Though he has two challengers for his next term in office, District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’s focused on what comes AFTER Election Day…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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 As high power bills are crippling many residents, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis, who’s seeking re-election, says the commission is trying to help consumers.

Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU’s basketball arena is already named after the great Pete Maravich and after tonight there will also be a statue of Pistol Pete next to the PMAC. Michelle southern has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’mMichelle Southern.”

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Although Louisiana District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise has two challengers for the November 8^th Congressional primary, he is focused on the future of the House, his party and the country. At qualifying for the election, Scalise said he feels a number of House Democrats may lose their seats, because what’s important for them is NOT what the American people want…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…fed up with it.”

Scalise is challenged for his next term by Democrat Katie Darling, a Covington area business woman and Howard Kearney, an Independent from Mandeville. Scalise says there’s a good chance the GOP could retake majority in the U.S House; largely because of the poor performance of the current leadership and President Biden’s sinking approval rating – even among his own party…:

Cut 5 (09) “…far left agenda.”

Scalise says, if Republican regain majority, he’ll work to ensure parents’ rights in the kids’ education, a return to law & order and a sensible “all of the above” approach to energy production. He says a GOP majority House will work to make life less difficult for taxpayers…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…struggling right now.”

Political analysts mostly agree that Scalise is very likely to win another term in November, or a possible December runoff.

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As many Louisianans are plagued with high energy bills District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis will face two opponents in his bid for a second six-year term. Francis says he’s often asked what he can do to help lower power bills and hurricane restoration charges.

Cut 7 (12) “…reasonable.”

Francis says the PSC can only do so much when it comes to regulating private energy companies that also have to pay stockholders dividends.

Cut 8 (13)  “…those shares.”

Entergy says 2020 hurricane restoration efforts in Louisiana totaled $4.1 billion and that cost will be paid for by customers over a 15-year period. Francis says the commission has asked the utility provider to pay for even a portion of those charges.

Cut 9 (08)  “…like that.”

Francis will face Keith C. Bodin of Ragley who is running as an independent and Republican Shalon Latour of Iowa in November.

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Republican Congressman Garret Graves will face two challengers in his bid for re-election for the 6^th Congressional District. Graves believes the GOP is poised to gain control of Congress in the mid-terms, and he’s been asked by House leadership to lead the Republican’s policy on Energy, Climate, and Conservation.

Cut 10 (11) “…facing today.”

And In his first venture into politics, Brian Belzer of Prairieville says he’s fed up with what’s going on in DC and wants to help common-sense legislation that’s being ignored. When the Republican diesel mechanic was asked about his views on abortion, he says he’s pro-life…

Cut  11 (12)  “…incest.” 

In addition to rallying for conservation efforts in DC, Graves says the construction of a new Mississippi River bridge in his home district of Baton Rouge is long overdue.

Cut 12 (12) “…political decision.” 

The third candidate for the 6^th Congressional District is Libertarian Rufus Craig, Jr. of Baton Rouge.

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LSU will unveil a statue of Pete Maravich tonight next to the statues of other LSU basketball legends, Shaquille O’ Neal and Bob Petit. Pistol Pete is the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division One College Basketball and LSU’s Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says he’s one of the best to ever play the game…

Cut 13 (08) “…we’re excited.”

LSU Board of Supervisors voted in 2016 to erect a statue of Maravich and in 2019 the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee changed a rule to allow for non-graduates to have a statue. Worsham says Maravich’s contributions to the game and the university are worth hundreds of statues…

Cut 14 (14)  “…at LSU”

There will be a ceremony inside the LSU practice facility at 6 PM and then the unveiling of the statue after 6:30 in the plaza of the LSU Basketball Practice facility which is connected to the PMAC. Worsham says members of Maravich’s family will be on hand along with some of the great players of LSU’s basketball past…

Cut 15 (13)  “… of that program”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison comes under fire. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow will face opposition in November as she seeks re-election to her second term in the 5^th Congressional District. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison is coming under fire. The juvenile jail has had four violent escapes so far this year. Among critics of the plan is Loyola University professor of law Hector Linares (lih-NAR es) says it seems like a bad decision, and a possible violation of federal law…:

Cut 3 (12) “…with adult prisons.” 

The Governor and Department of Corrections say the juvenile inmates will be segregated from the adult population at Angola. Linares says federal law dictates under those circumstances juveniles and adults must not see or hear each other, and perhaps that hasn’t been considered…:

Cut 4  (09) “…also be illegal.”

He wonders if segregated dining and medical infirmary accommodations have been taken into account.

Other critics of the plan say it unfairly punishes people of color. A small crowd gathered Thursday night outside the Bridge City Center to protest moving detainees to Angola. Linares says, if state officials sought a quick fix for problems at the center, this was not a good choice. He suggests moving the LEAST violent detainees to lower-security facilities, rather than this option…:

Cut 5  (10) “…higher needs youth.”

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The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has finished its  largest barrier island restoration project, with the completion of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands. The project restored one-thousand acres of barrier island habitat. Project manager April Newman says these islands will provide storm surge protection

Cut 6 (12) “…fragile wetlands.” 

The 166-million dollar project used funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Newman says the barrier islands will help reduce storm surge and flooding for the mainland….

Cut 7 (10) “…the communities.” 

Newman says the project utilized nearly nine million cubic yards of dredged sediment…

Cut 8 (12) “..persevered”

Newman says one of the islands, Trinity East Island, held up well to Hurricane Ida’s Category Four winds.

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The media picks LSU football to finish in fifth place in the highly competitive SEC West. As expected Alabama is the preseason favorite. The projected order following the Crimson Tide is Texas A-and-M, Arkansas, Ole Miss and LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says there are a lot of question marks with this group of Tigers…

Cut 9 (10) “…question marks.”

Buckley says LSU’s ranking is the result of not having an established starter at quarterback, the offensive line is inexperienced, unproven running backs and only one established player at wide receiver…..

Cut 10 (08) “…preseason teams” 

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is a preseason All-SEC first team selection and edge rusher B-J Ojulari is also a first-team pick. Buckley says the media that covers the SEC looks at LSU as being a year or two away from really competing in college football’s toughest division

Cut 11 (06)  “…get it done”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow qualified Friday to run for re-election. The first Republican female to represent the state in Congress touted her accomplishments in her first term and also spoke of the importance of her appointment to the House Appropriations Committee and what it means to the 5^th Congressional District.

Cut 12 (12) “…next year.”   

Hunter Pullen who served in the Marines is Letlow’s lone challenger. The West Monroe Republican says after having to wait months for medical care from the VA, he was inspired to continue his service to the country.

Cut 13 (11) “…concerns are.”

Letlow also spoke of her Parent’s Bill of Rights legislation which gives parents the ability to be more informed of their child’s curriculum and notification of violent activity at school. Letlow was asked about her feelings on gun reform efforts after recent school shootings.

Cut 14 (07)  “…to bear arms.” 

Pullen spoke of two occasions where the VA forced him to wait for an extended period of time for both initial appointments and follow-up care. He says veterans are forced to trust the government for their healthcare. Pullen says experienced a significant delay in cancer treatment.

Cut 15 (09) “…operation.”