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 6th 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.”