Seven months from today, Louisiana voters will decide if Governor John Bel Edwards should have another four years in office. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
Former Vikings running back Latavius Murray has reportedly agreed to a four year deal with the Saints, likely signaling the end of Black and Gold standout RB Mark Ingram’s tenure in New Orleans. Reports indicated that several teams were pursuing Ingram at a price point that would have been untenable for a team with limited cap space. Murray ran for 578 yards and 6 TDs last year.
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State lawmakers heard from supporters of the death penalty today, one of them being Wayne Guzzardo, whose daughter, was gunned down in a robbery in 1995 and blames Governor Edwards for being excuse-oriented as to why Louisiana can’t execute inmates, while other states saw a total of 22 executions last year.
Cut 10 (13)“…to generate it.”
But New Orleans Representative John Bagneris sits on the House Criminal Justice Committee and says a life sentence is still a harsh punishment.
Cut 12 (11) “…of a punishment”
Governor Edwards responded, saying “I took an oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Louisiana. The fact of the matter is that we cannot execute someone in the state of Louisiana today because the only legally prescribed manner set forth in state statute is unavailable to us.”

Seven months from today, Louisiana voters will decide if Governor John Bel Edwards should have another four years in office. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Activists want the state to overturn a 1999 law that prohibits local governments from setting their own minimum wage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The gubernatorial primary is seven months from today. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is facing two G-O-P challengers, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s hard to say who will be in a likely run-off with Edwards

Cut 3 (10) “…candidates”

There is still time for another Republican to get in the race. Could Congressman Steve Scalise change his mind and throw his hat into the ring. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s unlikely…

Cut 4 (08) “…that up″

In 2015, Edwards defeated Republican US Senator David Vitter. Cross says Edwards might face a more difficult challenge this time around, because Vitter was a wounded candidate trying to shake his former ties to prostitution…

Cut 5 (09)“…R column”

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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards says teaching is an underappreciated profession and he wants to change that…

Cut 6 (10) “…they supported.”

Edwards has made teacher pay raises his number one priority in the upcoming legislative session, because teacher salaries have fallen below the Southern Regional Average. He says the low pay is forcing teachers out of the profession…

Cut 7 (08) “…in Louisiana”

Edwards is also proposing a 500-dollar increase in pay for school support workers and if re-elected the governor pledges to push for additional raises…

Cut 8 (08) “…just a start.”

BESE is expected to officially endorse tomorrow the governor’s plan for a teacher pay hike.

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State lawmakers heard from supporters of the death penalty today, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and victims’ families, during a meeting of the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010. Landry says the state is denying justice to victims’ families.

Cut 9 (12) “…feel the same.”

Landry said he’d be happy to work with lawmakers in an effort to restart executions.

Wayne Guzzardo’s daughter, was gunned down in a robbery in 1995 and blames Governor Edwards for being excuse-oriented as to why Louisiana can’t execute inmates, while other states saw a total of 22 executions last year.

Cut 10 (13)“…to generate it.”

Guzzardo expressed his disappointment in Governor Edwards handling of the death penalty, citing Edwards had run on a platform of transparency and justice.

Cut 11 (11)   “…it’s ridiculous.”

New Orleans Representative John Bagneris sits on the House Criminal Justice Committee and says a life sentence is still a harsh punishment.

Cut 12 (11)   “…of a punishment”

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Community activists are calling on lawmakers to pass a law allowing local governments the right to set their own minimum wages. Step Up Louisiana member Pamela Bourgeois says such a move would empower local municipalities to raise the 7.25 minimum, and reinvigorate their economies by putting more money in a larger number of peoples hands.

Cut 13 (10) “…once were” 

A 1999 law bars local municipalities from setting pay and benefit standards, instead leaving that up to the state.

Nationwide states and cities have been raising their minimum wages, including neighboring Arkansas, which will land at 11 dollars an hour by 2021. Cities like Seattle and New York have adopted 15 an hour minimums, and Bourgeois says with the cost of living rising ever higher, 15 is a reasonable place to start in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (11)  “…statewide.” 

California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have adopted a 15 dollar an hour state minimum wage that will be phased in over time.

Governor John Bel Edwards, who’s up for re-election this year, has backed a two year rise to 8.50 an hour, but Bourgeois says 8.50 an hour is still a poverty level wage, and with 20 percent of the state below the poverty line, cities should be granted the right to push past that if they chose.

State lawmakers heard from supporters of the death penalty today, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and victims’ families, during a meeting of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010. Landry says the state is denying justice to victims’ families.
Cut 9 (12) “…feel the same.”
Community activists are calling on lawmakers to pass a law allowing local governments the right to set their own minimum wages. Step Up Louisiana member Pamela Bourgeois says such a move would empower local municipalities to raise the 7.25 minimum, and reinvigorate their economies by putting more money in a larger number of peoples hands.
Cut 13 (10) “…once were”
Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards says low pay is running educators out of state.
Cut 7 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The gubernatorial primary is seven months from today. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is facing two G-O-P challengers, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s hard to say who will be in a likely run-off with Edwards
Cut 3 (10) “…candidates”

The gubernatorial primary is seven months from today.  There is still time for another Republican to get in the race. Could Congressman Steve Scalise change his mind and throw his hat into the ring?  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s unlikely…

Cut 4 (08) “…that up″
Currently, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is facing two G-O-P challengers, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards says teaching is an underappreciated profession and he wants to change that…

Cut 6 (10) “…they supported.”

State lawmakers heard from supporters of the death penalty today, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and victims’ families, during a meeting of the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010. Wayne Guzzardo’s daughter, was gunned down in a robbery in 1995 and expressed his disappointment in Governor Edwards handling of the death penalty, citing Edwards had run on a platform of transparency and justice.

Cut 11 (11)   “…it’s ridiculous.”

Community activists are calling on lawmakers to pass a law allowing local governments the right to set their own minimum wages. Nationwide states and cities have been raising their minimum wages, including neighboring Arkansas, which will land at 11 dollars an hour by 2021.  Step Up Louisiana member Pamela Bourgeois says with the cost of living rising ever higher, 15 is a reasonable place to start in the Bayou State.

Cut 14 (11)  “…statewide.” 

Community activists are calling on lawmakers to pass a law allowing local governments the right to set their own minimum wages. Step Up Louisiana member Pamela Bourgeois says such a move would empower local municipalities to raise the 7.25 minimum, and reinvigorate their economies by putting more money in a larger number of peoples hands.

Cut 13, 10 seconds, your city

A 1999 law bars local municipalities from setting pay and benefit standards, instead leaving that up to the state.

Former Vikings running back Latavius Murray has reportedly agreed to a four year deal with the Saints, likely signaling the end of Black and Gold standout RB Mark Ingram’s tenure in New Orleans. Reports indicated that several teams were pursuing Ingram at a price point that would have been untenable for a team with limited cap space. Murray ran for 578 yards and 6 TDs last year.
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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards is also proposing a 500-dollar increase in pay for school support workers and if re-elected the governor pledges to push for additional raises…

Cut 8 (08) “…just a start.”

Edwards has made teacher pay raises his number one priority in the upcoming legislative session.
State lawmakers are hearing from supporters of the death penalty today, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and victims’ families, at the state capital. Louisiana currently has over 70 inmates on death row. Landry says the lack of executions is denying justice to victims’ families.

Cut 9 (12) “…feel the same.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee is holding a hearing today on the Death Penalty. The last execution in Louisiana was 2010. Attorney General Jeff Landry has invited family members of victims whose killers are on death row in the hopes of jump starting executions again….
Cut 8 (09) “…stories.”
The Edwards administration says the drugs needed to put a person to death are not readily available

The legislative session is about a month away and legalizing sports betting in Louisiana will be a hot topic. An effort to legalize it in 2018 fell flat. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…
Cut 11 (10) “again”
Supporters of legalizing sports betting say it will help Louisiana cainos compete with Mississippi casino parlors.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards says teaching is an underappreciated profession and he wants to change that…
Cut 6 (10) “…they supported.”
Edwards has made teacher pay raises his number one priority in the upcoming legislative session.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act. Cassidy says the legislation will force colleges to make certain data available to the public, so students can make a determination if a particular school is right for them…
Cut 4 (08) “…after high school.”
Cassidy says LSU President F King Alexander supports the legislation.

January 2010 was the last time a convicted murderer was executed in Louisiana and that’s why the House Criminal Justice Committee is holding a hearing this morning to discuss the status of the death penalty…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s office announces plans to seek the death penalty against 34-year-old Dewayne Watkins who authorities say robbed, kidnapped and murdered a Shreveport couple in November. The bodies of 43-year-old Kelly Jose and 32 year old Heather Jose were found inside a burned car.

The legislative session begins in about a month. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s an odd number year so that means legislators can debate tax bills…
cut 12 (12) “..exemption”
Alford says teacher pay and sports betting will be the other two big topics.

LSU A-D Joe Alleva has taken a lot of heat for the suspension of basketball coach Will Wade after it was reported that the FBI has a recorded conversation between Wade and recruiting middleman discussing an offer for a recruit. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says Alleva wasn’t the only one involved in the decision…
cut 14 (10) “…thing to do”
Interim head coach Tony Benford will coach the team in the SEC Tournament.

In Jefferson Parish a fourth victim has died at a hospital following last Thursday’s brutal attack in Terrytown that initially left one woman and two other children dead. The Jefferson Parish Coroner confirmed a third child’s death Monday night. Another child in the case has also been declared brain dead.

The regular legislative session kicks off in about a month and LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says get ready for teacher pay, sports betting, and tax issues…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards has not voiced his personal opinion on the ethics of the death penalty but says as governor it is his duty to follow the law, and currently, the law provides no pathway towards enforcing executions. AG Jeff Landry called on Edwards to publicly testify at the hearing that’ll be held just a few minutes from the Governor’s mansion…

Cut 9 (09) “…his position″

The hearing is set for 9AM.

So what benefit is it to LSU to suspend head basketball coach Will Wade for his alleged role in an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption? LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says it makes the school look better in the NCAA’s eyes since they’ve taken steps towards self-disciplinary actions
Cut 13 (06) “…of institutional control.”

The NCAA is watching what federal prosecutors find as they investigate the practice of giving recruits and middlemen money to play at certain schools.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing today on the Death Penalty, featuring family members of victims whose attackers are on death row

The Governor’s administration says the serum needed for the death penalty has not been accessible since 2010. Attorney General Jeff Landry says that’s a poor excuse.

Cut 8 (09) “…stories.”

Landry cited recent executions in Texas and Oklahoma as evidence that Louisiana could begin executing again as well.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act.  Cassidy says the legislation aims to make education more affordable by updating the college reporting system. He want to ensure accurate data and help guide students to the school that best suites to their needs

Cut 6 (09) “…have affordable education.”

The legislative session is a less than a month away and the prospect of legalizing sports betting in Louisiana is a hot topic again. The US Supreme Court OK’d the practice for all states, but a last second effort to authorize it here fell flat. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…

Cut 11 (10) “again”

The LSU basketball team returns to practice today. Interim head coach Tony Benford says he plans on coaching the team at this weekend’s SEC Tournament, while the status of freshman Javonte Smart could be determined today. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU for USA Today Network…

Cut 15 (09) “…of what ifs”

LSU is trying to determine is Smart’s family received a payment, which was suggested in reported FBI wiretap involving Coach Wade.