3:30 LRN Newscast July 20

Qualifying for the U.S. Senate race got underway this morning and the first one to sign up was incumbent John Kennedy, who says he’s running for another six years based on his record…:

CUT 03(07)      “…116th congress.”

Challenging Kennedy, Baton Rouge activist & Democrat Gary Chambers, who opened fire…:

CUT 05(16)      “…lives in.”

Bunkie airline pilot Luke Mixon, also a Democrat, attacks Kennedy on what her sees as inaction on the January 6th riot…:

CUT 08(13)      “…to defend.”

 

Two men in the Capital area were booked on a slew of charges for possessing child pornography and soliciting minors online. One of them, 27-year-old Payton Lambertson, is a teacher at Zachary Elementary School. He and an accomplice are now in the East Baton Rouge Parish jail.

Louisiana has updated their Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand motorists were killed in car crashes last year, a 17-percent increase from the year before. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

2:30 LRN Newscast July 20

Republican US Senator John Kennedy is being challenged by three democrats in his re-election campaign for his second term…:

CUT 01(42)      “…Brooke Thorington”

The state Department of Health reports almost 3000 new cases of COVID-19, with 735 people in hospitals with symptoms. LDH also reports another three COVID-related deaths.

 

A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he lost control left the roadway and rolled over. The driver and his two juvenile passengers were not buckled up and were ejected from the Honda. 15-year-old Ramiya Sowell of St. James was killed. Brenan says seat belts might have saved her life…:

CUT 15(07)      “…into a crash.”

The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crashes in 2021. That’s a 17-percent increase from the previous year. Governor John Bel Edwards says distracted driving accounts for a lot of those crashes. He says don’t let your phone distract you…:

CUT 13(12)      “…or whatever.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Halfway through the first day of qualifying, eight people have signed up to run for U-S Senate, including the Republican incumbent, John Kennedy, who says he’ll fight against the woke policies that are hurting pocketbooks of all Americans. Two of his main Democratic challengers are among the eight to qualify, including Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers…
cut 5 (16) “…lives in”
Political newcomer Luke Mixon also filed to run as a Democrat against Kennedy. The former Top Gun Naval pilot called out Kennedy for not standing up for democracy when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Cut 7 (12) “…to lie.”

Governor Edwards and the state department of transportation have updated their Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand motorists were killed in car crashes last year, a 17-percent increase from the year before. Increasing education efforts, strengthening laws and public policies to prohibit risky behaviors such as distracted driving and increasing accountability through enforcement are some of the strategies the state will deploy to reduce fatal crashes. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says they are committed to this effort
Cut 12 (12) “…negative behavior.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry has asked the state Bond Commission to withhold all state funding to the City of New Orleans, after the Mayor and criminal sheriff vowed NOT to enforce the state’s abortion trigger laws once it goes into effect. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Landry’s request only makes her double down to ensure that women in New Orleans are in a safe haven.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Several candidates have signed up to run in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race, including the incumbent, Republican John Kennedy. One of his Democratic challengers, Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers, brought Kennedy a gift to the qualifying site at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge…
cut 6 (10) “…next time”
Political newcomer Luke Mixon also qualified and so did Syrita Stieb, who is the executive director of a nonprofit that helps women reenter society after serving in prison. Her mother Sylvia Taylor filed on her behalf…
cut 9 (14) “…years before”
Stieb served over nine years in federal prison for her role in robbing and burning down a car dealership.

The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crash crashes in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 971 motorists died, a 17-percent increase from 2020. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says that’s the highest percentage increase in one year since crash fatality records have been kept
Cut 11 (12) “…community crisis.”

A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he failed to stay on the road…
Cut 14 (10) “…overturn.”
15-year-old Ramiya Sowell of St. James was pronounced dead at a Baton Rouge area hospital.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Qualifying is underway for candidates running in Louisiana’s November election. U-S Senator John Kennedy was one of the first candidates to sign-up at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. Kennedy has a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents…
cut 4 (09) “…message out”
At this moment it looks his main Democratic challengers are Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib.

Candidates running for Louisiana’s six U-S House seats can also sign up between now and Friday afternoon. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the rest of the country will see heated mid-term elections, but not here as none of the seats are expected to change political parties….
cut 9 (10) “…control of the House”

Not only does qualifying begin today for Louisiana’s federal elections, but the November eighth ballot also features several hotly contested local races. Mayoral incumbents in Shreveport and Alexandria are facing significant challengers. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are other races to watch….
cut 12 (12) “…lot going on”

BASF is committing 780-million dollars to complete a chemical plant expansion in Geismar, which is located in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says the investment will help them retain over one-thousand existing employees and create nearly 40 direct jobs…
cut 14 (13) “…a billion dollars”
Lebold says the expansion should be complete in 2025.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Qualifying for the U-S Senate race got underway this morning and the first one to sign up, Republican Incumbent John Kennedy. Kennedy is finishing up his first term and believes his voting record represents the values of Louisiana…
cut 3 (07) “….116th Congress”
Kennedy’s three main Democratic challengers are also qualifying this morning. Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib. Kennedy would not commit to debating them before the November 8th primary.

Big economic news in the capital city area as BASF commits 780-million dollars to expanding its chemical plant in Geismar, which is located in Ascension Parish. BASF VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says they will retain more than one-thousand high-paying jobs…
cut 15 (12) “…for one another”

After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, the governor announces that some inmates will be transferred to Angola…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is set to hold a press conference at 11 AM to announce a statewide highway safety plan. Edwards will be joined by state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson, State Police Colonel Lamar Davis and Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.

9:30 LRN Newscast July 20

After numerous escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, some of the inmates will be moved to Angola. Governor John Bel Edwards the Bridge City building is outdated and not properly equipped to serve as a youth facility and more security personnel will be provided in addition to the increase that was added last month. He says Office of Juvenile Justice will continue to oversee operations and while the situation is not ideal…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the community.”

Qualifying for the fall federal elections starts today, but politicos expect we’ll see no hotly contested races this year. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Senator John Kennedy seeks another six years, but has 3 announced challengers…:

CUT 08(10)      “…in a red state.”

He says all incumbents are pretty likely to win re-election.

 

The man convicted in 2019 of murdering State Trooper Steven Vincent back in 2015 receives a death sentence. A Calcasieu Parish jury returned the unanimous decision last night. Kevin Daigle shot Trooper Vincent in the face, when the officer stopped to offer him roadside assistance.

While today is first day for candidates to qualify for statewide office on the November ballot, there are also several key local races that are heating up.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says incumbent Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall recently said he’ll run for re-election, but he’ll be challenged by the previous mayor…:

CUT 11(05)      “…this week.”

Alford says watch the Shreveport mayoral race as well; where incumbent Adrian Perkins face a challenger from state Senator Greg Tarver. There are also several judgeships up for grabs in the fall elections.

 

 

 

 

8:30 LRN Newscast July 20

At the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge today, qualifying begins for the fall federal midterm elections. All six Louisiana congressional delegates will sign up to run for another term, and most all will have at least one challenger. Senator John Kennedy will also qualify. He has three declared Democrat challengers so far.

In addition to statewide races there are plenty of key local races with the potential to heat up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

 

After a fourth violent escape from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish last weekend, Governor John Bel Edwards orders the most violent inmates sent to Angola. He says they’ll be kept separate from the adult population. Edwards says, after everything that has happened, it’s clear the Bridge City campus cannot continue to operate as it has…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an option.”

An initial review shows that there were numerous deficiencies and failures that contributed to the escape.

A Baton Rouge judge has extended his hold on the state’s abortion ban law from taking effect until July 29th. 19th JDC Judge Don Johnson says he’ll render his decision then. Until that time, abortion clinics may remain open.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has asked the state Bond Commission to withhold all state funding to the City of New Orleans, after the Mayor and criminal sheriff vowed NOT to enforce the abortion law. Landry’s request has not been answered as yet.

7:30 LRN Newscast July 20

Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today. Jeff Palermo takes a look at what we might see…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The man convicted in 2019 of murdering State Trooper Steven Vincent back in 2015 receives a death sentence. A Calcasieu Parish jury returned the unanimous decision last night. Kevin Daigle shot Trooper Vincent in the face, when the officer stopped to offer him roadside assistance.

 

After numerous escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, some of the inmates will be moved to Angola. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Tuesday after a weekend in which six inmates escaped from the Jefferson Parish facility…:

CUT 04(12)      “…adult inmates.”

An initial review shows that there were numerous deficiencies and failures that contributed to the escape of six juveniles. Edwards is calling for an investigation into the OJJ.

While today is first day for candidates to qualify for statewide office on the November ballot, there are also several key local races that are heating up.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will be challenged by State Senator Greg Tarver who announced his candidacy from his family funeral home…:

CUT 10(08)      “…in a casket.”

6:30 LRN Newscast July 20

After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, the governor announces an investigation of the Office of Juvenile Justice…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Shreveport man is in jail; charged with a hate crime and planning an arson, after planning to (quote) “blow up” a Shreveport courthouse and kill Black people. 41-year-old Patrick Duffy’s plan was reported by an acquaintance. His bond is set at $100-thousand.

 

Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today, at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. Candidates for the state’s six congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate race, are expected to qualify over the next three days. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says five of six congressional races should be shoe-ins for the incumbents. But in District 3, Clay Higgins has an announced Republican challenger. Pinsonat says that race could become interesting…:

CUT 07(10)      “get re-elected.”

Pinsonat says he expects all incumbents will have a challenger of some kind, but doubts any will have the money or support to win this fall.

Chemical giant BASF announces a $780-million project that will double production capacity at its plant in Geismar, in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says, when complete they will produce 600-thousands metric TONs of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (or MDI) annually…:

CUT 13(13)      “..every single day”

He says jobs created will have a starting pay of $85-k or more. The expansion will help retain over a thousand jobs.