Qualifying has officially closed for the fall statewide elections. In the marquee competition, Governor John Bel Edwards will face two major Republican opponents, Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham. Five other candidates populate the ballot. And in what should be the most hotly contested position outside of the Governor’s race, you’ve got 13-year incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon set to take on fellow Republican Tim Temple.

Mayors from four of Louisiana’s biggest cities joined 200 of their colleagues nationwide in signing a letter to Congress demanding the passage of gun background check and red flag legislation. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was one of the signees. He says a rash of recent mass shootings are proof that unless action is taken federally, the violence will not end.

Cut 6 (11) “…avoided.”

A licensed medical marijuana physician is arrested in Ouachita Parish by State Police.  Dr. Benjamin Stage faces five counts of illegally prescribing controlled dangerous substances to a patient that was not one of his own.  Trooper Michael Reichardt.

Cut 12 (09) “…arrest him then.”

Depending on the outcome of the case, the medical board may also take action against the doctor.

NOAA has upped it’s hurricane forecast for the year to five to nine hurricanes with two to four major storms. NOAA lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says all the ingredients are now in place for an above-average hurricane season as part of a high activity era in place since the mid-nineties.

Cut 3 (11) “…era is fading.”

There have only been two named storms so far, with Hurricane Barry impacting the state as a category 1 storm at landfall.

The Saints kick off Friday with their first preseason game, this one against Minnesota in the Dome. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says don’t expect to see your favorites like Drew Brees, because preseason is for up-and-comers and journeymen fighting for a job.

28 :18 showcase games

The team is full of new talent on both sides of the ball, with rookie safeties lighting up training camp and the battle for the right to be the number 2 receiver for one of the league’s most explosive offense on the line. Detillier says it could be undrafted free agent Emmanuel Butler’s time to make a strong case for the job.

29 lights are on :10

Kickoff at 7 o’clock tomorrow.

Jrue Holiday says he has no ill will towards his former New Orleans Pelicans teammate Anthony Davis.  This season marks the first in six years that Holiday and Davis will not be sharing the court after Davis was traded to the Lakers.  Holiday says it is cool to see Davis head to a team he grew up a fan of.  But when the two teams go to battle with each other, Holiday says he’s ready to hand Davis an L.

Colin Kapernick says he’s still ready to return to the NFL even though he’s been un-employed for the past three seasons. In a video posted Wednesday on social media, the 31-year-old is shown working out in a gym. He says in his video 5 a.m. 5 days a week for 3 years…still ready. Kaepernick was with the 49’ers when he helped start a protest about social and racial injustice in 2016 by kneeling during the national anthem during games.

Qualifying has officially closed and the rosters are set for the fall statewide elections.

In the marquee competition, Governor John Bel Edwards will face two major Republican opponents, Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham. Five other candidates populate the ballot.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is facing two Democrats.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will hope to secure his first full term after winning the special election for his seat last year. He’s up against the opponent he faced in the run-off last year, Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup, and two other Republicans.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has one challenger, Plaquemine Democrat “Ike” Jackson Jr.

State Treasurer John Schroder will face the man who he beat for the job in 2017, Democrat Derrick Edwards, and one other.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain will seek to keep the office he’s held since unseating Bob Odom in 2007. Democrats Margee Green, Charlie Greer, and Peter Williams, plus another Republican are challenging.

And in what should be the most hotly contested position outside of the Governor’s race, you’ve got 13 year incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon set to take on fellow Republican Tim Temple.

NOAA increases its hurricane prediction to five to nine hurricanes with two to four major storms. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Governor and his two Republican opponents are painting very different pictures of the state economy. Congressman Abraham and Eddie Rispone argue the Governor’s tax increases have stunted the state’s growth while the national economy has grown. But the non-partisan organization Council For A Better Louisiana says there’s little data to back that up.

Cut 10 (09) “…there.”

That’s President Barry Erwin.

NOAA increases its hurricane prediction to five to nine hurricane with two to four major storms. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________________

Four Louisiana Mayors sign a letter demanding Congressional action on mandatory nationwide background checks for gun purchases. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the signees…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

NOAA has upped it’s hurricane forecast for the year to five to nine hurricanes with two to four major storms. NOAA lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says all the ingredients are now in place for an above-average hurricane season as part of a high activity era in place since the mid-nineties.

Cut 3 (11) “…era is fading.”

There have only been two named storms so far, with Hurricane Barry impacting the state as a category 1 storm at landfall.  Bell says as the season moves into August, the way that storms begin to form becomes more reliant on activity off of the African coast.

Cut 4 (07) “…the tropical waves.”

Bell says of the impact of climate change on the production of hurricanes…

Cut 5 (09) “…fewer stronger storms.”

_____________________________

Mayors from four of Louisiana’s biggest cities joined 200 of their colleagues nationwide in signing a letter to Congress demanding the passage of gun background check and red flag legislation.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was one of the signees. He says a rash of recent mass shootings demands an appropriate response.

Cut 6 (11) “…avoided.”

The letter notes there’s been 250 mass shootings in 2019 alone.

Similar legislation failed to gain any traction in the last Legislative session in Louisiana. Mayo says with states failing to do their part, it’s up to D.C.

Cut 7 (09) “…representatives.”

The Mayor says he plans on writing a personal letter to US Senator Bill Cassidy urging him to support the federal bill.

Opponents of the legislation say it’s an infringement on 2^nd amendment rights and would do little to actually curb gun violence, but Mayo says it would at least help cut down on mass shooting events.

Cut 8 (12) “…are afraid.”

Mayo was joined by Mayors Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans, Adrian Perkins of Shreveport, and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge.

________________________________________

Governor Edwards says the state economy is stronger than it’s been in years under his leadership, but his Republican opponents counter that Louisiana still has one of the worst economies, so who’s right?

Council For A Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the answer is complicated, and neither of the arguments is technically wrong. He adds the question requires some context.

Cut 9 (09) “…and gas”

Republicans Congressman Abraham and Eddie Rispone argue the Governor’s tax increases have stunted the state’s growth while the national economy has grown. Erwin says there’s little data to back that up.

Cut 10 (09) “…there.”

Edwards points to data like the unemployment rate, GDP, and wage growth to argue that his policies of balancing the budget, expanding Medicaid, and investing in education have boosted the economy. Erwin says they aren’t that influential in the short-term.

Cut 11 (10) “…of time.”

________________________________

A licensed medical marijuana physician is arrested in Ouachita Parish by State Police.  Dr. Benjamin Stage faces five counts of illegally prescribing controlled dangerous substances to a patient that was not one of his own.  Trooper Michael Reichardt.

Cut 12 (09) “…arrest him then.”

As far as what will happen to the doctor’s credentials if found guilty, Reichardt says that is up in the air.

Cut 13 (07) “…to Louisiana law.”

Cut 14 (10) “…wouldn’t”

_____________________________

Cut 15 (11) “…dystrophy.”

Cut 16 (08) “…pharmacy.”
_______________________

The Slaughter Police Officer that was caught on video punching the local Fire Chief has resigned from the Police Department. Police Chief Dave Almond confirms to WAFB that Officer Danny Hobgood, has resigned from the Police Department. A video surfaced on Snapchat Wednesday of the officer punching Slaughter Fire Chief Billy Poche at a local gas station. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the altercation.

Governor Edwards says the state economy is stronger than it’s been in years under his leadership, but his Republican opponents counter that Louisiana still has one of the worst economies, so who’s right?

Council For A Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the answer is complicated, and neither of the arguments is technically wrong. He adds the question requires some context.

Cut 9 (10) “…know that.”

Edwards faces three Republicans in the October primary for Governor.

Mayors from four of Louisiana’s biggest cities joined 200 of their colleagues nationwide in signing a letter to Congress demanding the passage of gun background check and red flag legislation. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was one of the signees. He says a rash of recent mass shootings demands a response. Opponents of the legislation say it’s an infringement on 2^nd amendment rights and would do little to actually curb gun violence, but Mayo says it would at least help cut down on mass shooting events.

Cut 8 (12) “…are afraid.”

Mayo was joined by Mayors Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans, Adrian Perkins of Shreveport, and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge.

Licensed medical marijuana physician Dr. Benjamin Stage faces five counts of illegally prescribing controlled dangerous substances. Trooper Michael Reichardt says he’s in criminal trouble and could possibly lose his license.

Cut 13 (07) “…to Louisiana law.”

Four Louisiana Mayors sign a letter demanding Congressional action on mandatory nationwide background checks for gun purchases. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the signees…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Mayor Mayo says he plans on writing a personal letter to US Senator Bill Cassidy urging him to support the federal bill.

Opponents of the legislation say it’s an infringement on 2^nd amendment rights and would do little to actually curb gun violence, but Mayo says it would at least help cut down on mass shooting events.

A licensed medical marijuana physician is arrested in Ouachita Parish by State Police.  Dr. Benjamin Stage faces five counts of illegally prescribing controlled dangerous substances to a patient that was not one of his own.  Trooper Michael Reichardt.

Cut 12 (09) “…arrest him then.”

NOAA is now predicting five to nine hurricanes with two to four possibly becoming major storms. NOAA lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says climate change is having an impact on the production of hurricanes…

Cut 5 (09) “…fewer stronger storms.”

Bell says as the season moves into August, the way that storms begin to form becomes more reliant on activity off of the African coast.

NOAA issues its midseason forecast predicting five to nine hurricanes, two to four becoming major storms.  So far there have only been two named storms with Hurricane Barry impacting the state as a category one storm at landfall. NOAA lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says as the season moves into August, the way that storms begin to form becomes more reliant on activity off of the African coast.

Cut 4 (07) “…the tropical waves.”

Mayors from four of Louisiana’s biggest cities joined 200 of their colleagues nationwide in signing a letter to Congress demanding the passage of gun background check and red flag legislation. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was one of the signees. Mayo says since states fail to pass legislation it’s up to the feds.

Cut 7 (08) “…representatives.”

A report says Louisiana has one of the most vulnerable election systems in the country, but the Secretary of State says that’s just not true. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

A Slaughter police officer has been charge with simple battery after a video surfaced of officer Danny Hobgood punching Slaughter Fire Chief Billy Poche at a local gas station. The East Feliciana Sheriff’s Office says there was enough evidence for a probale cause warrant and booked the officer after viewing the video from Snapchat.

NOAA has upped it’s Hurricane forecast for the year to five to nine hurricanes with two to four major storms. NOAA lead hurricane season forecaster Gerry Bell says all the ingredients are now in place for an above-average hurricane season.

Cut 3 11 seconds, is fading

So far there’s only been two named storms to form.

Mayors from four of Louisiana’s biggest cities joined 200 of their colleagues nationwide in signing a letter to Congress demanding the passage of gun background check and red flag legislation. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was one of the signees. He says a rash of recent mass shootings are proof that unless action is taken federally, the violence will not end.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, avoided

Mayors in Shreveport, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge also signed on.

Could a suspect’s heavily-tattooed face draw discrimination from potential jurors in a double murder case? That’s the question being brought up in the case of William Bottoms. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” AM

Politico names Louisiana one of 14 states where the election system is most at risk of being exploited due to what they deem an insufficient paper trail generated by Louisiana voting machines. Analysts say paper verification of each vote is necessary to combat the possibility of hackers altering election outcomes, but State Kyle Ardoin says internet hackers aren’t a threat to the system…

Cut 5 (11) “…states”

Ardoin adds you’d have to interact physically with each machine to impact an election in Louisiana at any scale.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is touting major numbers when it comes to his handling of tourism. But among the areas that need attention, Nungesser highlights the French Quarter. Crime, as well as a lack of cleanliness and new attractions, are getting worse for the popular tourist hot spot over the last several years.

Cut 9 (10) “…of the state.”

The defense for a Greenwell Springs man accused of double murder claims that the suspect’s heavily-tattooed face draws discrimination from potential jurors. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the facial markings could be claimed as a distraction from the case.

Cut 10 (08) “…are talking about.”

29-year-old William Bottoms faces a mandatory term of life in prison for the 2017 slayings,

The 2019 season hasn’t even started but Tigers fans are already looking ahead to the 2020 season with the release of the full schedule for all SEC teams.The 2020 season will likely be defined by how the team handles an absolutely brutal midseason stretch that Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says is all too common in the SEC West.

Cut 14 (12) “…South Carolina.”

Politico names Louisiana one of 14 states where the election system is most at risk of being exploited due to what they deem an insufficient paper trail generated by Louisiana voting machines.  The report says the state is one of the few left that has completely paperless voting machines, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says that’s not entirely accurate, nor a weakness…

Cut 4 (06) “…2005.”

Louisiana was on track to have new machines in many precincts before the 2020 Presidential election, but a dispute over the bidding process put that date out of reach.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is touting major numbers when it comes to his handling of tourism. Nungesser says he has two state parks generating revenue after being told some may be facing closure. Tourism has grown during his years in office as well.

Cut 7 (07) “…increase in tourism.”

The defense for a Greenwell Springs man accused of double murder claims that the suspect’s heavily-tattooed face draws discrimination from potential jurors. .  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says if the jurors admit that they may hold the tattoos against 29-year-old William Bottoms, it truly might be a factor, but it really comes down to the strength of the evidence presented in the case.

Cut 11 (07) “…to lead anywhere.”

Bottoms faces a mandatory term of life in prison for the 2017 slayings,

The 2019 season hasn’t even started but Tigers fans are already looking ahead to the 2020 season with the release of the full schedule for all SEC teams.The team will start their season next year with a Texas trio, including an iconic program that they’ll be visiting this season in week 2. Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says it’s an interesting way to start the year.

Cut 13 (12) “…Baton Rouge”