Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.02.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana U-S District Judge Terry Doughty of Ravyille has blocked nationwide an attempt by the Biden Administration to require health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the mandate is forcing some workers to look for a new job…
cut 6 (06) “…that’s problematic”
Doughty wrote the Biden Administration doesn’t have the authority to bypass Congress in issuing such a mandate.

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper says it’s a bogus rumor that a second casino will be built in the parish if voters approve a proposition that allows for a casino to be constructed in Slidell. Cooper is asking all registered voters to vote on the issue which appears on the December 11th ballot…
cut 13 (09) “….from day one”
Early voting continues through Saturday.

The U-S Supreme Court is considering whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. If the nation’s highest court rules in favor of this new abortion limit, a 15-week abortion ban will also go into effect in Louisiana. Oral arguments were presented to the Supreme Court yesterday. Michelle Erenberg is the President of Lift Louisiana, a women’s advocacy group that defends the right to abortions
Cut 8 (13) “…is critical.”
Ben Clapper is the executive director of Louisiana Right to Life…
cut 9 (12) “…Post Roe Louisiana”
The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on this issue in June

12.02.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast December 2

The U-S Supreme court has signaled they might uphold Mississippi’s law that would ban abortions after 15-weeks of pregnancy. President of Lift Louisiana Michelle Erenberg says they await the court’s decision which is expected in June…
cut 10 (13) “….abortion access”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that maybe the abortion issue should be decided by the states.

A multi-state lawsuit led by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has resulted in a federal judge in Louisiana blocking President Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide. Landry believes the President is stepping outside his sandbox…
cut 5 (09) “….violate the consitution”

Many Louisiana residents are struggling with their insurance providers to settle hurricane property damage claims. Dave Brannen reports it was the focus of a daylong legislative hearing…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has approved the spending of 23-million dollars in federal money that will be used to modernize broken down water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. The 23-million dollars will go to 29 projects and a second round of money will be approved in January.

12.02.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Alignment was the big buzzword during Brian Kelly’s introductory press conference where he was introduced as the new head football coach of the LSU Tigers. Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that athletics director Scott Woodward’s vision for the future of LSU football aligns with what he wants to do as a head coach..
Cut 23 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”
Kelly says he has not made any firm decisions on his staff, but his two coordinators at Notre Dame are not following him to Baton Rouge. Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is staying in South Bend and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is reportedly replacing Kelly as Notre Dame’s head coach.

There’s football in the Superdome tonight as the Saints host the Cowboys. Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk, and Terron Armstead are questionable for tonight.

New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie described his vision for Bulldog football during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Cumbie is described as having an innovative offensive mind after serving as an offensive coordinator at both Texas Tech and TCU. The former Red Raiders Q-B wants La Tech to have an explosive and physical offense…
Cut 19 (26) “..make plays”

In basketball last night, LSU improved to 8-0 with a 66-51 win over Ohio. ULM crushed Centenary 104-67, La Tech topped Texas Southern 87-60, McNeese lost to Seattle 78-62 and Dallas shot 69-percent from the field as Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 139-107.

12.02.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast December 2

State lawmakers held a day-long meeting yesterday discussing the slow process of getting insurance companies to pay claims on hurricane-damaged homes. Doug Quinn, executive director of the American Policyholder Association, says one tactic insurance providers are using is known as the churning of adjusters…
cut 15 (10) “….a good claim”
The insurance industry says there are not enough local adjusters after a major storm passes through and so they need to bring in out-of-state adjusters.

St. Tammany Parish councilman Mike Lorino says the proposition on the December 11th ballot for a casino in Slidell would result in just one casino in the parish and any claims it would result in multiple casinos are not true..
cut 12 (12) “…bolgna”
The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban which could then limit abortions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

12.01.21
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LRN PM Newscall December 1

When country music star Garth Brooks plays his fan-favorite hit “Callin’ Baton Rouge” on April 30th, it will have extra meaning. Michelle Southern explains…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern reporting”

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Brian Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce.

Cut 3 (12) “…policy response.”

Scott says he doesn’t see the pandemic resolving anytime soon.

Scott says in a recession you tend to see a decrease in the production of goods and services and personal incomes are also down but presently that’s not the situation with personal income. Scott says stimulus payments and generous unemployment payments increased the average income and the demand for higher wages.

While unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000 jobs from pre-pandemic levels. Scott says estimates are that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

For much of 2020 and this year, there’s been a robust demand for housing, in part to low-interest rates, but Scott says the market is beginning to cool.

Cut 5 (07) “…relatively well.”

He says most of the housing movement is in existing homes, not new housing starts which has pushed prices higher than what they should be.

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Garth Brooks, one of the hottest acts in country music, makes his return to Baton Rouge next year for the first time in 24 years. Paul Arrigo, CEO and President of Visit Baton Rouge, says the superstar is set to play Tiger Stadium on April 30th and expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a spotlight on the city.

 Cut 6 (10) “..over the world.” 

Tickets for “Callin’ Baton Rouge” starring Brooks will go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. for an all-inclusive price of 94.95 each with a purchase limit of eight tickets per caller.

Arrigo says the concert by Garth Brooks will be great all around.

Cut 7 (05) “…for the region.”  

Brooks LSU appearance will mark his only concert in the Louisiana/Mississippi area in 2022.

Arrigo is hoping for an all-seats-filled Death Valley for Garth’s “Callin’ Baton Rouge” concert.

Cut 8 (09) “…those seats filled.”

He notes that Brooks’s concert coincides with the first weekend of Jazzfest in New Orleans and hopes that will draw even more fans to Tiger Stadium to hear the country superstar.

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Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says Strain’s plea comes as no surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…these federal charges.”

Strain is facing multiple life sentences after being earlier convicted in state court on multiple sexual assault charges, some of the victims children.

Ciolino says Strain’s federal plea may have been an attempt to avoid going first into the state’s prison system.

Cut 10 (13)  “…state court system.”

Ciolino doubts that will happen.

Ciolino says there wasn’t much to gain by forcing Strain to plea to more than one federal corruption charge.

Cut  11 (07)  “…scheme to defraud.”  

He says he wasn’t at all surprised by the single-count plea.

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LSU introduced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach today. Kelly has spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame and LSU fans have only been able to watch his work from afar as Kelly has coached his whole life in the Midwest. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward expects Tiger Nation will love him because he wins…

Cut 12 (07) “..is win”  

When you combine Kelly’s victories in Division one and two, he has more wins than any active coach in major college football.

Kelly says one of the reasons why he took the LSU job is that he admires athletics director Scott Woodward’s desire to be excellent in everything…..

Cut 13 (14) “…fulfill that goal.”

Kelly says he’s looking forward to his first experience in Tiger Stadium, but he understands the fans are expecting a winner…

Cut 14 (14) “…the field.” 

12.01.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday and dozens of fans were there to welcome him to his new home. Kelly will speak publically for the first time since his hiring at LSU when he’s introduced as the Tigers’ new coach at noon.

There are some fans who are still shocked Kelly will lead the Fighting Tiger program…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”
Details of Kelly’s 100-million dollar contract have been released. It contains six-figure bonuses for playing in bowl games and winning SEC and national championships. He also receives two courtesy vehicles, an interest-free loan of up to one-point-two million to buy a home, and 50 hours of travel on LSU’s private planes.

Kelly will also be introduced to Tiger fans during halftime of tonight’s men’s basketball game against Ohio.

Louisiana Tech’s new football coach is 40-year-old Sonny Cumbie who was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and T-C-U. He served as an interim coach for Texas Tech this season, leading the Red Raiders to a 1-and-3 record in their last four games. He also played quarterback at Texas Tech in the early 2000s.

Tomorrow night, The Saints are looking to break a four-game losing streak when they face the Cowboys. Coach Sean Payton says every NFL season has its bumps in the road…
Cut 18 (20) “..kind of thing”
It’s expected that Taysom Hill will start at quarterback, even though he’s battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better. Running back Mark Ingram says he’s playing, while Alvin Kamara has been limited at practice this week.

12.01.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast

LSU has called a noon press conference today to introduce Brian Kelly as the Fighting Tigers new football coach. This fan is excited that Kelly has left Notre Dame to take over the LSU program and he gives a lot of credit to athletic director Scott Woodward for getting the deal done…
cut 9 (12) “….no brainer”
Kelly’s ten-year contract also includes six-figure bonuses, two cars and a loan of up to one-point-two million dollars to buy a home.

Meanwhile, Louisiana teacher pay ranks 12th out of 16 states in the South according to the latest report from the Southern Regional Education Board. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says pay is an issue, but so is…
cut 11 (06) “…decision making”
Still, Carter says the battle will go on for higher pay with the hope that Governor Edwards can get teacher pay increased to the regional average by the end of his second term in January 2024.

News of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant has Ochsner health officials on alert and advising the public on how to prepare. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana has once again extended the Shot for 100 vaccine incentive campaign. Residents who receive their first COVID shot at a community-based site through December 31st can receive 100-dollars. Over 34-thousand people in Louisiana have received 100-bucks through the program.

12.01.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast December 1

A new report shows Louisiana still has a ways to go to reach the Southern Regional Average for teacher pay…
cut 2 (34) “….I’m Dave Brannen”

A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked President Biden’s vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide. Judge Terry Doughty issued the ruling after reviewing a multi-state lawsuit led by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Doughty wrote the Biden Administration doesn’t have the authority to bypass Congress in issuing such a mandate.

Brian Kelly will be introduced today as the Tigers new head football coach during a press conference at noon. About 50 fans gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport yesterday to welcome Kelly and his family to their new home. This fan can’t believe the winningest coach in Notre Dame history is now leading the Fighting Tigers…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”

Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says he’s not seeking a seventh term in office and he will retire when his current term comes to an end on June 30th…
cut 6 (10) “…until then”
Fields was a recent inductee into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and is credited with revitalizing Pineville business, leading improvements to the Rapides Parish city’s infrastructure & recreational departments, and bringing new commercial and residential developments.

12.01.21
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday and dozens of fans were there to welcome him to his new home. Kelly will speak publically for the first time since his hiring at LSU when he’s introduced as the Tigers’ new coach at noon.

There are some fans who are still shocked Kelly will lead the Fighting Tiger program…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”
Details of Kelly’s 100-million dollar contract have been released. It contains six-figure bonuses for playing in bowl games and winning SEC and national championships. He also receives two courtesy vehicles, an interest-free loan of up to one-point-two million to buy a home, and 50 hours of travel on LSU’s private planes.

Kelly will also be introduced to Tiger fans during halftime of tonight’s men’s basketball game against Ohio.

Louisiana Tech will introduce its new head football coach today. It’s Sonny Cumbie who was an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and T-C-U. He served as an interim coach for Texas Tech this season, leading the Red Raiders to a 1-and-3 record in their last four games. He also played quarterback at Texas Tech in the early 2000s.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has yet to name a starting quarterback for tomorrow night’s home game against Dallas. Taysom Hill is expected to start as he’s been taking the first-team reps at Q-B, but he’s also battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better….
Cut 16 (18) “…from there”
Saints running back Mark Ingram says he’s ready to play after missing the Thanksgiving loss to the Bills with an injured knee. Alvin Kamara has been limited at practice this week.

12.01.21
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

A new survey from the Southern Regional Education Board shows teacher pay in Louisiana ranks 12th of 16 states in the South. According to the S-R-E-B, the average salary for Louisiana teachers is 51-thousand dollars, while the regional average is 55-thousand dollars. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says it’s important to keep raising teacher pay…
cut 10 (10) “….seeking higher pay”
Carter says it will be up to the governor, state lawmakers and educators to work together to see that the state allocates the additional state funding.

The highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.
Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”
Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says preliminary data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine retains adequate efficacy against the Omicron variant.

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport yesterday as dozens of fans were on hand when the winningest coach in Notre Dame history touched down in Tiger Town
Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”