A fundraiser takes place tonight in Monroe as Congressman Ralph Abraham looks to collect a bunch of money to challenge Governor John Bel Edwards in next year’s governor’s race…
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The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl has taken over Shreveport. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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A former death row inmate who had his conviction overturned by the US Supreme court has pleased guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 25-years that includes credit for time served. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs have issued a 2,500 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest in a double homicide that took the life of a 42-year-old woman and her 13-year-old son in Independence Sunday night. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says they’ve ruled out the crime being a chance encounter.
The shooting left Daytra Miller and Robert West Jr. dead in their home on Labruzza Lane.
Police are running down leads and have been in contact with West’s father, who does not reside at the residence. Edwards says the child’s dad has been questioned.
Edwards is asking anyone with information to come forward. Any information that leads to arrests and indictment may result in compensation from both the TPSO and CrimeStoppers.
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Congressman Ralph Abraham holds a fundraiser in Monroe tonight for his gubernatorial campaign as he attempts to catch up to the at least five million dollars In campaign funds reported by the Edwards re-election campaign earlier this year. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says he’ll need a lot of cash on hand, because this race will be remarkably expensive…
Baton Rouge businessman and fellow Republican Eddie Rispone has also pledge five million of his own dollars for his own campaign.
Abraham has served for four years in Congress, likely making quite a few deep pocketed contacts. Stockley says there’s a few industries that tend to come in handy for Louisiana Republicans looking to raise campaign funds.
Those who donate the 5,000 dollar max to Abraham’s campaign will join the honorific “Abraham’s Aces”
And he’s got some cash on hand from his Congressional re-election run as well, but there’s a catch. Legally, you can’t use money raised for federal races in state elections, but there’s a way around that rule.
Abraham’s campaign would not be able to dictate how that cash is spent.
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The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl is happening today in Shreveport as Duke takes on Temple. Beyond just the game, there will be plenty to do, including sampling a Guinness World Record pot of gumbo. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will be on hand for the Fan Fest in the stadium parking lot.
Cut 10 (12) “…good Louisiana gumbo.”
Nungesser says the gumbo will be sold at $5 per bowl and the proceeds will go toward the Fisher House Foundation to provide housing for military families of patients in military and VA medical centers. Don’t worry, there will be plenty to go around.
Cut 11 (08) “…good Louisiana seafood.”
Nungesser says he’s seen plenty of tourists in the area for the game in addition to state residents who have chosen to have a staycation in Shreveport.
Cut 12 (09) “…like they’re family.”
Kickoff is at 12:30 and the game will be aired on ESPN.
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Former death row inmate Michael Wearry has been sentenced to 25 years in prison as part of a plea deal in the killing of 16-year-old Eric Walber, an Albany High honor student and football player. Walber was robbed, beaten, and run over with his own car after wrapping up his pizza delivery shift in April 1998. Wearry was among six people convicted in the death, but the US Supreme Court overturned his sentence in 2016. In audio from the Daily Star in Hammond, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says the timing of the event and arrest made it a difficult case.
Perrilloux said even prior to the case, there was plenty of discussion as to whether enough evidence was present to prosecute.
Perrilloux says attempting to retry a case likely would prove to be a difficult task. As for his opinion of Wearry…
Cut 15 (08) “…the entire case.”
Wearry will receive credit for time served since March 4, 1999.
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LSU leaves this afternoon for Arizona to continue preparations for its Fiesta Bowl matchup with undefeated U-C-F on New Year’s Day. Before taking a few days off for Christmas, LSU practiced for a couple of weeks in Baton Rouge and Quarterback Joe Burrow says those workouts went well
LSU enters the game ranked 77th in total offense, averaging 389 yards per game. Burrow, who did not arrive on campus until the middle of the summer, says it took time for this offense to find its rhythm…
Burrow says pass protection is one area where the offense has improved the most. Meanwhile, LSU’s defense is getting ready to go up against the nation’s third best offense, U-C-F is averaging 545 yards a game. Tigers defensive back Jacoby Stevens the Knights have a lot of weapons