The state District Attorneys Association reacts to Governor Edwards’ letter to the Board of Pardons to hear clemency applications. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Saints fans headed to the Caesar’s Superdome for the pre-season game versus Kansas City Sunday will notice some big changes. Renovations to the dome began in 2020 and there are now two new atrium lobby entrances at Gates B and H, and new vertical transportation to take fans from the 100 level all the way up to the 650 level. Kickoff is at noon.

Qualifying has wrapped up for the upcoming elections and it still looks like Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson are the favorites to make an expected governor’s runoff in November. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the other candidates will go after Landry, but that might not be the best tactic…:
CUT 11 (09) “be in”
Early voting for the October 14th election begins September 30th.

Labor issues continue to be the biggest hurdle for small businesses. That’s according to the monthly survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, and Director Dawn McVea says the quality of available workers still hasn’t recovered from the pandemic.
CUT 8 (08) “indicate that”
But she says the survey did indicate small business optimism is rising.

Qualifying in the October 14th elections wrapped up Thursday with 16 candidates running for governor. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The National Hurricane Center boosted its projections for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, now expecting above average activity. In its mid-season update, the NHC now forecasts 14-21 named storms, and 6-11 hurricanes, with 2-5 of them being major storms of category 3 or greater. Its forecast in late May called for an average season.

The Pardon Board has scheduled to hear 20 of the 56 clemency cases from death row inmates in response to Governor Edwards’ request. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Loren Lampert says the governor is asking the board to go against their own rules..:
Cut 4 (12) “time frame”
The hearings will be held between October 13th and November 27th.

Oak Grove High School cheerleaders have been chosen to participate in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, but they need help raising money to get there. One of the girls’ moms, Ashley Johnson, says they just found out in July…:
Cut 13 (11) “that trip”
If you’d like to donate, contact Oak Grove High directly.

The field in the upcoming Governor’s race is set with qualifying now closed in the October 14th primary. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry remains in a good position to make the expected November runoff…:
Cut 10 (11) “most of em”
He says former transportation secretary Shawn Wilson, the lone major Democrat in the race, is also likely to make the runoff. Early voting begins September 30th.

A day after Governor John Bel Edwards asked the Louisiana Board of Pardons to consider clemency for 56 death row inmates, hearing dates are now planned. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Loren Lampert criticizes the governor’s request:
Cut 5 (07) “volumes”
The board has so far scheduled 20 hearings.

The monthly survey of small business owners nationwide finds labor quality remains the biggest concern. National Federation of Independent Business director Dawn McVea says 42-percent of owners report job openings are hard to fill, which is historically high…:
Cut 7 (07) “for work”
But McVea says this latest survey did find that optimism among small business owners is gradually improving.

Qualifying has ended and the main candidates running for Louisiana governor include five Republicans, one Democrat, and one Independent. Republican Stephen Waguespack, Former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president, is considered a long-shot because the Republican Party is backing Jeff Landry. But Waguespack is already taking an issue with a mailer from a political action committee that attacks him…

Cut 10 (13)  “…that man”

The youngest candidate in the race is Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson at 37.  The Republican says among his top priorities are to change the state’s tax structure, recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. Nelson says he’d call a special session immediately to find solutions for the insurance crisis.

Cut 11 (08)  “…moot.” 

First Solar, a solar energy manufacturer, announces plans to build a one-point-one billion-dollar solar panel manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the facility will employ 700 workers.  Pierson says the company was awed by University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s solar energy lab..

Cut 7 (06) “…as well” 

The facility will be built on an LED Certified Site, meaning it has gone through extensive due diligence and studies to be declared development ready….

Maybe you haven’t seen a coyote in your neighborhood, but residents in Jefferson Parish have. Jefferson Parish officials held a meeting this week to address residents’ concerns about the recent increase in coyote sightings. LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says the escalated sightings are due to an increase in urban development and the availability of food…

Cut 3 (11) “… urban sprawl.”

According to Wildlife and Fisheries, coyotes are becoming more common in urban and suburban areas across the state including Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

LSU football is on the practice field again for today’s portion of fall camp. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will then speak to the media at around noon. Coach Brian Kelly says that him and Denbrock’s comfort level on the staff has gotten better with both entering their second year with the Tigers.

Cut 19 (15) “…what’s expected.”

For an extended breakdown of Denbrock’s interview and LSU, TigerRag.com will be publishing their take on what was said at the media availability later today. Kelly also says that quarterback Jayden Daniels is stepping up his role as a leader in the locker room.

Cut 20 (14) “…roll right now.”

The Saints are preparing for their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. They are holding practice today, but it will be closed to fans after moving the practice indoors due to the extreme heat. The Saints used their first two picks in the 2023 draft on a defensive tackle and defensive end, but in the first Saints unofficial depth chart, neither of them are listed as starters. Despite this, Coach Dennis Allen says that he has seen a development from the group before the season.

Cut 17 (10) “…the passer inside.”

ULM coach Terry Bowden is entering his third year as coach of the Warhawks. In his first two seasons he has gone on 8-16 and will be looking to make some noise in the Sun Belt. The team starts their season on Sept. 2 against Army, and Bowden says that the Warhawks are going to start working on practicing with the players that are going to see significant playing time.

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Governor John Bel Edwards directed the Pardon Board to review the 56 clemency applications filed by death-sentenced prisoners in Louisiana. Last month, the panel decided not to take them up, on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied. But Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says the board has heard cases outside of the one-year window before…

Cut 13 (09) “…the constitution.”

Edwards term ends January 8^th.

Republican Jeff Landry, The frontrunner in the governor’s race, officially entered the race yesterday.  Landry has a big lead in the polls and the endorsement of the state Republican Party.  Landry says he’s receiving this support because of his work as the Attorney General for the last eight years…

Cut 6 (16)  “…we are lagging”

A major coastal restoration project breaks ground today along the Mississippi River in Belle Chasse. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

First Solar, an energy technology company, will invest $1 billion dollars to build a new facility in Iberia Parish, creating more than 700 direct jobs. The company will produce high-performance solar modules and is expected to be complete by 2026.

Republican Jeff Landry entered the race for Louisiana governor yesterday. Landry took only two questions from the media covering qualifying at the Secretary of State’s Office. He was asked about increasing teacher pay. Landry’s mother was a school teacher and says the focus should be on what’s best for the children…

Cut 5 (13)   “..children first.”

Five main candidates for governor have qualified and two more are expected to join the field today, Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson.

A groundbreaking ceremony is underway for the construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in Belle Chase. Executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities, Bren Haase, says a gated control structure will be built into the levees near Myrtle Grove, and that will allow sediment to flow into the wetlands, which will help build land in an area that‘s experiencing some of the highest rates of land loss in the world…

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

First Lady Donna Edwards is involved in an initiative to connect over 4,000 in the state’s foster children with faith-based families, communities, and organizations. First Lady Donna Edwards says there are over 4,000 churches in the state. She says if one church could recruit at least one family that helps every child, each potential foster parent, resolving challenges and providing solutions…

Cut 10 (12) “…our children.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to review the clemency applications from 56 death row inmates. Last month, the panel decided not to take them up, on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied.  King Alexander with Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty believes the board should honor Edwards’ request.

Cut 14 (05)  “…requesting it” 

Last month, the state pardon board returned the clemency applications with no action, after Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion saying the board’s own rules prohibit them from hearing them. But Edwards says the Pardon Board rules do allow for consideration.

Governor John Bel Edwards has directed the Louisiana Pardon Board to consider clemency applications of 56 death row inmates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three people were fatally injured in an early morning car crash during a multi-parish police pursuit in Pointe Coupee Parish this morning. Authorities say a pursuit in West Baton Rouge Parish crossed over into Pointe Coupee parish and for unknown reasons the vehicle hit a tree on Fordoche Road (Hwy. 77). The identity of the victims is unknown.

State officials will break ground on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in Belle Chase today. The project will restore the west bank of the Mississippi River by connecting Barataria Bay to the Mississippi River and rebuilding thousands of acres of coastal wetlands. Bren Haase, Executive Assistant to the governor for coastal activities, says they’ve been discussing this project for decades…

Cut 9 (11)  “…100 years.”

Republican Jeff Landry has officially joined the race for governor. Landry is the frontrunner in the race. After filling out the necessary paperwork, Landry touted his experience as a former law enforcement officer, a business owner, and a former economic development director in St. Martin Parish…

Cut 4 (12)  “… in the country”

Five main candidates for governor have qualified and two more are expected to join the field today, Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Richard Nelson.