A report says Louisiana has one of the most vulnerable election systems in the country, but the Secretary of State says that’s just not true. Matt Doyle has the story.
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So far, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is running unopposed to maintain his seat. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Could a suspect’s heavily-tattooed face draw discrimination from potential jurors in a double murder case? That’s the question being brought up in the case of William Bottoms. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Politico names Louisiana one of 14 states where the election system is most at risk of being exploited due to the what they deem an insufficient paper trail generated by Louisiana voting machines.
The report says the state is one of the few left that has completely paperless voting machines, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says that’s not entirely accurate, nor a weakness…
Louisiana was on track to have new machines in many precincts before the 2020 Presidential election, but a dispute over the bidding process put that date out of reach.
Analysts say paper verification of each vote is necessary to combat the possibility of hackers altering election outcomes, but Ardoin says internet hackers aren’t a threat to the system…
Ardoin adds you’d have to interact physically with each machine to impact an election in Louisiana at any scale.
The Secretary of State says the report is biased, and the group behind the research is a known advocate for paper ballots, which he says are not necessary.
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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is touting major numbers when it comes to his handling of tourism. Nungesser says he has two state parks generating revenue after being told some may be facing closure. Tourism has grown during his years in office as well.
Cut 7 (07) “…increase in tourism.”
Nungesser credits part of that growth to a push for staycations, keeping residents vacationing in a different part of the state they may not be familiar with.
Nungesser says the campaign around the slogan of “Feed Your Soul” has seen a ton of success and award consideration. The Lt. Governor says national partnerships may be in the future to see the campaign achieve a further reach.
Cut 8 (12) “…with that campaign.”
Among the areas that need attention, Nungesser highlights the French Quarter. Crime, as well as a lack of cleanliness and new attractions, are getting worse for the popular tourist hot spot over the last several years.
So far, Nungesser is running unopposed to maintain the Lt. Governor’s seat.
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The defense for a Greenwell Springs man accused of double murder claims that the suspect’s heavily-tattooed face draws discrimination from potential jurors. 29-year-old William Bottoms faces a mandatory term of life in prison for the 2017 slayings. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the facial markings could be claimed as a distraction from the case.
Cut 10 (08) “…are talking about.”
The bodies of the victims were found in the backseat of a vehicle in Grangeville. Borghardt says if the jurors admit that they may hold the tattoos against Bottoms, it truly might be a factor, but it really comes down to the strength of the evidence presented in the case .
Cut 11 (07) “…to lead anywhere.”
Borghardt says hitting the facial issues is likely a wise move for the defense.
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The 2019 season hasn’t even started but Tigers fans are already looking ahead to the 2020 season with the release of the full schedule for all SEC teams.
The team will start their season next year with a Texas trio, including an iconic program that they’ll be visiting this season in week 2. Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says it’s an interesting way to start the year.
the 2020 season will likely be defined by how the team handles an absolutely brutal midseason stretch that Nunez says is all too common in the SEC West.
Cut 14 (12) “…South Carolina.”
The 2020 season will end the same way it has for several years, with a grudge match against A&M in College Station. Nunez says the SEC is right to keep this burgeoning rivalry alive…