Governor Edwards signed legislation today that will bring ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft statewide. But the service will not be immediately ready in communities that were not already receiving the service. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George says there are a few steps left to be completed.
Cut 11 (08) “…the law”
Previously, ridesharing services only operated in the state’s major cities and not present in many rural and suburban communities, or Alexandria.
A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened. Sandifer adds it is never a good idea to leave the scene of an accident.

Cut 14 (07) “…even more serious.” 

With the legislative session in the books, the state’s political focus shifts to the governor’s race and the October 12^th primary.  It’s been a quiet race so far, with little ad spending from Governor Edwards and his two Republican opponents, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says expect that to change, and soon…

Cut 3 (12) “…August.”

A run-off would be necessary if none of the three candidates earn more than 50 percent of the vote.

The National Federation of Independent Business says their hoping for a new governor in the fall, but in the meantime small business optimism is up according to their latest survey.   NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says business owners in Louisiana are feeling better now that the 2019 legislative session is in the rearview mirror.

Cut 6 (07) “…any damage anymore.”

With the legislative session in the books, the state’s political focus shifts to the governor’s race and the October 12^th primary. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the race to remain fairly positive, but there’s three major candidates, and likely only one Republican will make it through to a potential November 16^th run-off. As the clock ticks down and a GOP frontrunner emerges, there’s a chance the odd Republican out could start getting feisty.

Cut 5 (12) “attacking.”

A run-off would be necessary if none of the three candidates earn more than 50 percent of the vote.

the National Federation of Independent Business says their hoping for a new governor in the fall, but in the mean time small business optimism is up according to their latest survey. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says in addition to the wrap up of the legislative session, the new tax code on the national level is contributing to the rise.

Cut 7 (10) “…into their business.”

Governor Edwards signed legislation today that will bring ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft statewide. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George says this law will help increase tourism throughout the state as there are visitors who are interested in seeing more than just the big city sights.

Cut 9 (07) “…Louisiana.”

Previously, ridesharing services only operated in the state’s major cities and not present in many rural and suburban communities.

A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened. Sandifer says investigators are uncertain why Girior fled from the initial crash, adding the investigation continues.

Cut 13 (08) “…sample was taken.” 

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain has been booked on rape and incest charges. Late last year allegations became public that Strain may have been involved in sex crimes. The accusations came out of a federal investigation into a work-release program run by the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office.

It’s been a quiet governor’s race so far, but a political analyst says expect that to change very shortly…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds that small business optimism is reaching near record highs. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says the growth in optimism should mean more jobs and higher pay for workers…
cut 8 (10) “…our state”
Starns says Louisiana small business owners like what’s happening in Congress and they’re happy the state legislature maintained the status quo.

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux at this hour, holding a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that’s expected to bring Uber and Lyft to areas of the state that currently do not have ridesharing services. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George…
cut 10 (10) “….button”
The Louisiana law goes into effect on July 1st.

Small business optimism is up, but the National Federation of Independent Business still wants a change in the Governor’s mansion….
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Now that the legislative session is over, expect to hear more from the candidates for Governor, Democratic Incumbent John Bel Edwards and his two Republican challengers Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on the early tone of the race…
cut 4 (10) “…party philosophy”

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services. The law will bring Uber and Lyft to the Houma-Thibodaux region, central Louisiana and other areas of the state that currently do not have it. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George on when they may go statewide…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened.
Cut 12 (10) “…that fatal crash.”
Sandifer says investigators are uncertain why Girior fled from the initial crash.

With the legislative session in the books, the state’s political focus shifts to the governor’s race and the October 12^th primary ballot. It’s been a quiet race so far, with little ad spending from Governor Edwards and his two Republican opponents, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says expect that to change, and soon…

Cut 3 (12) “…August.”

Governor Edwards is challenged by Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

Small business optimism is up according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says in addition to the wrap up of the legislative session, the new tax code on the national level is contributing to the rise.

Cut 7 (10) “…into their business.”

Governor Edwards is set to sign legislation that will start the process of OKing ride share services like Uber and Lyft statewide.Uber spokesperson Evangeline George says authorizing Ubers across the state will expand tourism access for visitors who are interested in seeing more than just the big city sights.

Cut 9 (07) “…Louisiana.”

Previously Uber only operated in the state’s major cities and was not present in many rural and suburban communities, or Alexandria.

Small business optimism is up according to the National Federation of Independent Business.   NFIB Louisiana spokesperson Dawn Starns says business owners in Louisiana area feeling better now that the 2019 legislative session is in the rearview mirror.
Cut 6 (07) “…any damage anymore.”
Starns says the new tax code on the national level also contributes to the rise.

If a recent forecast is any indication, the 2019 Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record.  The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Jersey, is an area with very little oxygen.  LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the higher nitrogen levels in the Mississippi River come from fertilizer and chemical runoff from large farms along the river.
Cut 12 (10) “…not much happening.”
The dead zone is not a danger to humans.

2020 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary voters will be weighing in later in the season than usual after the state’s primary date gets pushed back…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Jennings man is in jail accused of stealing crawfish. Sheriff’s deputies in Jefferson Davis Parish have made the arrest of 22 year old John Coleman, after he allegedly nabbed eleven sacks of crawfish from a cooler. Coleman admitted to detectives that he took the mudbugs and is now being held without bond.

The Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary has been pushed back a month to April 4^th, 2020, making this cycle’s Louisiana primary the latest in two decades.  That could leave the state voting after a primary winner has all but been decided, but Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says there is a bonus to voting later…
Cut 4 (10) “…that month”
On the heels of Governor Edwards’ signature of abortion restrictions, a poll is out showing 42 percent of Democratic voters would like another Democrat to challenge the incumbent in the gubernatorial race.  UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says the poll does provide some good news for Edwards. 60 percent of Democrats opposed his signing of the restrictions, but some of those pro-choice Democrats seem to still be in his corner.
Cut 9 (07) “…anyway.”  We Ask America, who ran the poll, is reportedly a Republican friendly polling firm.

If a recent forecast is any indication, the 2019 Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record.  The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Jersey, is an area with very little oxygen.  LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.

Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”

The dead zone is not a danger to humans.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging everyone in southwest Louisiana to participate in a hurricane evacuation study conducted by LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey will take place by phone and will take about 18 minutes to complete. The polling helps to determine how accurate the evacuation times are with current zoning.

Cut 14 (08) “…support that population.”

Legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session will move the 2020 presidential primary to April fourth, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Handwerk says despite the later primary date, he expects several candidates will still be seeking the nomination…
cut 6 (12) “…to us”
The state was scheduled to hold the presidential primary on March 7th, but that would put the spring general election on Easter weekend, which is a violation of state law.

The Shreveport City Council will vote this afternoon on a measure to repeal the city’s saggy pants ordinance. Councilwoman LeVette Fuller says the government should not tell people how to dress. But Councilman James Flurry says his constituents tell him that they want the ban to remain in place.

A survey from the Republican-leaning polling firm We Ask America finds that 42-percent of Democrats in Louisiana would like to see another Democratic candidate for governor, because of John Bel Edwards anti-abortion views. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards re-election campaign team should be concerned…
cut 8 (12) “….area”
At this point, there’s been no indication of a Democrat planning to challenge the governor.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying residents in ten southwest Louisiana parishes to find out more about their hurricane preparedness plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell…
cut 15 (09) “….prepare emergency responders”