Today is the final day to qualify for governor and two more Republicans joined the race, bringing the total number of main candidates to seven. Former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack is considered a long-shot, because the Republican Party is backing Jeff Landry. But Waguespack says party leaders will not elect our next governor…
Cut 9 (10) “…resonate.”
Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson also qualified today. Nelson is a big proponent of tax reform, including eliminating the state income tax and making up for the revenue loss with higher property taxes and the elimination of certain sales tax deductions…
cut 12 (09) “…trying to fix”

A one-point-one-billion dollar solar panel manufacturing facility is coming to Iberia Parish. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board is following the directive of Governor Edwards as they’ve started scheduling clemency application hearings from death row inmates seeking a reduction of their sentence from lethal injection, to life in prison without parole. Governor Edwards, who does not support capital punishment, asked the board to review their cases.

The field appears set for the 2023 governor’s race as qualifying will come to a close at 4:30 today. Two more main Republican candidates qualified today, Stephen Waguespack, the former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and state representative Richard Nelson. Both trail the GOP front-runner Jeff Landry in the polls. Waguespack has a message for the Landry campaign as he takes issue with a mailer that’s been sent to voters attacking the former LABI chief….
cut 10 (13) “….that man”
Meanwhile, Nelson chose to discuss the issues. He says the homeowners insurance crisis must be addressed…
cut 11 (08) “…moot”
The primary is October 14th.

Big economic development news for Acadiana as Iberia Parish is the future home of a one-point-one billion dollar solar panel manufacturing facility. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says First Solar plans to employ 700 people…
cut 8 (12) “….shove ready”
The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Coyote sightings are become more frequent for people who do not live in rural areas. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries state veterinarian Doctor Jim LaCour says coyotes are nocturnal creatures looking for food
cut 4 (12) “…dens are”
LaCour says there are very few instances of coyotes attacking humans.

The governor’s race is heating up as candidates have been qualifying this week at the Secretary of State’s Office. The front-runner, Attorney General Jeff Landry, completed the paperwork to put his name on the October 14th ballot. Landry touts his experience as a former law enforcement officer, a business owner, and a former economic development director in St. Martin Parish…
Cut 19 (12) “… in the country”
Landry has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party. Former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry leader, Stephen Waguespack, qualified today and says party leaders will not elect our next governor…
cut 9 (10) “…resonate with”
Qualifying comes to a close at 4:30 and there are seven main candidates running for governor.

First Solar announces it will build a one-point-one billion dollar solar panel manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. The largest solar energy manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere plans to hire 700 workers. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says First Solar sees the workforce talent that’s available and they are impressed with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s solar energy lab…
cut 7 (06) “…as well”
First Solar plans to use U-S materials to produce their solar panels.

Have there been more coyote sightings in your neighborhood? LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says the escalated sightings are due to an increase in urban development and the availability of food…
Cut 3 (11) “… urban sprawl.”
Jefferson Parish officials have held meetings about an increase in coyote sightings and there’s not much you can do. But don’t leave small pets outside at night.

LSU football is on the practice field again for today’s portion of fall camp. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will then speak to the media at around noon. Coach Brian Kelly says that him and Denbrock’s comfort level on the staff has gotten better with both entering their second year with the Tigers.

Cut 19 (15) “…what’s expected.”

For an extended breakdown of Denbrock’s interview and LSU, TigerRag.com will be publishing their take on what was said at the media availability later today. Kelly also says that quarterback Jayden Daniels is stepping up his role as a leader in the locker room.

Cut 20 (14) “…roll right now.”

The Saints are preparing for their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. They are holding practice today, but it will be closed to fans after moving the practice indoors due to the extreme heat. The Saints used their first two picks in the 2023 draft on a defensive tackle and defensive end, but in the first Saints unofficial depth chart, neither of them are listed as starters. Despite this, Coach Dennis Allen says that he has seen a development from the group before the season.

Cut 17 (10) “…the passer inside.”

ULM coach Terry Bowden is entering his third year as coach of the Warhawks. In his first two seasons he has gone on 8-16 and will be looking to make some noise in the Sun Belt. The team starts their season on Sept. 2 against Army, and Bowden says that the Warhawks are going to start working on practicing with the players that are going to see significant playing time.

Cut 26 (13)

The largest solar energy manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, First Solar, announces plans to build a one-point-point billion dollar solar panel manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the facility will employ 700 workers. He says it’s a huge win for the state and the country…
cut 6 (07) “…big way”
The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Federal, state and local officials broke ground today in Belle Chasse on the long awaited Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. Executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities, Bren Haase, says this project will use the power of the Mississippi River to build and sustain thousands of acres of wetlands in the Barataria Basin…
Cut 7 (10) “…coastal wetlands.”
The project costs two-point-nine billion dollars, most of the funding comes from BP settlement dollars.

The GOP front-runner in the governor’s race is officially in as Jeff Landry qualifies to have his name on the October 14th ballot. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Today is the final day of qualifying. Republican Stephen Waguespack qualified today and we are expecting another Republican, Richard Nelson, will also qualify today. That gives us seven main candidates for the governor’s race, unless we get a surprise by the 4:30 qualifying deadline.

Governor John Bel Edwards directed the Pardon Board to review the 56 clemency applications filed by death-sentenced prisoners in Louisiana. Last month, the panel decided not to take them up, on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied. But Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says the board has heard cases outside of the one-year window before…

Cut 13 (09) “…the constitution.”

Edwards term ends January 8^th.

Republican Jeff Landry, The frontrunner in the governor’s race, officially entered the race yesterday.  Landry has a big lead in the polls and the endorsement of the state Republican Party.  Landry says he’s receiving this support because of his work as the Attorney General for the last eight years…

Cut 6 (16)  “…we are lagging”

A major coastal restoration project breaks ground today along the Mississippi River in Belle Chasse. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

First Solar, an energy technology company, will invest $1 billion dollars to build a new facility in Iberia Parish, creating more than 700 direct jobs. The company will produce high-performance solar modules and is expected to be complete by 2026.

Republican Jeff Landry entered the race for Louisiana governor yesterday. Landry took only two questions from the media covering qualifying at the Secretary of State’s Office. He was asked about increasing teacher pay. Landry’s mother was a school teacher and says the focus should be on what’s best for the children…

Cut 5 (13)   “..children first.”

Five main candidates for governor have qualified and two more are expected to join the field today, Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson.

A groundbreaking ceremony is underway for the construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in Belle Chase. Executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities, Bren Haase, says a gated control structure will be built into the levees near Myrtle Grove, and that will allow sediment to flow into the wetlands, which will help build land in an area that‘s experiencing some of the highest rates of land loss in the world…

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

First Lady Donna Edwards is involved in an initiative to connect over 4,000 in the state’s foster children with faith-based families, communities, and organizations. First Lady Donna Edwards says there are over 4,000 churches in the state. She says if one church could recruit at least one family that helps every child, each potential foster parent, resolving challenges and providing solutions…

Cut 10 (12) “…our children.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to review the clemency applications from 56 death row inmates. Last month, the panel decided not to take them up, on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied.  King Alexander with Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty believes the board should honor Edwards’ request.

Cut 14 (05)  “…requesting it” 

Last month, the state pardon board returned the clemency applications with no action, after Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion saying the board’s own rules prohibit them from hearing them. But Edwards says the Pardon Board rules do allow for consideration.

Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to consider clemency applications of 56 death row inmates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three people were fatally injured in an early morning car crash during a multi-parish police pursuit in Pointe Coupee Parish this morning. Authorities say a pursuit in West Baton Rouge Parish crossed over into Pointe Coupee parish and for unknown reasons the vehicle hit a tree on Fordoche Road (Hwy. 77). The identity of the victims is unknown.

State officials will break ground on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in Belle Chase today. The project will restore the west bank of the Mississippi River by connecting Barataria Bay to the Mississippi River and rebuilding thousands of acres of coastal wetlands. Bren Haase, Executive Assistant to the governor for coastal activities, says they’ve been discussing this project for decades…

Cut 9 (11)  “…100 years.”

Republican Jeff Landry has officially joined the race for governor. Landry is the frontrunner in the race. After filling out the necessary paperwork, Landry touted his experience as a former law enforcement officer, a business owner, and a former economic development director in St. Martin Parish…

Cut 4 (12)  “… in the country”

Five main candidates for governor have qualified and two more are expected to join the field today, Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson.

Jeff Landry officially joined the governor’s race when he qualified at the Secretary of State’s Office yesterday afternoon. Landry has a big lead in the polls and the endorsement of the state Republican Party. Several Republicans have criticized. But Landry says he’s receiving this support because of his work as the Attorney General the last eight years…
Cut 6 (16) “…we are lagging”
Also qualifying yesterday, Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt, the lone female in the race. Hewitt says she’s pro-life, but seemed open to allowing for more exceptions in the state’s near total abortion ban…
cut 23 (11) “…issues”
Qualifying ends today as Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson are expected to qualify.

Governor Edwards has directed the state pardon board to grant clemency to 56 of the state’s 57 death row inmates. Last month, the pardon board declined to hear the cases after receiving a legal opinion from Attorney General Jeff Landry who said they would violate their own rules if they heard them. But Edwards says that would not be the case. So can the clemency applications be considered before Edwards leaves office on January 8th. Attorney Cecelia Kappel who represents several of the death row inmates says yes…
cut 15 (10) “…than that”

First Lady Donna Edwards is involved in an effort to get the faith based community more involved in adopting foster children. Edwards says there are over 4,000 children in the state’s foster care system and over four thousand churches in Louisiana. She says to be a foster parent, some education is required…
Cut 12 (08) “…looks like.”
Anyone interested should visit LouisianaFirstFoundation.com