Three Democrats have qualified for the fifth congressional district primary. Among them is Jessee Fleenor, a dairy farmer from Loranger, who took a very combative tone in addressing the media immediately after qualifying, at times using language that we cannot repeat on the radio. 

Cut 8 (12) “…reactionary party.”

And that was one of the more tame adjectives Fleenor used in his 20-minute speech.

As for the U.S. Senate, John Fleming has already qualified, and Bill Cassidy and Julia Letlow are expected to do so tomorrow. What about Eric Skrmetta? The 67-year-old had previously announced that he would challenge Cassidy, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s not looking so likely anymore.

Cut 9 (08)  “…fundraising.”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson names his starting pitchers for the opening series of the college baseball season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Speaking of LSU, A change at the top at the Board of Supervisors. Governor Landry announced that Vice Chairman Lee Mallett is taking over as board president. Mallett, who’s from Lake Charles, replaces Scott Ballard, who will remain on the board. During Ballard’s tenure as president, the board voted to re-integrate the University of New Orleans into the LSU system.

Seven Republicans and three Democrats have qualified for the fifth congressional district primaries. Republican Misti Cordell says she’s the one best suited to represent the district.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in that area.”

Democrat Larry Foy announced his candidacy even before Julia Letlow abandoned her re-election bid in favor of a U.S. Senate run. Foy said his goal is to return the balance of power in Washington to where it belongs.

Cut 6 (10) “…United States Constitution.”

Dan McKay says he will protect democracy by standing up to President Trump, who he called a “dictator.”

Cut 7 (09) “…as we speak.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says the amount of debris from the ice storm that his public works crews are collecting is astonishing. Mayor Ellis expects debris removal will take eight months.

Cut 4 (13) “…seeing.”

Ellis says the city of Monroe is working with Southern Disaster Recovery in removing the debris.

Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered about 360 pounds of meth inside a hidden compartment.

Cut 15 (11) “…you got caught.”

Seven Republicans have signed up for the GOP Primary for the 5^th Congressional seat that’s being vacated by Julia Letlow.  Letlow has the endorsement of President Trump in the Senate Race and state senator Blake Miguez has the endorsement of the president in the 5^th District Congressional race…

Cut 5 (06) “…national level”

One of Miguez’s opponents, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington…

Cut 7 (13) “…..fight, fight, fight”

Another candidate who qualified yesterday is Misti Cordell, who is the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She is not concerned that President Trump’s endorsement went to someone else.

Cut 8 (08) “…meet me yet.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says the amount of debris from the ice storm that his public works crews are collecting is astonishing. The average for a week is 120 tons that is taken to the landfill, but yesterday alone 600 tons of debris was collected…

Cut 3 (10) “…few years ago”

Ellis expects debris removal will take months.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has installed drone detection equipment atop Malone Stadium. Doctor Mark Johnson is the training director for ULM Police and says this will bolster public safety as universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones. Johnson says Sky Safe gives campus police a reliable way to manage drones…

Cut 12 (10) “….come on”

On the first day of qualifying to run for U.S. Senate and House seats, six Republicans qualified for the Fifth Congressional District race. The seat is being vacated by Julia Letlow as she’s running for U.S. Senate. Among the six is State Senator Blake Miguez, endorsed by President Trump, who says he is running on his record of conservative legislation.

Cut 4 (13) “…banning Zucker-bucks.”

A lot has been made of the fact that Miguez lives far outside of the 5^th district in New Iberia, though legally he doesn’t have to live in the district to serve it. His opponents, including State Senator Rick Edmonds, believe it’s important a representative live in the district they represent.

Cut 6 (11) “…know this district.”

Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered among other paraphernalia, 71-hundred dollars in cash and 164 kilograms of methamphetamine. (360 pounds)

Cut 13 (10)  “…pounds of methamphetamine.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe says it has bolstered public safety on its campus with the installation of a drone detection system. Dr. Mark Johnson is the Training Director for ULM Police, and he says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events, such as academic ceremonies and football games.

Cut 10 (11) “…could do that.”

On day one of qualifying, six Republicans and three Democrats qualified for the ballot in the fifth congressional district. Andrew Greenstein reports one candidate’s opponents are taking him to task for where he lives.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The other well-known Republicans in the 5^th District Congressional primary are Misti Cordell, who is the chairperson for the Board of Regents and Monroe state representative Michael Echols qualified this morning.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has installed drone detection equipment atop Malone Stadium. Doctor Mark Johnson is the training director for ULM Police and says this will bolster public safety as universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones. Johnson says Sky Safe gives campus police a reliable way to manage drones…

Cut 12 (10) “….come on”

The U-S Attorney for Louisiana’s Middle District, Kurt Wall, has announced two foreign nationals have been indicted after 360 pounds of methamphetamine were found in their vehicle during a traffic stop in Livingston Parish on Saturday….

Cut 14 (12) “….these two gentlemen”

The Justice Department says the two men are in the country illegally.

Six Republicans have qualified for the May 16^th primary ballot in the Fifth Congressional District. Among them, Baton Rouge State Senator Rick Edmonds who says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington.

Cut 7 (13) “…fight, fight, fight.”

The Fifth District also includes northeast Louisiana. Chair of the Board of Regents, Misti Cordell who also qualified yesterday says since she’s from northeast Louisiana, she’s the one best suited to represent the district – not someone who lives in New Iberia. She’s referring to State Senator Blake Miguez who is also running for the seat though he lives outside the district.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in that area.”

Austin Magee, Michael Mebruer and Sammy Wyatt have also qualified for the Republican primary. Qualifying ends tomorrow afternoon.

A big weekend of Mardi Gras parades is coming up, but there is the threat of severe weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin gives us the details.

Cut 3 (32) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”

If you plan to vote in the May 16^th primary election, you may want to check the inactive voter list. Today’s Advocate newspaper published 99 pages of names and addresses of inactive voters in East Baton Rouge Parish alone. You can check your status on the Secretary of State’s website at GEAUX VOTE DOT COM.

On the first day of qualifying to run for U.S. Senate and House seats, six Republicans qualified for the Fifth Congressional District race. The seat is being vacated by Julia Letlow as she’s running for U.S. Senate. Among the six is State Senator Blake Miguez, endorsed by President Trump, who says he is running on his record of conservative legislation.

Cut 4 (13) “…banning Zucker-bucks.”

A lot has been made of the fact that Miguez lives far outside of the 5^th district in New Iberia, though legally he doesn’t have to live in the district to serve it. His opponents, including State Senator Rick Edmonds, believe it’s important a representative live in the district they represent.

Cut 6 (11) “…know this district.”

ULM is the first university in the state to install a drone detection system. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Federal prosecutors have indicted two foreign nationals in what is believed to be one of the biggest methamphetamine busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday.

Cut 14 (12) “…these two gentlemen.”

The Justice Department says the two men are citizens of Honduras and El Salvador and are in the country illegally.

Two men the Justice Department says are in the country illegally have been indicted on drug charges in what authorities say is the biggest methamphetamine bust in Louisiana history. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the deputies who stopped the two men on I-12 last Saturday were true heroes that day.

Cut 15 (11) “…you got caught.”

The Justice Department says the two men are citizens of Honduras and El Salvador.

Drone detection equipment is now mounted atop Malone Stadium at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to increase public safety. Dr. Mark Johnson with ULM Police says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events.

Cut 11 (11) “…the operator is.”

Yesterday was the first day of qualifying for the May 16th U.S. House and Senate primary elections. Among those qualifying is for the 5^th District House seat is State Senator Blake Miguez who was endorsed by President Trump but is under fire from opponents because he doesn’t live in the district. Miguez was originally going to run for U.S. Senate but changed gears when Trump endorsed Julia Letlow in that race. Miguez says he will continue fighting for President Trump’s agenda on behalf of the people of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06) “…the national level.”

Another candidate who qualified for that race yesterday is Misti Cordell, who’s currently the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She says it doesn’t concern her that President Trump’s endorsement went to someone else.

Cut 8 (08) “…meet me yet.”

State Senator Stewart Cathey dropped out of the race yesterday saying the president endorsed the wrong candidate.

If you plan to vote in the May 16^th primary election, you may want to the inactive voter list. Today the Advocate newspaper published 99 pages of the names and addresses of inactive voters in East Baton Rouge Parish alone.