The Office of Motor Vehicles will open at noon today after an attempted ransomware attack on the state’s computer system forced a temporary closure Monday. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry…
Cut 15 (11) “…one by one.”

Louisiana reports its first vaping-related death. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The 2019 election season is over and when you look ahead to next year, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the only question is whether Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision should be made soon…
Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

This past weekend voters in the small Livingston Parish towns of Livingston and Albany overwhelming approved the sale of liquor. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the new ordinance will boost the local economy by incentivizing development along the I-12 exit and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town…
Cut 11 (10) “decision”

After a ransomware attack brought most of the state government to a halt on Monday the Department of Motor Vehicles is expected to open at noon today. The attack forced the shutdown of state agency websites as well as email and internet access. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says a similar attack took place over the summer with some of the state’s school systems.

Cut 14 (05) “…kind of thing.” 

No personal data has been leaked as a result of the attack.

Louisiana sees its first vaping related death.   Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says the identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.  Kanter says there is still much mystery surrounding vaping and what is causing the lung injuries to happen.

Cut 8 (10) “…nicotine in it.”

The Governor’s race is over, and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Drew Brees is venturing into yet another new business enterprise. According to The Advocate the Quarterback is the co-owner of Surge Entertainment Center in Lafayette set to open this Saturday. The Center will feature a trampoline park, bowling lanes, karaoke room, golf simulator, batting cages and a restaurant. This is not his first business venture, he’s the co-owner of a restaurant and owns several franchises and is an investor in Waitr.

Governor Edwards activates the state’s cybersecurity team in response to an attack on state government computer systems. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana sees the first death from the outbreak of vaping related illness.  Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says there is only one recommendation in mitigating the risk of injuries from vaping.

Cut 9 (11) “   …addiction to quit.”

The identity of the victim has not been released due to privacy laws. For help quitting call 1-800-Quit-Now.

This year’s big election is over in the Bayou State but it’s never too soon to start looking towards 2020.  ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says even though many feel Donald Trump was on the ballot instead of Eddie Rispone in the Governor’s race this year, Stockley says it’s not a reflection on Trump in the Presidential race.

Cut 5 (13) “…in play.”

Livingston and Albany, two towns in Livingston Parish ended their prohibition on liquor sales in overwhelming votes Saturday. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the process started last year at a Livingston Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Cut 10 (10) “…Margarita.”

Louisiana reports its first vaping-related death. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

I-T officials are trying to get the state’s servers back up after an attempted ransomware attack forced the closure of the state’s O-M-V offices and D-C-F-S could not accept food stamp applications. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry…
cut 15 (11) “…one by one”
Full restoration of services could take a few days.

The 2019 election season is over and when you look ahead to next year, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the only question is whether Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision should be made soon…
Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

This past weekend voters in the small Livingston Parish towns of Livingston and Albany overwhelming approved the sale of liquor. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the new ordinance will boost the local economy by incentivizing development along the I-12 exit and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town…
cut 11 (11) “…decision”
Opponents of the liquor law change could result in more impaired drivers.

An attempted ransomware attack is causing website issues and disrupting business for most state agencies. The attack forced several state agency websites to shut down and many state workers were left without email. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says upon detection, the Office of Technology Services initiated security protocols.
Cut 13 (05) “…state’s network traffic.”
In a social media post. Governor Edwards says there is no anticipated data loss and the state did not pay a ransom. The governor’s office says it could take days to restore all websites and online operations.

Louisiana has reported its first vaping-related death. Nationally, there have been 40 deaths. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says so far, 30 cases of vaping lung injuries have been diagnosed in the state.
Cut 7 (09) “…that they deserve.”
The identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.

The Governor’s race is over and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today on Capitol Hill, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on legislation that would increase offshore revenue sharing between the federal and state governments from 37.5-percent to 50-percent, bringing the percentage in line with onshore energy production. If the legislation is approved, it will move to the full Senate for its approval.

The Louisiana Health Department has reported its first death from a vaping-associated lung injury. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter say vapers who use a combination of nicotine and-or THC are most at risk…
cut 9 (11) “…addiction to quit”
Kanter says vapers needing assistance to quit should call 1-800-Quit-Now.

The 2019 election season is over and we can start to look ahead to 2020, as Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says even though Democratic Governor Edwards just won re-election, there’s not another Democrat out there who can seriously challenge Cassidy…
Cut 4 (10) “right now.”
Cassidy won his first term in the Senate in 2014, beating Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu 56 to 44.

Governor Edwards activates the state’s cybersecurity team in response to an attack on state government computer systems. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Governor’s race is over and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana sees its first casualty to vaping as part of a larger national outbreak of illness and death.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Governor Edwards activates the state’s cybersecurity team in response to an attack on state government computer systems. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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This year’s big race is over but it’s never too soon to start looking towards 2020. Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says even though Democratic Governor Edwards just won re-election, don’t expect another statewide upset for the party…

Cut 4 (10) “right now.”

Cassidy was first elected in 2014, beating Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu 56 to 44.

The President put a lot of time and effort into flipping the Governor’s Mansion but ultimately failed. Stockley says even though Rispone ran as a Trump proxy…

Cut 5 (13) “…in play.”

In 2016 President Trump won the state 58-38 over Hillary Clinton.

All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020, but Stockley says none of the incumbents will face a real threat. The only question is whether  Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision needs to be made soon…

Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

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Louisiana sees the first death from the outbreak of vaping related illness.  Nationally, over 2,000 cases of illness have been detected and are to blame in 40 deaths.   Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says so far, thirty cases of vaping lung injuries have been diagnosed in the state.

Cut 7 (09) “…that they deserve.”

The identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.  The median age for victims is 29-years-old, with the youngest person being 17 and the oldest being 71.  Kanter says there is still much mystery surrounding vaping and what is causing the lung injuries to happen.

Cut 8 (10) “…nicotine in it.”

55 percent of those reporting lung injuries stem from vape products that contained the combination.  One in five individuals reported using nicotine alone.  Recent data indicates middle and high school vaping rates have doubled since 2017 in Louisiana. In 2019, an estimated 32 percent of high schoolers and 15 percent of middle schoolers reported using vape products more than once.

Kanter says there is only one recommendation in mitigating the risk of lung injuries from vaping.

Cut 9 (11) “   …addiction to quit.”

Kanter adds the Louisiana Quit Line, often used by cigarette smokers, can help provide resources to those who want to stop vaping as well.

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Livingston and Albany, two towns in Livingston Parish ended their prohibition on liquor sales in overwhelming votes Saturday.

Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the processed started last year at a Livingston Chamber of Commerce meeting when area leaders agreed it was time to put the issue up for a vote.

Cut 10 (10) “…Margarita.”

25 percent of the electorate in Albany had to sign a petition to get the issue on the ballot.

Bates-McCarroll says the vote will help out the local economy by incentivizing development along their I-12 exit, and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town.

Cut 11 (10) “decision”

Opponents of the ordinance believe the law change could result in more incidents of drunk driving.

Bates-McCarroll has lived in town long enough to watch attitudes change as different folks move in and out, and…

Cut  12 (10) “option” 

The Mayor says the liquor ban was originally passed in Albany about half a century ago.

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A ransomware attack brought most of the state government to a halt on Monday.   The attack forced the shutdown of state agency websites as well as email and internet access. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says upon detection, the Office of Technology Services initiated security protocols.

Cut 13 (05) “…state’s network traffic.”

A hacker can use ransomware to block a user’s access to a computer system until the target pays whatever price tag is set on a ransom. Governor Edwards tweeted no ransom has been paid. Edwards has activated the state’s cybersecurity team in response to the attack.

Berry says a similar attack took place over the summer with some of the state’s school systems.

Cut 14 (05) “…kind of thing.” 

The issue shut down operations at the state’s 79 OMV locations. Berry says no personal data has been leaked as a result of the attack.

Cut 15 (11) “…one by one.”

Edwards tweeted full restoration of services may take several says.

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An LSU win on Saturday against Arkansas and the Tigers will clinch an SEC West title and punch their ticket into the SEC Championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he hasn’t really thought about postseason play yet

Cut 16  (13)  …beat Arkansas.  

The oddsmakers are not expecting much of a game on Saturday. LSU is a 44.5 point favorite.

LSU will spend this working on improving a defense that allowed 402 yards rushing in a victory over a four-win Ole Miss team. Orgeron says they had guys out of position on some of those long runs, so getting guys in the right position is critical

Cut 17  (15)  me first” 

Is it possible LSU doesn’t have the personnel to be a great defense? They seem to be missing All-American linebacker Devin White, who is now with the Buccaneers. Orgeron still believes in his guys…

cut 18  (25)  the season strong” 

Governor Edwards can thank a surge in African American voter participation for keeping him from loading up a U-Haul and leaving the Mansion. Power Coalition for Justice and Equity Executive Director says they knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors to push voter turnout, but President Trump’s three visits to Louisiana during the campaign also energized minority voters…

Cut 5 (10) “…vote” 

Shelton made the statements on Talk Louisiana.

Governor Edwards tweets that the cyber-attack on state websites that shuttered them, and closed down the OMV today was the result of a ransomware attack. The attack was initially discovered on one state website, and in order to stop it from spreading across the rest of the network the decision was made to shut down all state sites. The Division of Administration reports that no data was compromised, and no ransom was paid as a result of the attack.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh criticizes his party’s inability to flip the Governor’s mansion but celebrates the substantial gains the GOP made in the Legislature. This election cycle saw the GOP take a supermajority in the Senate and a near super-majority in the House. Seabaugh says if the Governor felt he had trouble working with GOP legislative leaders in his first term, he hasn’t seen anything yet.

Cut 7 (08) “…in both Houses.”

Seabaugh is a candidate to be the next House Speaker.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River.  The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews will make several significant repairs.

Cut  12 (09) “…LED-type lighting system.” 

African American voter participation jumped six percent from the primary to the run-off, a major reason why Governor Edwards will be returning to office for another four years. The Power Coalition was at the center of that effort, and Executive Director Ashley Shelton says this year’s minority turnout will help keep minority priorities in the conversation in Baton Rouge, regardless of party affiliation.
Cut 4 (10) “…vote.”
Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh criticizes his party’s inability to flip the Governor’s mansion. Seabaugh says GOP challenger Eddie Rispone had multiple flaws, from his reliance on President Trump to having young political consultants who had no idea about Louisiana politics.

Cut 6 (08) “…the Republican side.”

Seabaugh is a candidate to be the next House Speaker

Folks who come down with the flu can turn to Baloxivir (bal-OX-uh-veer), an anti-viral treatment that’s been out a little over a year publicly. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fred Lopez, says the drug can reduce the severity and amount of time you’ll be sick…
Cut 9 (10) “…symptoms.”
The treatment is approved for anyone over the age of 12.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River.  The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the structural integrity of the bridge is not in question.

Cut 14 (07) “…a 50-year-old bridge.”

The work will require single lane closures during the project.