Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.07.22
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7:30 LRN newscast January 7

Attorney General Jeff Landry is in Washington D.C. today to deliver oral arguments to the Supreme Court against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for select healthcare workers. Landry says it’s a big day for the country…
Cut 7 (08) “…for the next century.”
The Louisiana A-G’s office will tell the nation’s highest court that the vaccine mandate is a government overreach.

Louisiana reported another single-day high for new COVID infections as the state health department reported 14-thousand cases on Thursday. Governor John Bel Edwards continues to encourage residents to get vaccinated and mask up…
cut 4 (09) “…activities”
COVID hospitalizations have reached 14-hundred, a 700-percent increase from three weeks ago.

Amidst the fifth COVID surge, the ability to find a rapid test is proving to be extremely difficult. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says supply is not able to keep up with demand but if you are showing symptoms or have a known exposure you can receive a PCR test.
Cut 13 (07) “…of those.“
If you need to find a place to get tested call 2-1-1..

Commercials are all over Louisiana TV and radio about online sports betting “Coming Soon”, but HOW soon? State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says – first – he’d like to dispel a few rumors…:
Cut 10 (08) “…not the case.”
Johns says there’s still more work to do before they can green light online sports betting that includes the geofencing component so that online sports bets can’t happen in the nine parishes that voted against it.

01.07.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast January 7

The Pelicans snapped a three-game losing streak as they defeated a Golden State team that did not have Stephen Curry and Draymond Green last night. So Brandon Ingram was the best player on the court and he had 32 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in the 101-96 win over the Warriors.

The 13th ranked LSU Lady Tigers had their 13-game winning streak snapped last night as they fell to top-ranked South Carolina 66-60.

In men’s college basketball….the Ragin Cajuns improved to 3-0 in the Sun Belt with an 83-77 overtime victory over Arkansas State. Kobe Julien led the way with 20 points and Theo Akwuba had 16 points and 15 boards.

ULM won its first Sun Belt game as the Warhawks defeated Little Rock 80-72. Russell Harrison had a career-high 28 points for ULM.

Louisiana Tech is 3-0 in Conference USA Play after a hard-fought 64-52 victory at UTEP. Cobe Williams had 17 points for the Bulldogs.

For the Saints to get back in the playoffs, New Orleans will have to beat the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday and the Rams need to beat the 49ers in Los Angeles. Both games will kick-off at 3:25 and Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says he will not be scoreboard watching…
Cut 16 (25) “…look outside.”
The NFL playoffs begin next weekend, so will online sports betting be available. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says no, but they are getting close…
cut 12 (14) “….very, very very soon”
The Saints are 3.5 point favorite to beat Atlanta on Sunday.

01.07.22
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6:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Supreme Court will hear oral arguments from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office this morning as the state is the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit that seeks to stop President Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Louisiana A-G Jeff Landry says he’s worried that if the President’s mandate is held in place it could create a healthcare shortage…
cut 9 (07) “….this America”
Oral arguments begin at 10 AM.

When will online sports betting get underway in Louisiana? Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says work is proceeding to make that happen with all due haste…
cut 11 (11) “…as soon as possible”
There are nine parishes that voted against legal sports betting, so Johns says the geofencing needs to be established to prevent sports betting in those parishes.

As daily COVID case numbers continue to break records, the governor continues to encourage residents to wear masks indoors. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Cold start to today, but it will warm up for the weekend, but rain is in the forecast.

01.06.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

No surprise here, but LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Junior has declared for the NFL draft. Stingley is expected to be one of the top picks in the first round, even though he played in just three games this year, before a season-ending foot injury. During the 2019 national championship season, Stingley had six interceptions and 38 tackles.

Other early LSU entrees into the draft are cornerback Cordale Flott, defensive back Cam Lewis and offensive guard Chasen Hines, who is committed to playing in the NFLPA Bowl on January 29th.

Another member of the Ragin Cajuns backfield has entered the transfer portal. Emani Bailey has entered the portal after rushing for eight touchdowns and 642 yards this past season. Fellow freshman running back Montrell Johnson has also entered the transfer portal.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host Golden State tonight. The Warriors have the best record in the Western Conference, while New Orleans is second to last in the West.

The PMAC is expected to be packed tonight as the 13th ranked Lady Tigers host top-ranked South Carolina. LSU is seeking its 14th straight win, while the Gamecocks are led by National Player of the Year candidate Aliyah Boston, who is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds a game. Coach Kim Mulkey understands the excitement around this game, but she says it will not make or break their season…
cut 20 (25) “…remain the same”
Tip off is at 7 PM.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team is on the road tonight to face UTEP. The Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start in Conference USA Play. U-L Lafayette is 2-0 in the Sun Belt and the Cajuns will host Arkansas State, while ULM hosts Little Rock. The Warhawks are 0-2 in league play.

01.06.22
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LRN PM Newscall January 6

Today is the one-year anniversary of the storming of the U-S Capitol. Jeff Palermo reports on what members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation said that day…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It’s King’s Day and that means you can officially begin consuming King Cake. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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One year ago today, pro-Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol as Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Lawmakers were escorted out of the chambers. Here’s Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson describing the scene that day

Cut 3 (13) “…secure location.”

Senator Bill Cassidy took to social media as House and Senate members were escorted to a safe location and delivered this message…

Cut 4 (05) “…unamerican period.”

Later that night, Cassidy was the lone Republican member of Louisiana’s delegation who voted to certify presidential election results and later voted to convict the former President on charges that his actions led to the mob attack on the capitol.

On that day, Congressman Mike Johnson expressed concern about our country if the political rhetoric continues to keep pushing some Americans towards violence…

Cut 5 (10) “…in peril”

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Today is King’s Day, marking the official beginning of carnival season. It’s also the first day you can enjoy King Cake and be not chastised for it. David Haydel, Jr. co-owner of Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans says they are already inundated with revelers ready to kick off Mardi Gras with their famous King Cakes.

 Cut 6 (06) “…all morning.” 

Haydel’s Bakery is known for sharing its award-winning pastry around the country and Haydel says the ovens are preheated and they’re prepped for the long haul until Fat Tuesday, March 1st.

Cut 7 (11) “…good season.” 

There are a variety of the beloved pastry to choose from, some with fruit filling or even nuts but Haydel says there are two tried and true favorites they sell the most of…

Cut 8 (09) “…most of.” 

Haydel says their popular porcelain collectibles were delayed in shipping but should be available early next week.

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The Carnival season is officially underway with Krewe presidents for Zulu and Rex marking its start by celebrating Kings Day. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Mardi Gras 2022 will happen without a doubt…

Cut 9 (12) “…body’s as well”

Cantrell says current guildlines would remain in place but wouldn’t stop citizens from celebrating in true New Orleans fashion. Cantrell also praised the city’s high vaccination rate…

Cut 10 (09)  “…applause for that”

During the press conference, Cantrell honored the legacy of “Mr. Mardi Gras” Blaine Kern which lives on through Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World. Cantrell also took time to thank her co-chairs of the mayor’s Mardi Gras advisory…

Cut  11 (07)  “…move through it” 

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The Louisiana Health Department reported a single-day high of 14,077 new coronavirus cases and 12 new deaths today. Gov. John Bel Edwards says many of these new cases are re-infections…

Cut 12 (12) “…was 11,278″  

The CDC estimates for the month of December that 98.2% of all cases in our region are due to the Omicron variant. Edwards says that with the increased transmissibility there’s been a higher percent positivity…

Cut 13 (13) “….in one week. “

Because of how rapidly the omicron variant has taken over, Edwards says every Louisianan either has Covid-19, had it, or knows someone who does. The governor adds this surge has led to a less accurate representation of actual current cases…

Cut 14 (06)  “…it appears.” 

01.06.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

As expected LSU cornerback, Derek Stingley Junior has entered the NFL draft. He’s expected to be a first-round pick after missing most of the season with a foot injury.

Cornerback Cordale Flott has also announced he’s entering the draft. The junior from Alabama recorded 41 tackles and an interception this past season. With Flott and Stingley headed to the NFL and Elias Ricks now at Alabama, LSU’s three cornerbacks who started in the season opener are now gone.

The 13th ranked LSU women’s basketball team puts its 13 game winning streak on the line tonight when they host top-ranked South Carolina. Lady Tigers Coach Kim Mulkey says this is a tremendous challenge and opportunity for her squad…
Cut 19 (13) “…size to rebound”
South Carolina is led by National Player of the Year Candidate Aliyah Boston, who is averaging 17 points and ten rebounds a game.

The Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State in their Sun Belt home opener tonight. U-L Lafayette is off to a 2-0 start in league play, while the Red Wolves beat Georgia Southern in their lone Sun Belt game of the season and they are 10-and-3 overall. Coach Bob Marlin says A-S-U is led by Caleb Fields, Norchad Omier and a talented shooter by the name of Marquis Eaton, who had 32 points against the Cajuns in a game last February…
Cut 18 (16) “ …player inside”
Elsewhere, ULM hosts Little Rock tonight. The Warhawks are looking for their first win in league play. Louisiana Tech is at UTEP. The Bulldogs are 11-and-3 and 2-and-0 in Conference USA. The Miners lost their first Conference USA game of the season a week ago, falling to UAB 75-62.

01.06.22
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9:30 LRN Newscast January 6

Today marks one year since the riot at the U.S. Capitol building that some are calling an attempted insurrection. Louisiana U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the whole matter was sad and unfortunate, and it could have been avoided. He says inflammatory partisan rhetoric is largely to blame…:
Cut 4 (14) “… other person the enemy.”
Senator John Kennedy says without order, there can be no justice.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a COVID-19 media briefing at 2:30 today. The state health department reported another 10-thousand new COVID cases yesterday. Doctor John Vanchiere at LSU Health Shreveport says they are testing on average 650 to 800 people a day….
cut 12 (08) “…community testing”

The oldest living World War II veteran and Norwood, Louisiana native passed away at the age of 112 on Tuesday. Brooke Thorington has more
cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

King Cake Season gets underway today with Twelfth Night taking place tonight. It will be a long king cake season as Mardi Gras Day is not until March 1st.

Also another cold front hits the state today, it will start turning cooler later today, but we are looking at a mild weekend with rain.

01.06.22
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Today marks one year since the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol that some say was an attempted insurrection. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

January sixth also marks the official start of King Cake Season as the carnival season begins today with Twelfth Night. There are three parades in New Orleans tonight. And with Mardi Gras Day on February 20th, that means a little more than six weeks of king cake to enjoy.

The governor’s office says construction has started on the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish. Upon completion, the project will create and nourish about 27-hundred acres of marsh on the southern shoreline of Lake Borgne near Shell Beach. Deputy Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Greg Grandy says this will benefit the wetland ecosystem and fishermen…
cut 10 (12) ”,,,,in and out”
The project will cost 61-million dollars paid for by B-P oil spill damage dollars.

The state health department reported another 10-thousand new COVID cases yesterday, eleven COVID deaths and hospitalizations are up to 1,287. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere stresses the importance of being fully vaccinated to reduce the chance of severe illness and hospitalization…
cut 13 (08) “….easily spread”
Governor Edwards holds a COVID media breifing at 2:30 today.

01.06.22
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Today marks one year since the January sixth Capitol Hill riot. A U-S House select committee has been investigating that violent event and what former President Donald Trump was doing when thousands of his supporters made their way inside the capitol as the certification of the election was taking place. Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says it’s a partisan panel that’s investigating…
cut 6 (12) “….political theater”
An interim report from the committee is expected in the summer.

The oldest surviving U-S World War Two veteran has died at the age of 112. Lawrence Brooks passed away in New Orleans. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Morris Thompson knew Brooks and says Brooks claimed the key to longevity is to serve God and be nice…
cut 15 (12) “….remember him”

Construction is underway in St. Bernard Parish on a massive marsh creation project on Lake Borgne. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Meanwhile, volunteers planted more than 400 cypress tree seedlings at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville yesterday. The park suffered major tree losses from Hurricane Zeta in 2020 and Hurricane Ida last year.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has once again suspended visitation at state-run prisons. At 2:30 today, Governor Edwards will hold a media briefing on Louisiana’s response to COVID-19.

01.06.22
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6:45 LRN Sportscast January 6

LSU football general manager Austin Thomas will not return after one season at the helm. Many expected he would remain on Brian Kelly’s staff as he also performed general manager duties at LSU from 2013 to 2017.

Meanwhile, Kelly is getting close to finalizing his staff as LSU announced the hiring of Jamar Cain, as the Tigers defensive line coach and run game coordinator. Cain was the outside linebackers and defensive ends coach at Oklahoma the past two seasons. Also, the Advocate reports new LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will make about one-point-four million dollars a year.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux has named Jorge Munoz as his Associate Head Coach. Munoz is a former offensive coordinator at U-L Lafayette and now he’ll coach tight ends after stints at Baylor and LSU.

Saints defensive Cam Jordan has been named NFC defensive player of the week after his 3.5 sack performance against Carolina.

Pelicans star Zion Williamson will continue his rehab on his injured right foot away from the team. ESPN reports Williamson will conduct the rehab in Portland, Oregon near the headquarters of Nike. He has a huge sponsorship deal with the Jordan Brand. The Pels say Williamson will remain under the supervision of the team’s medical staff. New Orleans hosts Golden State tonight.

In college basketball today, After beginning Sun Belt play with two victories on the road, the Ragin Cajuns return home tonight to host Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin says they want to build on what they accomplished last week…
cut 17 (16) “….front of us”
Elsewhere, ULM hosts Little Rock tonight. Louisiana Tech is at UTEP, the Lady Tigers host top-ranked South Carolina at the Maravich Center.