During his visit to Bossier City, President Trump criticized the leadership of Governor John Bel Edwards ahead of the runoff election this Saturday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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Saturday’s run-off gives voters a familiar choice of candidates to pick from in the Secretary of State’s race. Matt Doyle has the story.
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A 450 million dollar Superdome renovation is on the way after the Superdome Commision approves a financing package for the facelift. Brook Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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The Shreveport-Bossier City area was a battleground in the race for the Governor’s mansion on Thursday, just days before Saturday’s runoff election. President Trump says Democratic Governor Edwards is being controlled by, as he puts it, the extremists pushing the impeachment witch hunt.
Cut 4 (10) “…Adam shifty Schiff.”
President Trump’s appearance marks the third visit to the state to support GOP challenger Eddie Rispone. Governor Edwards said in a visit to the area earlier in the day that he feels Louisiana voters see right through his competition’s use of prominent national figures on the campaign trail.
President Trump also praised GOP primary challenger Congressman Ralph Abraham, who flew in with the President on Air Force One to throw his support behind Rispone.
Governor Edwards says Rispone does not have a plan for the state, which is why he’s reverting to the use of DC politicians.
Cut 7 (12) “…four more years.”
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The Secretary of State’s race on the Saturday ballot sees a run-off rematch of incumbent Republican Kyle Ardoin and Democratic challenger Gwen Collins-Greenup.
Ardoin won the contest last year 59-41 after escaping a packed primary full of Republican contenders. Ardoin says his experience makes him the best candidate for the job.
Ardoin initially took over the position in an interim capacity in 2018 after his predecessor, Tom Schedler, resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.
The incumbent was endorsed by President Trump last week at a rally in Monroe. He says he has a good relationship with the Commander in Chief.
Clinton Democrat Collins-Greenup surprised election watchers last year by beating the party’s endorsed candidate in the primary. She says her number one priority if elected is simple.
Collins-Greenup is a Southern law grad and has worked in various state agencies, including the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court.
The Democrat has some criticisms of Ardoin’s tenure, pointing to national reporting from Politico and other sites that raised concerns about Louisiana’s outdated voting machines.
The Secretary of State runs Louisiana’s elections but also is responsible for helping businesses file the paperwork necessary to get off the ground.
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The Superdome Commission approves a 450 million dollar renovation plan that will see the New Orleans staple get a 21st-century facelift.
Commission spokesperson Mike Hoss says the renovations will take a few years to complete, but once they’re done you’ll have all the amenities of a modern dome.
A separate deal to keep the Saints in town for another three decades is also in the works.
The first phase of construction will begin in January, and likely won’t be noticed by fans, but eventually, the infamous ramps that made traversing the 44-year-old structure a workout will be torn down.
Those ramps will be replaced by large escalators that transport you through the stadium, much like the Smoothie King Center.
Hoss says the renovations will help the Dome compare favorably with new facilities like AT&T Stadium in Arlington, without sacrificing what makes the landmark iconic.
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The Saints look to get back in the win column on Sunday when they visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New Orleans is coming off a bad loss at home to last-place Atlanta. Saints Offensive tackle Terron Armstead says there’s no panic in the Saints lockerroom…
The Buccaneers have struggled to defend the pass, as they rank dead last in pass defense. But on offense they rank seventh in the NFL. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the Bucs feed on big plays…
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Louisiana Tech takes its perfect Conference USA on the record tonight to face the Marshall Thundering Herd. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says this is nto an easy assignment for his team…
Marshall’s strength is running the football. They are averaging 201 yards rushing a game, but Holtz says they do a lot of things well on offense…
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Top-ranked LSU looks to stay undefeated when they visit Ole Miss on Saturday. Tigers defensive end Rashard Lawrence likes controlling their own destiny heading into the final three regular-season games of the season…
After giving up 41 points last week, Lawrence looks forward to a more dominant effort on Saturday…