The GOP front-runner in the governor’s race is officially in as Jeff Landry qualifies to have his name on the October 14th ballot. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A major coastal restoration project breaks ground today along the Mississippi River in Belle Chasse. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to consider clemency applications of 56 death row inmates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The frontrunner in the governor’s race, Republican Jeff Landry, has qualified for the governor’s race. After filling out the necessary paperwork, Landry touted his experience as a former law enforcement officer, a business owner, and a former economic development director in St. Martin Parish…

Cut 4 (12)  “… in the country”

Landry took only two questions from the media covering qualifying at the Secretary of State’s Office. He was asked about increasing teacher pay. Landry’s mother was a school teacher and says the focus should be on what’s best for the children…

Cut 5 (13)   “..children first.”

Landry has a big lead in the polls and the endorsement of the state Republican Party. Several Republicans have criticized. But Landry says he’s receiving this support because of his work as the Attorney General the last eight years…

Cut 6 (16)  “…we are lagging”

Five main candidates for governor have qualified and two more are expected to join the field today, Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson.

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Federal, state and local officials break ground today in Belle Chasse on the long awaited Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. Executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities, Bren Haase, says this project uses the power of the Mississippi River to build and sustain thousands acres of wetlands in the Barataria Basin…

Cut 7 (10) “…coastal wetlands.”

Haase says this is the cornerstone project of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. He says a gated control structure will be built into the levees near Myrtle Grove and that will allow sediment to flow into the wetlands, which will help build land in an area that ‘s experiencing some of the highest rates of land loss in the world…

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

Haase says they’ve been discussing this project for decades…

Cut 9 (11)  “…100 years.”

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The Governor’s office is involved in a new initiative to connect foster children with faith-based families, communities, and organizations. First Lady Donna Edwards says every connection makes a difference by identifying potential foster parents, resolving challenges, and providing solutions…

Cut 10 (12) “…our children.”

Edwards says there are over 4,000 children in the state’s foster care system and over four thousand churches in Louisiana. She says if one church could recruit at least one family that helps every child.

Edwards says it requires foster training that provides a great payout for potential foster parents and children…

Cut 11 (11) “…from there.”

Edwards says there are over 4,000 children in the state’s foster care system and over four thousand churches in Louisiana. She says it requires foster training that provides a great payout for potential foster parents and children…

Cut 12 (08) “…looks like.”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent, should visit LouisianaFirstFoundation.com

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Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to review the clemency applications from 56 death row inmates. Last month, the panel decided not to take them up, on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied.

But Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says the board has heard cases outside of the one year window before…

Cut 13 (09) “…the constitution.”

Last month, the state pardon board returned the clemency applications with no action, after Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion saying the board’s own rules prohibit them from hearing them. But Edwards says the Pardon Board rules do allow for consideration.

King Alexander with Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty believes the board should honor Edwards’ request.

Cut 14 (05)  “…requesting it” 

Edwards opposes the death penalty and his term ends on January 8th. When asked if the board will have enough time to review all 56 requests before that date, Kappel says the board had already set aside a schedule to hear the cases.

Cut 15 (08)  “…that time.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry criticized the governor yesterday, claiming he’s trying to circumvent the state’s pardon and parole system.

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The Saints canceled today’s open portion of practice due to the extreme heat. The practice will still occur, but it will be in the indoor facility closed to fans. Coach Dennis Allen says this about the heat and future practices.

Cut 16 (17) “…it is right now.”

The team used their first two 2023 draft picks on a defensive lineman and a defensive tackle, and Allen says how the team’s biggest need in the offseason has progressed so far.

Cut 17  (10) “…the passer inside” 

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LSU football returns to practice today with their large depth of running backs to choose from. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says LSU has eight scholarship running backs, but the three guys who could see the most carries are Josh Williams, Logan Diggs and John Emery….

Cut 18 (16) “…of depth.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will talk to the media after today’s practice. Coach Brian Kelly there’s great comfort with Denbrock as offensive coordinator.

Cut 19 (15) “…what’s expected.”

Kelly also says Quarterback Jayden Daniels is becoming more of a vocal leader and that comes with his roll on the team.

Cut 20 (14) “…roll right now”

Cases of Alpha-gal syndrome are on the uptick, and persons infected are allergic to red meat. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt officially joined the governor’s race today. Jeff Palermo reports she’s an underdog to make the runoff..

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Louisiana Department of Health has released the first round of bonus payments to over 15 thousand direct support workers statewide who served waiver participants during the pandemic. LDH Assistant Secretary Julie Foster Hagen points out workers must be currently employed and meet certain guidelines….

Cut 3 (12) “… a month.”

The payments are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which included one trillion dollars in federal funding to support working families during the pandemic. Qualified workers must have worked between April 2021 through October 2022. Hagen points out that the payments will be disbursed directly from the provider agency…

Cut 4 (12) “the worker”

Self-direction workers will get paid through a fiscal agent. Hagen says they will check for additional eligible workers after running reports for June and July. She says these bonuses are to retain workers for their dedication and services to vulnerable residents in the state during the pandemic

Cut 5 (08) “ to live”

Workers will receive payments within two to four weeks.  A second round of payments will go out in August and September.

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Did you know that a tick bite could cause you to be allergic to red meat? Dr. James Diaz with LSU Health New Orleans says when a Lone Star tick bites a human it can transmit chemicals from animals they feed on and one of those chemicals is Alpha-gal.

Cut 6 (11) “…and lamb.” 

He says in the US it’s spread by a Lone Star tick, which has a white spot on its back, that feeds predominately on White Tail Deer.

Diaz says if you’re infected you could have a severe allergic reaction after eating red meat and there have even been cases of anaphylactic shock.

Cut 7 (11) “…thing happens” 

Fortunately, it’s very rare that humans are infected, and the majority of cases spread by the Lone Star Tick are in Virginia and surrounding states but there have been a few cases in Louisiana. Diaz said it can also be contracted from gelatin, which is made from animal byproducts.

Cut 8 (12) “…in mice.”

Diaz says they began recognizing cases of alpha-gal in the US back in 2015 and that cases were first reported in Australia.

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State Senator Sharon Hewitt, a Republican from Slidell, qualified for governor today. Like previous candidates for the job, she wants to reverse outmigration. Hewitt blames part of the outmigration problem on the front runner in the race, Attorney General Jeff Landry…

Cut 9 (13)  “…coastal lawsuits.”

Several coastal parishes have filed lawsuits against oil companies, claiming they’ve contributed to coastal land loss.

Hewitt is one of seven major candidates in the race. She’s not getting much support in the polls, but Hewitt says the election starts this week and criticizes the state Republican Party for endorsing Landry well before qualifying.

Cut 10 (09)  “…this election”

After qualifying, Hewitt was asked by reporters about her stance on abortion. The state lawmaker says she’s pro life, but seemed opened to allowing for more exceptions in the state’s near total abortion ban….

Cut 11 (11)  “….issues” 

Hewitt is the fourth main candidate to qualify for governor. Landry qualifies this afternoon and tomorrow Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson will qualify.

A new lab-made antibody has been approved to protect babies against a respiratory virus and it’s expected to be available this fall, according to the CDC. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Two candidates have qualified so far to replace outgoing Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who’s not seeking reelection. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The frontrunner in the governor’s race, Jeff Landry, is expected to qualify for the October 14th primary today. Three of his main opponents signed up for the race yesterday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (40)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The CDC has approved a new vaccine, Nirsevimab, for infants to ward off the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that sends tens of thousands of children to the hospital every year. LSU Health Science Center Assistant Professor, Doctor Cory Hebert says infants and older babies are at higher risk…

Cut 4 (11)  “… then five.”

The new vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of both hospitalizations and healthcare visits for RSV in infants by 80 percent. RSV causes respiratory distress in infants. Hebert says the virus is transmissible and in worst cases, it can be fatal.

Cut 5 (12)   “…of age.”

The vaccine was approved by FDA last year. Hebert says this new immunization means there’s a life-saving product available to protect babies against RSV. He says one dose is recommended for the first season…

Cut 6 (09)  “…a bit”

Nirsevimab is expected to be available this fall.

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In the race for Insurance Commissioner, Republican Tim Temple, and Democrat Rich Weaver, both of Baton Rouge, have qualified for the October 14^th primary. This is Temple’s second run for the office and Weaver’s first. Temple says competition is vital to address the ongoing insurance crisis and he wants to reexamine the best way to incentivize more carriers to write policies in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (10) “…your business.”

When asked how to attract more insurance carriers to the state Weaver agrees that increased competition will help address the issue.

Cut 8 (08) “…as well.”

Temple says changes must be made to the regulatory, statutory, and legal environments in Louisiana. He questions the success of the current Insure Louisiana Incentive Program, because it allocated taxpayer dollars to insurance providers already writing policies in Louisiana

Cut 9 (07)  “…legislation.”

Longtime Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who’s served 17 years at the helm announced earlier this year  he’s not seeking reelection.

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Democrat Dustin Granger and Republicans Scott McKnight and former Congressman John Fleming have qualified to run for State Treasurer.

Granger says the state treasurer is a fiduciary of the state and is constitutionally required to be honest. He questions why his opponents and other politicians play political games.

Cut 10 (10) “…move forward.”

McKnight was asked if a bank offered a better return on investment than others but yet he disagreed with their political stance would he still do business with them. He says he would not go against the values of the people of Louisiana, but he also has a fiduciary responsibility.

Cut 11 (12) “…citizens.”

Flemming, who worked in the Trump administration says the job of treasure is to preserve and secure taxpayers’ dollars…

Cut 12 (07) “…consideration.”

Incumbent Treasure John Schroder is running for governor.

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The candidates for governor are promising a better Louisiana if elected. We heard from three of the main candidates during the first day of qualifying. Republican State Treasurer John Schroder laid out his priorities shortly after filing the paperwork to put his name on the October 14th ballot…

Cut 13 (15) “…cronyism.”

Former state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson, the lone major Democrat in the race, says he wants to represent the interests of all Louisianans

Cut 14 (14)  “…and girl.” 

Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy believes his status as an independent will appeal to voters who are tired for party politics. He also believes he can bring real change. He says a few of his opponents like Jeff Landry, Shawn Wilson and Stephen Waguespack can not do…

Cut 15 (15)  “…UL System.”

Republicans Jeff Landry and Sharon Hewitt are set to qualify today, while two more GOP hopefuls will qualify on Thursday, Richard Nelson and Stephen Waguespack.

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We are 25 days away from LSU’s season opener against Florida State. Who will start at cornerback is a big question mark? Coach Brian Kelly likes what he’s seen from Duce Chestnut, a transfer from Syracuse. Chestnut was a two-year starter for the Orange and a two-time All ACC selection. Here’s Kelly’s evaluation of Duce…

Cut 16 (20) “…making progress”

Jimmy Lindsey, who was hired to be the defensive line coach, is still away from the team. He was hospitalized just before preseason camp started, but Kelly says he’s making progress. John Jancek moved from special teams coach to D-Line coach and Kelly says former UCONN head coach Bob Diacco is doing a good job with special teams.

Cut 17  (13) “…for him.”

The running back room for LSU is deeper and more talented than most years, and the question is who is going to come out with the most playing time among eight scholarship players. Kelly says that it will work itself out.

Cut 18 (08) “…taking it over.”

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Former LSU and Lutcher High School wide receiver Jontre Kirkland tried out for the Saints and he’s getting a look during training camp. He says it would mean the world to him to make his hometown team.

Cut 19 (14) “…here to play ball man .”

Kirkland also says why he likes Pete Carmichael’s offense in New Orleans.

Cut 20 (12) “…need to do.”