The Edwards administration says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at an eleven-year low of 4.3 percent. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Congressman Ralph Abraham has lobbed an incendiary allegation at Governor Edwards over his handling of Medicaid contracts. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The only challenger for a north shore lawmaker is arrested for possession of meth, pot, and child endangerment. Matt Doyle spoke with a local reporter who has more on the mysterious candidate…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at an eleven-year low of 4.3 percent.  Louisiana gained 4,800 jobs over the month and 1,000 jobs over the year.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says the numbers are really being driven by private sector employment.

Cut 4 (06) “…Louisiana private sector.”

Bustamante says the total number of employed workers in the state is 2,004,0096, an increase of more than 7,600 last year.

Cut 5 (11) “…of 4.3 percent.”

Bustamante says geographically, the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas are firing on all cylinders.

Cut 6 (10) “…record.”

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All candidates reaffirmed their support for the Medicaid expansion during the first gubernatorial debate, but they differed on how effective the rollout has been, and how it’s being managed. Governor Edwards touted the expansion as one of his administration’s crowning achievements, cutting the number of uninsured in half…

Cut 7 (09) “…before” 

Louisiana’s uninsured rate is now below the national average.

But Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says Edwards’ mismanagement of Medicaid has weakened the program, depriving the neediest of crucial services…

Cut 8 (10) “…abuse.”

He also lobbed an incendiary accusation that the Edwards Administration canceled a major state Medicaid contract for political reasons.

Republican Eddie Rispone took a different approach, saying the desperate need for the expansion in Louisiana is evidence of the state’s lagging economy.

Cut 9 (08)  “…assistance”

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An Independent running as the only challenger to Amite  Representative Robby Carter is facing drug and child endangerment charges. Hammond Daily Star Reporter Jesse Brooks says 26-year-old Marylee Bellau was a surprise, last-minute entrant into the race, with an unconventional background for an aspiring politician.

Cut 10 (09) “…Pine Grove.”

Unless Bellau is convicted, her name will remain on the October ballot for the District 72 race.

Brooks says Bellau’s entrance raised some red flags, and Clerk of Court workers recounted a disassociated Bellau entering the office to sign up at the last second. When questioned by the Daily Star…

Cut 11 (12) “…at all.” 

Brooks says further investigation revealed her candidate contact number was out of state, and when called whoever responded said Bellau “wasn’t in the office today.”

So, what could be behind this mystery candidate’s entry into the race? Brooks says he suspects an outside group was involved, but not for political reasons. Brooks says Carter certainly has one theory…

Cut 12 (10) “…interesting.”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says Bellau, and her boyfriend, 49-year-old Joseph Hammons, were part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

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The Saints pulled off a stunning win in Seattle, beating the Seahawks 33-27 without Drew Brees. New Orleans first touchdown came on a 53-yard punt return by rookie Deonte Harris and the defense scored the second TD on a Vonn Bell 33-yard fumble return. Q-B Teddy Bridgewater and the offense handled the rest. Coach Sean Payton says they were ready to play…

Cut 13 (10) “…big play.”

Bridgewater threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara scored two touchdowns, rushing for 69 yards and also catching nine passes for 92 yards. Payton says he knew Bridgewater would play well

Cut 14 (09) “…have success.” 

It’s the Saints first win without Brees since 2005. Payton says he didn’t think about Brees not playing, they just worked to win the game

Cut 15 (19) “…he’s been.”

Brees tweeted after the game, “so proud of our TEAM! Who Dat baby!” New Orleans hosts Dallas on Sunday night.

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LSU’s offense remains an offensive force, but questions remain about the Tigers defense after improving to 4-0 with a 66-38 win over winless Vanderbilt. Quarterback Joe Burrow set a school-record with six touchdown passes and he threw for 398 yards, 357 yards in the first half, which is also a school-record….

Cut 16  (09) “…afterward”

But a once-dominant Tigers defense gave up 374 total yards of offense and numerous big plays. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s bothered by the poor tackling…

cut 17 (20) “…next week” 

Orgeron says LSU is basically its second-string defensive line, as Rashard Lawrence and Glen Logan are out with injuries. Pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is also nursing an injury and linebacker Michael Divinity went down Saturday. Orgeron said Divinity could be out a while. Wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr also reportedly suffered a stress fracture in his foot and is expected to miss two to four weeks. Burrow says Marshall’s absence will be felt…

Cut 18 (25) “more comfortable” 

Polling data from JMC Analytics reflects residents’ views on gun control, abortion, and gas taxes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The two Republican gubernatorial candidates went after Governor Edwards’ tax policy during Thursday night’s debate. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (30) “Jeff Palermo”  

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A new poll from Nexstar Media group finds that 47% of respondents support a higher gas tax if used on a $14 billion backlog on transportation projects.  33% are in opposition and 21% are undecided.  JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says voters are more likely to be in favor of a tax with a specific direction as opposed to a bottomless pit.

Cut 3 (12) “…into a pot.”

On the topic of gun control, Couvillon says 58% support limitations on the Second Amendment, 33% want zero limitations, and 27% back outlawing automatic rifles.

Cut 4 (08) “…so to speak.”

Couvillon says people polled on abortion fall onto a spectrum, with 37% saying they are pro-life with exceptions.

Cut 5 (05) “…are purely pro-choice.”
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The state’s sales tax rate is 4.45-percent one of the highest in the country. During the first televised gubernatorial debate, the candidates were asked about reducing the state sales tax back to four-percent now that the state has a surplus of money. Governor John Bel Edwards says the additional .45 percent should remain for now

Cut 6 (06) “…came out of.”

But Edwards’ Republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone, say it’s time to lower the state’s sales tax rate. Abraham says the high sales tax rate is hurting the economy…

Cut 7 (08)“…taxes, taxes taxes” 

But Edwards says claims that the tax bills approved during his time as governor have hurt the economy are untrue

Cut 8 (13) “ right now”

Rispone says the state has a spending problem and if Louisiana is collecting too many taxes than it needs to cut back

Cut 9 (10)  “surplus”

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Louisiana’s private high schools will not hold their football championships in the Superdome this season. CEO of the Louisiana Select Association JP Kelly, the umbrella organization for private schools, says 54 percent of schools voted to not host football championships at the Dome.

Cut 10 (09) “impossible”

In January,  Louisiana High School Athletic Association member schools voted to allow “Select” schools to host their own championship games in basketball, football, baseball, and softball. The LHSAA recently extended an offer for them to play their title games during the same weekend as non-select schools. But Kelly says they did what they could to make all parties involved satisfied.

Cut 11 (08) “…with it” 

With the Superdome off the table, Kelly says they’re moving forward with negotiations for other venues.

Cut 12 (09) “…Lafayette.”

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Tomorrow is National Seat Check Saturday, a chance for parents and caregivers to make sure their child safety seat is installed properly. Registered Nurse at University Medical Center New Orleans Bridget Gardner says nine locations around the state will be staffed with child passenger safety technicians…

Cut 13 (10) “…properly installed.”

Certified technicians will be available at a specific location in Baton Rouge, Kenner, Houma, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport, Scott and Covington.

August 1^st new laws went into effect to address safety concerns and Gardner says the updated law does not want parents rushing to get their kids into the front seat…

Cut 14 (12) “…fatalities.”

Vehicle crashes are the number one cause of child fatalities in Louisiana. A donation program will give preapproved families child safety seats to lower driving risks but Gardner says many child seats are never installed correctly.

Cut 15 (08) “…child safety seats.”