Record high temperatures and drought stress could slow spring production for the crawfish industry statewide. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Republican Jeff Landry reports more than $8 million in cash on hand and $3 million raised since July for the gubernatorial race. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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While crawfish season begins in January, drought conditions could have an impact on the state’s $230 million dollar crawfish industry.  LSU AgCenter Area Agent for crawfish production Todd Fontenot says producers are already flushing their fields to reduce cracking.

Cut 3 (12) “…for them.”

The bulk of crawfish production in Evangeline, Allen, St. Landry, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia are rice-crawfish rotation ponds. In those fields, water is drained between early July and early August to facilitate rice harvest. Fontenot says producers have to make sure rice grows because it’s a food source for crawfish in the winter.

Cut 4 (12) “…to them.”

Fontenot says the lack of rain increases salt levels in water sources. He points out that flushing introduces a salinity problem for crawfish producers.

Cut 5 (12) “ … irrigation water.” 

Nearly 300 thousand acres are dedicated to crawfish farming in Louisiana.

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With just over five weeks until the October 14^th primary, Republican Jeff Landry reports more than $8 million cash on hand, and since July he’s raised $3 million. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s not just the money that’s in Landry’s corner, but it’s the gubernatorial campaign he’s running as well.

Cut 6 (05) “…impressive.”

Landry received the backing of the state GOP before other Republicans jumped in the race and multiple endorsements followed.

Pinsonat said Landry’s campaign momentum is so strong that even an ethics complaint about the use of a private airplane from a GOP donor to attend a conference two years ago will not negatively impact him. Pinsonat said while Landry would prefer if the complaint did not come to light…

Cut 7 (05) “…his campaign.” 

And with four other Republicans in the governor’s race, Pinsonat says at this point, even if they received a substantial amount of cash, they probably wouldn’t be able to steal any of Landry’s thunder.

Cut 8 (12) “…the runoff.”

Early voting for the October 14^th primary begins Saturday, September 30^th.

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After seven inmates escaped from the Women’s Jail Facility in Cottonport this morning, two remain on the run. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tim Ryan says it appears they were able to defeat a locking mechanism on a fire escape door.

Cut 9 (06) “…still ongoing.” 

Ryan says five of the seven escapees were quickly captured but two remain on the run.

Cut 10 (08) “…Wooten”

23-year-old Autoria Lachney of Marksville, also known as Tori, is described as a black female, and 24-year-old Gerri Wooten of Jonesville is a white female.

Three of the inmates were captured in the Bunkie area by APSO deputies. Two others were located via an APSO investigation and with the assistance of the RLSS Chase Team. The escapees were reportedly given a ride to various locations in the Bunkie area and Ryan wouldn’t say if they believe it was a coordinated effort with individuals outside the facility.

Cut 11 (06) “…that yet.”

If you have any information on the two women, you are asked to call law enforcement.

The National Republican Governors Association launches an attack ad against former state transportation secretary and Democrat Shawn Wilson in the governor’s race. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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It’s Labor Day, so what does Louisiana’s labor market look like? Teiko Foxx has that story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The National Republican Governors Association is getting into the fray of things here in Louisiana, with a TV attack ad against Democrat Shawn Wilson. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the ad points out road and bridge issues under Wilson’s tenure as secretary of the state Department of Transportation.

Cut 3 (07) …presenting that.”

Cross says the attack ad indicates the NRGA believes frontrunner Republican Jeff Landry will most likely face Wilson in a runoff.

But will the ad make a difference? Cross believes so because voters want a good return on investment from their leaders.

Cut 4 (09) “…later on.”

Cross says state funding for DOTD from the gas tax hasn’t been increased for decades. Even though the Edwards administration tried it was met with resistance from the Republican-controlled legislature. Cross says so it’s harder to say what kind of job Wilson has done in that position.

Cut 5 (10) “…eight years.”

The primary election is scheduled for October 14^th.

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Thanks to 25 million dollars from the Infrastructure Law and another 12-million from the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, over 580 orphaned wells have been plugged since mid-January. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Patrick Courreges…

Cut 6 (11) “…600”

The state has roughly 45-hundred orphaned well sites, most are in the Shreveport-Monroe area. Courreges says these wells have the potential to contaminate water supplies and they can emit methane or other air pollutants…

Cut 7 (09) “…with cement”

Courreges says once this current funding runs out, they expect to get more….

Cut 8 (12) “…in a hurry”

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It’s Labor Day. So what does the labor market look like in Louisiana? We asked University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner who says labor market conditions are looking favorable

Cut 9 (10)  “…good clip.”

Wagner says the sectors leading the way in increased employment are construction, education, and health service. He says there’s also been an uptick in the oil and gas sector.

Cut 10 (12) “…as well.”

Labor numbers show Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette are the strongest areas for employment. While Lake Charles, Houma-Thibodaux, and Alexandria are struggling. Wagner says labor market figures show higher than normal turnovers in sectors like leisure and hospitality, and professional business services.

Cut 11 (11) “…normally would.”

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5th-ranked LSU was completely outclassed in the second half last night and lost to eighth-ranked Florida State 45 to 24 as the Tigers lost their season opener for a fourth consecutive season. Coach Brian Kelly’s team led 17-14 at halftime but F-S-U scored 31 unanswered points…

Cut 12 (09) “…second half”

LSU failed to score twice in the red zone in the first half, they muffed another punt and the defense had no answers for Florida State’s offense as quarterback Jordan Travis threw four touchdown passes, three of them to Opelousas native Keon Coleman. Kelly did not expect such a bad performance…

Cut 13 (11) “…have to own.”

LSU came into this contest as a national title contender, but will likely have to win the rest of its regular season games to be in contention for a spot in the college football playoff. Kelly says the team lacked urgency in the second half…

Cut 14 (11) “…mistaken”

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ULM rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Army 17-13 on Saturday. Down 13-3 in the fourth quarter, Coach Terry Bowden turned to sophomore quarterback Hunter Herring who threw the winning touchdown pass. Bowden says Herring was what the Warhawks needed…

Cut 15  (15) “…because of that”

Herring was 4-of-9 for 22 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 13 yards. Senior Jiya Wright started and was 10-of-21 for 70 yards and two interceptions. Bowden says Herring will start this Saturday against Lamar…

Cut 16 (16) “…  same thing”