The Secretary of State’s Office is beginning an education campaign to inform voters about next April’s closed party primaries. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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The political heat in the country right now has gotten to a boiling point as of late, and the deadly shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk threatens to turn the heat up even further. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Former NFL stars and basketball coaches who won a lot of games highlight the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class. Andre Champagne reports.
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Households with registered voters will soon receive a letter from the Secretary of State informing them about the change to closed party primaries next year for the offices of U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, P-S-C and BESE. Deputy Secretary for the Secretary of State’s office Joel Watson explains the big change.
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There will be closed party primaries for federal elections in April, along with state supreme court, PSC and BESE. The run-off will be in May. The winners of the primary races will face off in a November election. Watson says party affiliation is key to participating in party primaries.
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Watson says the educational mailpiece is the start of a comprehensive, statewide education campaign to inform voters of the transition to closed party primaries. State lawmakers approved this change in 2024. Watson says expect a letter from Secretary of State Nancy Landry in the coming days.
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Voters are also encouraged to visit GeauxVote.com/CCP or the Geaux Vote mobile app.
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The political world is shaken following yesterday’s shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Kirk’s murder, along with the deadly shootings of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota this summer, underscore the very tense political climate gripping the country. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says people need to stop viewing their fellow Americans as their enemies.
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Stockley says it’s up to lawmakers at all levels – federal, state and local – to start setting the example for others to follow and tamp down the vitriol towards one another.
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Stockley says if the political heat in this country is ever going to be turned down, the best person to start that process is the man at the very top.
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As expected, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell was released on her own recognizance and was given a series of pre-trial conditions, including travel restrictions.
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Cantrell may, however, travel elsewhere within the U.S. with prior approval, and Ciolino does not foresee that to be a problem – at least in the four months Cantrell has left as mayor.
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Cantrell is accused of covering up a romantic relationship with a retired NOPD officer, bilking the city out of 70-thousand dollars in the process. Ciolino says if Cantrell is found guilty, she will likely do time behind bars.
Cut 12 (15) “…her guidelines range.”
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Former NFL stars highlight the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class, including a Saints fan favorite. Wide receiver Joe Horn was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Black and Gold in the early 2000s. Chairman of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland says Horn played 12 seasons in the NFL, seven of them in New Orleans.
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14-year NFL veteran Todd McClure is also part of the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class. McClure was an outstanding center in Atlanta, which earned him a place in the Falcons Ring of Honor. Ireland says before the Baton Rouge native became a great NFL player, he was an outstanding athlete at Central High School.
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Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams joins Horn and McClure in this class. He’s from Monroe and went to Wossman High School. The 2026 class is also highlighted by recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sylvia Fowles, who led the Lady Tigers to four straight Final Four appearances in the mid-2000s. Ireland says she is a winner.
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Former LSU basketball coach John Brady, former Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy, former Florien girls’ basketball coach Dewain Strother are also inductees, along with former Major Leaguer and Ragin Cajuns star Jonathan Lucroy. LSU baseball legend Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award.
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LSU football’s offense had its struggles against Louisiana Tech, especially with finishing drives after moving the ball well. LSU head coach Brian Kelly says that he is not worried about the unit’s production and that there is plenty of time to improve.
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LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier struggled against Louisiana Tech. He threw an underthrown interception and missed multiple opportunities to throw to open receivers. Nussmeier says that the offense is still trying to work through some issues and that they are looking to improve as a unit this week especially.
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Nussmeier was sacked seven times when he faced the Gators in Gainesville last season. The Tigers know that it needs to have a balanced offense in order to keep Florida’s defense on its heels. Nussmeier says that LSU’s run game allows the offense to do more.
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The 49ers will likely play the Saints without starting quarterback Brock Purdy this Sunday. Purdy could reportedly miss multiple weeks with shoulder and toe injuries, and former Alabama Q-B Mac Jones will take Purdy’s place. New Orleans coach Kellen Moore says Jones poses challenges for their defense.
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In his first start of the season, Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 27 of 46 of his passes for 214 yards while also playing turnover-free. After watching the film, Rattler says that he is working on improving many aspects of his game with San Francisco coming to New Orleans.
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