LRN PM Newscall June 1

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams might run for governor.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The 2023 Louisiana survey, a poll produced by LSU, finds 52-percent of respondents, say abortion should be legal and support is even higher in cases of rape and incest. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”  

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U-S Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise is calling on Republicans not to attack each other in the governor’s race. Scalise issued a statement after a group supporting Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack released an attack ad against the perceived front-runner in the race Jeff Landry. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 3 (08) “…attacking Republicans”

The 30-second ad from Reboot Louisiana alleges Landry, who is the state’s top prosecutor, is responsible for the rise in violent crime. Pinsonat says Scalise issued the statement because he is concerned attacks between Republican candidates could cost the party the governor’s race…

Cut 4 (12)  “…John Bel Edwards” 

Political observers believe the political fighting between Republican candidates in the 2015 governor’s race led to voters electing Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican David Vitter.

In his statement, Scalise says Waguespack should denounce this negative ad and Reboot Louisiana PAC should take down this attack ad immediately. Pinsonat says it will be interesting to see how Waguespack and his supporting PAC will react

Cut 5 (08) “…they would avoid”

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Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says he’s considering getting into the governor’s race. Gambit Political Commentator and columnist Clancy Dubos says if he is serious, we should know well before qualifying in August if he’s to be considered a formidable candidate.

Cut 6 (07)  “…raising money.” 

According to an article in The Advocate, Williams says he’s been encouraged by several people to run for governor.

Gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Jeff Landry has campaign ads blaming the local justice systems for the rise in crime however Dubos says it’s Williams who’s more knowledgeable about the subject.

Cut 7 (11)  “…right now.” 

With Shawn Wilson the only Democrat in the race so far, Dubos says he imagines he’s not very happy to hear Williams could join the race. He says Wilson needs to boost his name recognition in the blue parish of Orleans.

Cut 8 (09)  “…New Orleans.” 

Qualifying is from August 8th through the 10th, for the October 14th primary.

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More than two years after the death of Marie Bourque, and her 12-year-old daughter Ski Smith who died in a trailer home fire, Casey Hatch is convicted of two counts of second-degree murder. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight says the jury came to the right conclusion.

Cut 9 (12) “…about it.”

Jurors heard 911 audio of Bourque pleading for help for herself and her children in the smoke-filled house on Dobertine Road, owned by Hatch before the call went silent. Public defender King Alexander said Hatch has schizophrenia and did not know right from wrong.

Cut 10 (13) “… horrible crime.”

Hatch faces a mandatory life sentence for each of his convictions. Dwight hopes Bourque’s family can start moving forward one day at a time.

Cut 11 (13)  “…the verdict”

Bourque’s 11-year-old son was also severely injured in the fire. Hatch’s sentencing has been set for July 21.

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The 2023 Louisiana survey, an annual poll produced by LSU, shows support growing for legal abortions. Director of the Louisiana Survey Dr. Michael Henderson says two months ago they polled about 500 Louisiana residents about the hot button topic.

Cut 12 (13) “…52 percent.” 

52-percent say abortion should be legal, 44-percent agree with the state’s near total ban of abortions. Henderson says 85-percent of the respondents believe a woman should be able to obtain a legal abortion if the pregnancy has put the mother’s life in jeopardy and 77-percent also support an except if the pregnancy was the result of a rape…

Cut 13 (09) “…and Republicans” 

Henderson says Louisiana residents’ opinion on abortion are following what polling data is showing nationally that support is growing for legal abortion…

Cut 14 (12)  “…from the Supreme Court”