Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.09.22
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LRN PM Newscall May 9

Louisiana lawmakers will have more money to spend as the state continues to report better than expected revenues. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Wildlife and Fisheries agent rescues nine from a capsized boat this weekend and saves the life of a young girl…David Grubb has the story.

Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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The Revenue Estimating Conference increased income projections for this fiscal year by 350-million dollars today, giving state lawmakers additional money to spend. Economists are reporting better-than-expected tax collections from sales and personal income taxes. Chief legislative economist Deborah Vivien

Cut 3 (10) “…approaching it.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference is also increasing revenues for the fiscal year that starts July 1st by more than 100 million dollars. Viven expects spending will drop off in 2023

Cut 4  (09) “…economic influences.”

Administration economist Manfred Dix says the state is having a good year when it comes to better than expected revenues. He wonders if it could last beyond this calendar year…

Cut 5  (11) “…fiscal year”

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Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sgt. Stephen Rhodes was patrolling the beach at Grand Isle Saturday when he noticed a boat taking on water before capsizing. After getting help from some nearby beachgoers, Rhodes sprang into action said spokesperson Adam Einck…

Cut 6  (12) “…still in the water.” 

Rhodes was able to find and resuscitate the girl, and she was transported to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She is expected to make a full recovery.

—

Saturday afternoon, while patrolling along the beach at Grand Isle, Sgt. Stephen Rhodes saw a boat capsizing. Rhodes was able to get eight people into his patrol vessel when he was told a young girl was still missing. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says Rhodes then dove into the water to locate the girl.

Cut 7 (11) “…started breathing again.” 

—

Once everyone was on board, Sgt. Rhodes brought the people to the Bridgeside Marina. EMS crews were standing by, and they were able to stabilize the girl before airlifting her to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She is expected to make a full recovery. Einck says Rhodes did everything right, but couldn’t have been the hero without assistance from people nearby.

Cut 8 (08) “…as well.” 

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The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has reached four dollars again. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says prices at the pump have jumped 13-cents since last Monday to reflect last week’s ten-percent increase in crude oil prices

Cut 9 (09) “…crude.”

After hitting a record high of $4.15 a gallon on March 11th, gas prices went down to about $3.85. But they shot up last week and Redman says four-dollar a gallon gasoline is not going away…

Cut 10 (09) ” ….near term” 

OPEC is not ready to boost the production of crude oil because China is weighing down the demand because of COVID lockdowns in that country. Redman says AAA expects oil prices to remain above 105-dollars a barrel as the supply remains tight and could get tighter later this summer

Cut 11 (10)  “…prices.” 

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One of Louisiana’s strongest pro-life lobbies comes out AGAINST a bill that would make having or performing an abortion punishable with prison time. Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick’s bill would define a procedure to terminate a pregnancy as murder. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says it’s unneeded because the state already has a trigger bill that will render abortions illegal, should the Supreme Court overturn Roe versus Wade…:

Cut 12 (10) “…favorable Dobbs opinion.”  

Last week’s leaked Justice Alito opinion draft references the case of Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health, of Jackson Mississippi, and indicates a majority of justices support upholding it and returning control of abortion law to the states. Mill says McCormick’s bill has some “language problems” and needlessly punishes the mother…:

Cut 13 (11) “…trying to accomplish.”

McCormick’s bill, HB813, has cleared a House committee and is scheduled for floor debate Thursday. Mills says Louisiana Family Forum does not support the bill and feels the U.S. Supreme Court WILL toss “Roe” soon. He says when that happens, the state and private sector need to be ready to step up for expectant mothers…:

Cut 14 (14)  “…or chemical abortions.”

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05.09.22
by

11:30 LRN Newscast

The Revenue Estimating Conference increased income projections for this fiscal year by 350-million dollars today, giving state lawmakers addtional money to spend. Economists are reporting better-than-expected tax collections from sales and personal income taxes. Chief legislative economist Deborah Vivien…
cut 3 (10) “…approaching it”
Governor John Bel Edwards believes the additional revenues should go towards giving teachers a two-thousand dollar raise.

An anti-abortion group says it opposes a controversial bill that would charge a woman with murder if they have an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals
Cut 12 (10) “…the abortion”
The bill’s author, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick told the USA Today Network that if you believe abortion is murder then you must call it that. The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote on the bill on Thursday.

New data from the state Department of Health indicates fewer pregnant women are needing cesarean sections for the delivery of their babies. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After hitting a record high of $4.15 a gallon for regular gasoline on March 11th, gas prices went down to about $3.85, but Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average is back at four dollars a gallon…
cut 10 (10) “…certiainly”

05.09.22
by

10:30 LRN Newscast May 09

The state’s top anti-abortion group has announced its opposition to a House bill that would charge a pregnant woman with murder if she has an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper says the legislation is inconsistent with one of their long-standing policies
Cut 10 (06) “…as a criminal”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s measure would make abortions illegal in Louisiana and also charge anyone involved in the abortion with a homicide. A house vote is scheduled for Thursday.

The state Department of Health reports fewer pregnant women in Louisiana are having a cesarean section. C-sections fell to 29-percent last year for all deliveries; down from 33-percent the year before. Medical Director Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell says this data bucks a national trend…:
Cut 7 (13) “…without maternal benefit.”
LDH says cesarean births are often life-saving procedures, however they should be the exception and not the rule.

Breakthrough pacemaker technology is being used at an Ochsner facility in Baton Rouge. Electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra says they can use a leadless device to enable biventricular pacing without the need to attach wires to the heart muscle…
cut 4 (10) “….through the veins”
Doctor Abi-Samra calls the new device a game-changer for patients.

The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has reached four dollars again. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says prices at the pump have jumped 13-cents since last Monday to reflect last week’s ten-percent increase in crude oil prices….
cut 9 (11) “…crude”
Redman encourages motorists to budget for four-dollar a gallon gas for the near future.

05.09.22
by

9:30 LRN Newscast May 9

The state’s leading anti-abortion group has come out in opposition to a bill that will make abortion illegal in Louisiana and charge women with murder if they terminate a pregnancy…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Two children were killed over the weekend in separate vehicle crashes. 11-year-old Saylor Gatti of Zwolle was killed when the U-T-V she was driving flipped over in Sabine Parish. And a 14-year-old was killed in Grant Parish in a two-vehicle wreck on U-S Highway 165 on Saturday night.

Ochsner Baton Rouge electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra has successfully completed the region’s first heart pacemaker procedure in a clinical trial that inserts a leadless device into the patient without the need to attach wires to the heart muscles. Abi-Samra says the Wise CRT system is a complement to standard pacemakers…
cut 6 (11) “…transplants”
For appointments visit ochsner.org/info.

It was a hot and dry weekend and Louisiana Radio Network meteorologist John Wetherbee says temperatures in the low to mid-90s will take place over the next few days…
cut 13 (08) “….lot of records”
Wetherbee says rain chances will begin to increase on Thursday in southeast Louisiana and rain chances will increase for central and north Louisiana on Friday.

05.09.22
by

8:30 LRN Newscast

A leading anti-abortion advocacy group has announced its opposition to a controversial bill that would charge pregnant women with murder if they have an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper says abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals. And He says this legislation that makes abortion illegal is not needed…
cut 11 (12) “….from abortion’
The bill to charge women who have an abortion with homicide is scheduled for a vote on the House floor Thursday.

It will be hot and dry today, but Louisiana Radio Network Meteorologist John Wetherbee says rain chances will go up on Thursday…
cut 15 (11) “…on Saturday”

The state health department reports a decline in the state’s cesarean delivery rate as a result of Louisiana hospitals participating in the department’s Safe Births Initiative. The cesarean delivery rate in 2021 was 29-percent down from 33-percent in 2020. She says many doctors are waiting until a birthing mother is six centimeters dilated instead of four before deciding to go through with a C-section…
cut 09 (08) “…recommendation”

Ochsner Baton Rouge electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra is using breakthrough pacemaker technology. He’s completed a procedure of implanting a pacemaker that’s a leadless device that corrects the heart’s rhythm without having to attach wires to the heart’s muscles. Abri-Samra calls this new technology a game-changer for patients…
cut 5 (09) “…this technology”

05.09.22
by

7:30 LRN Newscast May 9

An anti-abortion group says it opposes a controversial bill that would charge a woman with murder if they have an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals
Cut 12 (10) “…the abortion”
The bill’s author, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick told the USA Today Network that if you believe abortion is murder then you must call it that. The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote on the bill on Thursday.

Get ready for some hot temperatures this week. Louisiana Radio Network Meteorologist John Wetherbee….
cut 14 (10) “…heat smart’
The high will be 94-degrees in Shreveport today. Low 90s for the rest of the state and upper 80s for coastal southeast Louisiana.

Ochsner Baton Rouge becomes the first hospital in the region to utilize what could be a breakthrough in pacemaker technology. Here’s David Grubb…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a teenager for allegedly threatening to shoot individuals at Donnie Bickham Middle School. The teen was taken into custody during the overnight hours after posting on social media last night threatening a shooting at DBMS.

05.09.22
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU won its third consecutive SEC baseball series yesterday with a 12 to 3 thumping of the Crimson Tide. Dylan Crews was a big reason why LSU won the series as he had three more hits yesterday, including a three-run blast in the eighth inning. Crews had seven hits and 7 runs driven in for the weekend. Tyler McManus mashed two home runs and Jacob Hasty pitched four shutout innings in relief to get the win.

The Cajuns have won seven straight Sun Belt Series as they swept U-T Arlington over the weekend, winning all three games by one run. U-L defeated the Mavericks six to five in eleven innings yesterday as Trey LaFleur hit a two-out RBI single in the 11th for his third hit of the game.

ULM was swept by 15th ranked Texas State and Louisiana Tech dropped a home series to Florida Atlantic.

With one more regular-season weekend left, McNeese and Southeastern have emerged as the two teams in first place in the Southland. The Lions swept Houston Baptist this weekend, scoring 36 runs in the process. In yesterday’s 12-0 shutout Andrew Landry tossed a one-hitter.

McNeese rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Northwestern State ten to four yesterday. Josh Leslie drove in four runs. Awful weekend for Nicholls as the Colonels were swept by Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi, losing all three games by one run. Nicholls has lost five straight.

Grambling took two of three from Prairie View and they are two games back of the Panthers for first place in the SWAC West.

In softball, LSU is the sixth seed in this week’s SEC Tournament. Louisiana Tech is the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament after a dramatic eight to seven walk-off win over Southern Miss yesterday. The Cajuns are the one seed in the Sun Belt Tournament and will play against the winner of tomorrow’s game between ULM and Coastal Carolina.

05.09.22
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

The state’s top anti-abortion group has announced its opposition to a House bill that would charge a pregnant woman with murder if she has an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper says the legislation is inconsistent with one of their long-standing policies
Cut 10 (06) “…as a criminal”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s measure would make abortions illegal in Louisiana and also charge anyone involved in the abortion with a homicide. A house vote is scheduled for Thursday.

Breakthrough pacemaker technology is being used at an Ochsner facility in Baton Rouge. Electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra says they now use a leadless device to enable biventricular pacing without the need to attach wires to the heart muscle…
cut 4 (10) “….through the veins”
Doctor Abi-Samra calls the new device a game-changer for patients.

New data from the state Department of Health indicates fewer pregnant women are needing cesarean sections for the delivery of their babies. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has reached four-dollars again according to Triple-A. Prices at the pump have jumped 13-cents in the last week to reflect a rise in crude prices.

05.07.22
by

LRN AM Newscall May 9

Ochsner Baton Rouge becomes the first hospital in the region to utilize what could be a breakthrough in pacemaker technology. Here’s David Grubb…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

____________________________________

New data from the state Department of Health indicates fewer pregnant women are needing cesarean sections for the delivery of their babies. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________

The state’s anti-abortion leading group has come out in opposition of a bill that will make abortion illegal in Louisiana and charge women with murder if they terminate a pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

Ochsner Clinic started Louisiana’s first regional cardiac electrophysiology program in the mid-80s. Now, the clinic adds to its resume as a leader in the field by completing the region’s first heart pacemaker procedure utilizing the WiSE CRT System. Here’s Dr. Freddy Abi-Samra…

Cut 4 (09)  “…through the veins.”

The system is a leadless device that corrects the heart’s rhythm without having to attach wires to the heart’s muscles. Dr. Abi-Samra says the technology benefits those who aren’t a match for the standard procedure.

Cut 5 (09) “…use this technology.”

The WiSE CRT System is a complement to standard pacemakers, not a replacement. Dr. Abi-Samra says the ultimate goal is to perform one procedure to avoid having to do something far more invasive later on.

Cut 6 (11)  “…for transplant.”

For more information visit Ochsner-dot-org.

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The state Department of Health reports fewer women in Louisiana are having to resort to a cesarean section delivery of their babies. Numbers from the calendar year 2021, compiled by the LDH Safe Births Initiative, show c-sections fell to 28.5-percent of all deliveries; down from 33-percent the year before. Medical Director Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell says this data bucks a national trend…:

Cut 7 (13) “…without maternal benefit.”

LDH says cesarean births are often life-saving procedures, however they should be the exception and not the rule. Dr. Gillespie-Bell says until recently doctors would make the call on performing C-sections based on old recommended medical standards for pregnancy and birth…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…at six centimeters.”

Gillespie-Bell says waiting until a woman is more dilated increases the ability to have a normal, natural delivery. She says not all doctors are practicing this yet, but the lower numbers of C-sections performed indicates new standards are taking hold…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…newer recommendations..”

She says it’s hoped we’ll see even lower numbers of cesarean births in the future. _______________________________________

The state’s top anti-abortion group has announced its opposition to a House bill that would charge a pregnant mother with murder if she has an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper says the legislation is inconsistent with one of their long-standing policies

Cut 10 (06) “…as a criminal”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s measure would make abortions illegal in Louisiana and also charge anyone involved in the abortion with a homicide. It’s scheduled for a House floor debate on Thursday. Clapper says House Bill 813 is also not needed because of a 2006 law that will ban abortions once the Supreme Court overturns Roe versus Wade

Cut  11 (12)  “…from abortion.”  

McCormick told the USA Today Network that if you believe abortion is murder then we must call it that. But Clapper says abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals

Cut 12 (10) “…the abortion” 

_______________________________________

Get for a week of unusually high temperatures across the state. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says it is going to be a scorcher.

Cut 13 (08) “…lot of records.”

After some cool breezes and rain this past week, the weather takes an abrupt change of course. Wetherbee suggests staying indoors, staying hydrated, and checking on neighbors who may not have air-conditioning.

Cut 14 (10)  “…heat smart.”

The hot weather plans to stick around through the week with temperatures settling in the 90s into the weekend. But relief is coming if we can make it there, says Wetherbee.

Cut 15 (08)  “…ten days.”

05.07.22
by

10:30 LRN Newscast May 7

An anti-abortion group says it opposes a controversial bill that would charge a woman with murder if they have an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals
Cut 12 (10) “…the abortion”
The bill’s author, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick told the USA Today Network that if you believe abortion is murder then you must call it that. The bill is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on Thursday.

A bill to ban spanking kids in public schools failed on the House floor by only TWO votes. Among those objecting Desoto Parish Rep. Larry Bagley..:
CUT 08(11) “…the wrong signals.”
The bill COULD be brought up for a second vote.

A recount of the recent mayoral election in Pineville confirms Rich Dupree will be the Rapides Parish city’s new leader, by five votes. Dupree says he’s excited for the future of Pineville and its industries..:
Cut 15 (09) “is strong”
Dupree will take office July 1st.

Ochsner Baton Rouge electrophysiologist Doctor Freddy Abi-Samra is using breakthrough pacemaker technology. He’s completed a procedure of implanting a pacemaker that’s a leadless device that corrects the heart’s rhythm without having to attach wires to the heart’s muscles. Doctor Abri-Samra says the technology benefits those who are not a match for the standard procedure…
cut 5 (09) “…this technology”
Abria Samra calls this new technology a game-changer for patients.