Matt Doyle spoke with a close friend of former Governor Edwin Edwards about the moments immediately after the Cajun Prince was convicted of Racketeering in a corruption case involving casino licenses…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Former Governor Edwin Edwards was one of the toughest campaigners in state history and a terror to his opponents on the debate stage. Matt Doyle has a sampling of some of his greatest hits…
Cut 2 (43) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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On Thursday, the first of six-monthly tax child credit payments will go out to eligible parents. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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When a group of law enforcement officers held a press conference last week imploring lawmakers not to override Governor Edwards’ veto of concealed carry, it inspired Bossier Parish Sherriff Sheriff Julian Whittington to speak in favor of the legislation.
Cut 4 (11) “…about.”
In his veto statement Edwards says to require proper firearm training is a fair balance for one to carry concealed and most Louisianans agree.
Whittington says the required training for a concealed carry permit is not adequate and the debate shouldn’t be about training, but constitutional rights.
Cut 5 (11) “…you pass.”
Whittington says while some law enforcement officials favor the veto, they do not speak for everyone in the field. He says it appears those who work in municipalities versus parishes favor the veto. Whittington says he’s not alone in support of the concealed-carry legislation.
Cut 6 (05) “…on it.”
If a veto session is called a two-thirds majority vote is required of lawmakers to override the veto. Upon original passed the legislation received more than a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
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Former Governor Edwin Edwards was broadly popular but faced many scandals and several criminal investigations that ended with his conviction in 2001 on Racketeering charges.
Attorney Lewis Unglesby was a close friend of the Governor who says Edwards did not shy away from the courts during his first trial in the 80s and refused to let his associates take the fall for him…
Cut 7 (04) “…unfair.”
Unglesby says Edwards was a man of strong character, and after being convicted in 2001 the first thing he did was to walk over to those who were not convicted and congratulate them…
Cut 8 (05) “…appropriately.”
Edwards to his last day disputed the charges and said the case was just a political witch hunt.
Unglesby says Edwards kept his spirits up while serving time and end up leaving prison more popular than he was before he went in. He remembers Edwards’ last public outing…
Cut 9 (09) “…story.”
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Recently deceased former Governor Edwin Edwards was known for his quick wit and sharp tongue, skewering gubernatorial opponents during debates.
In his 1983 campaign against then-Governor David Treen, he famously quipped “David Treen is so slow it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes”. He also landed this zinger during a debate…
Cut 10 (08) “…saying.”
During the campaign, he also joked “The only way I can lose this election is if I’m caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy.”
Some of his sharpest attacks were levied during his 1991 debate with David Duke…
Cut 11 (10) “…governor.”
He also slammed Duke’s job history saying of Duke: “Fella never had a job, he worked for nine weeks as an interpreter in Laos, and then they fired him because he couldn’t understand anybody.”
And perhaps most famously his closing statement that night…
Cut 12 (14) “…victims.”
Soundbites courtesy of Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
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On Thursday parents should begin to see the first of six-monthly child tax credit payments in their account. The child tax credit increased to $3,600 for children under six and $3,000 for ages 6 to 17. Congressman Troy Carter says allowing families to receive the money in advance is significant.
Cut 13 (10) “…fifty percent.”
The increase in payments is part of the American Rescue Act. The salary cap for the child tax credit is $150,000 per family or $112,500 for single parents. Carter says payments will be sent to eligible parents automatically to the same account that their 2020 taxes were filed, otherwise payments will be mailed.
Cut 14 (10) “…two years.”
If you haven’t filed, you can visit the child tax credit portal at IRS.gov and it will guide you through how to receive your payments. Carter says parents who didn’t work should also visit the site.
Cut 15 (10)“…as well.”
Eligible families should have received a letter notifying them of the credit.
Carter is holding a series of town hall meetings to answer questions about the Child Tax Credit today and tomorrow in the second congressional district.