8:30 LRN newscast

In an email to supporters, Senator John Kennedy said he will not run for governor as he believes he can best serve the state in Washington D-C. Kennedy’s decision to opt out, opens the door for a large field of candidates in the October primary. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one of those potential candidates is Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves…
cut 15 (11) “..have to”

On Capitol Hill, Congress is paralyzed at the moment. New Orleans Representative Troy Carter…
cut 11 (07) “….a Speaker”
And without a chosen speaker, House members in the 118th Congress have yet to be sworn in. Carter says committees are unable to be assigned and important votes concerning the war in Ukraine, the economy, healthcare, crime, and the environment remain stalled.

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Louisiana among the top states for population loss. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Ruston Police have made an arrest in the Christmas morning fatal shooting that took place outside of a Waffle House Restaurant. 28-year-old Gerkerrio Demon Womack was taken into custody at a home in Ruston. He’s charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 30-year-old Germil Deantonious Rhone.