Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry warn Republicans not to allow Democrats any influence in the selection of the next Speaker of the Louisiana House.

The letter says the move is aimed at guaranteeing a more conservative Speaker takes office January 13th when the election is held. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s a highly partisan demand.

Cut 12 (11) “to see”

In Washington DC, House Democrats will support a new U.S. Mexican and Canadian trade agreement which could mean passage of the USMCA to replace NAFTA agreement.

The new deal requires partners to relax import restrictions on American products, mandates Mexico adopt better labor standards, and provides legal avenues for settling intellectual property disputes.

Cut 5 (08) “…countries”

Strain also notes a new trade deal with Japan appears to be imminent as well.

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees releases a final Open Ocean restoration plan, selecting 18 projects totaling almost $226 million to help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and deep-seas coral habitat injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA Deepwater Horizon Program Manager Rachel Sweeney…

Cut 9 (10) “…Mexico to date.”

The SEC Championship showed an amazing level of physical prowess including a half time competition to throw the highest number of footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper soda can.

The winner of the 100,000 dollar scholarship prize is Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole. The Baylor university student says she practiced every day for three weeks.

Cut 6 (11) “…the real thing.”

Gathercole plans to put the 100,000 dollar scholarship toward finishing her Baylor degree with anything left over going toward her plans to attend medical school.

Although China is Louisiana’s number one trading partner, Mexico is number two and worth billions of trade dollars.

The USMCA trade deal now has the support of House Democrats and appears likely to replace the NAFTA trade deal.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this deal will open up the Mexican market to new items like Louisiana poultry, and expand the market for old mainstays like…

Cut 4 (11) “…Lake Charles”

Louisiana currently exports 8.3 billion dollars’ worth of agriculture products per year.

Under the pressure of competing for a $100,000 scholarship on live television with millions of people watching, Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole was the winner.

She threw the most number of footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can during the SEC Champion game TV broadcast.

Gathercole says the extra cash will help her fund her remaining time between now and her December 2020 graduation from Baylor.

Cut 8 (08) “…of medical school.”

Gathecole plans to study emergency medicine when she goes to medical school.

The Department of Justice handed out 376 million dollars nationwide in grants to help fund crime-fighting efforts.

Here in Louisiana, the City of Shreveport was the biggest recipient, receiving 127,000 dollars.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office was awarded 82,000 dollars and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Offices received 72,000 dollars in the DOJ grant awards.

Western District United States Attorney David Joseph says these grants are a recognition by the feds that certain crime-fighting programs in a jurisdiction have established a provable record of success.

Cut 14 (10) “at large.”

Louisiana was named the state with the most violent crime in the nation per capita according to FBI crime stats.

The Heisman Trophy finalists are now official and Joe Burrow is one step closer to being the only the second LSU player to accomplish that feat.

The only other being Billy Cannon 60 years ago.

Because of LSU’s schedule, multiple wins over top ten teams, and Burrow’s consistent performance, many believe Burrow will take the Heisman trophy home with him.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces Democrats in the House will vote to support the President’s sought after renegotiated trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

The USMCA will replace NAFTA, and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deal will be a major lift for Louisiana’s agriculture exports.

Cut 3 (11) “…deal”

Mexico is Louisiana’s number two trading partner.

Promise of Justice Attorney Jamila Johnson says the incoming class of lawmakers should consider implementing sentencing reforms proposed by the Justice Reinvestment Taskforce. She says inmates need…

Cut 12 (12) “…the way”

Louisiana had the highest in the nation percentage of inmates in prison for life without parole.

Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole won a $100,000 scholarship after throwing the most footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can during the SEC Champion game television broadcast.

Gathercole is studying at Baylor right now and wants to work in emergency medical care. She says Louisiana’s major weather events influenced her to choose a career path to help others.

Cut 7 (09) “…to go into.”

Despite her amazing throwing skills, Gathercole does not intend to pursue a sports career.

And now here’s a look at commodity prices.

Cut: Mini Pig

Advocates are pushing the upcoming class of lawmakers to build on the 2017 Criminal Justice Reform by taking on sentencing reform for life without parole. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle.”

Following 7.5 hours of impeachment proceedings yesterday, Judiciary Committee member and Congressman Mike Johnson spoke during yesterday’s hearing saying they’ve been operating under haphazardly drawn special parameters for the hearings.

Cut 4 (09) “…violations of due process.”

Impeachment proceedings continue In the House Judiciary Committee today in the nation’s Capitol.

Because of LSU’s schedule, multiple wins over top ten teams, and Joe Burrow’s consistent performance, USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau believes it is a huge gap between Burrow and any other contenders for the Heisman trophy.

Cut 9 (11) “…votes in history.”

Other finalists include Sooners’ QB Jalen Hurts and Buckeyes’ defensive end Chase Young and quarterback Justin Fields.

The trophy presentation takes place this Saturday in New York City.

Louisiana was named the state with the most violent crime in the nation per capita according to FBI crime stats.

Western District United States Attorney David Joseph says that makes us particularly likely to win these kinds of grants the the Department of Justice awarded.

Cut 15 (06) “…problem”

The Western District of Louisiana that received one million dollars of those DOJ grants.

The House Judiciary Committee continues hearing articles of impeachment today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The US Department of Justice awards jurisdictions in the Western District of Louisiana a million dollars.

Western District United States Attorney David Joseph explains the intent of the program.

Cut 13 (11) “…crime.”

A number of municipalities applied to get a boost to their most successful programs. Overall, the DOJ handed out 376 million dollars nationwide.

Advocates say after implementation of 2017’s criminal justice reform, the state needs to turn its attention to the fact that Louisiana has highest percentage of inmates serving ‘life without parole’ sentences in the U.S.

The Promise of Justice organization’s Attorney Jamila Johnson says attempts to include changes to life without parole sentencing in 2017 were scrapped, leaving Louisiana as a major, international outlier…

Cut 10 (09) “4,700”

In sports news, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow made the Heisman Trophy finalists list. USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau has confidence that Burrow will take the honor despite competition.

While the Crimson Tide had hopes of getting the trophy through much of the season, Guilbeau believes Bama QB Tua Tagovailoa’s (TWO-UH TONGUE-UH-VIOLA) injury has had no impact on Burrow’s chances of securing the Heisman.

Cut 8 (04) “…finish the season.”

If Burrow is named the Heisman Trophy winner, he would be the second LSU Tiger to take the prize, in the wake of Billy Cannon who received the Heisman 60 years ago.

Impeachment proceedings continue In the House Judiciary Committee today.  Following 7.5 hours of action, Judiciary Committee member and Benton Congressman Mike Johnson spoke during yesterday’s hearing saying they’ve been operating under haphazardly drawn special parameters for the hearings.

Cut 4 (09) “…violations of due process.”

Johnson says the American people see the proceedings as a sham.
The Heisman Trophy finalists are now official and Joe Burrow is one step closer to being the only the second LSU player to accomplish the feat. The only other being Billy Cannon 60 years ago. USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau says the win appears to be a lock for Burrow.

Cut 7 (09) “…the Alabama game.”

The trophy presentation takes place this Saturday in New York City.

Advocates say after the successful implementation of 2017’s criminal justice reform, the state needs to turn its attention next to its highest in the nation percentage of inmates in prison for life without parole. A Sentencing Project study showed Louisiana topped the nation in 2017 with 13 percent of it’s prison population being lifers without the chance of parole. Promise of Justice Attorney Jamila Johnson says 51 percent of the reason is…

Cut 11 (07) “murder”

The US Department of Justice awards jurisdictions in the Western District of Louisiana a million dollars to help boost crime-fighting efforts in cities and parishes across the region.  Western District United States Attorney David Joseph says these grants are a recognition by the feds that certain crime-fighting programs in a jurisdiction have established a provable record of success.

Cut 14 (10) “at large.” 

Prosecutors in the trial of 22-yr-old Derrick “Woo” Groves – accused of shooting five people and killing two in a bloody incident on Fat Tuesday 2018 – say the defendant is a Lower 9th Ward drug dealer with a willingness to kill that belies his youth. Groves has received two life sentences for the Mardi Gras slayings, but now faces more charges for two more murders in 2017 and 2019. Just an all-around bad dude.

Impeachment proceedings continue In the House Judiciary Committee today. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond also sits on the committee and pressed staff attorneys on the basis that the President used foreign aid to Ukraine as leverage to entice that country’s government into investigating a political rival…
CUT 05 :13 Q:..military aid
Shreveport area Congressman Mike Johnson is also a committee member and says America knows a sham when they see one.

Young porch pirates in Metairie are using some kind of flyer to cover their images while they steal parcels from peoples’ homes. The juvenile thieves tape or post the flyer OVER homes’ doorbell cameras, but a few have recorded images of the kids’ faces. Jefferson Parish deputies say they are investigating.

USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau believes there is a huge gap between LSU’s Joe Burrow and any other contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Kevin Barnhart has the story
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The New Orleans area man convicted of a drunk driving crash that threw three men over the edge of the Westbank Expressway to their deaths gets 21 years in prison. 40-yr-old Todd Williams was intoxicated on June 16th, when he slammed into the men, who had stopped to help a motorist with car trouble. Two others were injured in the crash. At his sentencing, Williams expressed sorrow and remorse for what he’d done.
The US Department of Justice awards jurisdictions in the Western District of Louisiana a million dollars to help boost crime-fighting efforts in cities and parishes across the region. The DOJ handed out $376-million nationwide, and Western District US Attorney David Joseph says a number of municipalities applied to get a boost to their most successful programs.
Cut 13 (11) “…crime.”

USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau believes there is a huge gap between LSU’s Joe Burrow and any other contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve discovered human remains they believe belong to a man reported missing in May. According to the sheriff’s office, the remains were discovered near Cook Road, east of Ruston. Authorities believe the remains are those of 47-year-old Jeff Norsworthy, who was last seen strolling around a motel in Ruston. He’d left his ID and belongings IN his motel room.

The House Judiciary Committee continues hearing articles of impeachment today. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
CUT 01 :33 Q: I’m Kevin Barnhart
The owner of a Jefferson Parish auto shop was arrested after authorities say he kidnapped a man he suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of tools from his business, and then used a hammer to smash the man’s hands. 37-yr-old Chad Baxter is charged with kidnapping and battery.

Advocates say after the successful implementation of 2017’s criminal justice reform, the state needs to turn its attention next to its highest in the nation percentage of inmates in prison for life without parole. Promise of Justice Attorney Jamila Johnson says attempts to include changes to life without parole sentencing in 2017 were scrapped, leaving Louisiana as a major, international outlier…
CUT 10 :09 Q: 4,700
A Loyola University study shows the number of life without parole inmates has more than quadrupled since the Legislature voted to remove parole as an option for life sentences.
The lawyer for a former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy accused of child rape and child porn wants to remove himself from the case. Attorney J. David Bourland says he is (quote) “not able to proceed in an effective and sufficient manner to provide a proper and constitutional defense” of defendant Dennis Perkins. Perkins next court date is the 19th, when his attorney’s request will likely be addressed.