The House Judiciary Committee meets today to discuss ways to improve race relations in Louisiana following the tragic events of this summer. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (26) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

As flu season approaches, the Louisiana Department of Health reminds everyone to get their flu shot. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

There’s been accusations of illegal strip searches of students at Caldwell Parish High School, and the school superintendent admits the search for a missing $42 went too far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A state legislative committee meets this morning to discuss on lawsuits against oil and gas companies by five coastal parishes, claiming these companies polluted and destroyed their land. House Natural Resources Chairman Stuart Bishop of Lafayette says there has been a lot of talk about these lawsuits and he wanted to have a public discussion.

cut 4  (10) “these lawsuits””

The parishes filing suit are Jefferson, Plaqumines, St. Bernard, Vermilion and Cameron. But Bishop says there is also those parishes like Terrebonne and Lafourche who oppose the lawsuits and do not want to participate, so what does this mean for them?

Cut 5  (10)  “the parishes”

A state law requires oil and gas companies to maintain and restore land used back to its original condition. Any money gained from a suit would go to restoring over 1,900 square feet of damaged coast. Bishop says representatives from the 20 coastal parishes affected will be present at the meeting.

Cut 6 (10) “thus far”

____________________________________________

The state House Judiciary Committee begins two days of meetings today to discuss universal training for police officers, as well as de-escalation tactics. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the goal of the hearings is to improve the trust between police and the public, especially African-Americans who feel they’ve been targeted by law enforcement.

CUT 7 (09)  “with solutions”

Jackson says they plan to discuss community partnerships with law enforcement that can enhance respect for law enforcement in the communities they police.

Cut 8 (07) “will be there”

She says they need to look at ways that people on both sides can deescalate a situation in a way that keeps both police and the public safe. She says the purpose of the hearings is to start conversations about improving relations and building trust.

Cut 9 (06)  “vet everything”

____________________________________________________

Flu season is just around the corner, and the Louisiana Department of Health urges everyone to go out and get their flu shot. Dr. Frank Welch with LDH says despite what some people may think, getting a flu shot will not give someone the flu, and everyone needs to get vaccinated even if they got the shot last year.

Cut 10 (08) “changes itself”

In years past, people had an option to get protected from flu in the form of a nasal spray, rather than an injection. But Welch says the nasal vaccine is not be available this year.

cut 11 (09) “at all”

The flu causes 500 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations every year in Louisiana. Welch says infants, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions are at the greatest risk for complications from the flu. But he says it’s important for everyone to get their flu shot, even if they are not in those high risk groups.

cut 12 (09) “everyone else”

Welch says people should stay home if they are sick, wash their hands, and cover their cough to avoid spreading the virus.

_________________________________________________

Candidates for US Senate went at it in the first statewide televised debate. GOP Congressman John Fleming was quick to attack his Republican colleague in the US House, Congressman Charles Boustany. While answering a question about his willingness to compromise, he directed his response towards Boustany saying, it’s important to get things done, but more important to get the things done right.

Cut 13 (10) “heaven’s sake”

Meanwhile, Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell had strong words for Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy after Kennedy claimed he convinced the legislature to invest money from a tobacco settlement.

cut 14 (10) “no vote”

Campbell kept at it with Kennedy, asking Boustany to respond to a campaign ad from the Treasurer in which he jokes about suicide. In Kennedy’s ad, he says that he would rather drink weed killer than take part in the political games in Washington.

Cut 15 (09) “joking matter”

Kennedy also had a lot to say about his Republican opponents. He spoke about what the so-called club in Washington has done, promising not to be a part of it if elected.

Cut 16  (11)  “of themselves”

Democratic attorney Caroline Fayard even made a jab at Kennedy over his support of former-governor Bobby Jindal. Fayard says the Jindal administration led the state into debt under Kennedy’s watch.

Cut 17 (09) “which is it”

___________________________________________

LSU players are just like LSU fans, they are excited to have running back Leonard Fournette back on the field after miss the last two games because of an ankle sprain. Offensive guard Josh Boutte says it makes the Tigers ground attack much more potent…

Cut 18 (10) “running game”

LSU wide receiver Malachi Dupre scored his first two touchdowns of the season last week. It’s been tough first half of the season for Dupre who has just 18 catches in six games. But the former John Curtis star says he’s maintained a positive attitude during his struggles…

Cut 19 (19)   “it happened”

Last year Ole Miss beat LSU 38-17. The Rebels blew the game open with three touchdowns in the second quarter. LSU defensive end Arden Key says it was a painful loss…

cut 20 (12) “for em”

Attorney General Jeff Landry reacts to a state judge ruling in his favor in a lawsuit filed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Emelie Gunn…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

A Louisiana man is suing the state over a law that prevents him from getting married because he doesn’t have a birth certificate. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry is pleased a Baton Rouge judge has ruled in his favor in a lawsuit filed against him by Governor John Bel Edwards. A judge says Landry does NOT have to sign off on state contracts that contain language to protect against LGBT discrimination in the workplace. Landry says the question of the power of the attorney general has been resolved but…

Cut 3 (09) “to bed”

In April, Governor Edwards issued an executive order that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to be included in most state contracts. Landry has since blocked dozens of state contracts, because he says the state legislature on many occasions has refused to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination in state law.

cut 4  (08) “objecting to”

Governor Edwards’ spokesperson Richard Carbo says the governor is reviewing his legal option, but says ruling does not impact the merits of the executive order. But Landry is still concerned the executive order is too overreaching.

Cut 5  (10)  “respect that”

______________________________________

With 24 candidates in the US Senate race, it may come as a surprise that many Louisiana voters struggle to name even one. We asked Louisiana residents if they knew any of the two dozen candidates.

Cut 6 (10) “after that no”

The sidewalk pop quiz comes just ahead of tonight’s first statewide televised debate, which airs at 7pm on LPB. Some respondents were familiar with one candidate, but more for his controversial past than his current campaign.

CUT 7 (07)  “anybody else”

Analysts have said that voters are paying much more attention to what’s happening with presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. This woman says it’s not surprising voters are not tuned into the Senate race.

Cut 8 (09) “some more”

______________________________________

A Louisiana man is suing over a state law that requires couples seeking marriage licenses to present a birth certificate, which can pose a problem for those born outside the US. 31-year-old Victor Vo of Lafayette has lived in this country since he was 3 months old and became a U.S. citizen when he was eight and recently had his marriage license application rejected by a court clerk. Attorney Marley Ann Brumme is representing Vo and says the law is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Cut 9 (10)  “born abroad”

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges wrote the 2015 law in question. She says it’s an effort to prevent marriage fraud. But Brumme says the law is overstepping the state’s authority.

Cut 10 (08) “with Louisiana”

Hodges says no law is perfectly written, and she is committed to tweaking the language if necessary. But managing director of the New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice, Audrey Stewart, says Louisiana has a long history of discriminating against immigrants.

cut 11 (11) “to rights”

Hodges says she is working with Attorney General Jeff Landry to ensure that those who are in this country legally are encouraged and able to get married in Louisiana, whether they are native born or legal immigrants.

______________________________________

In the race for the 3rd Congressional District, it appears as though it’s GOP Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle’s race to lose, as he’s raised more than rest of the field combined. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this goes along with how the race has been from the very beginning…:

cut 12 (08) “and money”

Third Quarter Federal Elections Commission records show Angelle has over $1 million dollars in receipts through the third quarter, followed by little known Gus Rantz with more $620,000. Cross says Clay Higgins, a former police captain with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, is arguably the second best-known candidate in the race….:

Cut 13 (09) “and so on”

Cross says also worth mentioning for a potential runoff spot is Democrat Larry Rader because many people in the district would never vote Republican. He says there’s also a former state Representative who is a favorite in the district’s western region…:

cut 14 (10) “constituency”

______________________________________