Governor John Bel Edwards last monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor” airs today. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Now that an appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling for another Caddo Parish Sheriff election the campaign is expected to get even spicier. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former associate AD Sharon Lewis’ 50-million dollar lawsuit against LSU is underway and the first day of testimony was highlighted by allegations of sexual misconduct performed by running backs coach Frank Wilson. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Qualifying for the March 23^rd, 2024, Presidential primary begins today and ends on Friday. Deputy Secretary of State for Outreach Joel Watson says any political party that has 40,000 or more members in Louisiana…

Cut 4 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

Local, municipal, parish executive committee and state central committee candidates are to qualify with the clerk of court in the parish where they are registered to vote. Judicial candidates can qualify at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge.

As for how many candidates will be on the March ballot, Watson says it’s too early to tell.

Cut 5 (10) “…and qualify.”

Waston says you can watch in real-time input on the website as candidates qualify at sos-dot-la-gov. Candidates must register by 4:30 PM on Friday, December 15^th.

And if you’re planning to vote in the primary, Watson reminds you that you can only vote in the party primary you are registered for.

Cut 6 (11) “… Independent primary.”

If you want to check, change, or declare your party registration you can do so at geaux-vote-dot-com. To declare or change your affiliation you must do so by mail 30 days before or online 20 days before the March 23^rd primary.

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Today is Governor John Bel Edwards’ last monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor”. Louisiana Radio Network has produced the show for the last seven years. General Manager Jim Engster says the show gave Edwards a chance to directly talk with Louisianans.

Cut 7 (12) “…radio program.”

 Engster says the show launched statewide in April of 2016.

Cut 8 (10) “…this kind.” 

The program typically aired on the third Wednesday of every month. Engster believes the show was good public relations for Edwards.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Governor Edwards.”

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Unless the Louisiana Supreme Court opts to hear arguments in the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s race case, it looks like there will be another runoff election in March between Democrat Henry Whitehorn and Republican John Nickelson. Political analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 10 (11) “…sheriff’s race.”

Hughes believes their campaigns will differ this go around to motivate voter turnout.

Cut 11 (12) “…better sheriff.” 

It was a heated race going into the runoff and Hughes expects things will continue to simmer.

Cut 12 (09) “…and March.” 

After a one-vote margin, Nickelson challenged the race, and an appellate court upheld a lower court’s ruling to void the November 18^th runoff and hold another one. Whitehorn is expected to appeal to the state supreme court.

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Former LSU Associate AD Sharon Lewis’ 50-million dollar sexual harassment, race-based, and gender-based retaliation lawsuit against LSU is underway. On the first day of testimony, a witness claimed LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson made unwanted sexual advances against her when she was an intern in the football recruiting office. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne is covering the trial at the federal courthouse in Baton Rouge…

Cut 13 (10) “…Sharon Lewis.”

The testimony came from Nikole Jessie. Horne says recalling the 2013 incident made Jessie break down and cry on the stand. Horne says after Wilson kissed Jessie on the lips, she testified she immediately told Lewis…

Cut 14 (10) “…her job.” 

Horne says Jessie testified that another student employee lost her job after complaining about being sexually harassed and did not want to lose her job, despite receiving inappropriate gifts from Wilson…

Cut 15 (13) “…to accept.”

Lewis is suing the university claiming her attempts to report sexual misconduct against student interns involving former LSU Coach Les Miles and Wilson resulted in a hostile work environment for her and it also impacted her pay.

An attorney representing LSU said in opening arguments that Lewis has no evidence of this drama and is only attempting to profit from a coaching change situation when 40 people lost their jobs.

Sexual harassment allegations against Wilson first surfaced in March 2022 and LSU said at that time they were unaware of these allegations and there is no evidence they were reported to LSU.

A nine-person jury is hearing the case and testimony is expected to last until December 22nd.

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The Saints return to practice today to get ready for the surging New York Giants who have won three in a row. New York has one of the better running backs in the NFL, Saquon Barkley. Linebacker Pete Werner says they can’t let Berkley beat them…

Cut 16 (12) “…like him.”

The Saints snapped a three-game losing streak with a 28-6 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Werner on holding the Panthers to just a touchdown…

Cut 17 (17) “…this week.”

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Coach Will Wade makes his long-awaited return to the sidelines tonight as his McNeese team hosts Southern Miss tonight in Lake Charles. Wade has not coached a game since March of 2022 and he was suspended for the first 10 games of this season because of recruiting violations that led to his firing in Baton Rouge. Wade is a fiery coach on the sidelines, but after some time away, he might be a little calmer…

Cut 18 (13)  “…on things.” 

Even though Wade missed the first ten games, the Cowboys are 8-and-2 and that includes wins over Texas State and UAB. The coach is looking forward to being back on the sidelines…

 Cut 19 (19) “…Southern Miss team.” 

Tip-off at the Legacy Center is at 7 PM.

As of this morning, there hasn’t been a homicide in New Orleans this month and violent crime is also down.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Tis the season for traveling as Triple-A forecasts an additional two million travelers this Christmas and New Year’s holiday compared to last year. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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As of this morning, the City of New Orleans has not reported a homicide for December. In September the Crescent City went 12 days without a murder. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche…

Cut 3 (12) “…about 19%.”

However, he’s quick to point out that homicides for 2022 were among the highest for the last three decades and this year’s murder rate is still higher than those from 2019 to 2021.

MCC says shootings are down 22-percent, carjackings down 46-percent, and armed robbery has declined 34-percent from this time last year.

Even with a sizable loss of law enforcement officers, down approximately 25-percent since 2018, Goyeneche credits the NOPD’s return to proactive policing for the reduction in violent crime…

Cut 4 (10) “…several years.”

He says the pandemic limited proactive policing.

Goyeneche says prioritizing arrests of those carrying weapons illegally and/or drugs is reflected in the reduction of violent crime because they are not out on the streets.

Cut 5 (10) “ …drug offenses.”  

In 2018 NOPD had approximately 1,200 officers in 2023 the number had dwindled to 900.

Goyeneche is also hopeful the partnership with Republican Governor-elect Jeff Landry and Democrat Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams will continue the crime reduction.

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AAA predicts 115 million people will be on the move over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, the second highest year-end holiday travel recorded. Spokesperson Don Redman says that’s a two percent increase over last year and most will travel by vehicle

Cut 6 (13) “…the road”

Redman says the national average for a gallon of gas was $3.26 and this year its $3.14 a gallon for regular gasoline. He says travelers can expect cheaper gas prices in the Gulf South

Cut 7 (08) “.. seventy-one.” 

Redman says triple A is reporting a record even point five million Americans will travel by air for the holidays, so be prepared for packed airports

Cut 8 (12) “…winter” 

As for train, bus, and cruise travel, he says travel is expected to increase by nearly four percent.

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Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn loses his appeal as the election drama continues. The 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling granting Republican John Nickelson another election after he lost to Whitehorn by one vote in November.  Political analyst Scott Hughes says it was a split three-two decision.

Cut 9 (05) “…hear it.” 

For the case to advance, Hughes says you have to have to prove a new argument because this case mirrors the precedent set in the 1999 Red River Parish Sheriff’s race.

Cut 10 (06) “…previous decisions.”

And filing a challenge to the state’s highest court, Hughes says won’t be cheap for Whitehorn…

Cut 11 (12) “…a mistake.”

If filed Hughes expects the Supreme Court to render an answer sooner than later.