Will New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell see a major challenger sign up to run against her this week? One political analyst says no,  probably not…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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As COVID case numbers continue to climb there’s talk, at least in New Orleans, of reinstating capacity restrictions at festivals and sporting events. Brooke Thorington has more from State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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As the state remembers the life and legacy of former Governor Edwin Edwards Congressman Garret Graves recalled running against the Cajun Prince for Congress in 2014…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy expresses hope a vote will occur soon on an infrastructure bill that would invest around one-point-two trillion dollars in infrastructure projects over the next eight years. Cassiday says they will be busy the next few weeks working to finalize the bill text…

Cut 4 (10) “…infrastructure needs.”

Cassidy is among a group of Senators trying to iron out a deal, because he says the legislation could provide funding for several major transportation projects…

Cut 5  (12) “…central Louisiana.”

Cassidy says the legislation will also contain 47-billion dollars for coastal restoration and flood mitigation projects statewide. Louisiana’s senior senator thinks they can get it passed, but it’s a tedious process…

Cut 6 (13) “…be built”

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Qualifying for the New Orleans mayoral race begins today and incumbent Latoya Cantrell appears to be in a strong position to get elected to a second and final term.

Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Cantrell has raised 1.6 million dollars and has an approval rating last polled in the 60s. Because of that, he doubts a major challenger will run against her.

Cut 7 (08) “…by now”

DuBos says Cantrell has about 600,000 dollars on hand heading into qualifying.

DuBos says the opponents Cantrell does manage to attract will likely hammer her on local issues like crime and trash, but he expects she’ll run on her pandemic record.

Cut 8 (09) “…pandemic.”

Throughout nearly all of the pandemic, New Orleans maintained stricter COVID restrictions than the rest of the state.

Clancy says Cantrell is also not likely to see major opposition just due to the power of incumbency that exists at all levels of politics.

Cut 9 (09) “…reelection.”

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As COVID numbers surge, health officials in New Orleans say capacity restrictions for festivals and sporting events in the fall are possible due to the Delta variant. Officials say getting more people vaccinated is the key.  State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 94-percent of the COVID cases since May, are among those unvaccinated.

Cut 10 (07) “…top of this.”

As opposed to previous COVID surges, Kanter says this one is preventable, and the vaccination rate must increase. Kanter acknowledges there have been breakthrough cases, but overall, it’s rare, however, Kanter says as the variant spreads, breakthrough cases will only increase.

Cut 11 (09) “…risk out there.”

Research indicates 70 to 80-percent of the population should be fully vaccinated in order to curtail the pandemic. As for the Bayou State, Kanter says Louisiana along with other states are failing to hit the mark.

Cut 12 (12) “…vaccinated”

On Tuesday COVID hospitalizations hit 454, an uptick of 44 from the previous day. For a listing of vaccination sites, visit the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

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Congressman Garret Graves was the last candidate to run against former Governor Edwin Edwards, beating Edwards in the 2014 race for the 6^th Congressional District seat.

The race came just a few years after Edwards got out of prison and Graves says Edwards’ legacy loomed large over the contest…

Cut 13 (11) “…to head.”

Graves won that race 62% to 38% in the heavily Republican district. If you consider Edwards dropped out in 1987 before he would have likely officially lost to Buddy Roemer Graves argues that he is the only candidate to have actually beaten Edwards straight up in over 20 contests.

Graves says he and Edwards kept up a candid and humorous backchannel dialog during the 2014 race and even after stayed in contact and occasionally chatted over lunch.

Cut 14 (12) “…from him.”

Graves says Edwards was one of the most charming and gifted men to ever grace Louisiana politics, but he leaves behind a complicated legacy…

Cut 15 (08)“…scrutiny.”

But Graves notes many of the controversial decisions Edwards made were, at the time, not viewed the same as they would be now.

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Cut 16 (25) “…back at it” 

Cut 17 (15) …so far.” 

Cut  18 (19)”..yeah.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

Louisiana’s legendary four-term former Governor Edwin Edwards passed away yesterday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards enjoyed strong electoral support from African Americans in part because he played a major role in bringing Black leaders into state government…

Cut 4 (11) “….dramatically” 

A large number of current and former state political luminaries passed through at least one of the four Edwards’ terms. Current Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed was one of them. She served as Press Secretary for Former Governor Edwin Edwards in his final term. Reed was an anchor/reporter in Lake Charles when she was asked to join the Edwards administration.

Cut 9 (10) “…to none.”

Details have not yet been released on Edwards’ funeral plans.

Shreveport Police have identified the body of a teenage girl that was discovered yesterday as a 17-year-old who was reported missing last Tuesday. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says the parents of Shamia Little were given the bad news after authorities searched a residence just half a mile from where she was reported missing.

Cut 8 (09) “…gone missing.”

The death is being investigated as a homicide.

Governor Edwards held a ceremonial signing of legislation that starting next summer will let many middle and lower-income Louisianans 21 and older go to community college for free. Louisiana Community and Technical System President Monty Sullivan says the MJ Foster Promise Program is a 10.5 million dollar grant program…

Cut 13 (11) “…enrolled”

As the state remembers the life of former Governor Edwin Edwards political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s important to note some of the accomplishments of his four terms in office. Pinsonat says one change that ruffled some feathers at the time was being the first Governor to really bring Black leaders into state government…

Cut 4 (11) “….dramatically” 

Pinsonat says that decision would provide Edwards with a solid base of support from the African American community every time he ran for office.

Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed remembers Edwards from her time serving as his press secretary in his final term. She says he’s a big part of the reason she’s working in education today.

Cut 10 (09) “…for that.”

Remains found yesterday in Caddo Parish have been identified as missing 17-year-old Shamia Little. Little’s body was found at a residence just a half-mile from where she was first reported missing last Tuesday. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says when the discovery was made the victim’s family was notified.

Cut 8 (09) “…gone missing.”

Starting Thursday the first of a series of advanced child tax credit payments should start hitting parent’s bank accounts. The child tax credit increased to $3,600 for children under six and $3,000 for ages 6 to 17. Congressman Troy Carter says advancing these payments will help lift millions of children out of poverty.

Cut 13 (10) “…fifty percent.”

Former Governor Edwin Edwards died yesterday at 93 after a long life including a record four terms in office. Edwards was known for his wit and fierce campaigning, famously skewering then-Governor David Treen in 1983 during a debate…

Cut 10 (08) “…saying.”

Edwards may have been known for his 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.

Cut 3, 10 seconds, long enough

Pinsonat noted other major changes such as bringing Blacks into government, significantly increasing state oil revenue, and holding a constitutional convention.

Edwards managed to remain one of the most popular figures in state politics despite repeated scandals and even a stint in jail on racketeering charges related to casino licenses. Edwards to his last day denied the allegations that landed him in prison and called the frequent investigations political witch hunts. Attorney Lewis Unglesby was a close friend of the Governor who says Edwards was confident in his innocence and wouldn’t let those around him take the fall when investigators came knocking at first in the 80s…

Cut 7 (04) “…unfair.”

The former governor is expected to lie in state at the capitol with a public viewing later this week.

Caddo Parish authorities have identified the remains of a body that was 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.

Cut 6 (09) “…that claim”

Her body was located Monday less than a half-mile from where she went missing.

Four-term Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards has passed away at the age of 93. Jeff Palermo has more on the life of this legendary figure…

Cut 1 (46) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Edwards famously skewered many of his gubernatorial opponents while on the campaign trail and was known as one of the fiercest debaters in state history. Here’s Edwards in 1983 during a debate where he took apart then Governor David Treen…

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Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges says even with that sharp tongue his opponents couldn’t help but like him…

Cut 9 (05) “…today.”

Webster Parish residents remember the life of Doyline Police Officer Billy Collins Junior, who fatally shot responding to a call Friday. Doyline Mayor Steven Birdwell says Collins was loved in the community…

Cut 14 (09) “…happen again” 

Louisiana has lost a legendary figure as former four-term governor Edwin Edwards passes away at the age of 93. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (46) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Famed Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges spoke about Edwards’ passing saying he was the most important state political figure since Huey Long. Bridges says few figures have engendered so much public support during their time in office but despite Edwards’ broad popularity it’s hard to make the case that he substantially improved the state given Louisiana still ranks at the bottom of most rankings. But, he did have that “it” factor…

Cut  11 (08) “…about him” 

Edwards’ last political campaign was in 2014 where he ran for the Baton Rouge-centric 6^th District, ultimately losing to Republican Congressman Garret Graves.

Memorial services have been set for Doyline Police Officer Billy Collins Junior who was fatally shot on Friday while responding to a service call. Visitation will be Thursday night at First Bossier Church in Bossier City and the funeral will be the next day. In Florida, 12-year-old Zechariah Cartledge ran one mile while carrying a Blue Line Flag in honor of Officer Collins

Cut 12 (12) “…family members”

Luminaries from across the state are mourning the death of former Governor Edwin Edwards who passed away at 93. Edwards served four terms in office with his first stint starting in 1971. Biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards took advantage of an oil boom in 1974 and changed the severance making Louisiana the most-cash-rich state in the nation. Edwards told Jim Engster in 2011 that he always looked out for the working class…

Cut 4 (11) “….some people are” 

Honeycutt says that interest in helping out the average Louisianan meant Edwards remained highly popular even after serving eight years in federal prison on racketeering charges.

Cut 8 (10) “…that much”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says state parks are having their best year yet and that seems to have the system getting closer and closer to being entirely self-funded. State Parks Deputy Assistant Secretary Clifford Melius says about six state parks made more money this year than what it costs to operate them.

Cut 13 (08) “…of that.”

Melius says about 70 percent of their traffic is coming from Louisiana residents.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System saw a 10 percent drop in enrollment during the 2020-2021 school year. LCTCS spokesperson Quintin Taylor says many of their students have children and the chaotic situation in K-12 education during the worst of the pandemic made it hard for parents to pursue their own education.

Cut 10 (11) “…space.”

Louisiana has now recorded 1,763 breakthrough COVID cases where a fully vaccinated individual gets infected. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that’s still a tiny fraction of all vaccinated adults in the state and nearly all of those cases we’re mild, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana”

49.5 percent of Louisiana adults have been vaxed at least once so far, second-worst in the nation, but you’re really supposed to get two shots if you take Moderna or Pfizer for full effect. Now Pfizer is asking the CDC and FDA to approve their request to bump that number to three shots but the feds aren’t biting just yet. LSU Health Shreveport pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere…

Cut 9 (09) “…this time.”

Cara the Python is back home at the Blue Zoo in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after spending three days out of her enclosure. Taylor Sharp reports Cara was found in a ceiling crawl space…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp” 

The deadline to register for the first 100,000 dollar drawing for the Shot at a Million vaccine incentive program is tonight at midnight. Those who’ve received at least one COVID vaccine shot are eligible to apply at Shot at a Million and drawings will be held every Friday through the end of the month with a grand prize million dollar drawing being held in August.