Matt Doyle spoke with political analyst Bernie Pisnonat who says changes made during former Governor Edwin Edwards’ four terms in office still shape the Louisiana political landscape…
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Governor Edwards celebrated a program dubbed “TOPS for adults” Tuesday afternoon with a ceremonial bill signing. Brooke Thorington has the story.
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Former Governor Edwin Edwards was known for his sharp wit but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says beyond the charm the Cajun Prince presided over four highly impactful terms in office.
Pinsonat says one of the biggest changes resulting from the Edwards years was the shifting of political power in the state from the north to the south.
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Pinsonat says once Edwards stepped into the mansion the first major change he implemented was bringing Blacks into state government.
Cut 4 (11) “….dramatically”
Pinsonat says that decision to bring Blacks into state government would provide Edwards with a solid base of support from the African American community every time he ran for office.
Pinsonat says another major decision was changing how we got money from the oil and gas industry from a flat fee to a percentage. He says that led to a revenue windfall, but his critics argue…
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Edwards’ tenure also saw the state adopt a new constitution.
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Caddo Parish authorities have identified the remains of a body found Monday as that of missing teen Shamia Little. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says the 17-year old was reported missing last Tuesday at Doug Williams Park, by a person claiming to have been with Little
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Her body was located Monday not far from where she went missing. Bordelon says they are treating this as a homicide investigation.
Cut 7 (09) “…death was.”
On Monday police secured the area around a home on Gloria Street where the body was found. Bordelon says when the discovery was made the victim’s family was notified.
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Shreveport police said that they are still receiving tips regarding the investigation.
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Before being confirmed as Higher Education Commissioner in 2018, Kim Hunter Reed also served as Press Secretary for Former Governor Edwin Edwards in his final term in the early 90s. She says it was an amazing opportunity for a woman in her 20s, crisscrossing the state with a Governor known for his wit and political savvy.
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Reed says despite being busy with state business Edwards always made time for his staff. She says he reached out to her after the loss of a family member, and it was Edwards that encouraged her to continue her education.
Cut 10 (09) “…for that.”
Reed was an anchor/reporter in Lake Charles when she was asked to join the Edwards administration. She says despite Edwards’ ability to recall names, stats, and advocate for the state he always made his staff feel they were part of making a difference in the state.
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Governor Edwards is holding a ceremonial bill signing this afternoon celebrating legislation that starting next summer will authorize 10.5 million dollars in grants for community and technical college students.
(Bill signing Tuesday at 3 PM)
The bill was named after former Governor Mike Foster. Louisiana Community and Technical System President Monty Sullivan says Foster is the father of the state community college system…
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Starting in the summer of 2022 the program will be available to Louisianans 21 and older who make about 38,000 dollars a year or less. Those entering programs for five in-demand fields in healthcare, construction, logistics, manufacturing, and IT are eligible for up to 3,200 dollars a year and 6,400 dollars total.
Sullivan says in the year ahead they will aggressively market the program and explain the first-come-first-served process for applying.
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Sullivan says he hopes an annual report included in the bill by lawmakers documenting the tax benefits of educating the state will result in the yearly cap increasing.
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