Republican US Senator John Kennedy is being challenged by three democrats in his re-election campaign for his second term. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana has updated its Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand motorists were killed in car crashes last year, a 17-percent increase from the year before. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Qualifying for the U-S Senate race got underway this morning and the first one to sign up, Republican incumbent John Kennedy. Kennedy is finishing up his first term and believes his voting record represents the values of Louisiana

Cut 3 (07) “…116th Congress” 

Kennedy has a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents….

Cut 4  (09) “…message out.”

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Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers who’s best know for his campaign video that went viral where he’s smoking marijuana officially filed for to run for US Senate as a Democrat against Republican John Kennedy. Chambers was present when  Kennedy addressed the media and had this response.

Cut 5  (16) “…lives in.”

Chambers also had a gift for his opponent, he planned to present the state’s junior senator with a spray bottle of Round-up.

Cut 6 (10) “…next time” 

Chambers ran for Congress last year to fill New Orleans Representative Cedric Richmond’s seat when he left to work for the Biden administration but failed to make the runoff by 15-hundred votes against Troy Carter.

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Political newcomer Luke Mixon also filed to run as a Democrat against Kennedy. The former Top Gun Naval pilot called out Kennedy for not standing up for democracy when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

Cut 7 (12) “…to lie.” 

Mixon who also took an oath to uphold the Constitution when he served in the military, says he’s often asked why he’s running against Kennedy…

Cut 8 (13) “…to defend.”

The Bunkie native also criticized Kennedy for voting against the infrastructure bill and while he supports the Second Amendment, Mixon believes there should be red flag gun laws to keep those with mental illness from hurting others and themselves.

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Sylvia Taylor filed on behalf of her daughter Syrita Steib who is the third democrat hoping to unseat Kennedy. Taylor shared that Steib served time in prison but since completing her sentence she’s gone forward to help others.

Cut 9 (13) “…years before.”

Taylor says Steib’s platform includes a focus on infrastructure, education, women’s rights, energy and democracy. Taylor says her daughter’s life serves as an inspiration for her and others.

Cut 10 (10) “…the drive.” 

Stieb served over nine years in federal prison for her role in robbing and burning down a car dealership.

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The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crash crashes in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 971 motorists died, a 17-percent increase from 2020. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says that’s the highest percentage increase in one year since crash fatality records have been kept

Cut 11 (12)  “…community crisis.”

Increasing education efforts, strengthening laws and public policies to prohibit risky behaviors such as distracted driving and increasing accountability through enforcement are some of the strategies the state will deploy to reduce fatal crashes. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says they are committed to this effort

Cut 12 (12) “…negative behavior.”   

Governor John Bel Edwards says he sees way too many drivers looking at their phone instead of the road

Cut 13 (12) “..or whatever.”

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A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he failed to stay on the road…

Cut 14 (10)  “…overturn.” 

The driver and his two juvenile passengers were not buckled up and they were ejected from the Honda Accord. 15-year-old Ramiya Sowell of St. James died at a Baton Rouge area hospital, while the driver and other passenger sufffered moderate injuries. Brennan says seat belts could have saved a life

Cut 15 (07) “…crash.” 

After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, the governor announces an investigation of the Office of Juvenile Justice.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today. Jeff Palermo takes a look at what we might see…:

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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In addition to statewide races there are plenty of key local races with the potential to heat up. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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After numerous escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, some of the inmates will be moved to Angola. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Tuesday after a weekend in which six inmates escaped from the Jefferson Parish facility.

Cut 4 (12)  “…adult inmates.”

While some inmates will be housed at Angola the Bridge City facility will remain open but with additional security. Edwards says after everything that has happened it’s clear the Bridge City campus cannot continue to operate as it has.

Cut 5 (08) “…an option.”

Edwards says the Bridge City building is outdated and not properly equipped to serve as a youth facility and more security personnel will be provided in addition to the increase that was added last month. He says Office of Juvenile Justice will continue to oversee operations and while the situation is not ideal…

Cut 6 (12)  “…the community.”

An initial review shows that there were numerous deficiencies and failures that contributed to the escape of six juveniles.

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Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today, at the Secretary of state’s Office in Baton Rouge. Candidates for the state’s six congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate race, are expected to qualify over the next three days. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says five of six congressional races should be shoe-ins for the incumbents. But in District 3, Clay Higgins has an announced Republican challenger. Pinsonat says the race could become interesting…:

Cut 7 (10) “…get re-elected.”

Pinsonat says he expects all incumbents will have a challenger of some kind, but doubts any will have the money or support to win this fall. In the U.S. Senate race, John Kennedy seeks another term, but is challenged by Democrats Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib. Pinsonat feels they are “spinning their wheels”…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…in a red state.”

Pinsonat says qualifying over the next few days may yield a surprise or two, but he gives the edge to the incumbents in the fall elections. He says the midterms will be a hotly contested affair nationally, but expects Louisiana’s election results will have little effect on any major changes in Congress…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…control of the House.”

Qualifying begins today and ends Friday afternoon.

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While today is first day for candidates to qualify for statewide office on the November ballot, there are also several key local races that are heating up.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will be challenged by State Senator Greg Tarver who announced his candidacy from his family funeral home.

Cut 10 (08) “…in a casket”

Alford says even though Perkins is the incumbent he’s viewed as a vulnerable after his failed US Senate bid in the middle of his mayoral term.

In Alexandria, incumbent Mayor Jeff Hall recently said he’ll run for re-election and Alford says he’ll be challenged by the previous mayor.

Cut  11 (05)  “..this week.” 

Alford says it will be a jammed packed ballot with several judicial races, including a Supreme Court judge race.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot going on.” 

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Chemical giant BASF announces a $780-million project that will double production capacity at its plant in Geismar, in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold (LEE-bold) says, when complete they will produce 600-thousands metric TONs of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (or MDI) annually…:

Cut 13 (13) “…every single day.”

(Chemical is pronounced: METH-ih-leen die-PHEEN-ill die-EYE-so-sigh-uh-nate. You’re welcome…:))

Lebold says this is the third part of a three-phase expansion of BASF’s MDI manufacturing facility. He says the investment will help them retain over 1000 existing employees and create nearly 40 new direct jobs…:

Cut 14 (13)  “…a billion dollars.”

Lebold says the expansion should be complete by sometime in 2025, and when done it will be one of the largest producers of MDI in America. He says the jobs created and jobs retained have a great pay scale at a great company…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…for one another.”

Louisiana Economic Development says the BASF expansion will also create about 150 new indirect jobs.

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The three LSU players that were at SEC Media Days, Mike Jones, Jack Bech and BJ Ojulari raved about the new coaching staff. Jones says he’s very impressed with new defensive coordinator Matt House

Cut 16 (16)  “…be done.”

LSU’s defensive line is expected to be a strength this season and edge rusher B-J Oljulari says there’s a lot of talent with that position group

Cut 17 (22) “…D-Line chemistry” 

N-I-L has been around for over a year in college athletics as players are now able to receive cash for endorsement deals. That means some players are making more than others, but wide receiver Jack Bech says that does not create any dissension…

Cut 18 (18) “ …gets in our way” 

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt announces he will challenge Third District Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut other spending in order to make needed back-to-school purchases. More from Brooke Thorington…:

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

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There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward.

Cut 3 (12) “…hot today.” 

And there’s a Heat Advisory for Natchitoches to Jena.

While most Louisianans are used to extreme hot temperature, if you’re thinking this summer so far has been a bit warmer than others, Ross says you’re correct.

Cut 4  (05) “…summer of 2011.”

Ross says later in the week north Louisiana will see a drop in temperatures and possibly a scattered shower or two but not enough to relieve drought-like conditions in the area. But in the meantime, try to say inside as much as possible.

Cut 5  (09) “…the heat.”

Ross says heat indices could reach up to 115 in some areas in north Louisiana today.

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On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt has never run for political office before

Cut 6 (12) “…back it up” 

Higgins is seeking his fourth term and has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party. But Alford says Hoggatt looks like a formidable challenger and Higgins will need to take him seriously….

Cut 7 (12) “…this time.” 

Hoggatt’s financial resources are unclear at this time, while Higgins reported 258-thousand dollars on hand. Alford says that’s the lowest figure among Louisiana’s six incumbent members of Congress….

Cut 8 (10) “…whole lot of dough.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s six Congressional races and U-S Senate race involving the incumbent John Kennedy, begins Wednesday and runs through Friday. The primaries are November 8th.

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Louisiana claims top ranking for the highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Chief Operating Officer for the Louisiana Department of Education Ken Bradford credits educators and counselors for the ranking.

Cut 9 (09) “…college and career.”

The National College Access Network (NCAN) tracks applications in the US and Louisiana has consistently been in the top two for the last five years. Bradford says FAFSA completion is also required for high school seniors in Louisiana to receive TOPS consideration.

Cut 10 (10) “…etc.” 

To date 67-percent of Louisiana’s Class of 2022 has completed their FAFSA application and Bradford is already encouraging the Class of 2023 to keep Louisiana in first place.

Cut 11 (09)  “…start planning.”

According to NCAN, 84-percent of high school seniors who complete a FAFSA are more likely to enroll in post-secondary education.

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With inflation continuing to rise, more people face having to cut back on spending in order to make needed back-to-school and college purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation, says spending this year is expected to match or exceed 2021’s record high spending for the fall school term, but many have to pinch pennies to get it done…:

Cut 12 (05) “…for the season.”   

The NRF’s annual survey of back-to-school & college shopping shows more families will cut back on discretionary spending, buy only on-sale or off-brand items or even used items where possible. She says costs of most everything have been escalating over the past two years…:

Cut 13 (07) “..before the pandemic.”

Cullen says back-to-school shoppers are starting early, to spread the expense out over more weeks of income. She says vacations may be curtailed or even cancelled, because NOT making back-to-school purchases is really not an option…:

Cut 14 (06)  “…to be replaced.”