Southwest Louisiana continues to struggle with recovery from the 2020 hurricanes and today marks the beginning of the 2021 season. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Republican US Senator John Kennedy says he’s running for reelection in 2022. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”
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The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season is officially underway and southwest Louisiana continues recovery efforts from the last season along with other weather woes. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says they are hoping they will receive a break this season.
Cut 3 (09) “…I suppose.”
As for how the parish is has recovered approximately 9 months since the area was impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Abshire says it depends on who you ask.
Cut 4 (11) “…the woods.”
Abshire says approximately 4,000 residents remain displaced from the hurricanes. He says they could be living in another home or apartment, with family, or even in a trailer on their property but they remain displaced.
Cut 5 (12) “…individual to individual.”
Abshire says a number of residents are working with the Insurance Commission to settle their claims while others have had to seek litigation.
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US Senator John Kennedy announces he is running for reelection in 2022.
The Mississippi-born, Zachary-raised Republican says it’s been an honor to serve the state in D.C.
Cut 6 (11) “..again.”
Kennedy won the 2016 US Senate election defeating Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell 61 to 39 percent. Kennedy took first place in the jungle primary that proceeded it with 25 percent, with Republican former Congressman Charles Boustany coming in third with 15 percent.
Kennedy, a Democrat until 2007, served as a lawyer to Governor Roemer and Revenue Secretary under Governor Foster before winning the 1999 race for State Treasurer.
Cut 7 (13) “…values.”
It took Kennedy three tries to win his Senate seat, first losing as a Democrat in the 2004 open seat race, then failing to unseat incumbent Mary Landrieu in 2008.
UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Kennedy will have a relatively stress-free reelection. Cross says the only Democrat who could potentially put up a real fight is Governor Edwards…
Cut 8 (7) “…at least.”
On his monthly talk show Ask the Governor Edwards said he was planning to serve out the rest of his term and then go back to the private sector.
Cross says Kennedy likely won’t face a real challenger from within the Republican Party, giving him the freedom to use this reelection to pad his election bank account for a future move.
Cut 9 (11) “…impeachment.”
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The Senate Natural Resources Committee has passed House-approved legislation that would raise recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses. Chairman of the governor’s shrimp task force, George Barisich, opposes the legislation
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The bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, says the restructuring of hunting and fishing licenses, which will lead to fee increases, is needed because the Conversation Fund which has been funding the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is nearly empty. Bacala on the importance of passing this bill…
Cut 11 (12) “…purposes.”
The legislation has received House approval and more adjustments were made to the bill in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Bacala says he’s working with a lot of different parties, so no one gets hurt too badly by the fee increases
Cut 12 (09) “…middle ground.”
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Senate Judiciary Committee B approves legislation allowing those 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without needing a permit or training.
Democratic Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver lambasted the bill saying this will lead to more gun violence.
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The proposal is opposed by both the Chiefs of Police Association and Governor Edwards.
But Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot, a former law enforcement officer, says there’s no research to suggest that his bill will result in more crime.
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A nearly identical bill by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris passed both the House and Senate on margins large enough to overturn a veto.
Tarver contends this bill will lead to more police shootings because cops will now have to assume everyone has a gun on them.
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The bill notes that no individual who is currently barred from owning a gun or who is intoxicated may carry a concealed firearm. It also calls on State Police to provide a free, but optional 60-minute online training course that covers concealed carry basics like interaction with law enforcement, gun-free zones, and use of deadly force.