Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.12.22
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LRN PM Newscall May 12

A legislative effort to stop a rule requiring students 16 and older from needing to show proof of a COVID vaccine in order to attend is defeated in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A study from the National Oceanic at Atmospheric Administration says there’s a potential link in the decline of air pollution to the increase in the number of hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Students 16 and older will likely be required to show proof of a COVID vaccination to attend school this fall. A House resolution preventing that rule from going into effect was rejected by a Senate committee. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau voted against the effort to block the rule because parents can submit a written exemption…

Cut 3 (08) “…clearly is.”

House and Welfare Chairman Larry Bagley says most parents are not aware of the opt-out provisions.  Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill testified in favor of Bagley’s resolution and she says L-D-H is not doing the state a good service by pressing this vaccine on children…

Cut 4  (12) “…indefinitely.”

Murrill says her son ended up in the ICU with myocarditis after receiving a second Pfizer COVID vaccine. Numerous people testified that schools should not have the COVID vaccine on the list of required shots. But Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who lost her husband to COVID in December of 2020, feels differently…

Cut 5  (09) “..differently.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted against Bagley’s resolution on a four to three vote.

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow has been chosen to fill an empty seat on the House Committee on Appropriations. The committee is responsible for funding the Federal government’s vital programs. Letlow says it’s an honor to be chosen for such a powerful committee and to help the Bayou State.

Cut 6  (08) “…needs.” 

Letlow says the committee seat will help her fulfill campaign promises for her district, which include increasing broadband access to rural areas of the state and supporting the needs of Louisiana farmers.

Cut 7 (09) “…right now.” 

Letlow, a former teacher, says the appointment will allow her the ability to see that education is properly funded. While teaching she says she’s witnessed firsthand how education can take someone from poverty to prosperity.

Cut 8 (11) “…school choice.” 

Letlow is the first Louisianan to serve on House Appropriations since 2013.

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A NOAA study says there’s a potential link in the decline of air pollution to the increase in the number of hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says efforts in North America and Europe to improve the environment have shown a surge in Atlantic hurricanes.

Cut 9 (12) “…really interesting.”

Keim says the logic behind these findings is due to particulate pollution. He says pollution blocks out the sun’s rays and off of the heavily polluted Asian coast it leads to cooler sea surface temperatures and as a result fewer typhoons. But in contrast closer to home…

Cut 10 (11) ” …in hurricanes.” 

Environmental efforts in the US have decreased pollution by about 50-percent which Keim says has created a much cleaner and more transparent atmosphere allowing the sun to heat sea surface temperatures.

Cut 11 (10)  “…decades.” 

While Keim expects the research to be heavily scrutinized and says there’s a tradeoff by having a cleaner environment which helps reduce lung disease and environmental cancers.

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A bill that would let Louisiana colleges and boosters of their athletic programs pay student-athletes as part of name, image and likeness deals continues to advance through the Louisiana legislator. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick is the author of the proposal and got the bill through the House Education Committee

Cut 12 (06) “…,state law.”  

The head of LSU’s NIL department Taylor Jacobs says the intent of this legislation is not to allow a booster organization to pay a student-athlete as a recruiting inducement

Cut 13 ( 08) “…image & likeness deal.”

The NCAA says it will begin to enforce what is known as pay for play payment arrangements, which have been used to get recruits to sign at a school. The NCAA says it will begin enforcing these type of arrangements and UL System President Jim Hightower says this legislation is not in violation of NCAA policy…

Cut 14 (12)  “…a student athlete bill.”

05.12.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast May 12

The Louisiana House is set to convene in the next hour and they are scheduled to vote on a controversial bill that would result in homicide charges against a pregnant woman who gets an abortion. The legislation is expected to be amended before its taken out and it’s believed the criminal charges against a pregnant woman will be removed from the bill.

A study from the National Oceanic at Atmospheric Administration says there’s a potential link in the decline of air pollution to the increase in the number of hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state health department is set to add the COVID vaccine as a requirement for students 16 and older to attend school in the fall. A legislative effort to prohibit that rule from going into effect was defeated in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Numerous people testified that schools should not have the COVID vaccine on the list of required shots. But Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who lost her husband to COVID in December of 2020, feels differently…
Cut 5 (09) “..differently.”

A bill that would let Louisiana colleges and boosters of their athletic programs pay student-athletes as part of name, image and likeness deals continues to advance through the Louisiana legislator. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick is the author of the proposal and got the bill through the House Education Committee…
cut 12 (06) “…amend current state law”
Connick says the legislation does not allow for pay-for-play payment arrangements which is something the NCAA says it will begin to enforce.

05.12.22
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12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House convenes at 2 PM and all eyes are on House Bill 813. The proposed law can charge pregnant women with murder if they get an abortion. The legislation is expected to be amended so a pregnant woman who gets an abortion does not face criminal charges and the new language would reaffirm a current law that says abortions would be outlawed in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overturned.

Due to a nationwide shortage of infant formula, the Louisiana Department of Health issues advice for parents.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has been named to the powerful Appropriations Committee. Letlow says the committee seat will help her fulfill campaign promises for her district, which include increasing broadband access to rural areas of the state and supporting the needs of Louisiana farmers.
Cut 7 (09) “…right now.”
Letlow also says education funding will be a priority as well.

A House resolution that tried to repeal a state rule requiring COVID vaccine shots for students 16 and older to attend school was rejected by a Senate Committee. Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill testified in favor of the resolution and she says L-D-H should not press the COVID vaccine on children…
Cut 4 (12) “…indefinitely.”
But several senators says parents can get an exemption from the COVID vaccine requirement.

05.12.22
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8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder is scheduled for debate today on the House floor. House Bill 813 would punish women who have the procedure and doctors who perform them, with prison time. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick is the sponsor of the controversial bill…
Cut 4 (10) “…that’s my goal.”
Speaking to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, says he has many issues with the bill…
cut 6 (13) “….with that bill”
The governor also says it’s absurd to suggest that a woman would be jailed for an abortion.

Due to a nationwide shortage of infant formula, the Louisiana Department of Health issues advice for parents…
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LDH’s Office of Behavioral Health is expanding opioid treatment services in Shreveport and Hammond. Opioid treatment specialist Traci Perry….
cut 11 (12) “…. life-saving services”
A phone number to call is 844-535-7291.

05.12.22
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7:30 LRN Newscast

An intense debate is expected this afternoon on the House floor over a bill that would charge a pregnant woman with murder if she has an abortion. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his bill is not about putting doctors and mothers in jail…
cut 5 (07) “….protection of the child”
Governor John Bel Edwards calls the bill patently unconstitutional and he’ll veto it if it reaches his desk…
cut 7 (07) “…off my desk”
The House is scheduled to convene at 2 PM.

A Senate committee has rejected a House-approved measure that would have prevented the Edwards administration from requiring students 16 and up to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. So that means this fall most high schoolers and college students will need to be vaccinated against COVID or submit a written exemption.

LDH is expanding treatment services for opioid addiction in two areas of the state…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A nationwide baby formula shortage is causing problems for mothers with infants. Director of Nutrition Services at the Louisiana Department of Health Jennifer Nicklas says for parents in the WIC program, the list of approved formula substitutions has been expanded…
cut 9 (08) “….subsitutions”

05.12.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

D1-Baseball-dot-com’s latest NCAA Tournament projection has the Tigers as an 11-seed and hosting a regional. Editor Kendall Rogers says LSU does not have strong starting pitching, but he likes the Tigers’ chances in the postseason.
Cut 17 (20) “ …stock on that.”
Louisiana Tech and the Ragin Cajuns are listed as the last four in when it comes to getting an at-large bid into the tournament. U-L Lafayette won its fifth straight last night beating Rice 16 to 6 in eight innings. Shortstop Kyle Debarge had three hits and scored four times. The Cajuns are at 15th ranked Texas State tomorrow.

The NFL releases its schedule tonight. We already know who the Saints will play and where, but tonight we get dates and times. How many primetime games will New Orleans get now that Sean Payton is no longer the head coach? The schedules for all 32 teams will be released at 7 PM.

More details have come out on safety Tyrann Mathieu’s contract with the Saints. The first two years of the three-year deal are fully guaranteed. So 18-million of the 28-million dollar contract is fully guaranteed.

Back to college baseball, the regular season for the Southland Conference comes to an end this weekend. It’s a tight race at the top. Six teams are one game within first place. McNeese and Southeastern are tied for first. The Lions begin a series tonight at Nicholls, while UNO and Northwestern State begin a series in Natchitoches. Both teams are 11-and-10 in the Southland one game back of the Cowboys and Lions.

05.12.22
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6:30 LRN Newscast May 12

The full House is set to debate a bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder and send mothers who have one to prison…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A House panel investigating the fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene is moving forward with contempt charges, that would carry a five-thousand-dollar fine against former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves for not turning over his personal journals that lawmakers believe contain information regarding the investigation into Greene’s death. Reeves’ lawyer calls the contempt charge inappropriate and unnecessary.

A Senate-approved bill requiring public schools to adopt policies by the end of the year regarding cameras to be installed in special education classrooms heads to the House floor for final legislative passage. Sandra Guichard, a mother of two special needs children, told the House Education Committee she placed a recorder on her daughter when she suspected abuse.
Cut 14 (10) “…her face.”
The estimated price tag for the installation of cameras statewide is six million dollars.

The nationwide shortage of infant formula has parents of newborns looking for options and guidance. Director of Nutrition Services at the Louisiana Department of Health Jennifer Nicklas is advising families to shop at different stores…
Cut 8 (09) “…give up.”
A recall of formula made by Abbott at their Michigan plant along with supply chain issues has only exacerbated the formula shortage.

05.11.22
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LRN PM Newscall May 11

The House committee looking into the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene charges former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves with contempt for failing to turn over his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Monroe woman accused of killing two passengers after fleeing from police, including her own child, is now in custody. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) …I’m David Grubb.”  

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A bill that attempts to deter juvenile crime and foster more parental involvement is closer to final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator Jimmy Harris’ says after a juvenile offender is convicted, his bill calls for the juvenile along with their parents or caretakers to be involved in the court-approved rehabilitation and…

Cut 3 (10) “…restitution.”

Senate Bill 370 passed unanimously in the Senate and is awaiting a House vote after it advanced from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says the bill is a way to decrease the recent growth of juvenile crime.

Cut 4  (11) “…trying to do.”

Harris says the New Orleans carjacking by juveniles in which the victim died after her arm was severed has prompted juvenile crime legislation. Present law allows the judge to impose school attendance, community service, medical or psychological treatment, restrict driving privileges, prohibit possession of a firearm, and monthly supervision fees if a minor is found guilty.

Cut 5  (09) “…to the child.”

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The House Committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene voted to hold former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to turn over journals while he was superintendent. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Reeves’ attorney has agreed to turn over some of the pages, but not all of the written notes

Cut 6  (10) “…contention” 

Reeves’ attorney, Lewis Unglesby, says a lot of the information contained in the journals does not have anything to do with the Greene case and investigation. But Kenner Representative Debbie Villio says it’s best they can get all of the journals without redaction

Cut 7 (11) “…should be produced” 

Magee also recommends that the House impose a civil fine of five thousand dollars against Reeves…

Cut 8 (08) “…contempt.” 

The House Governmental Affairs Committee and the full House will vote on the motion to hold Reeves in contempt. If they do, that means the state legislature can seek court action to get Reeves to turn over the journals unredacted.

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The driver in a fatal accident that took two lives, including her five-week-old child, in Monroe Monday night, has been arrested. Monroe Police Sgt. Mike Fendall says officers responded to a theft at a Walmart and it turned into a high-speed chase, which ended in a crash. When officers arrived at the scene, they found one passenger critically injured…

Cut 9 (12) “…at the hospital.”

While police tended to the injured, Candace Gill took off, leaving the scene on foot, abandoning her child in the process. Just before 11 pm on Tuesday, Monroe Police received a tip on Gill’s location. Officers headed to an apartment complex in West Monroe where Gill was arrested without incident.

Cut 10 (08) ” ….negligent injury.” 

The adult passenger who died at the scene has not yet been identified but is believed to have been Gill’s boyfriend. This isn’t the 38-year-old Gill’s first brush with the law, said Sgt. Fendall, but it has become the most tragic, with two lives now lost.

Cut 11 (09)  “…as well.” 

In a sadly ironic, twist. Gill is accused of stealing items for the child, setting the tragic chain of events in motion.

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The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bill to codify abortion rights in federal law, but it apparently lacks the needed votes to pass. Among the Republican Senate members who say they will down-vote the bill is Louisiana’s senator Bill Cassidy. He says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for a vote, but Cassidy has concerns…:

Cut 12 (10) “…,moment of birth.”  

Named the Women’s Health Protection Act, the measure would set Roe versus Wade into law, while banning some states’ restrictions on having the procedure; like waiting periods, mandatory doctor consultations and more. Cassidy – who is a medical doctor – says he cannot get past the bill allowing for pregnancies to be terminated right up to the last week…:

Cut 13 (13) “…outside the womb.”

Cassidy says he and his fellow 49 other Senate Republicans will vote to kill the bill…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…against it again.”

West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin says he will also vote against the bill. It needs 560 votes to pass and appears destined to be defeated.

05.11.22
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8:30 LRN Newscast

According to an Associated Press report, federal prosecutors are doubtful they can successfully charge State Police involved in the 2019 death of Ronald Greene with a civil rights violation. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Last week the House Education Committee voted down a bill that would prohibit teachers from discussing their sexual orientation or gender identity in front of the classroom. But the House has voted to bring the bill to the floor for debate so the legislation has been revived.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would allow parents or students to file a civil lawsuit against a school if they do not accept their vaccine exemption in order to be admitted to a school. Health Freedom Louisiana spoke in support of the legislation. Co-director Fiorella Trapani (Fee-oh-rella Tro-han-ee)….
cut 9 (12) “….and for all”
The measure passed on a six to five vote.

U-L Lafayette is leading a 14-million dollar research project that will look to see how oysters can survive in low-salinity environments. Associate biology professor Doctor Beth Stauffer says there’s been a decline in oyster production because of low salinity environments, so they want to identify heritable traits that make some oysters hardier than others…
cut 12 (08) “…100 years”

05.11.22
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7:30 LRN Newscast

On the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s fatal arrest in Union Parish, the Associated Press published a report that says federal prosecutors are becoming increasingly skeptical they can bring a successful civil rights case against the troopers shown on body camera video beating Greene before he died. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Richard Sprinkle says that’s because it’s hard to determine if the troopers tased or pepper-sprayed him after he was in custody…
cut 15 (14) “…deprivation of rights’
Sprinkle says Greene’s family does not need a federal civil rights charge against the LSP officers to move forward with a civil lawsuit for wrongful death.

The statewide average gasoline price is up another two cents today to $4.06 according to Triple-A. That’s about ten cents shy of the record set in March.

East Baton Rouge Sheriff Corporal Nick Tullier who was shot during a police ambush in 2016 was laid to rest in Denham Springs on Tuesday.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A bill to allow parents to bring a lawsuit against the entity that prevents a student’s entry to a school on the basis of their immunization status advances from House Education. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee’s bill will give parents legal recourse if their child is denied admittance because they opted out of any vaccination.
Cut 7 (10) “…into the statues.”