The latest finance reports are in and Governor Edwards has 3.1 million on hand, followed by Eddie Rispone at 2.7 million, and Ralph Abraham at 318,000.  Edwards continues to lap his opponents in fundraising, outraising Rispone and Abraham in the last period by a combined 574,000 dollars. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…
Cut 6 (09) “…through”
Independent polls show Edwards close to avoiding a run-off.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning that will result in road improvements in the area to keep the  Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker credits Governor Edwards for finding solutions
Cut 10 (11) “…other opportunities.”
The state transportation department has agreed to replace eight bridges in the region and construct a heavy-haul route from Minden to Texas.

The Attorney General’s office announces 21 people have been arrested in Louisiana as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G’s office, Jody LeJeune, LeJeune says if you suspect Medicaid fraud, call 1-888-799-6885 or provide a tip on the A-G Jeff Landry-dot-com…

Cut 14 (10) “…hotline”

The majority of those arrested are suspected of billing for services that were not provided or billing for services at a higher level that was actually provided.

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says there has been no indication by ownership or management that the company intends to fulfill its financial obligations to employees.

Cut 5 (07) “…and the like.”

The latest finance reports are in for the governor’s race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross broke down the numbers with Matt Doyle…
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Republican Governors Association’s PAC has released an ad reminding voters Governor Edwards hired an aide who had a history of sexual harassment and left the governor’s office over a new round of allegations. Also, V-P Mike Pence will be in New Orleans on Saturday to urge voters to vote for one of the two Republicans in the governor’s race.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning will result in road improvements in the area to keep the Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker says they have been fighting to stay
Cut 9 (11) “northwest Louisiana”
Because of deficient roads and bridges, Fibrebond is forced to travel many extra miles to ship their products out west.

21 Louisiana residents have been arrested in this state as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G-’s office Jody LeJeune says the majority of those arrested are suspected of billing for services that were not provided or billing for services at a higher level that was actually provided…
cut 13 (08) “…population”
The ages of those arrested range from 20-year-old Athena Mitchell of Shreveport to 57-year-old Shelia Dixon.

Some of the 376 steel mill workers left without a job after this week’s closure of Bayou Steel in LaPlace now have legal representation. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Vice President Mike Pence will visit New Orleans Saturday to hold a rally to encourage Louisiana residents to vote for one of the two Republicans in the governor’s race. And Businessman Eddie Rispone has received an endorsement from Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson.

Governor Edwards was in Minden this morning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that says the state will improve roads and upgrade workforce training to keep Fibrebond in Louisiana. Webster Parish’s largest employer was looking at re-locating, but Edwards says the state will spend millions to help Fibrebond and other area businesses..
cut 11 (08) “…to come”
As part of the M-O-U, DOTD will construct a heavy-haul route from Minden to Texas to help Fibrebond ship products.

The Attorney General’s office announces 21 people have been arrested in Louisiana as part of a National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The director of Medicaid Fraud in the A-G’s office, Jody LeJeune, says numerous federal and state agencies work together to fight health care fraud
Cut 12 (09) “…for everyone”
The ages of those arrested range from 20-year-old Athena Mitchell of Shreveport to 57-year-old Shelia Dixon.

Campaign finance reports for the September 3^rd-22^nd period confirm what anyone who watches TV likely already knows: Eddie Rispone spent a ton of money over the three week period. The Baton Rouge businessman dropped a remarkable 3.5 million dollars on an ad blitz that polls show has shot him into second place.  UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the self-funding businessman has little choice.

Cut 7 (07) “…bet” 

JMC Analytics puts Rispone up over fellow Republican Ralph Abraham 21-18.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed at Fibrebond headquarters after a brief scare that the company could relocate to East Texas from it’s longtime home in Minden. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker credits Governor Edwards for finding infrastructure solutions…

Cut 10 (11) “…other opportunities.”

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says local workers were blindsided with no warning, so he’s working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Cut 4 (12) “…receiving a paycheck.”

The company owed more than $20 million to creditors upon filing bankruptcy.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says early voting has been a remarkable success so far and if the current trends hold up he anticipates this year will set a record for total number of early votes cast. Ardoin says as of noon we hit over 225,000 votes cast, and at the current rate we’ll blow past 2015’s total early voting total by the end of the day. Whether that increases total turnout remains to be seen as 90 percent of voters so far have been “chronic” voters.

An attorney representing some of the steel mill workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs. Attorney Brent Barriere says he’s also working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Cut 4 (12) “…receiving a paycheck.”

The closure led to 376 being left without a job.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Fibrebond’s headquarters in Minden this morning that will result in road improvements in the area to keep the  Webster Parish manufacturer in northwest Louisiana. Fibrebond CEO Graham Walker says they have been fighting to stay

Cut 9 (11) “northwest Louisiana”

Campaign finance reports are in for the home stretch of the Governor’s race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross broke down the numbers with Matt Doyle…

cut  2 (39) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit New Orleans at 1 on Saturday afternoon for a Republican rally for the Governor’s race.

An attorney representing some of the workers laid off by Bayou Steel in LaPlace this week is questioning whether the company complied with federal law when notifying workers of the layoffs.  Attorney Brent Barriere says employees were blindsided by the mass layoff.

Cut 3 (13) “…60 days of pay.”

Barriere says he’s also working to have the bankruptcy case moved from Delaware to New Orleans.

Campaign finance report numbers are out for the period running September 3^rd through September 22^nd and heading into the final stretch Governor Edwards leads the pack with 3.1 million on hand, followed by self-funding Eddie Rispone at 2.7 million, and Ralph Abraham with just 318,000 dollars. Rispone spent 3.5 million in a massive statewide ad blitz that polls show has moved him into second place.

Tomorrow is a big day for LSU Superfan Colton Moore. Today he’s on the road making his way from Odenville, Alabama to meet Coach O. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

A man whose dog died after a carjacking in Baton Rouge in July is donating to help a dog who was found in Slidell early this week with it’s legs sawed off in an alleged animal cruelty case. David Mohr traveled to Mandeville, where the abused dog is recovering, and dropped off two dog beds, a blanket, and dog food alongside a 1,000 dollar check to help the pup’s recovery.

Gumbo Pac and the Republican Governor’s Association are running two of the toughest attack ads of the campaign season with nine days left until voters head to the polls. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An LSU PHD candidate struck by a vehicle last week on Burbank Drive has died. Baton Rouge Police say no arrests have been made in the death of Binod Nepal, but the case remains under investigation. Nepal is the fourth LSU student to die since the start of the school year.

LSU’s Superfan fan 9-year old Colton Moore lives in Alabama, but today he’s making the road trip of a lifetime with his parents to meet his idol, Coach O. Colton’s mother Jennifer Moore never dreamed this would happen. A photo of Colton who has spina bifida reached the athletic department an invite was sent. LSU fans responded as well.

Cut 7 (08) “…me away.” 

Colton will tour the athletic facility tomorrow and meet his idol Coach O.

The Department of Transportation and Capital Region Planning Commission are conducting a survey to get a better picture of the daily travel habits of motorists in the area.  It’s the first study of it’s kind since the early 90s. Capital Region Planning Commission Executive Director Jamie Setze says thousands throughout five parishes should check their mailbox for an invite to take part.

Cut 10 (11) “…best information available.”

The Republican Governor’s Association and the Gumbo Pac are blanketing the TV airwaves with tough attack ads. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Gumbo PAC which is tied to Governor Edwards is taking shots at the top polling Republican, who they call “Phony Eddie Rispone.”
Cut 4 (10) “…shape”
The Republican Governors Association’s PAC released an ad reminding voters Governor Edwards hired an aide who had a history of sexual harassment and left the governor’s office over a new round of allegations.

Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs speaks in New Orleans today to give a state of the industry speech. Briggs says there’s optimism we’ll see an increase in offshore drilling…
cut 13 (09) “…rights now”

Nine-year-old Colton Moore, who was born with Spina Bifida, is heading to Baton Rouge today from his Alabama home to meet his hero LSU Coach Ed Orgeron and also attend the game on Saturday against Utah State. His mom, Jennifer Moore, says a GoFundMe account raised the money so they can make the trip. Moore thanks LSU fans for making it happen…
cut 9 (12) “…just thrilled”
Colton will also get to participate in the Tiger Walk with the team prior to the game on Saturday.

Baton Rouge is known for its traffic problems and government leaders are trying to get a better handle on it, with a survey of area motorists. The survey can be done online or over the telephone and they are also using an app…
cut 11 (10) “…minute to respond”
That’s Capital Region Planning Commission Executive Director Jamie Setze.