The top two polling candidates in the Democratic primary will square off tonight in a debate along with eight other hopefuls.

Former Vice President Joe Biden sits at the top of the polls in the crowded field and Biden Campaign Co-Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond says the VP’s history of bipartisan work make him the best candidate for the toughest job.

Cut 3, 8 seconds, work with

Biden recently came under fire for touting his record in Congress of working with segregationists.

But New Orleans Our Revolution Chairman Adam Kay says the candidate at number two in the polls, Senator Bernie Sanders, has a compelling progressive message and a decades long record of consistency.

Cut 4, 11 seconds, wealthy

Sanders is the author of “Medicare For All” Congressional legislation.

Governor Edwards has been making the rounds in the world of sports recently, hosting LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says typically Louisiana governors are hands off when it comes to LSU. Sure, they’ll root and cheer for the home team from a sweet suite, but it’s been nearly a century since we’ve seen a governor so publicly partner with the Tigers.

Cut 11 (10) “…distance.”

The LSU freshman got a tour of the mansion and dinner with the Governor and his wife.

Craft beer brewers across the state are seeing a slump in business. While six breweries may have opened over the last year, five others have shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch part of the reason for the plateau in the industry is antiquated state laws on the books.

Cut 13 (07) “…small business.”

Governor Edwards has ruffled feathers with opponents by hosting a dinner for LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees for veterans. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it might not be politics driving these decisions. Brees has a history of supporting veterans, and Pinsonat says Edwards and coach Orgeron have a public friendship.

Cut 12 (09) “governor.”

A timeline for closing the Bonnet Carre Spillway has changed several times with the unpredictable forecast and now it looks like the flood-controlled structure is scheduled to close the second or third week of July. The U-S Army Corps of Engineers posted the update on Twitter Wednesday. But that could change depending on the National Weather Service forecast. The record opening on the spillway has been blamed for high mortality rates of dolphins, oysters and other aquatic life, plus algae blooms plaguing the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say black bear sightings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana. Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says one reason for the encounters, mother bears are forcing their cubs to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.
Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”

Governor Edwards hosted the LSU freshman football players for dinner at the mansion, and shot a PSA for veterans with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, prompting opponents to say he’s politicizing Louisiana sports…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

U.S. House Minority Whip and Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise was the leadoff hitter in the Congressional Baseball game for Republicans’ last night. He scored his first run since returning to the field after narrowly surviving a mass shooting two years ago.

Black bear sightings have increased across the state. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Large Carnivore program LDWF Maria Davidson says it’s mating season, mothers are forcing cubs to fend for themselves and adult males are on the prowl.

Cut 5 (08)“…their home range.”

Craft beer brewers across the state have seen things fizzle, despite the fact that six breweries have opened over the last year, five others have closed. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch says the three-tier system of having a brewer, distributor, and a retailer is cutting into the ability to stay afloat. Koch says of the outdated business models that brewers have to deal with makes it impossible for them to self-distribute their product.

Cut 15 (06) “…things to help.”

Three people are dead after what the East Baton Rouge Sheriff Department is calling a “crime of rage.” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says they received a call from a 14-year old boy shortly before midnight that his mother’s ex-boyfriend was shooting at their home on Palmer Lane. The 14-year old was found hiding with this 12-year old brother behind the home. But the scene inside the home was much different three deceased victims that included the boy’s mother, her boyfriend and the boy’s great grandmother. The suspect is 48-year old Michael Wade, he was arrested after deputies were led on a chase that ended in the Shenandoah area.

Governor Edwards has been rubbing elbows with athletes in the state recently, hosting LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says typically Louisiana governors are hands off when it comes to LSU. It’s been nearly a century since we’ve seen a governor so publicly partner with the Tigers.

Cut 11 (10) “…distance.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say black bear sightings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana. Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says one reason for the encounters, mother bears are forcing their cubs to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

Craft beer brewers across the state are seeing a slump in business. While six breweries may have opened over the last year, five others have closed. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch says the increased competition from neighboring states is a factor, saying many of those states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Cut 14 (09) “…oldest craft breweries.”

Governor John Bel Edwards had LSU Coach Ed Orgeron and his wife Kelly, plus members of the LSU Football freshman class over for dinner at the mansion this week. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards and Orgeron are friends and have openly supported each other…
cut 12 (09) “…governor”
Edwards also recently spent time with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees shooting a P-S-A in support of the governor’s new Veterans First Business Initiative.

Next year, the LHSAA will hold a bass fishing state tournament for the first time in the association’s history. Four large regional tournaments will be held in March and a two-day state championship in early April. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell…
cut 8 (11) “….fishin”

This time of year we see an increase in black bear encounters. Kevin Barnhart spoke with LDWF’s black bear expert Maria Davidson.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The craft beer industry in Louisiana has hit a plateau. Six new breweries opened over the last year, but five others shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch blames antiquated state laws…
cut 13 (07) “…small business”
Koch says many other states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Governor John Bel Edwards had dinner on Tuesday at the mansion with members of the LSU Football freshmen class and now there’s word the state’s top elected official shot a P-S-A with Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says these activities could be used as fodder for his Republican gubernatorial challengers…
cut 10 (11) “….the other”

There’s been an increase in bear sightings. LDWF’s Maria Davidson says it’s that time of year when mother bears force their cubs to start fending for themselves and male bears are on the prowl for mating season. She says if bears are known to wander in your neighborhood, reduce the risk of an encounter…
cut 6 (11) “…those things”

Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

According to the Storm Prediction Center, northeast Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather today.

This time of year means increased black bear encounters in areas of the state. Kevin Barnhart speaks with large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson to find out why.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Governor Edwards hosted the LSU freshman football players for dinner at the mansion, and shot a PSA for veterans with Saints QB Drew Brees, prompting opponents to say he’s politicizing Louisiana sports…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

____________

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are receiving calls that black bear spottings are on the rise in portions of Louisiana.  Large carnivore program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says several reasons contribute to the encounters, including mother bears forcing her young to scatter to start fending for themselves as she preps for another mating season.

Cut 4 (08) “…back into heat.”

In addition to the younger bears, Davidson says adult male bears are on the prowl as part of the mating season.

Cut 5 (08)“…their home range.”

Davidson says there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of encountering a bear around your home.

Cut 6 (11) “…of those things.”
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Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools in Louisiana telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official.

LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular in the state, and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.

Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”

Students who represent their schools will still be allowed to participate in club level competition, unlike sports like football or basketball.

The sport won’t feature one on one competitions between rival schools, but four large regional tournaments in March, and a two-day state championship event April 3^rd and 4^th next year. MacDowell lays down the rules…

Cut 8 (11) “…fishin.”

MacDowell says based on the initial, positive response from LHSAA schools, he expects the waters will be packed with students at the state tournaments next year.

Cut 9 (09) “…tournament”.

__________________________________

Governor Edwards has been making the rounds in the world of sports recently, hosting LSU freshmen football players at the mansion and filming a PSA with Drew Brees.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in an election year, such public embrace of beloved sports heroes could be fodder for his Republican gubernatorial opponents.

Cut 10 (11) “…the other.”

The Brees PSA promotes the recently signed Veterans First Business Initiative, which offers assistance to veterans or their surviving families who are pursuing entrepreneurial dreams.

Pinsonat says typically Louisiana governors are hands off when it comes to LSU. Sure, they’ll root and cheer for the home team from a sweet suite, but it’s been nearly a century since we’ve seen a governor so publicly partner with the Tigers.

Cut 11 (10) “…distance.”

But it might not be cold politically calculus driving these decisions. Brees has a history of supporting veterans, and Pinsonat says Edwards and LSU coach Orgeron have a public friendship and openly support each other.

Cut 12 (09) “governor.”

The LSU freshman got a tour of the mansion and dinner with the Governor and his wife.

_________________

Craft beer brewers across the state are seeing a slump in business. While six breweries may have opened over the last year, five others have shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch part of the reason for the plateau in the industry is antiquated state laws on the books.

Cut 13 (07) “…small business.”

Koch says the increased competition from neighboring states is also a factor, saying many of those states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

Cut 14 (09) “…oldest craft breweries.”

In Louisiana, the three-tier system of having a brewer, distributor, and a retailer is cutting into the ability to stay afloat. Koch says of the outdated business models that brewers have to deal with is the lack of the ability to self-distribute product.

Cut 15 (06) “…things to help.”

A report finds Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says the practice undermines the goal of rehabilitation because the intense mental and physical stress created by extended stays creates long term damage.

Cut 4 (09) “…entered.”

30 percent of respondents to the survey reported solitary confinement of more than five years.

A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is one of six the governor has vetoed from the 2019 legislative session. Rep. Phillip DeVillier says he was caught off guard by the veto and says the Governor had voted in favor of similar bills in other communities during his time as a lawmaker, but…

Cut 8 (09) “…to do something.”

The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscrpition model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitics C, which is an infectious liver disease. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee

Cut 9 (09) “to work.”

There are at least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system who suffer from Hepatitis C, which kills more people than all other infectious diseases combined.

Newly minted Pelican Zion Williamson arrived in town to a housewarming gift of a framed, signed jersey from Saints QB Drew Brees, a note welcoming him to the city, and a challenge. Zion is probably the most nationally hyped athlete to ever play in New Orleans, and Brees welcomed the phenom by inviting him to become the new favored son of New Orleans sports…

Cut 12 (09)   “…do it.”