A new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

Cross says the poll is bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting Saturday.

Governor Landry’s executive order that suspended the U-S House elections has prompted lawsuits in an effort to get the courts to rule that the Congressional primaries should go on as scheduled. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the only requirement from federal law is that the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is the only mandatory election day….

Cut 4 (07) “…congressional elections”

A beloved crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Pop star and Louisiana native Britney Spears has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This charge stems back to her arrest in March when she was allegedly driving fast and erratically on U-S 101 near her home in California. Following that arrest, the 44-year-old from Kentwood checked herself into a treatment facility.

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters has John Fleming with a slight lead over Julia Letlow in the Senate Republican Primary. Bill Cassidy is a few percentage points back of Fleming and Letlow in the survey conducted by Emerson College and KLFY-TV in Lafayette. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says according to the poll, only 15-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable opinion of Fleming…

Cut 8 (10) “….feeling the effects”

Wednesday was a historic night for the Louisiana Lottery as eleven players in the state matched five numbers in the Powerball game and won either one or two million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher…

Cut 10 (11) “…million dollar prize.

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two.  But Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows darker than they should be and vehicles not fit for the road.

Cut 28  (10) “…the people first.”

Despite Quinn’s strong objection the House approved bill heads to the Senate floor for approval.

Sad story out of Denham Springs as beloved school crossing guard, 74-year-old Katy Wells was killed while directing traffic by an alleged drunk driver. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard…

Cut 14 (12) “,,,when we drive”

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race with early voting set to begin Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A beloved crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections following Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision ruling the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says that ruling forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

The lawsuit states that the Supreme Court did not order the election to be postponed and that absentee ballots have already been cast. Ciolino points out that according to federal law, the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is the only mandatory election day.

Cut 4 (07) “…for congressional elections.”

Ciolino says Landry’s quick action in postponing the U.S. House election runs counter to historical precedent in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…than 100 years.”

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A new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

Cross says it’s bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting Saturday. He says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy.

Cut 7 (08) “…going to grow?”

Cross says only 15-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable view of Fleming, which is a big factor in why he leads this poll.

Cut 8 (09) “…feeling the effects.”

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In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s an exciting occasion.

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

Maher says the odds of winning the million-dollar prize is less than one in 11-million.

Cut 10 (11) “…million-dollar prize.”

Those five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 of them, hence the long odds. Mayer says of those 11 millionaires, five of them doubled their prize to two-million dollars with the Power Play.

Cut 11 (10) “…it was two.”

Those 11 lucky players were among 89 across the country, including 19 in Indiana, who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Had any one of them picked 15 as their Powerball, they would have joined players in Indiana and Kansas in splitting the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

Sheriff Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau (GOO-doe) of Walker was arrested and is charged with vehicular homicide and DWI.

Cut 13 (10) “…unfortunately it does.”

Ard says he hopes this incident will get people to re-evaluate their behavior on the roadways.

Cut 14 (12) “…when we drive.”

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Cut 15 (06) “…five one map.”

Governor Landry has issued an executive order that has suspended the U-S House elections as a result of this week’s Supreme Court Decision. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says usually the does not respond that fast to a ruling from the nation’s highest court…

Cut 5 (12) “….than 100 years”

A new poll from Emerson College and KLFY-TV on the U-S Senate Republican primary shows John Fleming and Julia Letlow are statistically tied, while Bill Cassidy trails his challengers by a few percentage points. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy…

Cut 7 (08) “..gonna grow.”

The Louisiana Lottery reports there are eleven new millionaires in the Bayou State as result of Wednesday’s Powerball drawing. Spokesperson Chrisyln Maher says six people won one million dollars with Powerball match-5 winning tickets and five people won two-million with Powerball match-5, plus the Power play…

cut 11 (10) “…it was two”

With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional districts forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery:

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

They were among 89 who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Two others had 15 as their Powerball, and they split the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

With next Sunday being Mother’s Day, the crawfish supply is expected to be tight given the recent cold snap that moved through the state. As such, crawfish prices held steady this week. This weekend, you can expect to pay just under three dollars a pound for live crawfish and $5.35 a pound for boiled crawfish.

A new poll on the Republican US Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey and Pearson Cross who teaches political science at ULM says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided…

Cut 6 (04) “….shutout”

Cross says the poll is bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator, is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting on Saturday.

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.

Cut 14 (10) “…a fast track.”

Alford says GOP lawmakers will look to add a Republican to Louisiana’s House delegation by passing a map that would give Republicans a chance to win five of the state’s six Congressional districts.

One of the more popular bills of the legislative session is close to final passage. Its Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s bill to eliminate the inspection sticker and replace it with a QR code that would cost drivers six dollars a year. Owners of inspection stations say they play a vital role in identifying uninsured drivers and safety hazards that a vehicle may have. But Bagley says the inspection is no longer needed…

Cut 7 (09) “…safety issue here”

The House approved bill is heading to the Senate floor for approval.

According to Gas Buddy, the average regular gas price in Louisiana is $3.83 a gallon. Chief Petroleum analyst for Gas Buddy, Patrick DeHaan says this latest surge in gas prices is connected to the rising cost of oil.

Cut 12 (10) “…prices going up.”

Governor Landry announced the suspension of the U.S. House races in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the congressional map. But absentee ballots have already been sent out, and early voting begins tomorrow. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the late delay is also adding more work for the secretary of state’s office and the local clerks of court.

Cut 16 (06) “…off the ballot.”

If any of the 32 former House candidates wish to continue their quest for Congress, they’re going to have to start all over again once a new map is adopted. That could make fundraising tricky, with several donors having already given the maximum amount allowed by law. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says if the Federal Elections Commission does not grant a waiver, that’s going to put them in a tough spot.

Cut 10 (07) “…they can raise.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

Others say eliminating the stickers would result in more uninsured drivers on the roadways, but Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bryan Adams says the state does not need inspection stations to help find uninsured motorists.

Cut 6 (09) “…all understood that.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Cut 15 (06) “…five one map.”

With the U.S. House elections now on hold, that means the process will start all over again from square one once a new map is adopted. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says there are many unanswered questions, such as whether donors who have already given the maximum amount can donate again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…raise more money?” 

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The legislature passed a measure that would effectively eliminate the office of New Orleans criminal court clerk, and the man set to assume that office Monday is not taking that lying down. Calvin Duncan has filed a lawsuit in federal court aiming to stop the bill from taking effect.

For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste, now that Governor Landry has suspended just that portion of the May 16^th election. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal lawsuit challenging the governor’s decision on the House elections has already been filed, claiming the move is unlawful and unconstitutional.

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The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is soaring towards four dollars a gallon. Regular unleaded at many service stations is selling for more than $3.80 a gallon right now. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy…

Cut 11 (09) “…a gallon mark.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage. The bill author’s, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two.  But Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows that are darker than they should be and vehicles that not fit for the road.

Cut 5 (10) “…the people first.”

As a result of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Louisiana’s congressional districts, state legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new map during the final month of this legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

As this story continues to unfold, a federal lawsuit seeking to restore the May 16^th election has now been filed.  The case challenges Governor Landry’s decision to suspend the congressional races, saying it’s unlawful, unconstitutional, will disenfranchise voters.

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With the U.S. House elections now on hold, it means all campaigns are now null and void. Once a new map is adopted, the process will start all over from square one, with candidates going through the qualifying process in the new districts. Political strategist Lionel Rainey notes that all this comes after the 32 candidates from both parties had already raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cut 8 (08) “…not exist anymore.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”