Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.28.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast July 28

The C-D-C has reversed course and is now calling on vaccinated people to wear a face mask while indoors in areas of the United States where coronavirus cases are surging. In May, the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…
Cut 5 (11) “…did this.”

The other major story is superstar gymnast Simone Biles and her decision not to compete this week at the Olympic games so she can focus on her mental health. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Rahn Bailey says Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare…
cut 14 (09) “….or concern”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has over six thousand nursing positions available on the help wanted portion of its website, the most job openings for a particular sector in Louisiana right now. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Shreveport Police is investigating an overnight fatal shooting where an elderly man fatally shot a person that was on his property. Detectives say the homeowner saw a person jump his fence on their home’s security camera system and then went outside with a gun to investigate. The trespasser allegedly made a threatening move towards the resident, who then fired two shots, killing the trespasser.

07.28.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast July 28

New Pelicans Coach Willie Green turns 40-years-old today as he embarks on his first head coaching job. He was officially introduced as the team’s new head coach yesterday and talked about the importance of creating a personal relationship with players…
cut 18 (18) “…my approach”
Green played 12 years in the NBA, including one season in New Orleans. He’s been an assistant coach with Golden State and most recently Phoenix.

Presidents and chancellors at SEC schools will reportedly meet tomorrow to discuss Texas and Oklahoma’s request to join the Southeastern Conference. Eleven of the 14 schools would have to approve the move.

The Saints have announced they signed defensive end Kendall Donnerson and cornerback Brian Poole. Donnerson was on the Bengals practice squad last year after he was selected in the seventh round by the Packers in 2018. Poole is a former Florida Gator and in 70 career games in the NFL, he’s intercepted seven passes and has played the last two seasons with the Jets.

The LSU Tigers are set to report for preseason camp on August fifth. Coach Ed Orgeron told WWL radio that he hopes fifth-year wide receiver Jontre Kirklin will have a breakout season. The Tigers open the season against UCLA on September fourth. The media predicts the Bruins to finish fourth in the South Division.

Superstar gymnast Simone Biles will not compete in tomorrow’s all-around finals at the Summer Olympics as the 24-year-old continues to focus on her mental well-being. Biles also did not compete in the team competition as the United States ended up with the Silver, while Russia took the gold.

07.28.21
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6:30 LRN newscast July 28

The state health department reported its largest one-day spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations yesterday since March 2020 as the number of COVID patients increased by 169 to 1,390. Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says for those on the fence on whether to get vaccinated, speak with a trusted physician…
cut 12 (11) “….need to immunized”

Meanwhile, health care leaders are talking about the burnout being felt by those on the front lines of treating COVID patients for the past 16 months. LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Dean Steve Nelson…
cut 8 (11) “….and have low moral”
There are six thousand nursing positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website where job postings are listed.

The CDC revised face mask guidance now recommends indoor face coverings for all in areas with high community spread. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

07.27.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

It was reporting day for veteran players on the Saints as the first training camp practice is Thursday. The focus during Saints training camp will be on the quarterback battle, but ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says there’s a lot of holes to fill on defense. He says several starters from last year’s team are no longer on the Black and Gold…
Cut 17 (16) …recent years”
On offense, the Saints know they will be without Michael Thomas for the first few games of the regular season as he recovers from off-season ankle injury. New Orleans has reportedly signed veteran receiver Chris Hogan, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

Texas and Oklahoma have officially asked the SEC if they can join their league. SEC presidents and chancellors will meet Thursday to discuss.

Willie Green was introduced as the new head coach of the Pelicans today. He joins the Pels after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Pheonix Suns, who reached the NBA Finals this year…
cut 28 (28) “…this team go”
Green is known as someone who can connect with players. He spent 12 years in the league and he’ll turn 40-years-old tomorrow.

Happy birthday coach O. The LSU head coach is celebrating his 60th birthday today. Orgeron and the Tigers report for camp on August 5th.

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team took the silver today in Tokyo after Simone Biles withdrew from the finals due to what is being called a mental issue.

07.27.21
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4:30 LRN Newscast July 27

With the dramatic rise of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, several facilities are suspending non-essential surgeries again. The L-C-M-C hospital system in New Orleans and Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge have taken this action. Dean of the LSU Health Sciences School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. Steve Nelson, expects other hospitals to do the same…
Cut 3 (08) “.. a lot of care”
The state health department reported its largest one-day spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations since March 2020 today.

Three teenagers were killed in a crash Monday afternoon in Lincoln Parish and a fourth teen is fighting for his life. State Police spokesperson Trooper Michael Reichardt says speed was a factor in the crash and the victims are well thought of in the community.
Cut 7 (12) “…that school.”
None of the teens were wearing seatbelts.

It’s been eleven months since Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana and Congress has yet to approve a supplemental disaster relief bill. So community leaders have launched a lobbying campaign called Help Southwest Louisiana Now. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the president is aware of the situation in southwest Louisiana, but it is time for action…
cut 11 (12) “…this community”

East Baton Rouge Judge Fred Crisfasi has offered two offenders on probation the option to be vaccinated for COVID in lieu of completing community service. Baton Rouge Attorney Franz Borghardt says the keyword is option.
Cut 12 (11) “…a vaccination”

07.27.21
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LRN PM Newscall July 27

Some Louisiana hospitals are suspending nonemergency surgeries that require admission as a result of a sharp rise in COVID-19 patients. Jim Shannon has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jim Shannon” 

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Community leaders in southwest Louisiana are intensifying their effort to secure federal disaster relief funding from the federal government. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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With the dramatic rise of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, several hospitals are suspending non-essential surgeries again. The L-C-M-C hospital system in New Orleans and Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge have taken this action. Dean of the LSU Health Sciences School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. Steve Nelson, expects other hospitals to do the same…

Cut 3 (08) “..lot of care” 

Health care facilities also halted nonurgent and elective surgeries during the first couple surges of the coronavirus last year. Nelson says unfortunately the move is necessary, but it also creates problems for people with non-COVID health issues…

Cut 4 (14) “…whole system.” 

Louisiana has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. The state is seeing a slight uptick in vaccinations, but Nelson says because two of the vaccines available require two doses, slowing this latest spike in cases will take some time…

Cut 5 (08) “…better.”

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Three teenagers were killed in a crash Monday afternoon in Lincoln Parish and a fourth teenager is fighting for his life. State Police spokesperson Trooper Michael Reichardt says a Kia Optima driven by 19-year old Lajermanique Nichols was traveling on Works Road south of Ruston and for unknown reasons left the road and struck a tree.

Cut 6 (12) “….right now.”

17-year old Lajavion Nichols and 16-year old Javious Holden were pronounced dead on the scene and 18-year old Edward Kary was transported to a local hospital.

Reichardt says speed was a factor in the crash and the teens were all well thought of in the community.

Cut 7 (12) “…that school.”

The crash remains under investigation and Reichardt says toxicology samples were taken. He also reminds motorists to always take time to put on their seatbelts before they get behind the wheel.

Cut 8 (07) “…going.”

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On the eleven-month anniversary of Hurricane Laura’s landfall, community leaders launched the Help Southwest Louisiana Now campaign. It’s an effort to convince the feds to provide the area with federal disaster relief funding. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says this type of funding is usually awarded in a much shorter time period

Cut 9 (12) “..Super Storm Sandy”

Hunter says this grassroots effort called Help Southwest Louisiana is a way for the region to come together to communicate with Congress and the President about the dire need for disaster relief dollars

Cut 10 (12) “..going through”

Hunter says the total unmet housing need for the state exceeds 900-million dollars as a result of last year’s hurricanes. He says the President is aware of the situation in southwest Louisiana, but the Lake Charles mayor says it is time for action…

Cut  11 (12) “…this community  

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An East Baton Rouge judge is offering some offenders on probation the option to be vaccinated for COVID in lieu of completing community service. So far Judge Fred  Crisfasi (Sir-Fassey) has allowed two people the option in exchange for completing their court-ordered service. Baton Rouge Attorney Franz Borghardt says the Judge is the one who orders community service and the keyword is an option.

Cut 12 (11) “…a vaccination”

Borghardt says the vaccine option might appear strange in a courtroom setting but the judge has the ultimate discretion.

Cut 13 (10) “..community service.”

While this is the first Judge, that Borghardt says he’s heard of offering the vaccine option, he doesn’t believe it will be the last in light of the now fourth surge of COVID, also known as the pandemic of the unvaccinated.

Cut 14 (07) “… proof of vaccination.” 

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is also offering state prison inmates a five-dollar canteen credit for vaccinations. Approximately 68-percent of inmates are currently vaccinated.

07.27.21
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2:30 LRN Newscast July 27

The state health department reported its largest one-day spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations since March 2020 as the number of people in the hospital as the result of the coronavirus increased by 169 to 1,390. L-D-H also reported nearly seven thousand new COVID-19 cases. Governor John Bel Edwards says this current rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary.

With health care facilities filling up with COVID patients, the dean of the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans, is concerned individuals with other health issues are not getting the treatment they need…
cut 4 (14) “…. the whole system”
The C-D-C said today that residents in states like Louisiana where COVID-19 transmission is substantial should resume wearing masks indoors.

Community leaders have started the Help Southwest Louisiana Now campaign, a grassroots effort that will lobby the federal government on approving a supplemental disaster relief package…
cut 10 (12) “….going through”
That’s Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter who says the total unmet housing need for the state exceeds 900-million dollars as a result of last year’s hurricanes.

Baton Rouge Judge Fred Crifasi (Sir-Fassey) on two occasions has offered an offender the option of getting a COVID-19 vaccine in lieu of completing their community service. Baton Rouge attorney Franz Borghardt can see other judges doing something similar…
cut 14 (07) “…proof of vaccination”

07.27.21
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12:30 LRN Newscast July 27

On the eleven-month anniversary of Hurricane Laura’s landfall, community leaders launched the Help Southwest Louisiana Now campaign. An effort to convince the federal government to provide the area with federal disaster relief funding. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says this funding has always been awarded in a much shorter time period…
cut 9 (12) “…Super Storm Sandy”
Hunter says the total unmet housing need for the state exceeds 900-million dollars from Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta.

Three teenagers were killed yesterday afternoon in a single-vehicle wreck in Lincoln Parish. A fourth teen is fighting for his life after the vehicle they were traveling in south of Ruston hit a tree. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says none of the occupants were buckled up…
cut 8 (07) “…going”
The deceased driver 19-year-old Lajermanique Nichols of Jonesboro was a student at Grambling.

The fourth surge of COVID cases in Louisiana is showing no signs of slowing down. The state health department reported nearly seven thousand new cases, 20 deaths and hospitalizations are closing in on 14-hundred statewide. The 6,797 new COVID cases reported are the second-highest single-day total since January sixth.

Some Louisiana hospitals are suspending nonemergency surgeries that require admission as a result of a sharp rise in COVID-19 patients. Jim Shannon has more
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jim Shannon”

07.27.21
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06: 45 LRN Sportscast

The veterans for the Saints report for training camp today as New Orleans begins the post-Drew Brees era. ESPN reporter Mike Triplett says for the Saints to repeat as NFC South champs, they need members of the 2020 draft class to really develop this year, guard Ceasar Ruiz, linebacker Zach Baun and tight end Adam Trautman in particular…
cut 18 (15) “…a little while”
In an effort to add some depth at wide receiver with the likelihood that Michael Thomas will miss the first few weeks of the regular season, the Saints reportedly signed veteran Chris Hogan. Hogan made a name for himself with the Patriots. For his career he’s caught 216 passes for 18 touchdowns. Hogan was playing lacrosse for the Whipsnakes when he got the call from the Saints.

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The Pelicans have reportedly pulled off a big trade with the Memphis Grizzlies as they acquire center Jonas Valanciunas, while Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe head to Memphis. The two teams also swapped draft picks, so Memphis gets New Orleans tenth pick, while the Pels get the Grizzlies 17th pick. Memphis also receives a protected first-round selection in 2022. Valanciunas is known as a tough post player who averaged a double-double this past season, 17 points and 13 rebounds a game.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won a gold medal as he helped the U-S four-by-100 freestyle relay team to a vicotry. Curry had the first leg for the squad in the prelims, as they won that heat. He didn’t swim in the finals, but still gets a medal for what he did in the prelims. Curry is the first Olympian swimmer in LsU history to take home a gold medal.

And Texas and Oklahoma have officially informed the Big 12 they play to leave the conference in 2025. The two schools are seeking an official invitation from the SEC.

07.26.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast July 26

Texas and Oklahoma have formally told the Big 12 they plan to leave that conference when their grants of media rights deal expires in 2025. It’s now expected that the Sooners and Longhorns will try to join the Southeastern Conference. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says money is behind the move, plus major conferences are looking to split away from the NCAA…
cut 15 (14) “…differently”
Texas A-and-M is the only SEC school to voice opposition to Texas joining the SEC.

The Saints have reportedly signed veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s primarily a slot corner and the 28-year-old has seven career interceptions. He’s spent the last two seasons with the Jets after spending his first three years with Atlanta.

The Pelicans have a big draft ahead of Thursday night’s draft. New Orleans has reportedly sent Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, plus this year’s 10th and 40th pick along with a protected first-round pick in 2022 to the Grizzlies for Memphis Jonas Valanciunas. New Orleans also gets the 17th and 51st picks from this year’s draft. Valanciunas is coming off a career-high 17 points and 13 rebounds a game this past season.

Brooks Curry became the first LSU swimmer to win a gold medal as he helped the four-by-100 meter freestyle relay team to victory at the Summer Games in Tokyo. Curry swam the first leg of the prelims and finished with a time just under 49 seconds.

Curry did not swim in the Finals, but all swimmers who participate in the prelims or the finals receive a medal. LSU Associate Swim Coach Stephen Mellor says with the Summer games getting pushed back a year, Curry took advantage…
Cut 11 (12) “…that team”