that facility is needed…
cut 7 (11) “…in the Dakotas”
The National Defense Authorization Act still needs Senate approval.

Louisiana’s hot summer is resulting in rising electricity bills. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is upset bills are higher than normal, while Entergy’s stockholders and its CEO see more money….
Cut 11 (13) “..17 million a year.”
Entergy says it can not stop paying dividends to its shareholders.

The state Department of Health says more cases of monkeypox are turning up. Kevin Gallagher reports all the cases so far are in and around New Orleans…:
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisianans can purchase a wreath now to be placed on a veteran’s grave in December at one of the state’s five veteran cemeteries. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick says they are partnering with Wreaths Across America and getting an early start this year…
cut 14 (11) “…should be”
Each wreath costs 15-dollars.

07.15.22
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10:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson introduces legislation to allow a woman to receive child support during her pregnancy. Johnson says there are a lot of expenses for expectant mothers, and financial help from the father shouldn’t have to wait until after the baby is born…:
Cut 7 (09) “….to reflect that fact.”
Unborn Child Support Act allows courts to – with the mother’s approval – mandate support payments while the baby is still in the womb.

Federal prosecutors accuse former New Orleans state Senator and chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Carter Peterson of using campaign and party funds for gambling-related expenses. legal analyst Tim Meche says a federal judge will determine if Peterson’s criminal act is a character flaw or because of her gambling addiction…
cut 28 (12) “…..incarceration”
Peterson is expected to enter a guilty plea to the fraud charges.

An additional COVID vaccine could be available soon as The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for the Novavax vaccine for individuals 18-years-old and up. Director of the Vaccine Center at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Alistair Ramsay says Novavak is more of a traditional vaccine…
Cut 4 (12) “…this technology”
The Pfizer and Moderna shots use mRNA technology.

The state Department of Veterans Affairs is asking you to give this month to help remember Louisiana veterans at state cemeteries.
Cut 13 (10) “…in their honor.”
LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick says donations to Wreaths Across America go to place commemorative wreaths on veterans’ graves every December. Donations can be made to a veterans cemetery near you.