The state’s first full-time Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris, Jr. passed away Wednesday night, Brooke Thorington talks with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain about the man who redefined the office.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A new era of college athletics is underway as college athletes can earn money through endorsements and other business ventures without losing their eligibility. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The man who redefined the office of lieutenant governor in the 1970s, Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr passed away Wednesday night. The New Orleans native was the state’s first full-time lieutenant governor. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain remembers Fitzmorris fondly.
Fitzmorris redefined the office of the lieutenant governor making it was it is today, a strong promoter of tourism and economic development. Strain says promoting the Bayou State came naturally for Fitzmorris.
Fitzmorris also presided over the state senate at a pivotal time, the drafting of the new state constitution in 1973.
The lifelong democrat began his political career on the New Orleans city council and was involved with setting the framework for the Superdome. Fitzmorris ran twice for mayor of his hometown and lost both times. But Strain says he was very successful on a statewide level.
Fitzmorris was 99.
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The St. Tammany Parish Council voted 8-6 in favor of allowing a parish-wide vote on November 13th on whether a casino can be built just outside of Slidell.
Councilman Jake Airey says he voted no because the legislature only approved a vote allowing gaming at the site of the proposed casino, and not parish-wide.
P2E is seeking to move a casino license from Bossier City to the Lake Ponchartrain waterfront just outside Slidell. P2E would invest 325 million into the facility should voters approve it.
Airey says now you have a situation where residents in west St. Tammany are voting on gaming in east St. Tammany, whereas the original agreement would’ve impacted everyone in the parish.
Airey says the Legislature’s decision to not allow a parish-wide vote on gambling legalization, and instead, limit it to just allowing one casino in Slidell is a bit frustrating.
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A new era of college athletics begins today as student-athletes can be compensated for endorsement deals and other business ventures and not lose their eligibility. Charles Hanagriff works for MatchPoint which will help connect companies and athletes together. He says star athletes with a strong social media presence will benefit the most…
LSU football players Myles Brennan, Derek Stingley Junior and Kayshon Boutte have announced paid partnerships with Smoothie King and Walk-ons and other businesses. Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis is now a spokesman for EatLafayette.
Hanagriff expects some athletes will strike six-figure deals, but most of the sponsorship agreements will be for a few hundred bucks…
Cut 10 (09) “…grassroots deals.”
Hanagriff says football and basketball players will not be the only ones benefitting from this new era of college athletics…
Industry analysts say LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne could bring in more cash than any other student-athlete because she has five million followers between Instagram and Tik Tok.
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State Police are encouraging drivers to stay attentive and sober as one of the busiest travel periods of the year begins for the 4th of July weekend. Trooper Thomas Gossen says law enforcement will be out in full force from now until Monday as part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
In 2019 during the July Fourth holiday period, there were 70 alcohol-involved crashes that resulted in three people being killed and 97 people being injured.
Gossen says Louisiana State Police are also working in conjunction with law enforcement in neighboring states along I-10 for the three-day weekend.
Last year about sixty percent of drivers and passengers killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. Gossen says if you’re going to be impaired have a designated driver and always buckle up. If you encounter an aggressive driver, Gossen has a few tips.
To report impaired drivers, you can dial star-L-S-P from your cellphone (*577).