AM LRN Newscall Sept 21

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wants to focus on education and help with the energy transition. Brooke Thorington has more on the gubernatorial candidate.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Voter turnout for the October primary is expected to be in the 40 to 45-percent range. Brooke Thorington has more from a pollster on the anticipated lack of excitement.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________________

Summer 2023 ends tomorrow, and many Louisianans are saying good riddance. But what will the fall weather patterns bring? Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________________

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is one of the six formidable running for governor. The Republican says investing in education is key to lifting individuals out of poverty and reducing crime. She wants to work with employers, so the school system is educating students to fill those jobs.

Cut 4 (12) “…workforce needs.”

She’s also an advocate for improving computer science and coding skills among students.

The former engineering executive for Shell says she’s the best candidate for the state to remain attractive to the oil and gas industry and not pursue lawsuits against them like opponent Jeff Landry.

Cut 5 (11) “…our state.”

She’s also in favor of diversifying the state’s energy sector. Hewitt says she’s passed legislation to fund hydrogen research…

Cut 6 (10) “…those areas.”

Hewitt, who was first elected to the legislature in 2016, has written and passed more than 125 pieces of legislation.

Each day next week we’ll profile the five other remaining high-profile gubernatorial candidates.

_________________________________________________

Saturday is the last day to register to vote online at geauxvote.com for the October 14th primary. We asked pollster John Couvillion with JMC Analytics his voter turnout prediction for the primary…

Cut 7 (09) “…total turnout.”

In 2019 voter turnout was 46 percent for the gubernatorial primary and 51 percent for the runoff.

This year’s race hasn’t drummed up much excitement and Couvillon says there are two reasons why this race so far can be described as a sleeper.  On the Democratic side…

Cut 8 (11) “…Shawn Wilson.” 

On the Republican side, Couvillon says Jeff Landry received backing from the state GOP almost a year ago and no other Republican has taken that away from him. Couvillion says there’s just enough on the Democratic and Republican sides who are favoring their respective candidates which contributes to a lack of energy in the race.

Cut 9 (09)  “…unconscionable.”

Couvillion also believes low unemployment is another reason for the anticipated voter turnout to be in the 40 to 45 percent range. Currently, there are just under three million registered voters in the state.

_________________________________________________

Get ready to say goodbye to high heat index values and triple-digit heat. The first official day of fall starts tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the summer months were the hottest months in the state’s history.

Cut 10 (11) “…nine degrees.”

The Bayou State had the third driest summer on record. Brutally hot and dry weather patterns kept 95 percent of the state in drought conditions. Keim says high temperatures and less precipitation kept the state drier than normal.

Cut 11 (10) “…half of normal.”

Keim says the fall-like weather will bring a smaller chance of getting above-average temperatures due to El Niño. For Louisiana, El Nino means wetter winters. Keim says it also means fewer hurricanes but increased tropical activity.

Cut 12 (12) “…western gulf.” 

_________________________________________________

The 12th-ranked LSU Tigers will welcome the Arkansas Razorbacks into Death Valley on Saturday. The Hogs are led by fifth-year quarterback KJ Jefferson. In 2021, Jefferson and Arkansas beat LSU in overtime in Tiger Stadium. He’s six-foot-three, 247 pounds, and LSU defensive end Sai’von Jones says KJ is not easy to tackle…

Cut 13 (13) “…get him down”

The Tigers played nearly a perfect game last week in beating Mississippi State. Running back Logan Diggs says they can’t expect another blowout victory…

Cut 14 (11) “…the next”

The Tigers are 17.5 point favorites on Saturday, but the last three games played between LSU and Arkansas have been decided by three points. Linebacker Greg Penn expects a tight game…

Cut 15 (12) “…the win.”

Kick-off on Saturday is at 6 PM.

____________________________________________________________

The Saints are on the road for a second consecutive week as they will visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. New Orleans Quarterback Derek Carr says he’s impressed with the Packers defense led by All Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander and fellow corner Rasul Douglas…

Cut 16 (23) “…sideline to sideline.”

The Black and Gold are 2-0, but in both victories, they failed to score a touchdown in the first half. Carr says the plan is to get off to a faster offensively this Sunday…

Cut 17 (16) “…as an offense”

Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.

_________________________________________________________________

Redshirt freshman Zeon Chriss from Baton Rouge is expected to get the start at quarterback on Saturday when the Cajuns host Buffalo. Chriss came off the bench last week for the injured Ben Woolridge and led U-L Lafayette to convincing 41-21 win over UAB. Coach Michael Desormeaux ..

Cut 18 (11) “…did we.”

The former Madison Prep star was 14 of 20 for 174 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 103 yards and two scores. Desormeaux says Chriss was the starter coming out of spring ball but Chandler Fields and Woolridge surpassed him on the depth chart during preseason camp. But Chriss never hung his head…

Cut 19 (12) “…this opportunity” 

Kick-off is at 6:30 on Saturday night.

 

Cut 20 (19) “..non conference slate