Former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards passed away this morning at the age of 93. It was a week ago today that Edwards entered hospice care. The former four-term Governor died at his home in Gonzales surrounded by close family and friends. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges remembers former Governor Edwin Edwards, who he says was the most important political figure in Louisiana since Huey P. Long…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”.  

Edwin Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says the Silver Fox was lucid last week with his visitors at his home in Ascension Parish, but a couple of days ago he stopped eating. He says his last words were to his seven-year-old son, Eli…

Cut 7 (09) “…last words”

Honeycutt wrote a best-selling biography on Edwin Edwards’s life that was released in 2009.

Edwards served four terms as governor, but also eight years in prison after he was convicted on racketeering charges for corrupting the state’s riverboat gaming licensing process.

Cut 3 (11)  “…balances out”

After serving as a state senator and in the U-S House of Representatives, Edwards was elected as governor in 1971 and began the first of four terms in 1972.

Former four-term Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards passed away this morning.  Edwards legendary race against former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke captivated the nation in 1991. Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges covered “The Race from Hell” extensively. He says Edwards leaned into allegations of corruption against him with an unofficial campaign slogan of “vote for the crook, it’s Important”.

Cut 9 (05) “…crook.”

Edwards won that race 61 to 39 percent.

Edwards was released from prison in 2011 and always maintained his innocence. He certainly had his critics, as he was tried three times on federal charges. In his 2011 interview with Jim Engster, Edwards talked about what will happen to him when he passes away…

Cut 5  (11) “..eternal hell” 

Edwards was 93.

Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says the Cajun Prince died peacefully this morning at his home in Gonzales with family and friends at his bedside. Honeycutt says last Monday Edwards placed himself in hospice care.

Cut 6 (12) “…what happened”

Honeycutt wrote a best-selling biography on Edwin Edwards’s life that was released in 2009. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The state health department reports 24-hundred new COVID cases in the state since last Friday.  Hospitalizations are up to 410 now and 8 new deaths from the virus have been notated. Last week the health department said the delta variant is steadily increasing in the state and the majority of the new cases and hospitalizations are among unvaccinated individuals. LDH says 27-percent of the new cases were among adults ages 18 to 29.

Luminaries from across the state are mourning the death of former Governor Edwin Edwards who passed away at 93. Edwards served four terms in office with his first stint starting in 1971. Biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards took advantage of an oil boom in 1974 and changed the severance making Louisiana the most-cash-rich state in the nation. Edwards told Jim Engster in 2011 that he always looked out for the working class…

Cut 4 (11) “….some people are” 

Honeycutt says that interest in helping out the average Louisianan meant Edwards remained highly popular even after serving eight years in federal prison on racketeering charges.

Cut 8 (10) “…that much”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says state parks are having their best year yet and that seems to have the system getting closer and closer to being entirely self-funded. State Parks Deputy Assistant Secretary Clifford Melius says about six state parks made more money this year than what it costs to operate them.

Cut 13 (08) “…of that.”

Melius says about 70 percent of their traffic is coming from Louisiana residents.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System saw a 10 percent drop in enrollment during the 2020-2021 school year. LCTCS spokesperson Quintin Taylor says many of their students have children and the chaotic situation in K-12 education during the worst of the pandemic made it hard for parents to pursue their own education.

Cut 10 (11) “…space.”

Louisiana has lost one of its iconic figures. Former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards passed away at the age of 93 this morning. It was a week ago that Edwards placed himself in hospice care after complaining of pain in his right lung. His biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards stopped eating two days ago and his last words were to his seven-year-old son Eli…
cut 7 (09) “….last words”

Edwards is Louisiana’s most well-known governor since Huey Long and could always fire off a great soundbite. Here’s what he said following his conviction in 2001 on federal racketeering charges…
cut 19 (12) “…my body”
Edwards served 8.5 years in federal prison but met his wife Trina during that time. The two were pen pals.

A Webster Parish deputy was killed Friday night while responding to a call as a Doyline patrol officer. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker declined to give the suspect’s name because he wanted the focus to be on the loss officer William Earl Collins, Junior, also known as Billy.

Cut 9 (09) “…closure.”

The suspect has been identified as 59-year-old Mahlon Taylor, the Taylor family says he suffers from mental illness.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System saw a 10 percent drop in enrollment during the 2020-2021 school year. LCTCS spokesperson Quintin Taylor says the good news is enrollment seems to be rebounding.

Cut 12 (08) “…as well.”

For the current summer semester enrollment has increased five to fifteen percent in some places.

Four-term former Governor Edwin Edwards has passed away at the age of 93. His biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards died peacefully this morning at his home in Gonzales with family and friends at his bedside. Honeycutt says last Monday Edwards placed himself in hospice care…
cut 6 (12) “…what happened”
Honeycutt says Edwin Edwards’s last words were to his eight-year-old son, Eli. He told Eli that he loved him.

Current Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards says the state has lost a giant. He says Edwin Edwards was a larger-than-life figure known for his wit and charm and he will be equally remembered for being a compassionate leader who cared for the plight of all Louisianans.

Edwards also served 8.5 years in federal prison, but met his wife Trina through the experience and ran for Congress in 2014.

Enrollment at Louisiana Community and Technical College System schools dropped ten percent for the 2020-21 school year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

There are many people returning today from a well-deserved vacation. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore says taking a proper break from daily tasks helps rejuvenate and refresh a person’s outlook on both personal and work life.
Cut 5 (09) “…to do.

Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards has passed away at the age of 93. Edwards served four terms as governor, but also eight years in prison after he was convicted on racketeering charges for corrupting the state’s riverboat gaming licensing process…
cut 3 (11) “…balances out”
That audio is courtesy of the Jim Engster Show in 2011. Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards died peacefully this morning at his him in Gonzales.

The investigation continues into Friday night’s fatal shooting of law enforcement officer William Earl Collins Junior, also known as Billy. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says Collins was working as a Doyline police officer at the time of the shooting…
cut 8 (10) “….to assist’
State Police say the man suspected of shooting Collins is in serious condition with a gunshot wound.

The Lt. Governor’s Office says Louisiana State Parks are experiencing their best year yet and the system is getting to the point where it can fund itself. State Parks Deputy Assistant Secretary Clifford Melius says about 70-percent of their bookings are coming from Louisiana residents and some parks are booked up to 13 months out…
cut 14 (10) “…statewide”

Meanwhile, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System reported a ten-percent drop in enrollment for the 2020-21 school year. Spokesperson Quintin Taylor says many of their students have children themselves and many incoming freshmen decided on attending four-year schools because ACT admissions criteria was lowered…
cut 11 (08) “….schools”
Taylor says enrollment for the fall semester is on the upswing.

Law enforcement around the state are mourning the loss of Doyline Police Officer William Earl Collins, Junior, also known as Billy, who was killed on Friday night while responding to a service call at home. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says Collins was a part-time officer for Doyline and his full-time job was at the parish prison…
cut 7 (08) “…of us”
State Police say the man who shot Collins suffered a gunshot wound and is in serious condition.

According to the Lt. Governor’s office, the state park system is having its best year ever. State Parks Deputy Assistant secretary Clifford Melius says part of the success has been increasing the number of amenities at each park, adding attractions like horseback riding and canoeing and other draws…
cut 15 (11) “…longer”

We are at the pinnacle of the summer vacation season, and health professionals say taking a break from your daily tasks is just what the doctor ordered. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries had to rescue a man after he jumped into the Atchafalaya River from the Basin Bridge. The incident occurred on Friday and Jimmy Jennings reportedly made the decision to jump after he was stuck in traffic as a result of a ten-vehicle pile-up. Jennings reportedly spent three hours in the water before he was rescued.

The Lieutenant Governor’s office says state parks are having their best year and the system is getting closer to being entirely self-funded. State Parks Deputy Assistant Secretary Clifford Melius says six state parks made more money this year than what it costs to operate them.
Cut 13 (08) “…of that.”
Melius says about 70 percent of their traffic is coming from Louisiana residents and some parks are booked up to 13 months out.

It’s the height of the summer vacation season and many are taking a break, especially after COVID travel restrictions in 2020. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says taking a break from work is essential for your health, even if you can’t travel…
cut 4 (10) “…to rest”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System saw a 10 percent drop in enrollment during the 2020-21 school year. Spokesperson Quintin Taylor says many of their students have children and the chaotic situation in K-12 education during the pandemic made it hard for parents to pursue their own education.
Cut 10 (11) “…space.”

Scripps National Spelling Bee Champ Zaila Avant-garde has already received scholarship offers from LSU, Southern, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System after becoming the first Louisiana resident to win the tournament. Zaila has previously said she was interested in Harvard.