Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.11.26
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

Ole Miss turned three balls hit in the infield to begin the eighth inning into three runs to beat the LSU Tigers six to three last night. An error by freshman second baseman Ethan Clauss was the big play. Clauss failed to step on second base for a force out as the Tigers were trying to turn a double play. That mistake allowed West Monroe’s Hayden Federico to drive in the go-ahead run. At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Elsewhere… 10th-ranked Southern Miss defeated the Ragin Cajuns eight to one. Appalachian State beat ULM 13-5.

La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one. Colby Lunsford drove in three runs, and Declan Dahl allowed one unearned run over seven innings and struck out eight for his fifth win.

Southern held on to beat Grambling seven to five. Game two is at 3 PM today.

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It was a tough night for most of the Louisiana schools in the Southland, other than Nicholls. The Colonels blanked Lamar three to nothing. Dawson Richard threw six shutout innings for the win. Peyton Lacy earned the save.

It was Corpus Christi over Southeastern Louisiana seven to five, Houston Christian defeated Northwestern State five to two, UIW over McNeese six to two.

McNeese has named Bridget Martin as its new athletics director. Martin has worked at the Lake Charles school since 1990, and she’s been an administrator at McNeese since 2001.

Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time. He’s also been a head coach for the Tigers. As a player, he helped LSU reach the Final Four in 1981.

Shreveport golfer Sam Burns is tied for second at six-under par at the Masters, but he’s six shots back of the leader Rory McIlroy.

04.10.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team opens a three-game series tonight at Ole Miss in Oxford. Tigers pitcher Gavin Guidry says getting off the field quickly and inducing short innings will be key against an Ole Miss team that capitalizes on mistakes and errors…

Cut 20 (11) “…continue to avoid”

LSU baseball is getting more revenue share dollars next season. In an interview with Tiger Rag Magazine in February, Head Coach Jay Johnson expressed concern that not enough financial resources were being put into the program. Athletic Director Verge Ausberry tells ESPN Radio Baton Rouge they want to make sure Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

Ausberry says LSU baseball and women’s basketball will receive the same when it comes to revenue sharing dollars and there will be more NIL dollars available for the LSU baseball program.

 

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team has been struggling in recent weeks, but they could turn their season around with a good performance this weekend as they host 10th ranked Southern Miss. U-L Lafayette is 4-and-8 in Sun Belt play. The Golden Eagles are 7-and-5.

ULM is also 7-and-5 in the Sun Belt and the Warhawks are at Appalachian State, who is 5-and-7.

Louisiana Tech hosts Middle Tennessee for a three-game set this weekend. The Blue Raiders are 5-and-7 in Conference USA, while the Bulldogs are 6-and-6.

Northwestern State is in first place in the Southland the Demons will host Houston Christian this weekend. Southeastern Louisiana, who has won eight of its last night, will host Texas a-and-M Corpus Christi this weekend.

Also this weekend..Nicholls hosts Lamar and McNeese hosts UIW.

The Cowboys name Lake Arthur native Bridget Martin as the new athletics director at McNeese. She’s worked at the school since 1990 and replaces Heath Schroyer.

04.10.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

The Trump Administration has finalized a Medicare Advantage payment rate increase which will result 13-billion dollars in additional funding for Medicare Advantage plans. Darren Grubb, with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says this is great news for those who are covered by Medicare Advantage…

Cut 8 (11) “…they need them”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

That’s Crawfish App co-founder Laney King, who says that means a sack of crawfish is selling for less than 100-dollars and boiled crawfish is going for $5.60 per pound.

 

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In LSU women’s basketball news…Jada Richard of Opelousas, is reportedly entering the transfer portal. No reason given on why, but LSU is hosting a Laila Reynolds today. She was Florida’s point guard last season and averaged 12 points a game.

04.10.26
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12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill. He says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain…

Cut 9 (11) “….the water”

Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s as a way to prevent tooth decay. Health experts say its safe. This measure still needs House approval.

Birds are migrating back north and passing over Louisiana. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May and that especially goes for landscape lighting…

Cut 4 (12) “…disorient brids.”

 

LSU baseball will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

LSU is a special place to Johnny Jones. The 65-year-old DeRidder native led the men’s basketball team to the Final Four as a player, he was an assistant coach and he spent five seasons as a head coach at LSU. After an eight-year run as the head coach at Texas Southern, Jones is returning to LSU as an assistant coach for Will Wade.

04.10.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Ole Miss. The Tigers are 6-and-6 in the SEC, while the Rebels are 5-and-7. The Rebels strength is their starting pitching. Hunter Elliott is tonight’s starter. He was on the 2022 national championship team. Sophomore Cade Townsend has an ERA of 1.82 and on Sunday, sophomore Taylor Rabe will start. He’s 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA.

LSU athletics director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio…

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches”

This season LSU baseball was sharing a five-percent allotment of revenue share dollars with softball, gymnastics and the Olympic sports. But Ausberry says for the 2026-27 athletic season, baseball will receive 5-percent of the revenue sharing dollars, to match what women’s basketball receives.

 

We are at the halfway point of LSU spring football and Coach Lane Kiffin said this week the defense is ahead of the offense. One of the key new additions to the defense is linebacker TJ Dottery, who lead the SEC in tackles last season at Ole Miss. Dottery believes LSU could have a special defense this season…

Cut 18 (14) “….part of it”

LSU is a special place to Johnny Jones. The 65-year-old DeRidder native led the men’s basketball team to the Final Four as a player, he was an assistant coach and he spent five seasons as a head coach at LSU. After an eight-year run as the head coach at Texas Southern, Jones is returning to LSU as an assistant coach for Will Wade.

On the women’s side, LSU’s starting point guard, Jada Richard, is reportedly entering the transfer portal. No reason given on why, but LSU is hosting a Laila Reynolds today. She was Florida’s point guard last season and averaged 12 points a game.

04.10.26
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10:30 LRN Newscast

If you misgender a co-worker in the workplace, you can’t be fired, under a bill heading to the House floor. Opponents of the legislation say some people who choose not to use the pronoun that a person wants to be identified as…is harassment. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he will always use the birth-assigned pronouns based on his religious beliefs, and he shouldn’t lose his job over that.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to protect that.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

There are five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot. One of them is straightforward. Should Louisiana raise the mandatory retirement age of judges from 70 to 75 years-old. Steven Procopio of the Public Affairs Research Council…

Cut 8 (07) “….fresh or younger”

For a full breakdown of the five constitutional amendments. Go to PAR’s website.

About 300-thousand people are expected to attend the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crawfish lovers will pay less for mudbugs this week, now that the Easter holiday is behind us. Laney King is the co-founder of the crawfish app…

Cut 14 (13) “…dollars a pound”

04.10.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns. The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.

Shreveport Democratic Representative Tammy Phelps reminded the committee that as long as a business does not fire a worker based on race, sex, age, religion, natural origin or disability, it does not have to give a reason for the dismissal.

Cut 11 (06) “…why they’re firing.”

The discussion will continue on the House floor.

 

The 54th Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Fest begins today. It starts this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says they’ll be taking over Main Street tomorrow morning with a parade that begins at 9:30.

Cut 4 (08) “…off the weekend.”

About 300-thousand people are expected to attend the free festival and law enforcement from around the area will be on hand to make sure it’s a safe event.

And it will be an excellent weekend to boil crawfish. Laney King, co-founder of the Crawfish App, says there was a noticeable price drop following the Easter weekend, which is typical…

Cut 16 (06) “…nice price”

King says you can get a sack of live crawfish for under one-hundred dollars and $5.60 per pound for boiled crawfish.

04.10.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU standout and Shreveport native Sam Burns is tied for the lead after the first round of the Masters. Burns shot a five-under par, 67 and he’s tied with defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy. University High grad Patrick Reed is one of several golfers, two shots back at three-under par.

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against Ole Miss in Oxford tonight. Sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide expects a hostile environment…

Cut 19 (16) “…ton of fans.”

LSU is 6-6 in the SEC, while Ole Miss is 5-7. First pitch is at 6:30.

In other action, the Cajuns host 10th-ranked Southern Miss. ULM is at App State. La Tech hosts Middle Tennessee, and Southern is at Grambling.

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LSU fifth-year senior linebacker T.J. Dottery is one of four players who decided to follow Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge after Ole Miss’s playoff run. Dottery, who led the SEC in tackles last season with 98, says he’s already enjoying playing for his new defensive coordinator, Blake Baker.

Cut 17 (15)  “…nothing but good.”

LSU women’s basketball starting point guard Jada Richard (Ree-shard) is reportedly entering the transfer portal. The former Lafayette Christian star averaged nearly 10 points, three assists, and a steal this past season. The Opelousas native’s decision to enter the portal is considered a major surprise.

A disappointing Pelicans season comes to an end this weekend. New Orleans is at Boston tonight, and the final game of the season is Sunday in Minnesota.

04.09.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team suffered its fourth midweek loss of the season Tuesday, falling 10-7 to Bethune-Cookman. After that midweek loss, the Tigers will need to keep winning in conference play to have any chance of hosting an NCAA Regional in June. The challenge doesn’t get any easier, as LSU travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss this weekend. Coach Jay Johnson says the Rebels’ lineup is one of the toughest in the SEC.

Cut 17 (15)  “…trying to execute.”

Last night, Southeastern walked off UL Lafayette with a two-out, solo home run by Rhett Centanni, handing the Cajuns their third straight loss. It marked the Lions’ third consecutive win. Southeastern will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi this weekend, while the Cajuns will host tenth-ranked Southern Mississippi.

Louisiana Tech senior quarterback Trey Kukuk (CUE-kuck) has been the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback during spring practice, as Blake Baker continues to rehab from a torn ACL he suffered at the end of last season.. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says Kukuk has already shown tremendous improvement in just seven practices.

Cut 20 (15) “…a football player.”

LSU women’s basketball senior guard Flau’jae Johnson has officially been invited to New York for the WNBA Draft on April 13. In the latest ESPN Mock Draft, Johnson was predicted to be selected fifth by the Chicago Sky.

Former LSU golfer and Shreveport native Sam Burns is currently the co-leader at the Masters Tournament after shooting a 5-under 67 in the opening round. He shares the lead with the reigning Masters champion, Rory McIlroy. University High graduate Patrick Reed is also among the top performers, sitting tied for third after a 3-under 69 on day one.

04.09.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

Fuel prices continue to climb, with no end in sight. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Motorists might not have to pay for an inspection sticker next year. The Louisiana House has approved a bill to eliminate the inspection sticker requirement and replace it with a QR code that would cost six dollars. An inspection sticker costs ten dollars a year. The Senate still need to approve the legislation.

 

Another session and another year where an attempt to raise the minimum wage has been defeated. The House Labor Committee voted along party lines today to kill a proposal to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to 12-dollars in 2027 and 15-dollars an hour by 2029. The Economic Policy Institute says one in five workers would see a pay raise as a result of this legislation, but Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says workforce training is how you increase wages…

Cut 11 (11) “…in solution”

The Colorado State University Hurricane Forecast is predicting a somewhat below-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2026. Researcher Chandler Jenkins says that’s because a moderate to strong El Nino could be in place from August to October…

Cut 4 (08) “….in the Atlantic”

C-S-U is predicting 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two of the hurricanes could be major.