Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

10.22.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are getting ready to make a trip to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Coach Sean Payton says it’s difficult to produce explosive plays on offense against the Seahawks defense…
Cut 16 (16) “drives”
A couple of starting offensive linemen have returned to practice. Terron Armstead and Erik McCoy were limited yesterday, but Deonte Harris and Taysom Hill did not practice. Harris has a hamstring injury and Hill is trying to recover from a concussion.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says wide receiver Deion Smith and starting right guard Chasen Hines are doubtful for Saturday’s game against 12th ranked Ole Miss. Marlon Martinez is expected to start if Hines can’t go. Kick-off is at 2:30.

The Ragin Cajuns rushed for 424 yards last night and they needed every one of those yards as U-L Lafayette held off upset-minded Arkansas State 28-27. Chris Smith rushed 238 yards, which is the fifth-most rushing yards in a single game in program history. Montrell Johnson rushed for 150 yards and got most of those yards on a 99-yard touchdown run.

21st ranked SMU trounced Tulane 55-26 as the Green Wave fall to one and six.

It’s homecoming for Louisiana Tech who will host undefeated and 24th ranked UTSA. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the Roadrunners are a senior-laden team…
Cut 18 (19)”…protecting the football.”
It’s the first time the Roadrunners have been ranked in program history.

10.22.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast October 22

Senator John Kennedy says a massive disaster relief & economic recovery bill passed by the Senate is amended to benefit the Bayou State. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says between 300 to 400 commercial buildings damaged by Hurricane Laura are being condemned or marked for demolition.

In New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell is considering holding all Mardi Gras parades on St. Charles Avenue as the city is concerned about the lack of available first responders.

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is working on legislation that would allow former governors to be buried on the State Capitol grounds next to the final resting place of Huey Long. Echols says his legislation is for the 2022 legislative session and he welcomes input from historians and others…
cut 12 (11) “….appropriate”
Trina Edwards, the widow of former Edwin Edwards, wanted the former four-term governor buried next to Huey Long’s statue, instead, Edwards was cremated.

Medicare Open Enrollment ends December seventh and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is urging Medicare beneficiaries to use the Senior Health Insurance Information Program to help navigate the Medicare Open Enrollment Period…
cut 8 (10) “…their individual’s situation”
Medicare beneficiaries can contact SHIP by visiting i-d-i-dot-la-dot-gov.

10.21.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Ragin Cajuns are 18 point favorites to beat Arkansas State tonight. U-L Coach Billy Napier on the matchup….
cut 17 (11) “…this rivalry”
Kick off is at 6:30.

Also tonight, Tulane is at 21st ranked SMU.

LSU is at 12th ranked Ole Miss. The Tigers are coming off a win over previoulsy ranked Florida. Rebels Coach Lane Kiffin is impressed with how LSU beat the Gators….
cut 19 (14) “….normally”
Kick-off from Oxford is at 2:30. Louisiana Tech is also facing a ranked team on Saturday as they host 24th ranked UTSA for homecoming.

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The Louisiana Gaming Control Board gave unanimous approval for FanDuel to operate in the state, which gives online fantasy sports players another option. FanDuel’s competitor Draft Kings has been up and running in the state for several weeks. When will casinos offer sports gambling? Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says they are getting closer and at today’s board meeting he shot down rumors it will happen this weekend….
cut 11 (12) “…right way”
Currently only Paragon Casino in Marskville is taking legal sports bets.

The Pelicans lost 117 to 97 to the 76ers in their season opener last night. University of Illinois transfer Adam Miller, who was expected to be a big part of the LSU men’s basketball team, has torn his ACL. The Cajuns are picked to finish second in the Sun Belt coaches poll, ULM is picked to finish last.

10.21.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saturday’s LSU-Ole Miss game features a matchup of two coaches who have a lot of respect for each other. Rebels Coach Lane Kiffin was a young assistant coach with LSU’s Ed Orgeron when the two were on USC’s staff in the early 2000s. Kiffin says he learned a lot from Orgeron…
cut 20 (16) “…he does”
When Kiffin was the head coach at Tennessee and USC, he hird Orgeron to be an assistant coach on his staff. Coach O took over as the interim coach of the Trojans in 2013 when Kiffin was fired.

Multiple LSU players went on Twitter to deny the report Orgeron would have girlfriends at practice and their children would take part in team drills. Andre Anthony, Neil Farrell, Glen Logan, Myles Brennan and others say it’s Fake News.

The Ragin Cajuns seek their 12th straight Sun Belt Conference road victory tonight when they face Arkansas State in a game that will be shown on ESPN U. The Red Wolves are 1-and-5 but Cajuns Coach Billy Napier calls them a dangerous team
Cut 16 (20) “expect that”
Kick-off is at 6:30.

Also tonight, Tulane, who is 1-and-5, is at 21st ranked SMU.

Basketball, the Pelicans dropped their season opener, a 117 to 97 defeat to the 76ers. University of Illinois transfer Adam Miller, who was expected to be a big part of the LSU men’s basketball team, has reportedly torn his ACL and is out for the year. The Cajuns are picked to finish second in the Sun Belt coaches poll, while ULM is picked to finish last.

10.21.21
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06:45 LRN Sportscast

Not a great start to the Willie Green era for the Pelicans. Green lost his coaching debut as New Orleans fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 117-97. The 76ers put the game away with a 36 point fourth quarter. Green on the opening night defeat….
cut 29 (25) “…night overall”
It was a really rough night for new Pelican, Jonas Valanciunas, who was 3-of-19 from the field and scored just nine points.

LSU men’s basketball has lost one of its top players before the season even started. University of Illinois transfer Adam Miller has reportedly suffered an ACL injury and will miss the season.
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It remains a mystery on whether Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corrall will play in Saturday’s game against LSU. Corrall rushed for 30 times in last week’s win against Tennessee and Coach Lane Kiffin sounded pessimistic on Monday that he could suit up again on Saturday. During Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference, Kiffin didn’t sound any more optimistic…
Cut 18 (13)”…that’s hope.”
Kick-off in Oxford on Saturday is at 2:30.

Tonight in college football, Tulane is at 21st ranked SMU, the Ragin Cajuns visit Arkansas State, who has just one win on the season. Last night in the Sun Belt, Appalachian State upset 14th ranked Coastal Carolina 30-27.

And there are reports the Sun Belt is looking at adding Southern Miss, Marshall, Old Dominion and James Madison, while Conference USA is also eyeing James Madison and FBS independent Liberty.

10.20.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast October 20

With LSU’s top receiver, Kayshon Boutte (Boo-thay), going down with a season-ending injury. Someone had to step. Last Saturday it was Jena’s Jaray (Juh-ray) Jenkins who caught a career-high three touchdown passes in the upset win over Florida…
Cut 16 (15) “get the victory”
Linebacker Damone Clark says the news that this would be Coach Ed Orgeron’s last season at LSU has not been a distraction…
cut 18 (08) “…great university”
The Tigers are facing one of the top offenses in the SEC this Saturday as Ole Miss is averaging 44 points a game.

There are two college football games tomorrow night, the Ragin Cajuns are at Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette seeks a 12th straight Sun Belt win on the road. And Tulane is at 21st ranked SMU.

Tonight is the season opener for the Pelicans as New Orleans hosts the 76ers. It’s the head coaching debut for Willie Green and the goal this season for New Orleans is nothing less than a playoff appearance. They got to get Zion Williamson. He continues to recover from fracturing his foot in the summer. Tip off is at 7 PM.

The Saints are five point favorites heading into Monday night’s matchup with the Seahawks. Seattle is in last place in the NFC West with a two and four record and they are without star quarterback Russell Wilson, who is sidelined with a finger injury. The Saints are getting healthier as Kwon Alexander, Marcus Davenport, Tre’Quan Smith and Will Lutz are getting closer to returning.

The Sun Belt Conference is reportedly close to announcing that Southern Miss and Marshall are leaving Conference USA to join the Sun Belt. Pete Thamel from Yahoo Sports also reports the Sun Belt is looking to add Old Dominion and James Madison, while Conference USA is interested in adding Liberty and James Madison.

10.20.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast October 20

Tonight is the season opener for the Pelicans who tip-off the season at home against the 76ers. New Orleans starting five looks different this year. Jonas Valanciunas is the new big man down low and has reportedly signed a two year contract extension. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three-point specialist Devontae Graham will play at guard along with Brandon Ingram. Coach Willie Green…
cut 28 (08) “…key for us”
And getting Zion Williamson back healthy will also be a key. No timeline on when he’ll return.

The Saints are at Seattle on Monday and linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive end Marcus Davenport and receiver Tre’Quan Smith are getting closer to returning. There’s also a chance kicker Will Lutz will return for Monday night’s game.

The Tigers are facing one of the top offenses in the SEC this Saturday as Ole Miss is averaging 44 points a game. Senior defensive tackle Glen Logan on the matchup with the Rebels…
Cut 19 (19) “…against them.”
Kick-off on Saturday in Oxford is at 2:30 PM. LSU has won the last five games in this series, but they are a nine-point underdog this Saturday.

Louisiana Tech is a touchdown underdog at home this Saturday to 24th ranked UTSA, who is 7-and-0. The Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing performance against UTEP where Tech only scored a field goal. Coach Skip Holtz is hoping for a big crowd for this homecoming matchup at 6 PM inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

10.20.21
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9:30 LRN Newscast October 20

The Louisiana Legislature is holding regional public forums on redistricticting. The first forum will take place today in Monroe on the ULM campus starting at 5:30. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt expects to hear discussion about an I-20 Congressional District covering both Monroe and Shreveport…
cut 5 (15) “…north-south”
Lawmakers will hold a special redistricting session early next year.

Black Friday sales are already out there. Walmart and Best Buy are offering Black Friday deals before Halloween. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says many consumers held back last year on holiday shopping, so there is pent up demand…
cut 15 (10) “…never get again”

Louisiana will be represented in the famous Macy’s Day Parade as they will have a one-of-a-kind float that will roll on the streets of New York City on Thanksgiving Day. Brooke Thorington…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Secretary of State’s office is informing voters in nine parishes about changes to their polling locations because of damage from Hurricane Ida. Some voters in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes will cast their ballots in large tents.

10.20.21
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8:30 LRN newscast October 20

The state Legislature begins a series of regional public forums on redistricting today. The first of nine forums takes place at 5:30 at the UL-Monroe Library Terrace. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is chair of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.…:
Cut 4 (10) “…representation going forward.”
In early 2022, the legislature will call themselves into a special redistricting session to re-draw Congressional and legislative boundaries.

Louisiana is going all out for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. In an effort to draw tourists to the state, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a 60-foot-long alligator-themed float will debut to an audience of more than 20 million and it’s not like the Bayou State doesn’t know a thing or two about parade floats.
Cut 10 (06) “…mouth opening.”
The float will cost one-point-three million dollars and it will appear in the parade over the next three years.

Walmart and Best Buy are getting a head start on so-called Black Friday deals, teasing low-price offerings even before November rolls around. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says pre-Black Friday sales are nothing new, but these retailers are promoting some big deals…
Cut 13 (07) “…the supply chain.”
Rice says if you are not ready to start on your holiday shopping list, don’t worry there will be more deals when the official shopping season begins.

The state Office of Public Health is holding community vaccination clinics around the state as the upcoming flu season is expected to be more active than usual. Doctor David Holcombe, regional public health director for Central Louisiana, says these one-day vaccination clinics are usually successful…
cut 8 (09) “….is pretty astonishing”
Holcombe says flu shots will be administered today at the Rapides Parish Health Unit until 3 PM. Tomorrow there will be flu vaccination clinic at LaSalle parish’s health unit and Grant and Vernon Parish health units on Friday.

10.20.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast October 20

This evening state lawmakers begin a nine-city tour of public forums on redistricting Louisiana. LRN’s Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The man accused of fatally shooting one of his relatives and a state trooper in a shooting rampage in the Baton Rouge area earlier this month is now inside a maximum security jail cell at Angola. Matthew Mire was transported to the state’s penitentiary which is an unusual move for an accused killer who is awaiting trial.

Louisiana is spending one-point-three million dollars so that a 60-foot alligator float can take part in the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City for the next three years. The float will feature a blend of New Orleans French Quarter architecture and Creole fashion along with Mardi Gras beads, a Pelican, a riverboat paddle wheel, and a to be named later musical act…
Cut 11 (09) “…to Louisiana.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says 75-million people will watch the parade.

The state Office of Public Health is holding community vaccination flu clinics in an effort to get more Louisianans vaccinated.
cut 9 (06) “….of the flu”
That’s Doctor David Holcombe who is the Regional Medical Director for Central Louisiana. Holcombe says the upcoming flu season is expected to be more active than usual.