Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to dedicating revenue from sports betting to early childhood education. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A State GOP operative says the party is seriously considering backing just one candidate in the governor’s race for the October open primary…
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Educators are keeping their finger on the pulse of sports betting in Louisiana after Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to dedicating any revenue from the additional gaming to better preparing children for kindergarten. Edwards says if the state really wants to make a difference in the lives of children, more needs to be done about early childhood education.
Cut 3 (08) “…kindergarten any longer.”
While he expects the gains to be modest, Edwards says the sports betting is also an important aspect in making sure the state doesn’t see a decline in gaming revenue.
Cut 4 (11) “…our best interest.″
Edwards says the extra gaming revenue could go towards early childhood programs and it will be up for discussion when the legislature meets in April…
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After a 2015 GOP gubernatorial blood bath that saw the ascendance of The South’s only Democratic governor, Louisiana Republican operative Scott Wilfong, on Talk Louisiana, said the party is taking a hard look in 2019 at throwing their weight behind just one candidate before the October open primary. Wilfong says the party will be discussing that question, and soon.
Louisiana operates a “jungle” primary where candidates from all parties are pitted against one and other, with the top two making the run-off. GOP state leaders have requested closed primaries where each party sends their winning candidate to a general election, but Wilfong says that’s yet to materialize.
Wilfong says potential candidates will be given an opportunity to build support and compete for the Louisiana GOP’s backing, and he hopes that once a frontrunner becomes clear, the other competitors will bow out gracefully.
The only two Republicans in the race so far are Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, and Congressman Ralph Abraham.
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An Acadian restauranteur and chef has died following a plane crash while on a hunting trip in California. Lionel Robin is fondly remembered in his community and his food crawfish etouffee was once featured on the Food Network. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says he has known Robin is whole life.
Cut 9 (08) “…would help them.″
Robin had owned and operated Robin’s Restaurant in Hersonville for about four decades, but had recently been working as the hospitality chef for Tabasco Pepper Sauce. Collette says Robin had a passion for hunting.
Cut 10 (09) “…he wouldn’t miss.”
Collette says Robin was a happy guy and his crawfish etouffee was so popular, he canned the dish and it was distributed around the country.
Cut 11 (11) “…food was fantastic.”
Robin was 70 years old.
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Louisiana’s House Republican delegation supports President Trump’s effort to secure billions of dollars for wall at the U-S Mexico border. Mr. Trump calls it a security crisis, however top congressional Democrats say the president is providing misinformation. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says Democrats are in denial
Cut 12 (12) “…southern border”
Scalise says if Democrats want to claim they support border security, they should be willing to negotiate…
Governor Edwards says he’s not sure what the President is calling for, because there’s a physical barrier in many places along the border. He says the barrier could be upgraded, but this debate shouldn’t result in a government shutdown.