Dr. Julia Letlow remains the prohibitive favorite in the 5th Congressional District special election as early voters head to the polls Saturday. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle.”
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DOTD says they’ve received 37 letters of interest in the long-awaited I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A report by a private firm hired by LSU to investigate the school’s handling of past sexual misconduct cases will be unveiled today at a Board of Supervisors meeting. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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When you look at a breakdown of who’s been vaccinated so far, you’ll see it’s more women than men in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he feels that women are generally more informed about the vaccine and when you look at the population that is currently eligible…
Cut 4 (10)“…a little bit.”
The breakdown of people who’ve begun their vaccination series and those who’ve completed both injections is 60-percent female and 40-percent male. Kanter says…
Cut 5 (10)“…opportunity.”
And with teachers also eligible he doesn’t see that percentage changing anytime soon.
He says while it’s understandable to be hesitant about the vaccines, Kanter says to seek out reputable sources like the CDC and the state health department’s website and ask questions of those with knowledge about the vaccines.
Cut 6 (12) “…with them.”
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Early voting in the 5th Congressional District special election primary to replace Luke Letlow, who died last year of COVID, begins Saturday.
ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Letlow’s wife Julia, a Republican, remains the prohibitive favorite.
Cut 7 (09) “….side.”
Julia Letlow has a Ph.D. in communications from the University of South Florida, a Bachelors from ULM, and has held administrative positions at Tulane, ULM, and South Florida. She currently lives in Start with her two children.
Election day for the primary is March 20th and if no candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote a runoff will be held on April 24th. Stockley seriously doubts this will go to a runoff.
Cut 8 (11) “…election.”
Besides Letlow 11 other candidates are signed up for the 5th headlined by Democrat Sandra Christophe. Democratic candidates combined for about a third of the vote in last year’s election.
Stockley says Dr. Letlow might be new to politics as a candidate but she is not new to politics as a participant and has impressed on the campaign trail.
Cut 9 (09) “…well.”
Voters in the 2nd Congressional District can also begin casting ballots in their special election race Saturday.
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DOTD says there’s been significant interest in the long-sought-after I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he’s very encouraged after receiving 37 letters of interest in a public-private partnership.
Cut 10 (08) “…industry.”
Wilson says there are several steps in the process before construction begins. Next, DOTD will invite those who have shown interest in the bridge project to a meeting to discuss details.
Cut 11 (10) “…teams.”
Then they create a Request for Proposals or an RFP in which interested parties respond with what they will bring to the project and bidders are narrowed down even more.
Wilson says with a private-public partnership it is a revenue risk project where those involved finance the project and could be reimbursed via collections from a toll road.
Cut 12 (08) “…formula. ”
Wilson says they expect the cost of the project to be in the billion-dollar range, but they are searching for partners to bring about innovative cost-effective ways to build and maintain the bridge over time.
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Today the LSU Board of Supervisors will hear a report on the school’s handling of past sexual misconduct cases, specifically regarding football players.
USA Today LSU beat reporter Glenn Guilbeau cautions to temper any expectations the report will be a bombshell. He says the investigating firm, Husch Blackwell, was hired by the school after all…
Cut 13 (10) “…that out.”
Guilbeau says the report could be interesting because many of the people involved in the alleged mishandlings still work at LSU.
Cut 14 (12) “…book.”
Guilbeau says if the report itself is lacking detail or specifics it will be up to board members to grill investigators for more information…
Cut 15 (07)“…you want.”
The USA Today also uncovered more details about former coach Les Miles’ alleged misconduct involving female student workers. The investigation, which was completed in 2013, alleges Miles was barred from having one-on-one meetings, texting or interactions with student employees after he allegedly took one of the female students to his condo alone and on one occasion allegedly kissed her. Miles strongly denies kissing the girl and said he did nothing wrong.
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The LSU men’s basketball team looks to end the regular season tomorrow with a solid road win at Missouri. A victory would also give the Tigers the three-seed in next week’s SEC Tournament. Coach Will Wade says Mizzou is a big, physical team that features six-foot-ten senior Jeremiah Tillmon…
Cut 16 (08) “…a lot better.”
This could be the final regular-season game for several Tigers. Cam Thomas is expected to be one and done, Trendon Watford could leave after his sophomore season and Darius Days and Javonte Smart could also be heading for the pros after three seasons. Wade says Smart is having his best year at LSU
Cut 17 (15) “….part in the league”.
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The Saints have released 12-year veteran Thomas Morstead the franchise’s best punter. Morstead was more than steady since New Orleans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. But he did not have a good year by his standards in 2020 and New Orleans needs to free up money to get underneath the salary cap. Morstead thanked the fans during an emotional zoom call with reporters
Cut 18 (17) “…different ways.”
Morstead says he plans to keep punting in the NFL, but New Orleans will remain his home…
Cut 19 (20) “…exceptional.”
Morstead was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2012 and his average net punt is the second best in the NFL since the statistic first was recorded in 1976. He also made 15 playoff appearances and executed the onside kick to begin the second half in the team’s only Super Bowl victory….
Cut 20 (18) “…done that.”