Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.21.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team faces a must-win game tonight after dropping last night’s series opener to Texas A-and-M. Aggies first baseman Will Frizzell hit his 19th home run of the season in the eight ininng to give A-and-M a two-to one lead and that turned out to be the final score. LSU had just two hits. The Tigers need to win the final two games of the series in order to get to 13 SEC wins, which might be enough to get them an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Cajuns fell behind six to nothing to Troy last night and lost to the Trojans six to five. So if U-T Arlington wins tonight or if U-L Lafayette losses, the Mavericks will win the Sun Belt West Division.

Louisiana Tech fell to Old Dominion ten to eight last night at J-C Love Field despite a three-hit night from Hunter Wells. The two teams will conclude their regular season tonight with a single game at 6 PM and then week the Bulldogs will host the Conference USA Tournament.

The Baton Rouge Softball Regional is underway at Tiger Park as LSU is taking on McNeese. At 5:30, U-L Lafayette will face George Washington. The Cajuns are 44-and-10 and Coach Gerry Glasco’s team has won nine of its last ten…
cut 18 (16) “….absolutely amazing”
The winner of today’s two games will face each other tomorrow at 2 PM in a winner’s bracket game.

After losing a tough two to one pitcher’s duel to Prairive View A-and-M last night, Southern rebounded this afternoon to beat Alcorn State ten to five. The Jaguars will face Prairie View again tonight. Grambling is taking on Jackson State today after beating Texas Southern five to two this morning.

And McNeese can qualify for a spot in the Southland Tournament if they can beat Central Arkansas. The Cowboys lost to the Bears eight to one yesterday.

05.21.21
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LRN PM Newscall May 21

Starting in July a budget airliner will begin offering direct flights out of New Orleans to ten midsized cities in the South and Midwest. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A $30-million buyout program to assist a Lake Charles neighborhood is now underway. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states.

The number of new vaccinations per week has fallen precipitously from a mid-March high. Edwards says they’re looking into ways to get skeptical Louisianans off the fence…

Cut 3 (10)  “…vaccinated” 

A significant decline in new vaccinations is being seen across the country. Nationwide between April 11th and May 11th the average number of weekly vaccinations is down 50 percent.

Ten states have so far adopted incentive programs ranging from lotteries to free beer and even a 100 dollar savings bond. Edwards says they’re carefully studying those efforts.

Cut 4 (12) “..do that” 

Alabama held a mass vaccination event where people who got vaccinated were entered into a raffle for a chance to drive two laps on the Talladega Superspeedway.

Edwards says whatever incentive program they come up with will be on top of ongoing outreach efforts…

Cut 5  (11)  “…ongoing”

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Senator Bill Cassidy toured parts of Lake Charles this morning to check on the area after widespread flooding Monday and ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. As for helping southwest Louisiana get more federal assistance, Cassidy says he has met with a key person in the Biden administration in hopes of getting the President to sign off.

Cut 6 (09) “…sign it.”

Cassidy says he still sees plenty of standing water in Lake Charles and is aware of the possibility of more flooding in the immediate future. When asked who is against sending aid to the area and what the hurdles are…

Cut 7 (10) “…the need.”

Cassidy says it’s a matter of keeping the issue at the forefront and educating other lawmakers about the magnitude of damage. The state experience three hurricanes in 2020, two major winter storms in February, and now flooding.

Governor Edwards has requested an additional $3-billion for the area and Cassidy says he’s meeting again with a key decision-maker in the Biden administration.

Cut 8 (10) “…working hard.”

Cassidy shared that two staff members who just purchased homes in Baton Rouge flooded this week.

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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico. National Weather Service in Lake Charles meteorologist Alex Donato says it’ll likely make landfall in Texas or possibly in southwest Louisiana

Cut 9 (8) “…most likely scenario”

Forecasters say the system could produce heavy rainfall which is why a flashflood watch is in effect through tonight for the western half of Louisiana. Donato this is one of two disturbances the National Hurricane Center is monitoring. The other is way out in the Middle of the Atlantic…

Cut 10 (4) “…average this year”

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Breeze Airways will begin offering cheap direct flights out of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans into ten mid sizes cities across the Midwest and South.

CEO David Neeleman, who founded Jet Blue, says the flights are inexpensive and often take less than two hours to get to their destination.

Cut 11 (09) “…hub”

Flights to Charleston will begin July 8th with flights to Louisville, Fayetteville, Richmond, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Akron, Columbus, and Huntsville beginning July 15th and 16th.

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development estimates the new routes will create 261 new direct jobs and 877 new indirect jobs throughout the region.

Cut 12 (08)    “…visitors” 

Neeleman says he’s already hearing good things from South Louisianans…

Cut 13 (10)“…much”

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Governor Edwards announces a $30-million buyout program for a Calcasieu Parish neighborhood that has flooded on multiple occasions. Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the funds will be used to purchase homes at fair market value in the Greinwich Terrance neighborhood of Lake Charles.

Cut 14 (13) “…record flood” 

The buyout program is completely optional and Abshire says while he understands relocating and leaving your home is extremely emotional…

Cut 15 (09) “…repair your home.” 

Abshire says many of these residents were in the midst of renovating their homes from the hurricane and were impacted again by flooding Monday.

Homeowners will be approached about the buyout program there is no need to register. Abshire says once the majority of the neighborhood is purchased it will be turned into a green space.

Cut 16 (06) “…the future.” 

The 50-year old neighborhood has approximately 300 homes.

05.21.21
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11:40 LRN Sportscast may 21

LSU could only muster two hits last night in a two-to-one loss to Texas A-and-M as the two teams fighting to get into the SEC Tournament opened up their three-game series. LSU also lost two starting outfielders to injuries. Giovanni DiGiacomo had to leave last night’s game with more hamstring issues and left fielder Gavin Dugas injured his ribs when he collided with Drew Bianco in the outfield. LSU needs to win the last two games of the series to be on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

The Ragin Cajuns fell behind six to nothing to Troy and lost to the Trojans six to five last night. Texas Arlington won its game, so the Mavericks are now a win or a U-L Lafayette loss from clinching the Sun Belt West.

In other action last night, Arkansas State knocked off ULM 12-6. 14th ranked Louisiana Tech lost a slugfest to Old Dominion ten to eight. Tech concludes its regular season tonight at 6 PM.

The NCAA Softball Baton Rouge Regional gets underway today at Tiger Park. AT 3 PM, the LSU Tigers will face McNeese and at 5:30 PM it will be U-L Lafayette versus George Washington. LSU is 32-and-19 on the season and is a seven national seed. Coach Beth Torina says she’s counting on their defense to keep them in games
Cut 17 (17) “..some runs.”
LSU is looking to reach the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2017.

LSU Eunice Baseball is facing East Central in the Region 23 Championship game at Pearl River. First pitch from the Magnolia State is at 3 PM.

05.21.21
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9:30 LRN Newscast May 21

The Louisiana House has approved a major tax reform proposal. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop explains what the legislation would do…
cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes”
That means individual income tax rates would be lowered, but Louisiana taxpayers would no longer be able to deduct federal tax payments on their state income tax returns. The legislation still needs Senate and voter approval.

Tomorrow begins Safe Boating week. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says anyone born after January 1st 1984 must complete a boating education course to operate a vessel with over 10 horsepower…
cut 6 (06) “…free of charge”
Since 2003, over 137-thousand boaters have been certified.

A bill to increase the weekly unemployment benefit amount beginning next year fails in the House after being attacked by lawmakers on both sides…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents who suffered damages to their home as a result of this week’s severe weather and extreme flooding to report that damage at damage-dot-la-dot-gov. The governor’s office says nearly 900 residents have already reported damage since Monday. The data collected could possibly lead to federal aid.

05.21.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast May 21

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that would have increased maximum weekly unemployment benefits in Louisiana by 28-dollars starting on January 1st. Havey Representative Rodney Lyons on why he authored the bill…
cut 13 (06) “….benefits”
The bill would also provide a hiring bonus of up to one thousand dollars for an unemployed individual who is hired. But lawmakers had too many questions and concerns about the legislation and voted it down.

But the Louisiana House overwhelmingly supported a major tax reform plan that will need voter approval. The measure would get rid of a tax deduction for federal income taxes, but lower personal income taxes. It needed the support of House Democrats. Republican House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop…
cut 11 (07) “…passing this”
The tax swap plan still needs Senate approval.

State Health Officials and Pediatricians are encouraging parents to have their children ages 12 and up vaccinated against COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The National Hurricane Center is giving a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico a 40-percent chance of developing into a named storm. The system could produce heavy rainfall over southwest Louisiana during the next few days as it approaches the Texas coastline. The state health department says severe weather earlier this week led to five deaths.

05.21.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast May 21

The state health department says nearly one point-four million people in Louisiana are vaccinated against COVID and one point-five million have initiated the vaccine series. Governor John Bel Edwards says over five thousand children from 12 to 15-years-old have received one shot of the Pfizer vaccine…
cut 7 (07) “….their age”
Edwards says he’s considering possible incentives to get more Louisianans vaccinated.

The Louisiana House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.
Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”
The tax swap would be revenue neutral

An effort to provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find a job and also increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits the state provides by 28-dollars to 275-dollars failed on the House floor. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews liked the idea of a hiring bonus…
cut 14 (07) “…this helps”
But 54 lawmakers voted against the bill. One reason is that if a person receives the hiring bonus, they can’t apply for unemployment for six months.

Safe Boating Week begins tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says you must have enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard, even if you are a strong swimmer…
Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”
Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times in vessels shorter than 26 feet.

05.21.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Another tough one-run loss for LSU in SEC play last night as the Tigers dropped a two to one decision to Texas A-and-M in College Station. Will Frizzle hit his 19th home run in the eighth inning to give the Aggies a two to one lead and they went on to win by that same score. LSU also lost a couple of starting outfielders to injuries, Gavin Dugas and Giovanni DiGiacomo. Coach Paul Mainieri says DiGiacomo is out for the series with a hamstring injury, while Dugas left the game with possible broken ribs after colliding with Drew Bianco in the outfield.

14th ranked Louisiana Tech couldn’t hold on to a seven to three lead, and lost to 20th ranked Old Dominion 10 to 8 at J-C Love Field last night. The Bulldogs conclude the regular season tonight.

The Rajun Cajuns fell to Troy six to five after trailing by six runs in the fourth inning. and Arkansas State doubled up ULM 12 to six.

The NCAA Baton Rouge Softball Regional gets underway today at Tiger Park as top-seeded LSU will host fourth-seeded McNeese at 3 o’clock, while second-seeded U-L Lafayette will take on George Washington at 5:30 PM. Tigers Coach Beth Torina is excited to see the best that the Bayou State has to offer…
cut 16 (13) “…state of Louisiana”
LSU is 32-and-19 on the season and is a seven national seed. The Cajuns bring a 44-and-10 record to the Baton Rouge Regional, while McNeese is 34-24.

In Southland Conference baseball, Southeastern snapped a four-game losing streak by blanking Houston Baptist ten to nothing. Central Arkansas clobbered McNeese eight to one, Nicholls and Northwestern State had their games postponed yesterday and they’ll play doubleheaders today and tomorrow.

Southern and Grambling lost in the SWAC Tournament yesterday and they’ll play in elimination games today.

05.21.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast May 21

The Louisiana House has rejected a bill that would have raised the state’s maximum weekly unemployment benefits by 28-dollars and also provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find employment. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of 54 lawmakers who voted against it…..
cut 15 (12) “…use that as an incentive”

Leading pediatricians across the state are urging parents and caregivers to protect their children against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Doctor Theron McCormick says trials indicate the Pfizer vaccine is 100-percent effective for ages 12 to 15 and the side effects are minimal…
cut 9 (09) “…the trials”

The Louisiana House has passed a constitutional amendment that would give voters a chance to approve a tax swap plan involving individual income taxes. Matt Doyle reports for Republicans it is the signature bill of the session…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

05.20.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast May 20

The final three days of the college baseball regular season have arrived and for the LSU Tigers they need to at least take two of three from Texas A-and-M in the final SEC series of the year to put them in a good position at receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Landon Marceaux will start on the mound for the Tigers…
Cut 18 (12)”…to be.”
First pitch is at 6 PM and the game can be seen on ESPN-U.

The Ragin Cajuns enter play today one game back of Texas-Arlington for first place in the Sun Belt West. U-L Lafayette is hosting Troy for the final three games.

UNO, Southeastern Louisiana, and Northwestern State have clinched a spot in the Southland Tournament, but McNeese and Nicholls are still working to get in.

14th ranked Louisiana Tech will conclude its regular season by hosting Conference USA rival Old Dominion tonight and tomorrow at the Love Shack. The two games will not count toward the league standings. The Monarchs are 36-14 overall, 22-and-10 in league play. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says they are a good hitting team…
Cut 20 (20) “…this weekend.”
First pitch tonight and tomorrow is at 6 PM. Jonathan Fincher is set to start tonight on the hill for the Bulldogs. He’s looking to rebound after suffering his first loss of the season last week as he gave up six runs in six innings in a defeat to UTSA.

Tomorrow, the Baton Rouge Softball Regional gets underway. LSU faces McNeese at 3 PM and U-L Lafayette will take on Georgia Southern at 5:30 PM

05.20.21
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LRN PM Newscall May 20

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a phone when driving finally makes passage out of the house. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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 NOAA is once again predicting an active hurricane season. Erik Picolli reports on how many storms we could see in 2021…

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Erik Piccoli.”  

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A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re driving makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill would impose a $25 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second violation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The use of a handheld device is already prohibited in school zones in Louisiana.

Rep Huval has brought similar legislation in the past and Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle says she supports the bill now because it prohibits police from pulling one for handheld phone use to search their vehicle.

Cut 4 (07) “..with me” 

Use of a Bluetooth and speakerphone is not prohibited in this bill, only handheld use of the device. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick feels the law would hurt criminal justice reform and create a negative interaction between the police and the public.

Cut 5  (11)  “…oppose the bill”

The vote was 76-21 and the bill now heads to the Senate. If the legislation passes Louisiana would join 24 other states with similar laws.

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Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation.

LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says new home construction is up about 30 percent from last year and there are more remodeling projects in the works as well.

Cut 6 (12) “…space”

Last year lumber prices were clocked at around 354 dollars per thousand feet of lumber. As of May 18th that number is up to 1,264 dollars, down from the year’s high of 1,686 earlier this month.

Chang says folks hoping to build or buy new homes are really feeling that lumber price increase…

Cut 7 (07) “…buying”

Despite the increase in lumber prices timber prices for landowners in Louisiana’s expansive forestry industry haven’t changed much due to a major decline in the number of sawmills over the last 15 years.

Chang says his sense is that the price is eventually going to decline, but the question is when…

Cut 8 (11) “…fall”

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The NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Acting NOAA administrator Ben Friedman says between 13 to 20 named storms are expected to form and between six and ten will become hurricanes.

Cut 9 (8) “…miles per hour”

NOAA’s lead season hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says several factors have been combined for them to predict another active hurricane season…

Cut 10 (10) “…West African monsoon” 

NOAA says El Nino conditions are currently in the neutral phase. When there’s an El Nino it suppresses tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean. Rosencrans is concerned about the possibility of a La Nina forming later in the hurricane season…

Cut 11 (11) “…predicted ranges”

A record 30 named storms formed in 2020.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024.

Edwards says he does not anticipate that he will continue in public life as an elected official once his second term ends.

Cut 12 (07)    “…sector” 

Edwards says he’s also not considering running for any other office before this term ends, such as the US Senate race next year.

Cut 13 (12)“…term”

Edwards says there have been no conversations about him leaving Louisiana to join President Biden’s cabinet, but…

Cut 14 (10) “…consider”