A new poll on the governor’s race shows that it’s more likely than not a November run-off will be needed. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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A Webster Parish woman pleads guilty to stealing over a million dollars from a program designed to feed poor, hungry children. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle”
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A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says the race appears headed to a run-off
Cut 3 (10) “…Omar Dantzler”
16-percent of those polled are undecided and Couvillon says most of the undecided voters are African-Americans and Republicans.
Couvillon polled the governor’s race in April and he says Rispone has seen his support grow because of an aggressive media campaign. He Edwards has also seen his support increase among white Democrats, white Independents and even Republicans
Cut 4 (10) “…some voters”
Couvillon says the two main questions in this governor’s race, can Edwards gain additional support from undecideds and can Rispone catch Abraham and get in a November run-off with the incumbent
Cut 5 (11) “…week away”
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A Webster Parish woman has pleaded guilty to stealing 1.1 million dollars from a federal program dedicated to feeding poor children.
US Attorney David Joseph says 59-year-old Myrna Quarles of Cotton Valley set up a program claiming to feed economically disadvantaged children during summer months when they were not at school.
Cut 6 (11) “…entitled to.”
Joseph says some meals were provided during the program’s two-year run, but the reported numbers were greatly inflated.
Instead of feeding economically disadvantaged children, Quarles loaded up the program’s credit card with several eye-popping expenses…
Cut 7 (12)“…Shreveport”
Those credit card expenses totaled up to roughly 370,000 dollars in personal spending on top of the over million dollars she stole from the program.
Joseph says the case was particularly egregious and shocked his conscious.
Cut 8 (11) “this lady”
Quarles faces up to ten years in jail, a 250,000 dollar fine, and restitution.
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Governor Edwards says the estimated 500-million-dollar surplus for the last fiscal year is evidence Louisiana’s economy is doing well.
Critics say the surplus is evidence that the .45 percent sale tax pushed by the governor in 2018 was not necessary, but Edwards countered, saying at the time estimates underrated the state economy, but that changed…
Cut 9 (12) “Jindal”
The Revenue Estimating Conference is responsible for making the official revenue forecasts that determine how much the state can spend.
Edwards says the economic windfall is positive because it allows the state to begin investing in long-overdue projects.
Cut 10 (10) “dollars”
The money can also be used for campus maintenance work, or to pay down state retirement liability.
The Governor says another bonus of receiving a larger than expected surplus is that the state can begin replenishing the savings account that was drained in the Jindal years.
Cut 11 (12) “…Governor”
Edwards made the comments on Ask the Governor.
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The United Cajun Navy dispatches to east Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Depression Imelda. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they’ve got boats out helping victims and first responders.
Cut 12 (09) “…do their job.”
With more intense rain in the forecast, some areas could see rain totals between 25 and 35 inches through Friday. Terrell says they are receiving frantic phone calls and Facebook messages from those that are stranded.
Cut 13 (09) “…expecting more rain.”
Terrell says thirteen boats were dispatched this morning at daylight, prior to the interstate being shut down due to flooding, but he has lost track of the number of volunteers in the area.
Cut 14 (12) “…thousands by now.”