There are currently two Republican challengers to Governor John Bel Edwards in this year’s governor’s race, but state GOP operative Scott Wilfong hopes there’s just one main GOP opponent to Edwards when qualifying takes place in early August….
cut 15 (10) “…one candidate”
Wilfong appeared as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and he says there’s also a movement to get another candidate in the race as Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham’s fundraising lags behind Edwards.

We’re seeing some strong thunderstorms across north Louisiana this morning as a wet pattern begins across the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a marginal risk of severe weather for a good portion of Louisiana today and tomorrow…
cut 9 (11) “…state of Louisiana”

The Louisiana Department of Health is on high alert for measles. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Meanwhile, state health officials are also encouraging Louisiana residents to take precautions from catching the flu as the carnival season begins to ramp up. The Louisiana Department of Health says flu activity has spiked in the state over the last week. Officials say a flu shot is your best defense against influenza.

A one million dollar winning lotto ticket sold in New Orleans from August is set to expire on Thursday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Department of Health is on high alert for measles.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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A state GOP operative says Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham may not be the only Republicans in the governor’s race in the near future…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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There’s less than 72 hours until a one million dollar lottery ticket bought at the Ideal Mart in New Orleans expires, becoming one of the highest jackpots to ever have not been claimed in Louisiana. Lotto spokesperson Dustin Annison says if you have the winning ticket from the August 25^th drawing, high tail it to the capital city.

Cut 4 (06) “…Baton Rouge.”

Lotto players have a 180-day deadline to claim their prizes if they hold a winning ticket.

And it’s not the first time in the last twelve months someone has let the clock tick down on a life changing amount of money…

Cut 5 (08) “…remaining.”

There’s a procedure in place if that ticket is not claimed by someone by the 5PM Thursday deadline. Annison says it’ll be recycled back into lotto accounts, and used in other promotions and jackpots…

Cut 6 (08) “…player promotions.”

The winning number for the August 25^th drawing was 20-25-54-57-63 and the Powerball number was 08.

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It’s one of those weeks you don’t want to be caught without your umbrella as the state is bracing for the impact of rain throughout the week.   State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain is the result of a front that is stalled along the coast.

Cut 7 (08) “…of weather really.”

Keim says much of Louisiana could see three to five inches of rain over the next five of six days, with the heavier rain in the northeastern part of the state.

Cut 8 (11) “…need to watch.”

Keim notes there is a slight to marginal risk for severe weather, especially tonight and into tomorrow morning that includes severe thunderstorms, hail, and tornados.

Cut 9 (11) “…state of Louisiana.″

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While the state hasn’t seen a case this year, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging doctors to be on the lookout for measles following an upswing of cases of the disease across the country.  Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says cases have been spotted in areas as close as Houston and Georgia.

Cut 10 (10) “…the surrounding cases.”

Kanter says with cases in such close proximity to the state, LDH is on high alert.

Cut 11 (10) “…those cases down.”

Kanter says measles is one of the more contagious diseases out there and it can be spread just by breathing in the same room as someone very contagious.

Cut 12 (08) “…really horrible complications.”

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State GOP operative Scott Wilfong says he’s aware of efforts to find a more competitive candidate to take on the governor in the fall primary. Incumbent Governor and Democrat John Bel Edwards is currently lapping his two Republican opponents in fundraising and statewide name recognition, but that may not be the case for long…

Cut 13 (05) “…don’t know.”

Edwards is being challenged by two term GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham out of Richland Parish, and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Rispone has put five million dollars of his own money towards the campaign, but Wilfong says of more concern is Abraham’s remarkably low fundraising totals…

Cut 14 (07) “…is huge”

Edwards reported 8.4 million dollars on hand. Rispone reported raising 500,000, bringing his total to 5.5 million.

Wilfong says while the GOP field may grow more crowded, he hopes low performing candidates will drop out by qualifying in August, leaving the state GOP with one standard bearer to back.

Cut 15 (10) “…one candidate.”

Waitr is finding a new home in Downtown Lafayette and bringing with it 200 new jobs.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

An aide to Congressman Clay Higgins has been charged with pandering. Lafayette Parish Sheriff deputies say 47-year-old Jerod Prunty was one of eight arrested as part of an investigation looking into human sex trafficking and prostitution at massage parlors.

The legislative session is now on the horizon, and every year there are calls for the Louisiana film tax credit to be revoked and the 180 million to be deposited back into the general fund.  Louisiana Entertainment’s Chris Stelly hopes the legislature maintains the program, which he says supports thousands of jobs that pay 60-65 thousand on average…

Cut 4 (10) “…residents.″

The latest Governor’s race campaign finance numbers show Governor Edwards has eight-point-four million dollars in his bank account, while Eddie Rispone has five-point-five million and Ralph Abraham only has 350-thousand through the 2018 fundraising period. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it doesn’t appear many Republicans are ready to get behind Abraham

Cut 7 (12) “…among Republicans”

Louisiana film tax credit advocates are celebrating box office receipts of the New Orleans shot comedy/horror slasher flick Happy Death Day 2U.

While the most film production jobs are in New Orleans, Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says incentives have encouraged new studios to pop up statewide.

Cut 5 (11)“…Shreveport.”

Happy Death Day 2U has grossed $27 million with a budget of $9 million.

The latest campaign finance numbers show Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has more money in his warchest than his two Republican challengers combined. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards is in a good position heading into the October 12th election…

Cut 6 (10) “…important financiers.”

Waitr is now a publicly traded company and recently released its preliminary earnings. CEO Chris Meaux says the focus of the company in the last five years has been on growth.

Cut 10 (13)“…in 2018.”

Waitr will relase full figures in March.

A 14-year-old has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his mother and a dog at a home in Vivian last night. KTBS-TV is reporting the victim, Annette Moore, is the juvenile’s mother. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says after the incident, the teenager stormed out of the house, and found transportation.

Cut 13 (10) “…locate him”

New fundraising totals are in for the 2019 governor’s race and Governor Edwards has more money than his two Republican challengers. (J.P. has more)

(Cut 1 :31 “ … I’m Jeff Palermo”)

A 75-year old Bossier woman has been arrested in connection with the death of her husband.  Sunday morning Bossier police were called a residence on Foxglove Drive and found 71-year old, Robert Walker unresponsive with a puncture wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife Betty Walker was arrested and has been charged with second degree murder. Bond is set at $250-thousand.

A 14-year old has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman and a dog at home in Vivian last night. KTBS is reporting the victim Annette Moore is the juvenile’s mother. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the incident began when the victim and the 12-year old were at home watching TV…

(Cut 12 :11 “…the dog”)

The dog’s condition is unknown at this time.

Louisiana-based food delivery service Waiter announces its creating 200 new jobs in downtown Lafayette with new offices. Waiter CEO Chris Meaux says the company he founded in Lake Charles continues to grow as they’ve are now servicing 624 cities and 85-hundred restaurants, which resulted in gross food sales of 279-million dollars….

Cut 11 (10) “…as Waitr’

Waiter is now a publicly traded company and will release a full earnings report next month.

The candidates in the governor’s race have submitted their campaign finance report for 2018 and it shows Governor John Bel Edwards with eight-four-million dollars in his account, while Republican challenger Eddie Rispone raised a half-a-million dollars and the other five-million dollars is his own money. GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham only has 350-thousand dollars. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the poor fundraising totals by the two Republican candidates suggests Edwards is getting money from some GOP donors…
cut 8 (09) “…is weak”
The election is October 12th.

An aide to Congressman Clay Higgins has been charged with pandering. Lafayette Parish Sheriff deputies say 47-year-old Jerod Prunty was one of eight arrested as part of an investigation looking into human sex trafficking and prostitution at massage parlors.

Authorities arrested a 14-year-old today after he allegedly stabbed a woman and the family dog at a home in Vivian. Caddo Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the boy fled on a four-wheeler…
cut 14 (08) “….to authorities”
K-T-B-S says the victim is the mother of the suspect.

Waitr is expanding its operations in Acadiana, which means 200 new jobs and new offices in downtown Lafayette. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana film tax credit advocates celebrate nearly two years since the program was reformed. The legislative session is now on the horizon, and every year there are calls for the credit to be revoked and the 180 million to be deposited back into the general fund.  Louisiana Entertainment’s Chris Stelly hopes the legislature maintains the program, which he says supports thousands of jobs that pay 60-65 thousand on average…

Cut 4 (10) “…residents.″

The latest Governor’s race campaign finance numbers show Governor Edwards has eight-point-four million dollars in his bank account, while Eddie Rispone has five-point-five million and Ralph Abraham only has 350-thousand through the 2018 fundraising period. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it doesn’t appear many Republicans are ready to get behind Abraham

Cut 7 (12) “…among Republicans”

Food delivery service Waitr is now moving its Lafayette operations into the city’s downtown area and adding 200 new jobs.  Waitr is now a publicly traded company and released it’s preliminary earnings last week with a full earnings call coming up on March 7^th.  Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says the focus of the company in the last five years has been on growth.

Cut 10 (13)“…in 2018.”

A 14-year-old has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman and a dog at the house in Vivian where he lived last night. KTBS is reporting the victim, Annette Moore, is the juvenile’s mother. After allegedly stabbing his mother and the family dog, Caddo Sherriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the teenager stormed out of the house, and found some transportation.

Cut 13 (10) “…locate him”