It’s the first day of qualifying for the governor’s race and three of the major candidates signed up at the Secretary of State’s Office today to have their name on the October 14th ballot. Independent Hunter Lundy says he would like to raise the state’s minimum wage…
cut 4 (11) “…an hour”
Lundy and Democrat Shawn Wilson both said they would like to keep a temporary state sales tax on the books. Wilson says it’s needed to pay for vital services…
cut 8 (12) “…crime issue”
Republican John Schroder also qualified and was asked about trailing front-runner Jeff Landry in the polls…
cut 6 (08) “…do that”
Louisiana’s Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain qualified for re-election today as he seeks a fifth term. Strain says since he took over in 2008, he’s saved taxpayers 350-million dollars in salaries, interest payments and other costs by streamlining the department…
cut 11 (11) “…616”
Strain says the department has also paid off debts and liabilities of over $120 million and also significantly decreased the department’s automotive and aviation fleets.

There has been an increase in COVID hospitalizations since the week of June 22nd. Director of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says COVID is still part of our present and future…
cut 14 (10) “….controlled measures”
The number of people hospitalized due to COVID is 108 according to the last report by L-D-H. Over 19-thousand people have died from the virus.

The race for governor officially got underway today with the first day of qualifying. Out of the seven major candidates, three of them qualified today. The first was Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy, a pro-life Independent, who wants to raise the minimum wage and renew a state sales tax that’s set to expire in 2025. Republican John Schroder also qualified. Schroder on the polls that show he’s trailing front-runner Jeff Landry by a wide margin…
cut 6 (08) “…do that”
Former state transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson also qualified. He’s the lone major Democrat in the race…
cut 7 (12) “…many sorts”
Wilson has received the endorsement of current Governor John Bel Edwards.

State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain qualified today as he’s seeking a fifth term. Strain says Louisiana farmers are responsible for helping to feed the world and he says he has a plan to help producers make that happen…
cut 9 (10) “….to export”
Strain is not expected to pick up a major challenger.

Four people have signed up for Secretary of State, three Republicans, Nancy Landry, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair. Gwen Collins-Greenup is the lone Democrat. She previously ran unsuccessfully for the post in past.

As of now we have three candidates for state treasurer, Republicans John Fleming and Scott McKnight and Democrat Dustin Granger.

Qualifying for the statewide races got underway this morning at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. The first candidate for governor to sign up was Independent Hunter Lundy, an attorney from Lake Charles. Lundy says in order to improve Louisiana, more funding needs to go towards early childhood education…
cut 3 (12) “…change that”

John Schroder is one of five main Republican candidates expected to qualify between now and Thursday afternoon. Schroder has served as the State Treasurer since 2017 and before that he served in the Louisiana House for over ten years. The Covington resident wants to make fundamental changes to state government…
cut 5 (12) “…get the benefits”
Also qualifying in the race, the lone major Democrat in the race Shawn Wilson.

Louisiana’s heat-related deaths in June and July soared to 16 people passing the state’s average of 10.
Cut 1 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The state department of health’s COVID dashboard shows hospitalizations have doubled since June 22nd and the percent positivity rate for COVID tests has climbed to 19-percent. Director of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa says the uptick is related to a cycle that will probably reoccur every six months or so…
Cut 12 (11) “…the fall.”

Qualifying gets underway at 8 AM as candidates who want to be on the October 14th ballot sign up at the Secretary of State’s office if they are running for a statewide elected position. Three candidates for governor are expected to sign up today, Hunter Lundy, John Schroder and Shawn Wilson.

Louisiana’s heat-related deaths in June and July soared to 16 people passing the state’s average of 10. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a statewide burn ban due to the dry and hot conditions. The burn ban primarily addresses the open burning of brush piles for cleanup on private property. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they typically recommend burners keep a close watch on burn piles, so they do not result in brush fires…
Cut 14 (11) “…better handle.”
According to the state’s drought monitor, southwest Louisiana and areas below I-10 and I-12 are the driest in the state.

Eleven Louisiana library systems will soon offer access to telehealth services thanks to grant dollars from The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. State Library of Louisiana Spokesperson Danny Monteverde says these grants will help bridge the gap with healthcare and technology in rural cities…
Cut 7 (11) “…their provider.”

Qualifying begins today for the October 14th primary and LA Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford is not expecting any surprises when it comes to the governor’s race. He says it looks like all seven of the major players will qualify, five republicans, one democrat and one independent. He says so far this governor’s race has not generated much buzz which could impact turnout….
Cut 10 (04) “…the ticket.”
Qualifying will run through Thursday.

At least 16 people in Louisiana died in June and July from heat-related causes, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Climate and Preventative Medicine Physician Dr. Alicia Van Doren says the heat is a concerning health problem that could get worse over the years because of climate change….
Cut 4 (11) “…dangerous levels.”

The State Fire Marshal has issued a statewide burn ban due to concerns about dry conditions. Kace Kieschnick has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

And there’s no relief in sight from this excessive heat. At least the tropics are quiet.

Qualifying to be on the ballot for the October primary begins tomorrow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are seven candidates actively campaigning for governor, but several of the candidates have yet to gain much name recognition.
Cut 15 (10) “…to win.”
Qualifying will go from Tuesday to Thursday.

An early Sunday morning two vehicle crash in Lafayette Parish claims the lives of 16-year-olds Jose Alvarez of Opelousas and passenger Marlin Garcia of Church Point. Trooper Thomas Gossen says witnesses tell them the GMC truck the two were in was stopped near the I-49 Carencro exit and the driver of a box truck struck them from behind which caused them to turn over.
Cut 4 (09) “either way.”
The driver of the box truck was not injured.

The 2023 I Voted Sticker has been unveiled, Brooke Thorington has more on this year’s edition.
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU football team is ranked fifth in the preseason Coaches Poll, which came out today. The Tigers went into last season unranked, but won the SEC West and ten games. Sophomore tight end Mason Taylor on the lofty preseason ranking…
Cut 12 (05) “…humble about it.” (2x)
LSU opens the season September 3rd in Orlando against eighth ranked Florida State.

Two 16-year-olds were killed in a two-vehicle crash on I-49 in Lafayette Parish early Sunday morning. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Jose Alvarez of Opelousas and Marlin Garcia of Church Point were killed when they were hit from behind by a box truck. The driver of the box truck was not injured and Gossen says they believe the teenagers’ vehicle was stopped on the interstate. He says at their age, they should not have been driving around in the middle of the night…
cut 5 (09) “….at 3:30 in the morning

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin unveiled the “I voted” sticker for the 2023 fall elections. Everyone who votes in October and November will get one. It’s an oil painting of the state’s seal, which features the state bird, a pelican. New Orleans artist Becky Fos is honored that her artwork has been chosen again to represent her home state…
cut 11 (04) “… difference’
Early voting for the October 14th election will begin on September 30th.

The LSU football team is ranked fifth in the preseason Coaches Poll. The Tigers went into last season unranked, but won the SEC West and ten games. Sophomore tight end Mason Taylor on the lofty preseason ranking…
cut 12 (05) “…humble about it”
LSU opens the season September 3rd in Orlando against eighth ranked Florida State.

Lee Hedges Stadium in Shreveport will not be available for high school football games this year, because of a delay in renovation work. Tony Taglavore with the Shreveport-Bossier Journal on what has caused the delay…
cut 8 (08) “…in the stadium”
Captain Shreve and Byrd High Schools will play most of their home games at Independence Stadium instead.

Tomorrow night’s Mega Millions jackpot is up to 1.55 billion dollars.