A survey on the Republican Senate primary shows Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the favorite among GOP voters. Andre Champagne reports.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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The largest flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward after St. Tammany Parish secures almost four-million dollars in federal funding. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Almost four months after two girls were killed in a house fire in Shreveport, two people are arrested, with two more to follow. Jeff Palermo reports one of the suspects is the girls’ grandmother.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Families in north Louisiana that rely on SNAP will see additional benefits because of the ice storm. Officials say there are thousands of households who have less money and less food because of road closures and extended power outages. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…
Cut 4 (12) “…their SNAP benefits.”
Greenstein says SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits. He says these individuals will not have to do anything additional to receive these added benefits and this will help thousands.
Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”
Governor Landry says there is also assistance available for small businesses that lost revenue due to the ice storm. The governor says small business disaster loans are available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.
The deadline to apply is November 2nd.
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A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy paid for the poll.
Cut 7 (08) “…getting re-elected.”
But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.
Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”
The Rigamer survey shows Letlow leading Cassidy 57-22 percent in a head to head matchup. The survey also finds that only 22-percent of Republican primary voters believe Cassidy deserves reelection. Ashy, who has been around Louisiana politics for decades, says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow is a key factor.
Cut 9 (07) “…anybody overcoming that.”
Ashy organized fundraisers for both Letlow and Governor Landry during Washington Mardi Gras.
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St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.
Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”
The remaining federal funding will go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project. Vinsanau says with the total price tag for the two projects just shy of six-billion dollars, the federal funds will come in very handy.
Cut 11 (11) “…of Southeast Louisiana.”
Vinsanau says while the start of construction is still many years away, the securing of the federal funds advances those projects further than ever before.
Cut 12 (12) “…your next step.”
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In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. announced the arrest of 50-year-old Rita Montgomery in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Reese listed the laundry list of charges Montgomery is facing.
Cut 13 (12) “…and criminal conspiracy.”
Reese also announced the arrest of 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey; he’s charged with prohibited activities and sanctions, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Reese says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.
Reese says both Montgomery and Cooksey lived in the home with the two girls. He said investigators have not established a motive at this time. Reese said his heart remains with the families of Aaliyah and Danielle.
Cut 15 (10) “…not forget them.”
Reese says arrest warrants are also out for two additional people – Sherika Spearman and Bobby Grant. Both will be charged with contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
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The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team has won three of its last four games, and the Cajuns look to keep it hot as they’re at James Madison tonight. With the team’s recent success, Cajuns head coach Quannas White says he wants his team to remain humble.
Cut 16 (17) “…and be consistent.”
The Cajuns lost 10 straight games at the beginning of the season, but the team still has a chance at making the postseason, sitting only three games behind first place in the Sun Belt. White says he always believed his team would turn things around.
Tipoff is at six p.m.
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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball looks to bounce back from a loss to Sam Houston tonight, as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State. Tech is 5-5 in Conference USA play, but head coach Talvin Hester wants his team to continue improving, as anything can happen in March.
Cut 18 (13) “…that last game.”
Junior guard D.J. Dudley has scored 20 or more points in the last four games for the Bulldogs. Hester says Dudley is a special player for several reasons.
Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.