Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain has been booked on rape and incest charges. Late last year allegations became public that Strain may have been involved in sex crimes. The accusations came out of a federal investigation into a work-release program run by the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office.

It’s been a quiet governor’s race so far, but a political analyst says expect that to change very shortly…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds that small business optimism is reaching near record highs. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says the growth in optimism should mean more jobs and higher pay for workers…
cut 8 (10) “…our state”
Starns says Louisiana small business owners like what’s happening in Congress and they’re happy the state legislature maintained the status quo.

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux at this hour, holding a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that’s expected to bring Uber and Lyft to areas of the state that currently do not have ridesharing services. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George…
cut 10 (10) “….button”
The Louisiana law goes into effect on July 1st.

Small business optimism is up, but the National Federation of Independent Business still wants a change in the Governor’s mansion….
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Now that the legislative session is over, expect to hear more from the candidates for Governor, Democratic Incumbent John Bel Edwards and his two Republican challengers Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on the early tone of the race…
cut 4 (10) “…party philosophy”

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services. The law will bring Uber and Lyft to the Houma-Thibodaux region, central Louisiana and other areas of the state that currently do not have it. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George on when they may go statewide…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened.
Cut 12 (10) “…that fatal crash.”
Sandifer says investigators are uncertain why Girior fled from the initial crash.

Legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session will move the 2020 presidential primary to April fourth, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Handwerk says despite the later primary date, he expects several candidates will still be seeking the nomination…
cut 6 (12) “…to us”
The state was scheduled to hold the presidential primary on March 7th, but that would put the spring general election on Easter weekend, which is a violation of state law.

The Shreveport City Council will vote this afternoon on a measure to repeal the city’s saggy pants ordinance. Councilwoman LeVette Fuller says the government should not tell people how to dress. But Councilman James Flurry says his constituents tell him that they want the ban to remain in place.

A survey from the Republican-leaning polling firm We Ask America finds that 42-percent of Democrats in Louisiana would like to see another Democratic candidate for governor, because of John Bel Edwards anti-abortion views. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards re-election campaign team should be concerned…
cut 8 (12) “….area”
At this point, there’s been no indication of a Democrat planning to challenge the governor.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying residents in ten southwest Louisiana parishes to find out more about their hurricane preparedness plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell…
cut 15 (09) “….prepare emergency responders”

A poll of Louisiana Democrats finds that 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat challenge Governor Edwards this fall. Matt Doyle explains why…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services like Uber and Lfyt. The law will bring ridesharing services to Alexandria and rural areas.

Scientists predict the northern Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone this summer is the second largest on record. It’s an area in the Gulf that has low oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Doctor Nancy Rabalais says it’s a big problem for shrimpers…
cut 11 (09) “…imports as well”
Excessive nutrients and fertilizer from farmlands along the Mississippi River watershed have caused the dead zone.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is currently surveying residents in 10 southwest Louisiana parishes about their hurricane evacuation plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey is looking for information to improve evacuation operations.
Cut 13 (11) “be taking pets.”
Mitchell says the phone survey takes 18 minutes to complete.

On the heels of Governor John Bel Edwards signing the fetal heartbeat abortion bill, a survey of 500 Louisiana Democrats finds 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat run for governor. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says an ambitious, pro-choice Democrat could pose a serious threat to Edwards’ re-election chances, but…
cut 7 (12) “….the party”
The survey found that only 32-percent of Democrats support the governor’s pro-life position.

The 2020 Presidential Primary will take place in April next year, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says with a large field of Democratic presidential candidates, he expects Louisiana to remain an important state in the nomination process…
cut 5 (07) “…in Louisiana”

Scientists predict the 2019 Dead Zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record. The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Hampshire, is an area with very little oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.
Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”
Researchers will map out the hypoxic area next month.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying southwest Louisiana residents to learn more about their hurricane preparedness plans…
voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana scientists predict the dead zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico is the second largest on record, about the size of New Hampshire. The dead zone is a low oxygen area that can’t support marine life. LSU professor Doctor Nancy Rabalais says the ag industry is not doing enough to keep the nutrients and fertilizer out of the Mississippi River watershed, which is causing the dead zone…
cut 12 (10) “…not much happening”

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is polling residents in 10 southwest Louisiana parishes to learn about their hurricane evacuation plans. Brant Mitchell says the polling helps determine if emergency preparedness officials have the correct times in place for when to call for evacuations……
cut 14 (08) “….support that population”

2020 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary voters will weigh in later in the season than usual after the state’s primary date gets pushed back. Matt Doyle has reaction from the state democratic party….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”