Governor Edwards made the rounds on Baton Rouge TV and radio after meeting President Donald Trump to discuss the state’s criminal justice reforms. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan calls President Donald Trump a “Goober” in a Tweet after the president critized players again for not standing for the national anthem. Three Miami Dolphins players took a knee last night, while Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette stayed in the locker room.

The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc, but the price tag has increased to repace their current machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has acknowledged one of the two losing companies bidding for the voting machine contract has expressed concern the selection process may be “rigged” …

Cut 10 (10) “…15 to 20 years.”

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.  And for those worried that your tax dollars are going towards a fancy new video board….

Cut 8 (11) “the game.”

Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. Landry and Kennedy along with outgoing DA’s Association President Ricky Babin have pointed to rearrests linked to prisoners who’ve been released under the reforms, but during an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, Edwards said the number of people released under the program who’ve been rearrested would still be under the national average of 40 percent.

Cut 5 (05)  “numbers” 

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says that’s not all…

Cut 7 (11) “other games.”

The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc, but the price tag has increased to repace their current machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Aroin had projected the cost at $60 million, but he says the more realistic price tag is now in the ballpark of $90-95 million dollars

Cut 9 (06)  “…bring down that cost.”

Ardoin says the plan is for the state to replace early voting machines, five parishes at a time, starting this year. Full implementation is expected by 2020.

A mother was stabbed to death while pushing her one-year-old son in a stroller in Gretna, Louisiana. Authorities say the suspect 41-year-old Damone Ussin, and the victim 35-year-old Tarniel Gray of Gretna had a dating relationship. Ussin has been arrested for second degree murder and Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson says he has a substantial criminal history.

Cut 14 (12) “…what to do”

Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. During an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, the governor defended what he called progress in reducing the state’s inmate population. Critics, like Attorney General Jeff Landry and Senator John Kennedy have slammed Edwards, saying the reforms are putting dangerous criminals back on the streets. Edwards countered by saying most of the excess prisoners that boosted the state’s incarceration rate were behind bars for getting busted for holding drugs.

Cut 4 (07) “do better”

The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Aroin ays the plan is for the state to replace early voting machines, five parishes at a time, starting this year.  Phase two is expected by 2020.

Cut 11 (11) “…end up with.”

A mother was stabbed to death while pushing her one-year-old son in a stroller in Gretna. That’s according to authorities who say the suspect 41-year-old Damone Ussin, and the victim 35-year-old Tarniel Gray of Gretna had a dating relationship. Ussin has been arrested for second degree murder and Gretna Captain Russell Lloyd says the child was not injured and was discovered crying next to his deceased mother…

Cut 13 (08) “…his mother”

Lloyd says Ussin has an extensive criminal history

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.

Cut 6 (08) “the past.”

LSU Baseball has had the highest attendance rate of any college baseball program since 1996.

Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. During an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, the governor defended what he called progress in reducing the state’s inmate population. Edwards says the way the state used to lock up non-violent offenders wasn’t working.

Cut 3 (12) “as florida”

A mother was stabbed to death while pushing her one year old son in a stroller in Gretna, Louisiana. The mother’s boyfriend, Damone Ussin, was arrested for second degree murder and Arthur Lawson says the scene created was hard to swallow…

Cut 12 (07)   “…face area”

The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc, but the price tag has increased to repace their current machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has acknowledged one of the two losing companies bidding for the voting machine contract has expressed concern the selection process may be “rigged” …

Cut 10 (10) “…15 to 20 years.”

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.  And for those worried that your tax dollars are going towards a fancy new video board….

Cut 8 (11) “the game.”

Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. During an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, the governor defended what he called progress in reducing the state’s inmate population. Critics have pointed out that some of the released have been rearrested, but Edwards says the number of people released under the program who’ve been rearrested would still be under the national average of 40 percent.

Cut 5 (05)  “numbers” 

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says not enough is being done and tariffs are only a temporary fix and suggests possibly putting a cap on imported shrimp so local shrimps can continue to make a living.

Cut 11 (04) “…where we at now.” 

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.

Cut 6 (08) “the past.”

The 16mm high def board will air crucial replays and an expanded suite of baseball stats for metric hungry Tiger fans who’ve led the nation in college baseball attendance since 1996.

and now it’s commodities.

Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense have had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the civil service commission. The troopers claimed their actions were justified because of permission granted by Edmonson when they were assigned to training in California, but Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that defense shouldn’t have held up.

Cut 8 (12)  “was ok.”

Louisiana State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Livingston Parish.  So far, the investigation reveals the deputies responded to a domestic disturbance when a deputy encountered an armed individual at the residence.  Shots were fired at the individual, who later died at the scene from his injuries.

Governor Edwards is back in town after a trip to New Jersey where he talked criminal justice reform with the President. During an appearance to 107.3’s AM Baton Rouge show, the governor defended what he called the state’s progress with justice reforms that have led to Louisiana losing the title as the world’s incarceration capital. Edwards says the way the state used to do business just wasn’t working.

Cut 3 (12) “as florida”

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.  Shrimp talk gotcha hungry? Cooper says to ensure you are purchasing Louisiana shrimp, buy your seafood directly from the local fishermen.  And as far as ways to eat shrimp…

Cut 12 (08) “…we live off of shrimp.”

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on a few of them.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Former LSP Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s Side Trip Troopers got a sharply reduced disciplinary sentence from the Civil Service Commission. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Louisiana shrimpers on strike?  It could happen very soon.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads.  Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of breath-testing in a DWI conviction, with the increase bringing the price tag up from the original $75 to $125.  Impaired driving consultant, Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.

Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”

Barron says as the result of the criminal justice reform, the length of time a judge can sentence a repeat DWI offender to probation was shortened accidentally.  As a result the law needed to be amended to allow judges to extend the time an offender’s treatment takes place, which is what Act 508 does.

Cut 5 (11) “…as long as eight years.”

Barron says another law put onto the books applies to careless driving in conditions many Louisiana residents are all too familiar with:  flood water.

Cut 6 (11) “…a separate crime now.”

The law carries a penalty of up to 250 hours community service and a two-year driver’s license suspension.

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Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense have had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the civil service commission. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says, that’s highly disappointing.

Cut 7 (07) “of Louisiana.”

The troopers had their original displaces handed down by the new Superintendent, which involved demotions and pay cuts for the trip that occurred when they were assigned to go to California for training, but received permission from Edmondson to take a detour. The troopers claimed their actions were justified because of that permission, but Goyeneche says that defense shouldn’t have held up.

Cut 8 (12)  “was ok.”

Goyeneche says the whole ordeal is a blow to a department looking for rebound and rebuild after a tenure he says was marked with corruption and malfeasance.

Cut 9 (09)  “is a setback”

Edmonson’s case will be heard later this year in federal court.  

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Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (04)   “…run our prices down.”

Cooper says tariffs are only a temporary fix and suggests possibly putting a cap on imported shrimp so local shrimps can continue to make a living.

Cut 11 (04) “…where we at now.” 

If all this talk of shrimp is making you hungry, Cooper says to ensure you are purchasing Louisiana shrimp, buy your seafood directly from the local fishermen.  And as far as ways to eat shrimp…

Cut 12 (08) “…we live off of shrimp.”

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Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards visited with President Donald Trump in New Jersey yesterday to talk criminal justice reform, a topic that is reportedly under consideration by the Republican President for a major congressional push. Edwards celebrated the state’s savings of 12.2 million dollars from the first year of new laws.

Cut 13 (08) “reentry” 

One result of the reforms was a major drop in the total prison and supervised population in the state, which lost Louisiana one of its more infamous monikers. When Edwards relayed that bit of information, the President perked up….

Cut 14 (13) “good…yes sir”

The reforms have come under fire from two of Edwards’ potential gubernatorial opponents for the 2019 governor’s race. Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to the president ahead of the meeting warning him not to believe the governor’s message, but Edwards stuck to his guns and told the president about what he sees as a major win for the state.

Cut 15 (09) “with you”

Edwards was the only elected Democrat at the meeting of governors, attorney generals, and other officials from across the country.

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The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says the project will mostly be upgrading existing roads to interstate standard, which will cut down on the costs.

Cut 8 (09) “…was initially built.”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says the program weaves together a narrative that reveals just how widespread the problems were, and how communities responded in the aftermath.

Cut 4 (11) “of us”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for  this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…

Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the results come down to increased incentives for high school students to enroll in the optional courses.

Cut 9 (08)  “credit”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says each podcast takes a look at a different flood zone.

Cut 3 (10) “acadiana.”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says new infrastructure has been swept under the rug for far too long and the addition of the interstate would have a positive impact on residents in surrounding communities.

Cut 7 (09) “…you’re located on.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. The program has grown from 2,747 total students passing in 2012, to 7,330 this year.  Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the jump in African American student participation has been substantial as well.

Cut 11 (10) “or higher”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing

Cut 12 (06)   “…to form.”

A new podcast, UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods: details the history and stories Louisianans during the state’s most recent major disaster. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Youth Infrastructure Coalition, a group made up of college students, is spearheading a proposed new interstate would connect communities, as it would run from west Texas into Georgia, passing through the central Louisiana area.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m  Kevin Barnhart”  

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NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for  this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing

Cut 12 (06)   “…to form.”

Keim says sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea have also remained much cooler than average….

Cut 13 (08) “…hurricane season.” 

So far there’s been four named storms and two of them reached hurricane strength. Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…

Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”