A U-S Senate race and all six of Louisiana’s U-S House seats are on the ballot in November, but the political season is expected to remain quiet. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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Criticism of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan is getting pushback from Republicans, and the matter could end up in court. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) I’m  Brooke Thorington.”  

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After the Labor Day holiday, it usually gets busy during election years. Federal elections are coming up in two months. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says don’t expect it to get much nosier in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (:13) “…period of time” 

Pinsonat says southwest Louisiana congressman Clay Higgins is in a race that could become competitive because Higgins’ low fundraising totals.

Cut 4  (:11) “…grass roots.”

Higgins’ most well-known opponent is Lafayette attorney Holden Hoggatt. Pinsonat says while voters get a bit of a breather this year, next year will be a political barnburner because all statewide offices are up for grabs.

Cut 5  (10) “…most part”

The federal primary election is November 8th, Runoffs are on December 10th.

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The Biden Administration’s student debt forgiveness plan could be challenged in court. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the White House’s rationale for canceling student debt is based on the 2003 Heroes Act passed by congress that granted loan forgiveness if an individual experiences a natural disaster or is off fighting a war.

Cut 6 (11) “…cancellation.” 

Ciolino says among the arguments against the cancellation of debt is an abuse of executive power. He says Congress is the branch of government that appropriates funds, passes a law, and then presents the legislation for the executive branch to sign into law.

Cut 7 (12) “…been successful.” 

Ciolino says Republicans view the Biden Administration’s ability to circumvent congress to cancel student debt as an abuse of executive and emergency powers and is also a violation of the nondelegation doctrine under the constitution…

Cut 8 (11) “…taxpayers’ dollars.”

Ciolino says abuse of executive privilege also happened under former President Trump when he diverted military funds to pay for the construction of a wall along the Mexican border. He expects that Republicans will file suit against the student loan forgiveness very soon if they haven’t already.

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Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters spelled out to a legislative committee today the problems her agency is facing when it comes to having enough case workers. Walters says last week one of their best case managers left for a lower paying job because that employee could not handle the high caseload anymore

Cut 9 (10)  “…need a break”

Walters says child welfare systems across the nation have similar staffing shortages.

Walters went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to discuss how the agency is responding, after admitting it didn’t do enough to help a two-year-old child before he died from a fentanyl overdose death. Also last month, a foster parent in Zachary was arrested and accused of raping foster children. Covington Senator Patrick McMath believes D-C-F-S needs a complete overhauled, but doesn’t expect that to occur while Governor Edwards is in office

Cut 10 (11) “… caregivers.” 

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes is an outspoken critic of DCFS leadership. He believes the state agency does not have a money problem and he’s heard of low morale in the department because of how workers are treated. But Walters says caseload is the biggest issue facing their employees…

Cut 11 (11)  “…job description.”

Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare Rhenda Hodnett says they are doing what they can to increase the number of case workers…

Cut 12 (12) “…higher gear.”  

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A historic matchup will take place Saturday night in Tiger Stadium as LSU and Southern will face each other for the first time in football. The two coaches spoke about the matchup today. Tigers First-year head coach Brian Kelly says it should be a spectacle…

Cut 13 (12) “..college football.” 

The meeting against the Jaguars is also the first time LSU has ever played against a historically black college in football. Southern head coach Eric Dooley says it’s great for the two fanbases to get together…

Cut 14 (12)  “…city of Baton Rouge.” 

A south Louisiana man faces a life sentence after he was convicted of raping a teenager while the victim’s mother was tied up in a separate room. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is back! The internationally popular event is Saturday in Opelousas. Marsanne Golsby has more.

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A twelve person jury needed only an hour and a half to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 55-year-old Morgan Ratley of Cut-off for raping a teenager while the mother was restrained. Lafourche Parish District Attorney spokesperson David Melancon says the horrific incident happened in July of 2019…

Cut 3 (08) “…by our office” 

Melancon says Ratley was a live-in boyfriend of the mother and began sexually assaulting the teenage victim without the mother’s knowledge. He says the victim testified during the trial and delivered powerful testimony, describing the sexual abuse and fear she lives with at the hands of Ratley…

Cut 4  (09) “…strength”

The trial lasted three days and the victim has been described by prosecutors as an incredibly strong young lady. Melancon says evidence on the victim’s phone helped lead to a conviction…

Cut 5  (11) “…able to collect”

Ratley’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 19th. He faces a mandatory life sentence.

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After a two-year break due to COVID, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival returns to Opelousas Saturday. Festival executive director Lena Charles says Zydeco gained popularity with poor farm workers as a way to boost their spirits after a long day in the fields. She says it has the same effect today.

Cut 6 (10) “…away from that.” 

It starts at noon at the Yambilee Festival Building and goes until midnight. There are seven bands, including Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, and a tribute to the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier.

Charles says the festival began in a soybean field in 1982. It was started by a group called The Treasures of Opelousas.  They were afraid that Creole music was dying. The festival has drawn large crowds for many years. Charles says it’s taken commitment to keep it going.

Cut 7 (14) “…tellers of the story.” 

Charles said they had virtual events during the COVID break, but there’s nothing like being able to share the best of Southwest Louisiana in person.

Cut 8 (12) “…you know that.”

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State Police in Troop B ask the public’s help solving a hit & run early this morning in Marrero, in Jefferson Parish, that left two people dead. Trooper First Class Kate Stegall says it happened on the elevated Westbank Expressway at about 3:30 am…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…occupants on the scooter.”

Stegall says the suspect was driving a white early 2000’s model Ford F-150 extended cab pickup, with a silver toolbox in the bed. She says the pickup just plowed into the rear of the scooter…:

Cut 10 (07) “… failed to stop.” 

Stegall says both the operator of the scooter and the passenger were tossed into the roadway and died at the scene. They have not yet been identified. The pickup driver drove off dragging part of the scooter with it. That person is still out there, and Stegall says that’s where the public can help…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…grill and headlights.”

Tips can be called in to LSP at 504-471-2775.

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The mystery of who will be LSU’s starting quarterback remains unsolved. But Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor William Weathers believes it will most likely be Jayden Daniels because he’s had 29 starts at the Division 1 level in the Pac-12.

Cut 12 (09) “…make more sense.”  

Head coach Brian Kelly has declined to publicly name his starting QB as a tactical move, so Florida State won’t know which previous game footage to study, Daniels at Arizona State or Garrett Nussmeier’s four games at LSU. But Weathers says Kelly has informed a select few.

Cut 13 (08) “…gotten out yet.” 

With Daniels, the most likely favorite to start Weathers says don’t count Nussmeier out. While he might not throw the first pass of the game he says Nussemier is expected to play a significant role this season.

Cut 14 (07)  “…his chance.” 

Kickoff Sunday night is 6:30 in the Superdome.