Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.03.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The first college football playoff rankings of the season were released last night and no surprise Georgia is number one. One-loss Alabama is two, ahead of undefeated Michigan State who is at three, Orgeron is ranked fourth, Ohio State fifth, and Cincinnati, who just beat Tulane is sixth.

LSU is getting ready to play second-ranked Alabama. Tigers Offensive Tackle Austin Deculus on what he’ll tell some of the younger guys as they get ready to play against the Crimson Tide…
cut 20 (20) “….in different”

The Pelicans had a 20-point lead in the second quarter but lost last night in Phoenix 112 to 100. New Orleans was playing without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who are both injured.

Louisiana Tech is looking to end a four-game losing streak on Saturday in Birmingham when they face UAB. The Bulldogs are 2-and-6 on the year and four of those losses were by a touchdown or less. Coach Skip Holtz says not executing at critical times has resulted in some tough losses
Cut 16 (13) “…opportunistic moment”
The Bulldogs and the Blazers played a double-overtime thriller last season that was won by Tech 37-34.

Conference USA is reportedly looking at adding four schools, two of them are FCS programs and the other two are FBS independents. Those schools would be Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston State.

And there’s a report McNeese is leaving the Southland Conference for the WAC.

There’s also a report the Saints and Browns talked about a trade involving wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior. But the NFL trade deadline came and went yesterday with no major moves being made by the Black and Gold.

11.03.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast

As the CDC approves Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11, an Ascension Parish state lawmaker and others are urging education officials to resist mandating vaccinations for young school children. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston sent a letter to state Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley to that effect…:
Cut 7 (13) “…terms of consent.”
Edmonston’s letter to Brumley was co-signed by 13 other state legislators. In it, she says parents should be either present while their kids are vaccinated at school locations, or given proper notice so as to provide their consent or refusal for reason.

The Louisiana Department of Health says it will issue formal guidance to vaccine providers later today. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they now have a powerful new tool to protect children.

After a suicide attempt as a teen, an Ascension Parish woman is now trying to give others hope with her own documentary.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Another shot of cold air is heading to Louisiana. High temperatures in north Louisiana today will only be in the low to mid-50s and National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Hemingway says Friday morning lows will get below 40-degrees…
cut 13 (08) “…in the week”

11.02.21
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Myles Brennan is entering the NCAA transfer portal, giving the former starter a chance to find a place where he can start next season and put up some numbers for the NFL scouts…
Cut 19 (22) “…the best.”
Orgeron says current starting quarterback Max Johnson will be full speed this week despite dealing with a sore shoulder and he says the plan is to play Garrett Nussmeier in just one more game, so this could still be a redshirt season for the freshman for the QB.

The one and six Pelicans are in action tonight as they visit the Phoenix Suns to start a four-game road trip. Zion Williamson remains out as he recovers from a fractured foot.

Saints starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season as a result of a torn ACL and damage to his MCL. Winston suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay. So who will start this Sunday against Atlanta? Coach Sean Payton is not ready to answer that question
Cut 16 (15) “…to play Sunday.”
Former Chargers and Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times that if the Saints called about his availability he would listen. Rivers retired at the end of last season after leading Indianapolis to the playoffs and is now a high school football coach in Alabama.

There are reports McNeese is gearing up to leave the Southland Conference to join the WAC, which has plans to become an FBS football-playing conference. Conference USA is reportedly looking to take Sam Houston and New Mexico State away from the WAC.

11.02.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Sean Payton calls Quarterback Jameis Winston’s A-C-L tear a classic field turf injury. Winston suffered the season-ending knee injury as former LSU Tiger Devin White was trying to tackle him. The Buccaneer’s linebacker was flagged for horse collaring.

So will start this Sunday? Coach Sean Payton could either go with Trevor Siemian who replaced Winston after he was injured or Taysom Hill, who could return for Sunday’s game after suffering a concussion three weeks ago. Payton says even though there’s uncertainty at quarterback, they can start putting together a game plan for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons…
Cut 17 (10) “ …ready to go.”

The Pelicans say All-Star forward Zion Williams will be out at least another two to three weeks as he recovers from a fractured foot. The one and six Pels are in Phoenix tonight to face the Suns. The game will be televised by T-N-T.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Myles Brennan is entering the NCAA transfer portal, giving the former starter a chance to find a place where he can start next season and put up some numbers for the NFL scouts…
Cut 19 (22) “…the best.”

The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reports that Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston are all likely to join Conference USA. Conference USA needs an influx of new teams as they are losing eleven members in this latest round of conference realignment.

11.02.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast

One person is dead following a fatal police shooting yesterday afternoon involving Houma Police officers and a suspect that has yet to be identified publicly. State Police is investigating and L-S-P is expected to release more information later today.

Three Louisiana institutions are taking part in a four-year study on why some people infected with COVID suffer long-term side effects. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state health department has announced the Shot for 100-dollar vaccine incentive program has been extended to November 30th. Assistant Secretary Kim Hood says if the CDC approves the use of COVID vaccines for five to eleven years old, the families of those children who get vaccinated can also receive a one-hundred-dollar gift card…
cut 9 (13) “…dollar gift card”

The Louisiana Motor Transportation Association released its top industry issues report for 2021 and the top concern is a driver shortage. LMTA Executive Director Rene Amar says lawsuit abuse reform and insurance cost are the other big issues. Amar says state lawmakers have taken steps toward insurance reform, but the changes will take a while before they are realized…
cut 5 (12) “..in the interim”

11.02.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast

There’s a new lease on life for Louisiana’s Shot for 100 program that’s meant to further encourage people to get their first COVID-19 vaccine shot. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says the Louisiana Health Department has extended the program
Cut 7 (08) “…shot for 100.”
The 100 is a $100 gift card for those receiving their first shots. And Hood says once the CDC gives approval for five to 11 year-olds to receive the vaccine, they will be eligible too, but require parental consent.

Four casinos regulated by the state have opened up sports betting books this week and nine more have applied for licenses. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is optimistic about the positive impact casino sportsbooks will have on tourism…
cut 14 (12) “….legally here now”

The state’s trucking industry says the shortage of big-rig drivers is a huge part of our supply chain problems. More from Kevin Gallagher.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting that occurred in Houma yesterday afternoon. Authorities say Houma Police was called to a residence about a disturbance and once they arrived they became involved in an altercation with a man. Police shot the suspect, who died at a nearby hospital. No officers were injured and no word on if the suspect was armed.

11.02.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast November 2

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center, along with LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Health Sciences will take part in a National Institutes of Health study on COVID long haulers. Pennington Lead Investigator Dr. John Kirwan says they will compare blood samples of a control group to those who suffer from COVID symptoms for a long period of time.
Cut 10 (07) “…this condition.”
As many as 30-percent of COVID patients experience symptoms that last at least a month.

There are now four casinos regulated by the state taking legal sports bets. Yesterday L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge and Boomtown Casino in Harvey joined Harrah’s in New Orleans and Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City who began on Sunday. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes sports betting in Louisiana will help tourism…
cut 15 (08) “…to gamble’

The state’s Shot for 100 program to incentivize people to get their first COVID shot has been extended for another month until November 30th. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The state health department reported another 15-hundred coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total since the pandemic started to 760-thousand. the number of people hospitalized due to COVID is down to 271.

11.01.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed today that Quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season after tearing his A-C-L and injuring his M-C-L. Tomorrow is the NFL trade deadline, will the Saints make a move to bring in a quarterback. Saints radio color analyst Deuce McCallister doesn’t expect the Black and Gold to make a big move…
cut 10 (10) “….works out first”
McAllister expects either Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian will start the rest of the games. Siemian played well yesterday, but cornerback P-J Williams came up with the game-clinching play. Williams had the interception for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter….
cut 17 (15) “….it was great”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed reports today that former starting quarterback Myles Brennan has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Orgeron says Brennan wants to play somewhere next season where he’ll start and impress NFL teams for the 2023 draft. The Tigers at Alabama this Saturday. The third-ranked Crimson Tide are 28.5 point favorites.

Louisiana Tech is on a four-game losing streak after a tough 23-20 loss to Old Dominion. The Bulldogs lost on a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Prior to the game-winning kick, Tech had the ball at the 45-yard line and it was fourth and three. Coach Skip Holtz elected to go for it, but J-D Head’s deep ball down the sideline sailed out of bounds
Cut 20 (18) “do it.”
Tech, who is 2-and-6, is at UAB this Saturday.

11.01.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

What a win for the Saints on Sunday, but it came at a cost as New Orleans knocked off the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-27. Saints played much of the game without starting quarterback Jameis Winston as he went down with a knee injury and Trevor Siemian came in and threw for 159 yards and one touchdown. Coach Sean Payton says Siemian was calm and handled the situation well…
Cut 16 (20) “of energy.”
So who is the starting quarterback for the Saints going forward. Analyst Mike Detillier believes Taysom Hill once he comes back after suffering a concussion…
cut 9 (08) “…run with it now”
The Saints host Atlanta this Sunday.

11.01.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards is at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Scotland. Edwards says no other state in the country is more impacted by climate change than Louisiana. He’s interested in developing more green energy and that includes the possibility of wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. LSU climate change policy expert Edward Richards…
cut 8 (09) “…new industries”

The auto insurance shopping website Jerry ranks Louisiana as the worst state to own an electric car. Data scientist with Jerry, Lakshmi (LUCK-shmee) Iyenar, says Louisiana is at the bottom because it doesn’t have many electric charging ports and the state offers only a few incentives to own an electric car…
cut 5 (11) “….et cetera”
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport ruled Ochsner Health cannot discipline unvaccinated employees until a lawsuit filed on the behalf of employees is heard. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

But Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas calls the ruling from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals disappointing and they will appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Thomas also says the vaccination policy mandate will continue as planned at Ochsner Health facilities outside of north Louisiana.