U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will face a Democratic challenger in next November’s general election. Andre Champagne reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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One anti-smoking group says smoke-free policies help contribute to a drop in smoking-related cancer. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Louisiana’s 2026 U.S. Senate race could get even more crowded. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will have a Democratic opponent in next November’s general election for his District Four House seat. Conrad Cable has announced that he is running for Johnson’s seat. Cable says he’s not a politician; he’s a vegetable farmer.
Cut 4 (14) “…of Louisianans face.”
Cable says he’s not bought and paid for; he’s one who’s looking out for the interests of everyone in District Four.
Cut 5 (12) “…serve my community.”
With Johnson being third in line to the Presidency, he will obviously be very well-funded in his re-election bid. Cable says he has a plan to raise money to go up against the Speaker of the House.
Cut 6 (17) “…we intend to do.”
This is Cable’s first run for political office; and given the makeup of the district, it will shape up to be an uphill climb. The Cook Partisan Voter Index ranks the Fourth Congressional District the most Republican district in the state.
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The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says smoke-free policies have shown to be very effective in reducing the rate of smoking-related cancers. Senior Director Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, says Orleans and Ouachita parishes, where smoking is prohibited in all indoor establishments, including bars and gaming facilities, both experienced a much higher decrease in smoking-related cancers, relative to the rest of the state.
Cut 7 (09) “…those respective parishes.”
Dr. Benjamin-Robinson says the positive effects of smoke-free policies can go far beyond a decrease in smoking-related cancers.
Cut 8 (12) “…having asthma attacks.”
Dr. Benjamin-Robinson says data like this further fuels the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living’s quest for additional smoke-free policies across the state.
Cut 9 (07) “…their quit attempts.”
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We could see more Republican candidates enter next year’s U.S. Senate race and challenge incumbent Bill Cassidy. Carencro State Representative Julie Emerson told the Advocate she will throw her hat into the ring, if Congresswoman Julia Letlow doesn’t get in the race. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says everyone is waiting to see if Letlow will make a run for Senate.
St. Tammany Councilwoman Kathy Seiden has also indicated she could enter the U-S Senate race. Seiden said she’s hired a pollster connected to President Trump to see if voters are looking for a fresh face to represent Louisiana in the U-S Senate.
State Treasurer John Fleming, Acadiana state Senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta have already announced their candidacies. Cross says other than Letlow, all these candidates can make a run for U.S. Senate and not lose their current seat.
In April, there will be a primary, as Republican and no party voters will have a chance to elect a candidate for the November election. Cassidy has drawn three challengers and could face more. Cross says it’s a sign that many see Cassidy as vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach President Trump.
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Governor Jeff Landry, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi will announce this afternoon that the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola will house ICE detainees. Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose says the ICE detainees will be housed at Camp J.
Camp J was once known as the Dungeon, because inmates with disciplinary issues would be held there in solitary confinement. It has been closed since 2018. However, LaRose says in late July the governor declared a state of emergency so expediated repairs can be down at Camp J.
Louisiana has nine ICE processing and detention centers and LaRose says Louisiana has become a go-to location for the Trump administration since it placed a heightened emphasis on immigration enforcement.
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LSU head football coach Brian Kelly admits that he made a mistake in LSU’s 17 to 10 win over Clemson. Kelly says that the Tigers should have taken a field goal instead of going for it on fourth and short.
Cut 16 (23) “…that situation.”
Kelly has a different perspective on the questionable incomplete pass to Barion Brown that initially looked like a touchdown. Kelly says he understands the rule, but thinks it needs to be changed in the future.
LSU’s defense held Clemson’s talented offense to only 261 total yards for the entire game. Kelly says there are a few characteristics that a successful defense has to have in order to play as one.
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ULM football travels to Tuscaloosa this weekend to face number-21 Alabama after a 29 to 0 victory over Saint Francis last week. Head coach Bryant Vincent says he wants to see major strides from his team every week, but especially in week two.
The Grambling State Tigers, meanwhile, will face an AP number-one team for the first time in program history as they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State. Head coach Mickey Joseph is not backing down from the challenge and wants his team to focus on one play at a time while limiting sloppy play.