LRN PM Newscall June 27

Ten Democrats vying for the party’s 2020 Presidential nomination square off for a debate at 8 PM. Matt Doyle has reactions from advocates for the top two polling candidates.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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An overnight shooting at an East Baton Rouge home leaves three dead and the deputies are crediting the quick thinking of a 14-year-old for the fast capture of the suspect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The top two polling candidates in the Democratic Presidential Primary will square off tonight in a debate along with eight other hopefuls. Former Vice President Joe Biden sits at the top of the polls in the crowded field and Biden Campaign Co-Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond says the VP’s history of bipartisan work make him the best candidate

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Biden recently came under fire for touting his record in Congress of working with segregationists.

But New Orleans Our Revolution Chairman Adam Kay says the candidate at number two in the polls, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, has a compelling, progressive message for voters.

Cut 4 (11) “…wealthy.”

Sanders is the author of Congressional “Medicare For All” legislation.

Democrats are jonesing for a chance to knock President Trump out of office in 2020, and Richmond argues Biden is the most electable candidate in the field, and his electability would have down ballot results…

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Last night ten other Democrats took the stage for debate, headlined by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

But the Democratic party base has shifted significantly to the left on issues like healthcare and the economy and Kay says Sanders can appeal to that shift with his decades long consistently progressive record.

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The debate kicks off at 8PM, and will also feature candidates like California Senator Kamala Harris, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and more.

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Three people are dead following a shooting at an East Baton Rouge home just after midnight.  The victims were identified as 35-year-old Christa Sudduth, her current boyfriend 32-year-old Ivy Frank, and her grandmother 72-year-old Ruby White.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Sudduth’s 14-year-old son grabbed his younger brother, hid and called 911.

Cut 7 (06) “…and began shooting.”

Hicks says the child was able to give a description of the vehicle and deputies were able to catch up with the suspect, 48-year-old Michael Wade, in the Shenandoah neighborhood.

Cut 8 (11) “…interviewing him.”

Hicks says if it wasn’t for the help of the child, an already tragic situation could have ended even worse.

Cut 9 (09) “…both their lives.”

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The Army Corps of Engineers says they expect to close the Bonnet Carre Spillway within the next two to three weeks as pressure on Mississippi River levees is expected to begin decreasing. Spokesperson Matt Roe says they’re confident the structure can begin closing soon…

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The Bonnet Carre is located just west of New Orleans, and redirects river water into Lake Ponchartrain when it threatens to overtop city levees.

It’s the first time in history the Spillway has had to open twice in one year as record rainfall in the Midwest has sent a torrent of water downstream. Roe says that’s kept Corps engineers and inspectors busy for most of 2019…

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The Bonnet Carre’s opening is thought to be responsible for a rash of toxic algae blooms along the Mississippi coast.

The Bonnet Carre has been open for 90 days this year, topping a record of 75 days set back in 1973, and Roe says the Corps and Levee Authorities have faced high river levels for even longer than that.

Cut 12 (06)   “…11 feet.”

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State Police announce the arrest of three Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly were paid for hours they didn’t work during the Safe and Sober campaign. Trooper Scott Moreau says the arrests come 9 months after the investigation began

Cut 13 (09) “…an internal audit.”  

Moreau says the three deputies arrested, Matthew Davis, Jonathan Treadway, and David Billings are facing charges or malfeasance, public payroll fraud, and injuring public records.

Cut 14 (12) “…visibility safety campaign” 

Investigators could not find the citations claimed by the deputies to support the unworked hours.