Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.11.22
by

9:30 LRN Newscast

The question over whether Louisiana’s trigger law that bans abortions in most cases in this state shifts to a courtroom in Baton Rouge after a New Orleans judge ruled that legal questions over legislation approved by the Legislature should be heard first in the East Baton Rouge Judicial system. Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum says the laws are very clear….
cut 5 (06) “….gotta go”
New Orleans Representative and pro-choice advocate Aimee Freeman remains very concerned Louisiana’s abortion ban does not provide any exceptions for rape or incest…
cut 4 (11) “…horrific”
The Advocate newspaper reports there is an effort to see if emergency contraception also known as the morning after pill can be used to prevent pregnancies from rape.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a surface trough of low pressure just off the Florida panhandle for possible tropical development. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee has more….
cut 2 (31) “….John Wetherbee”

The family of a six-year-old boy who was bitten by an alligator while in Lake Maurepas in Livingston Parish says the child is doing fine after the traumatic experience. A four-foot alligator bit the boy when he was playing in three to four feet of water. Local officials are urging the public not to feed alligators in Lake Maurepas.

07.11.22
by

8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s abortion ban is back in effect after a New Orleans judge refused to extend a temporary restraining order that allowed the procedures to continue for a short time. Rape and incest is not exception to Louisiana’s abortion ban, but there are a few exceptions, including cases where the pregnant woman’s life is in danger. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman is a pro-choice advocate..
cut 6 (07) “…into the hospital”

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine has opened the Stephenson Pet Clinic after a decade of planning and construction. Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says the new 40-thousand square foot facility has several out-patient services.
Cut 10 (08) “…integrated medicine.”
The new building houses 15 exam rooms where the previous facility had seven.

A proposal to allow Louisiana residents to conceal carry without a permit failed to receive approval in the Louisiana Senate this year, but the Legislature approved a bill that allows veterans who have been honorably discharged and have a clean criminal record to conceal carry without a permit. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says many argue veterans are proficient with weapons and know how to use them safely…
cut 8 (12) “…around a gun”

The World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament begins today in Monroe as there are 649 athletes competing in nine different divisions. President of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Gary Roberts says the Babe Ruth of horseshoe pitching is in northeast Louisiana…
cut 14 (13) “….number 26”
That tournament runs through July 23rd.

07.11.22
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

The state’s three abortion clinics remain closed today after a New Orleans judge refused to extend a temporary restraining order that allowed clinics to operate for a short-time after a trigger law that bans abortions went into effect. The judge also ruled the case must be heard in state court in Baton Rouge. Gene Mills with the Louisiana Family Forum expects the ban will remain in effect…
cut 3 (07) “….effective date”
Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says if the case reaches the Louisiana Supreme Court, he expects the state’s highest court will side with pro-life advocates.

A new law taking effect August 1st will allow military veterans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this is an idea gaining popularity in “red states”…:
Cut 7 (08) “….lots of veterans.”

The World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament Championship begins today at the Monroe Civic Center as 649 athletes from the U-S, South Africa, Norway and Canada are competing in nine different divisions. President of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Gary Roberts says Horseshoe pitching is a sport rich in history and it’s special because you’re never really out of a match….
Cut 15 (11) “…the game.”
The tournament runs through July 23rd.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s new Stephenson Pet Clinic has started receiving patients on the Baton Rouge campus. LSU Vet School spokesperson Ginger Guttner says the new 40-thousand square foot facility frees up more space in other hospitals…
cut 11 (09) “…for our students”

07.11.22
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football program continued building on its 2023 recruiting class over the weekend. On Friday night, five-star wide receiver Jalen Brown from Gulliver Prep in Miami, Florida announced his verbal pledge for the Tigers over Florida State, Michigan, Texas A-and-M and Miami. 24-7 sports ranks Brown as the fourth best wide receiver in the country.

And then on Saturday, LSU added its 14th verbal commitment for the class of 2023 with a verbal pledge from three-star linebacker Whit Weeks from Watkinsville, Georgia. He’s the younger brother of LSU linebacker West Weeks, who transferred to LSU after appearing in 11 games for Virginia last season. Their father, David West, is a former three-year starter on the offensive line for Georgia in the early 1990s.

According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s 2023 recruiting class is ranked as the ninth best in the country and there’s possibility the Tigers will pick up a coupe more commitments this week.

The Pelicans will face the Atlanta Hawks in NBA Summer League action tonight. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5 PM in Las Vegas and you can watch it on NBA TV. The Pels first round pick Dyson Daniels is not expected to play in the rest of the Summer League after he rolled his ankle in the Summer League opener on Saturday. Daniels scored just one point in eight minutes. X-rays on the ankle were negative.

The 2022 World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament Championship begins today at the Monroe Civic Center. President of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Gary Roberts says the tournament brings people from more than 40 states, four foreign countries and he equates it to a big family reunion.
Cut 13 (10) “…all of us.”
The tournament is divided into a plethora of divisions including the elders, senior, junior and cadet divisions, highlighting how the sport is played by all ages. The tourney lasts until July 23rd.

07.11.22
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

The ban on abortions in Louisiana is in effect after a New Orleans judge lifted the restraining order but decided to let a Baton Rouge judge hear the complaint that the new trigger laws are too vague.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are expected to hear today an override veto session for 2022 is canceled. Legislative leaders have said there is not enough support for lawmakers to come back to Baton Rouge to override any of the 27 bills the governor vetoed.

Set to become law on August first is legislation that would allow veterans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The measure overwhelming passed in the regular legislative session in another bill approved by lawmakers to affirm Second Amendment rights, but U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there are others who say now is not time to expand gun rights…
cut 9 (10) “…..fuel on a fire”

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine has doubled the number of exam rooms at its facility on the Baton Rouge campus. LSU Vet school spokesperson Ginger Guttner says their new 40-thousand square foot facility also has separate waiting rooms which Guttner says can help calm animals already in distress. For example, one for dogs, another for cats and also one for exotic animals.
Cut 12 (09) “…waiting.”

07.08.22
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson has reportedly hired Josh Jordan as his new recruiting coordinator. Jordan has spent the last 11 seasons as Duke’s recruiting coordinator. Over the last six full seasons, Duke made it to the NCAA Tournament four times.

LSU’s latest football commitment comes from Jeremiah Hughes of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas who committed to LSU over Arkansas, Washington and Utah. He’a a three-star prospect and said he wanted to play for D-B-U and is the 12th commitment for the Class of 2023.

But LSU missed out on five-star quarterback Dante Moore. The Detroit product has chosen Oregon over LSU, Michigan and Notre Dame.

La Tech and U-L Lafayette have agreed to play each other in football game. They will resume their series in Ruston in 2026 and play each other again at Cajun Field in 2029. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 48-33 and 6.
________________________________________________________________
Louisiana Tech will hold a memorial service on Saturday for former football player Jaylon Ferguson, who died from a drug overdose. Former teammates, friends and loved ones will gather at 1 PM at the Davison Athletic Complex.

Pelicans guard Devonte Graham is facing a charge of driving while impaired. Police pulled over the 27-year-old in the early morning hours of Thursday in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Graham averaged 12 points a game last season and has three years left on a four-year deal.

The Pelicans begin play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Saturday night at nine o’ clock central time. They’ll face Portland in the summer league opener. It’s a game that can be seen at 9 PM. The Pels will play Atlanta on Monday, Washington on Wednesday and the Lakers next Friday night. New Orleans will also play a fifth game against a yet to be determined opponent on July 16th or 17th. The team’s last two first round picks will lead the team, Trey Murphy and Dyson Daniels.

07.08.22
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson has reportedly hired Josh Jordan as his new recruiting coordinator. Jordan has spent the last 11 seasons as the Blue Devils’ recruiting coordinator. Duke only went 22-32 last season, but in 2016 with Jordan on the staff, the Blue Devils made it to the NCAA Tournament ending a 55-year program drought. Duke made back-to-back Super Regional appearances in 2018 and 2019. Over the last six full seasons, Duke made it to the NCAA Tournament four times.

LSU’s latest football commitment is once again an out-of-state prospect. Jeremiah Hughes of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas committed to LSU over Arkansas, Washington and Utah. He’a a three-star prospect and is six-foot-one, 175 pounds.. Hughes said he wanted to play for D-B-U and is the 12th commitment for the Class of 2023, which is now ranked tenth by On-3-Sports and 13th by 24-7 sports. Hughes is the third cornerback in the class.

_______________________________________________________

Pelicans guard Devonte Graham is facing a charge of driving while impaired. Police pulled over the 27-year-old in the early morning hours of Thursday in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Graham averasged 12 points a game last season and has three years left on the four-year deal he signed with the Pels last year.

Now that Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has signed a contract extension worth a reported 193 million dollars, the 22-year-old says the ultimate goal is to win an NBA championship in New Orleans. By re-signing Williamson, the Pelicans now have three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum also on the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J who was added to the team last season…
cut 18 (19) “…right now”

07.07.22
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Now that Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has signed a contract extension worth a reported 193 million dollars, the 22-year-old says the ultimate goal is to win an NBA championship in New Orleans. By re-signing Williamson, the Pelicans now have three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum also on the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J who was added to the team last season…
cut 18 (19) “…right now”
Can Williamson stay healthy. He’s only played in 85 games, but was selected as an All-Star during his second season when he averaged 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists a game.

__________________________________________________________________

LSU athletics begins a 24-hour takeover on the SEC Network starting at 11 PM tonight. The first game they will re-air is the Tigers 27-24 win over Texas A-and-M at Tiger Stadium to conclude the 2021 regular season. Tomorrow morning at 6:30 you can watch the LSU women’s golf team win its first SEC championship since 1992.

There is some concern LSU is falling behind Texas and Texas A-and-M when it comes to helping student-athletes with N-I-L deals. Taylor Jacobs is the head of the school’s newly formed NIL department….
cut 8 (07) “…committed too”
Jacobs appeared as a guest on Tiger Rag Radio and you can hear the entire interview at tiger-rag-dot-com.

Louisiana Tech announces it will have a memorial service this Saturday for former football player Jaylon Ferguson, who died from a drug overdose. Former teammates, friends and loved ones will gather at 1 PM at the Davison Athletic Complex.

07.06.22
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Three-star linebacker Xavier Atkins from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana has committed to LSU. Atkins was a a Missouri commitment and he becomes the second member of LSU’s 2024 recruiting class. During his sophomore campaign, Atkins had 219 tackles and ten sacks.

Meanwhile, four-star wide reciver Omarion Millier from North Caddo High School says he’s committed to Nebraska. Former LSU assistant Mickey Joseph who is now at Nebraska helped convince Miller to give a verbal pledge to the Cornhuskers.

The SEC has announced home and away conference opponents for the LSU Lady Tigers. Kim Mulkey’s team will have a home-away series with Texas A-and-M, Arkansas and Vanderbilt. LSU will also have Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee in the PMAC. On the road, they’ll face Alabama, Florida Kentucky, Missouri and the defending national champs, South Carolina.

The recently hired Grambling State University Volleyball Coach who made national news by cutting the entire team has been fired and the student-athletes she let go have been reinstated.
Cut 2 (33) “Michelle Southern”

LDWF is trying to get an accurate count of the state’s turkey population. Wild Turkey Program manager Kyle Cedotal says go to LDWF’s website and search LA Turkey Survey if you want to help out and you can already see how may wild turkey sightings have been made in your parish…
cut 15 (05) “….highlight it.

07.01.22
by

LRN PM Newscall July 1

It appears that Zion Williamson will be nesting with the Pelicans for a few more years. David Grubb has the details…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

______________________________________

Beginning today you’ll pay less for feminine products and diapers thanks to the pink tax exemption. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says extra officers will be on  the highways this fourth of July weekend to detect and stop impaired drivers. Spokesperson Mark Lambert says if you plan on drinking to celebrate America’s birthday, let someone else drive

Cut 3 (04) “…to drive.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says based on data from LSU 100 people were injured and six people were killed in alcohol-related crashes during last year’s Independence Day holiday. Lambert says one of the biggest travel threats to families is an impaired driver

Cut 4  (11) “…judgement”

Lambert says also reminds revelers that even some legal prescription drugs can impair your judgement…

Cut 5  (12) “…not as good”

____________________________________________

The Pelicans and star forward Zion Williamson have reportedly reached an agreement on a five-year contract extension that will keep Williamson in New Orleans for the next six years. The deal could be worth up to $231 million. Fox Sports’ Rob Parker says it was a no-brainer for both sides.

Cut 6 (11) ” …match made in heaven.” 

Williamson’s deal reportedly contains protections for both the team and the player. Zion has played in just 85 of a possible 226 games over his career so far, and Parker says that even with his injury history, the Pelicans’ potential reward is worth the risk of nearly a quarter of a billion dollars.

Cut 7 (10) “…gotta sign him.” 

The NBA’s free agency frenzy has begun, though while other teams are overhauling their rosters the Pelicans are adding Williamson to a core that pushed the Phoenix Suns to six games in the playoffs. The Western Conference is always stacked, but Parker believes the Pels are poised for another postseason run.

Cut 8 (08) “…that talented.”

Williamson’s extension can’t be officially announced until July 6.

________________________________________________

Beginning today you’ll no longer pay state sales tax on feminine products along with diapers. It’s called the “Pink Tax” exemption and it’s a result of New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’s legislation from the 2021 legislative session. She says it’s a tax emption that will help women in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (09) “..without a tax.”

The “Pink Tax” exemption includes diapers for both children and adults.

In Louisiana you do not pay state sales tax on food or medicine because they are necessities and Freeman says the “Pink Tax” exemption makes sense because feminine products and diapers are also essential. The New Orleans Democrat said the “Pink Tax” impacts all women regardless of their pollical affiliation.

Cut 10 (07) “…went forward.” 

The “Pink Tax” exemption has been debated in the legislature since 2017 and in 2020 Freeman was successful in having legislation to allow municipalities the choice to remove the “Pink Tax” and now the sales tax has been removed.

Freeman proposed legislation this year for schools to provide feminine products for students which ultimately failed but she plans to refile the bill next year.

Cut 11 (08)  “…poverty issue.” 

In honor of the “Pink Tax” exemption, for the month of July, the Jr. League of New Orleans is collecting diapers and feminine products to assist low-income families.

______________________________________________________________

28-year-old Brian Allen of Alexandria is facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly providing fentanyl that led to an overdose death in Pineville. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office chief of staff Tommy Carnline says over the past several months, detectives have been investigating overdose related deaths

Cut 12 (08) “…made the connection”  

Allen has also been charged with criminal conspiracy and possession and distribution of a C-D-S-two, which is fentanyl. Carnline says Sheriff Mark Wood has made it a priority to arrest drug dealers responsible for overdose deaths…

Cut 13 (11) “…an arrest.”

Carnline says they are having some success in linking overdose deaths with the person who provided the deadly drug

Cut 14 (09)  “…and died”