Senator Kennedy’s decision to stay out of the governor’s race may have been a big boost to Governor Edwards’ re-election chances…
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The Louisiana Department of Health has released six recommendations to fight the opioid crisis in the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A poll of the Secretary of State’s race shows a close contest…
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The Republican side of the 2019 governor’s race is now wide open after Senator John Kennedy bowed out yesterday, leaving the GOP with no clear standard-bearer to lead the charge against the southeast’s only Democratic governor. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says not having to face Kennedy is a major boost to Edwards’ chances.
So far the only Republican to have officially joined the race is Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone. Rispone has offered up five million dollars of his own money to fund his race, but Cross says he’ll need more than just moneybags to win the mansion.
Rispone is a major proponent of charter schools, and a frequent participant at the Capitol in legislative discusses surrounding education.
The decision leaves many analysts considering Congressman Ralph Abraham the current GOP frontrunner, if he announces. Cross says Abraham’s name recognition in south Louisiana is severely lacking, but he does have support from the base.
Treasurer John Schroder and State Senator Sharon Hewitt have also stated their interest in running in 2019.
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The Louisiana Department of Health has released six recommendations of an expert panel on steps to fight the opioid epidemic, much of which Assistant State Health Officer for LDH Dr. Joseph Kanter says is common sense. Kanter says the state has a long way to go in expanding access to effective treatment and look into other means of treating chronic pain.
Cut 7 (08) “…with non-opioid alternatives.”
Kanter adds the state has to establish a quality improvement program.
Cut 8 (10) “…by opioid addiction.”
Kanter says behind every one of the recommendations are a series of measurable items that can be used to gauge the state’s progress.
Cut 9 (08) “…and measurable actions.”
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Canadian air is back in Louisiana this morning, causing temperatures to plummet after an unusually warm streak of weather to start off the month of December. State Climatologist Barry Keim says north Louisiana is suffering near freezing temperatures, while the south sits around the 40s. And it gets even colder tomorrow….
But, the good news things will warm up a bit as we head later into the week, and the December see-saw weather pattern continues…
It’s a notable change of pace from last year where the state was coming in and out of snow events during the early winter months. Keim says that doesn’t appear to be the case this year, but never say never.
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Pollster Bernie Pinsonat has this Saturday’s Secretary of State’s election at 43-40 for Republican Kyle Ardoin of Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup, with 17 percent still undecided. The close numbers may be a bit surprising for a race most assume Ardoin will win handily, but Pinsonat says a lot of it has to do with voters who are still up in the air.
Cut 13 (07) “…party affiliation”
But Pinsonat expects the numbers to start tipping notably in Ardoin’s favor as we get closer to voting day, and the Interim Secretary of State’s substantial cash advantage increases.
At the end of the day though, the most notable part of the race is that most folks just aren’t familiar with either candidate, including the Interim Secretary who took over earlier this eyar after his boss, Tom Schedler, resigned following a sexual harassment and stalking scandal…
Collins-Greenup is a minister from East Feliciana Parish who worked at the elections office.
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The Ragin Cajuns will head to Orlando next week where they’ll play Tulane in the AutoNation Cure Bowl. UL Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says it’s a good reward for his team, who battled hard to win the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference…
The Cajuns received their official invite to the Cure Bowl following the team’s 30-19 loss to Appalachian State in the inaugural Sun Belt Conference football championship game. Napier says they can take away a lot of valuable lessons from that game…
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After throwing for 348 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Memphis on Saturday, Central Florida will start Daniel Mack at quarterback against LSU. Mack has replaced Heisman Trophy candidate McKenzie Milton, who went down with a gruesome ankle injury. U-C-F Coach Josh Heupel says eveyone has confidence Mack can get the job done…
UCF has won 25 games in a row, but for the second straight year, they didn’t get a chance to compete in the four-team playoff. But Heupel says they still have a great opportunity in front of them…