It’s election day, and analysts say keep an eye on a tighter than expected 3rd district congressional race, and a historic amendment option. Matt Doyle has more.
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Voters cast their ballots today and among the decisions, whether or not fantasy sports betting, like the type you find on websites like Draft Kings and Fan Duel, should be legal in their parish. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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Both parties are making their final pitches to voters in what’s expected to be a close national House race that runs deep into the night. Matt Doyle has more.
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In other states, Congressional races are set to come down to the wire, but here in Louisiana we aren’t expected to see tight races in most of the congressional districts. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the only district in the state showing signs of life is southwest Louisiana’s 3rd, where incumbent Clay Higgins faces stiff competition.
Higgins has received the President’s endorsement.
Bucking national trends where urban/suburban districts are flipping from Republican to Democrat, the Baton Rouge based 6th district is expected to be a rout for incumbent Garrett Graves. But Cross says the 6th is a special case, where the more democratic section of the city was cut out in 2010 redistricting.
Voters will also decide on a Secretary of State’s special election race that is projected to go into a December runoff.
But Cross says away from congressional races, Louisiana voters will have one, major chance to reshape their state with the number two amendment option. That’s the one that would require unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Cross says indications of higher turnout bode well for the historic change.
Unanimous juries has been endorsed by both major state parties, but it opposed by several state DAs who say it’s an onerous requirement.
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When voters head to the polls today, they will see the question asking if fantasy sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Not everyone is on board with the idea of legalization. President of the Louisiana Family Forum Gene Mills says fantasy sports betting could result in a domino effect that sees the integrity of sports put at stake.
Cut 7 (10) “…just ask Pete Rose.”
Mills says because of the limited ability to verify who is placing the bet and in which parish a bet is being placed, it could lead to the ability to place a wager in the wrong hands.
Cut 8 (07) “…to some families.”
Senator Danny Martiny is in favor of the legalization and says anyone who thinks they are suppressing gaming by voting against it is fooling themselves.
Martiny says the attitude toward fantasy sports betting has changed
Cut 10 (07) “…the attitude is now.“
The polls close at 8PM.
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National pollsters are predicting a tight race for Congress today, giving Democrats a slight edge to retake the lower chamber, but next to no chance to gain control of the Senate. Democrats are cautious, but confident of their chances in the House, and Congressman Cedric Richmond says that’s due to a strong pro-working class message.
Richmond says Democrats chances are helped by the unpopularity of the Republican tax bill that slashed upper income and corporate tax rates while providing much less substantial savings to middle and working class families.
But Republicans are all in on their tax cut tax, saying it’s helped revitalize the economy and hope voters will reward the party with another two years of federal dominance. Congressman Ralph Abraham predicts the economy’s recent growth will lead to a narrow majority for the House GOP.
He says his constituents are backing the President’s agenda not just on economic issues, but on immigration as well. The Alexandria Republican says the Republican Congress and Executive branch have kept their word, and are about to fulfill a major campaign promise.
Cut 14 (10) “billion dollars.”
It’s likely final national results will not be known until late tonight, or even tomorrow morning.
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Following Saturday’s loss to Alabama, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said they didn’t have the personnel to beat the top ranked Crimson Tide. On Tell the Truth Media, Orgeron said he could have coached better….
The Tigers are 7-2 and ranked ninth in the country heading into Saturday’s game against Arkansas. Orgeron says for his guys to get past the Alabama game, they’ll need to be mentally tough…
Cut 16 (20) “ motivational tool”
The Razorbacks are having a tough season as they are just 2-7 under first year coach Chad Morris. But Orgeron says Arkansas is playing better, especially on the offensive side of the ball…