LRN PM Newscall Wednesday March 2nd

Former US Representative Joseph Cao has announced he will run for the US Senate seat that David Vitter will vacate. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (26)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

================

The West Monroe-based show Duck Dynasty marks its 100th episode today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

One person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash last night near the Roanoke community in Jefferson Davis parish. Sgt. James Anderson with Louisiana State Police says none of the adults involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.

CUT 3 (10)  “received injuries”

25-year-old Kevin Daigle of Elton was pronounced dead at a Lafayette hospital. Anderson says the crash was the result of 24-year-old Kayla Laborde failing to stop at a stop sign.

CUT 4 (10)  “been prevented”

A two-year-old in one of the vehicles was restrained and received moderate injuries. Anderson says not wearing seat belts had serious consequences for the adults involved.

CUT 5 (06)  “85 feet”

============================

Former US Representative Joseph Cao (Gow) has entered the race for the US Senate seat that will vacated by David Vitter. Eight well-known candidates are now in the race. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says fundraising may be the defining factor in this race because so many candidates are competing for limited funds in the state.

CUT 6 (07) “dropping out”

Cross says some of the candidates may have to self-fund. Cao, a republican, served one term in the House beginning in 2009. Cross says with so many familiar names in the race, Cao is not a favorite to head into the run off.

CUT 7 (11) “a shot”

Cross says Republicans John Kennedy, Charles Boustany and John Fleming are favorites to make the runoff. He says their name recognition and available funds will give them a leg up. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard are also in the running, but Cross says only one of them may have a real shot.

CUT 8 (07) “for Republicans”

============================

Duck Dynasty fans are celebrating at the Duck Commander Warehouse in West Monroe as the show airs its 100th episode tonight. Willie Robertson’s wife Korie, who also co-owns Duck Commander, says the family has received a lot of encouragement from Louisianans.

CUT 9 (06) “the whole process” 

The celebration continues throughout the day as members of the Robertson family say thanks to their fans at the warehouse. Robertson says the small town of West Monroe has seen a huge boost in tourism since the show aired.  She says the best thing about filming the show has been spending time together with their family.

cut 10 (07)  “been great”

Robertson says they are already filming season 10, and their new adopted 13-year-old son Rowdy Robertson will make appearances in the new season – joining 5 other siblings. The one hour season 9 finale airs tonight at 8pm on A&E.

Cut 11 (06) “it together”

============================

Parents with children that have developmental disabilities went before the Senate Finance Committee urging lawmakers to increase taxes to help fund programs that help them take care of their kids. Ashley McReynolds is the mother of 9-year-old Cooper who has a serious genetic disorder that makes him feel like he’s starving to death. She says without state assistance they would not be able to raise Cooper at home…

cut 12 (10) “together”

A Zachary father also spoke before the committee telling them about his 14-year-old son, Blaine, who suffers from severe autism and a rare chromosome condition. He says with two other kids in college, he needs assistance from the state to help him take care of Blaine.

cut 13 (12)  “right thing”

The testimony definitely touched members of the Senate Finance Committee like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt….

cut 14 (08)  “as well”

===============================================