Ralph Abraham is the first gubernatorial candidate to receive an endorsement from a member of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

As Saints QB Drew Brees is out for surgery his team is prepping for games without him. Head coach Sean Payton says he will not name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. That means we could see both Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill.

Cut 10 (07) “doing”

Louisiana has the second-highest rate of women who were murdered by men in the country according to the Violence Policy Center. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says Louisiana is just behind Alaska that tops the rankings at nearly 4 murders per 100,000, and the rest of the top ten is comprised of rural and southern states. Rand says there’s a number of factors at play.

Cut 8 (11) “…issue”

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Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under.  Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says in the first year of life, the recommendation is to not provide sugary beverages.  Instead, rely on breast milk or formula.

Cut 12 (07) “…to maintain hydration.”

A study shows Louisiana has the second-highest rate of male on female murder in the nation.

cut  2 (30) Matt Doyle”  

Saints QB Drew Brees is scheduled to have surgery today in Los Angeles and reports indicate the injury could take six weeks to fully heal, but Coach Sean Payton says any timeline is premature until after the procedure is done. That being said, it’s unlikely we’ll see Drew on the injured reserve list.

Cut 9 (05)  “optimistic”

Congressman Clay Higgins endorses Ralph Abraham in the governor’s race, citing concerns over a new anti-Abraham attack ad being aired by Republican contender Eddie Rispone. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Rispone may have gone too far.

Cut 4 (07) “…against Mr. Rispone.”

The election is October 12^th.

Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under. In the first year of life, the recommendation is to not provide sugary beverages.  Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says there is no shortage of notable organizations throwing support behind the new recommendations.

Cut 14 (11) “…endorse these recommendations.”

Clay Higgins is the first Republican from Louisiana’s House delegation to give an endorsement in the governor’s race. Higgins is backing Congressman Ralph Abraham. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the endorsement could be the first of several toward Abraham as a result of Eddie Rispone’s attack ad.  While Cross considers the ad a mistake for Rispone he doesn’t expect him to drop the race.

Cut 5 (09) “…bad money after good.”

Saints QB Drew Brees is set to have surgery on his throwing hand today in Los Angeles and many fans are concerned about seeing backup QB Teddy Bridgewater get extended snaps after the offense floundered against the Rams last Sunday. But Head coach Sean Payton says it was just one game.

Cut 11 (10) “…playing” 

The Saints play the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday.

Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under.  Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says half of all two-to-five-year-olds consume sugary beverages daily which can increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life.

Cut 13 (11) “…and proper growth.”

Louisiana has the second-highest rate of women who were murdered by men in the country according to the Violence Policy Center. The study shows 67 percent of the victims were shot, and over 90 percent of the women knew their killers. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says most of the murderers were husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends.

Cut 7 (11)“…problem” 

Ralph Abraham is the first gubernatorial candidate to receive an endorsement from a member of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Moody’s Investors Service changes the state’s credit outlook from stable to positive, which could result in a rating upgrade in a year or two. Moody’s says that’s because there has been a significant improvement in the state’s financial position. The better the credit rating, the lower the interest rate when the state has to borrow money for roadwork and construction projects.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees undergoes surgery today to repair a torn ligament in his throwing hand. In a conference call with reporters, Coach Sean Payton did not name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Seattle. It will be either Teddy Bridgewater or Taysom Hill…
cut 10 (07) “…doing”
Bridgewater filled in for Brees after he got hurt, but failed to get the Saints into the end zone.

Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under. Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says in the first year of life, no sugary beverages. Instead, rely on breast milk or formula.
Cut 12 (07) “…to maintain hydration.”
St. Onge says half of all two-to-five-year-olds consume sugary beverages daily which can increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life.

Louisiana has the second-highest rate of women who were murdered by men in the country according to the Violence Policy Center. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there were a shocking number of these murders in the Bayou State in 2017, which is the latest year for which data is available from the FBI.

Cut 6 (11) “…thousand.”

The national rate was 1.29 male on female murders per 100,000 in 2017.

Congressman Clay Higgins endorses Ralph Abraham in the governor’s race, citing concerns over a new anti-Abraham attack ad being aired by Republican contender Eddie Rispone. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Rispone may have gone too far.

Cut 4 (07) “…against Mr. Rispone.”

Two television ads with conflicting perspectives on criminal justice reform are now on air from Governor Edwards and GOP challenger Eddie Rispone. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Clay Higgins is the first Republican from Louisiana’s House delegation to make an endorsement in the governor’s race. Higgins is backing fellow Congressman Ralph Abraham. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the endorsement comes after Republican candidate Eddie Rispone attacked Abraham in a campaign ad…
cut 3 (08) “….other Republicans”
The Louisiana Republican Party issued a statement earlier this year urging candidates to refrain from in-party fighting.

Louisiana politicos are keeping a close eye on the legislative contests to see if Republicans can get a 70-seat supermajority in the House. LSU Assistant Professor of Political Communication Mike Henderson says Republicans have a solid opportunity to gain enough seats to override a governor’s veto.
Cut 14 (11) “…chance”

A new report indicates the energy savings sector saw solid growth in employment in Louisiana from 2017 to 2018…
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Beauregard, Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes are under a flash flood watch until Thursday night as Tropical Depression Imelda moves into Texas. Eastern rain bands from Imelda could produce up to four inches through tomorrow night. The rest of south Louisiana will scattered thunderstorms today.

A new ad from Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone claims that Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform plan has led to a 20-percent increase in murders. But a new Edwards ad features current and former law enforcement officials refuting what his campaign calls false attacks on Edwards’ public safety record…
cut 13 (10) “…above politics”

China purchases 67 million dollars’ worth of US soybeans and exempts the product from a new set of tariffs set to take effect this month as a sign of goodwill in ongoing trade negotiations. Louisiana Soybean Grain Research and Promotion Board Chairman Charles Canatella says it’s great news for one of the state’s biggest crops.

Cut 4 (11) “…back”

In exchange, the US will delay the onset of a new set of tariffs on China until October 15^th.

Employment in energy efficiency is up 6.3% from 2017 to 2018, much faster than the national average growth rate of 3.4%.  Policy Director at E for the Future Pat Stanton says those jobs range over various sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and services to track and lower energy consumption.

Cut 7 (09)“…lot of data.” 

More than 2,700 Louisiana businesses focus on energy efficiency.

Outside of the hotly contested governor’s race, Louisiana politicos are keeping a close eye on the legislative contests to see whether Republicans can get a 70-seat supermajority in the House. LSU Assistant Professor of Political Communication Mike Henderson says a supermajority is no guarantee of legislative success, but if Governor Edwards returns to office in 2020 then it’s their best bet to be able to pursue their agenda.

Cut 16  (08) “…governor”   

There are dueling commercials in the governor’s race that paints a different picture of the criminal justice reform initiatives pushed by Governor John Bel Edwards and approved by the state legislature. Republican challenger Eddie Rispone has an ad that says Louisiana is a hub of lawlessness and violent criminals are getting out of prison too early…
Cut 11 (10) “…Rispone for Governor.”
But an Edwards’ ad says accusations that his criminal justice reform legislation is bad for the state are not true and uses several law enforcement professionals to make the case.
Cut 12 (12) “…making Louisiana safer.”
The first televised debate featuring Edwards, Rispone and Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham is tomorrow night at 7:00 on Fox and NBC TV affiliates.

Research conducted by LSU Political Communication Professor Mike Henderson finds that there’s a chance Republicans can have a supermajority in the House if the election falls their way. Henderson says part of the equation is flipping five seats currently occupied by a Democrat or Independent…
cut 15 (12) “…elections”
Henderson says there are four district races in particular to watch, three of them are in the Baton Rouge area.

A report from E-Four-The Future and Environmental Entrepreneurs finds that the number of workers in the energy efficiency industry is up six-percent in Louisiana, which is higher than the national average of three percent. Policy Director at E for the future, Pat Stanton, says elected officials are doing their part too…
cut 8 (09) “…for low income”

Two television ads with conflicting perspectives on criminal justice reform are now on air from Governor Edwards and GOP challenger Eddie Rispone. Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

East Feliciana Sheriff Jeff Travis says his office will not pursue criminal charges against the driver of a vehicle spotted dragging a leashed dog on Sunday afternoon in the village of Wilson. Travis says its been determined the dog died before it was pulled and the facts in the case do not support a charge of animal cruelty.

There’s a sign the trade war between the U-S and China is easing as China purchases 67-million dollars worth of U-S Soybeans and pork and soy would be exempt from additional tariffs taking effect this month. Louisiana Soybean Grain Research and Promotion Board Chairman Charles Canatella says this is good news, but they’ve gotten their hopes up before…
cut 6 (10) “….go around”

Workers in the energy efficiency industry increased by six-percent in Louisiana from 2017 to 2018. Policy Director for E for the Future, Pat Stanton, says there are at least 22-thousand jobs and more than 27-hundred companies in the Louisiana energy efficiency cluster. And Stanton says residents are also seeing monetary savings from energy efficiency…
cut 9 (13) “…20 to 30-percent”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will undergo surgery this morning in Los Angeles on his throwing thumb. In a text message to media outlets, Brees said he’ll dedicate himself to the rehab process and get back as quickly as he can. A timetable on when Brees can return will be made once the surgery is concluded.

An LSU politics professor gives Republicans just over a twenty percent chance to win a Legislative supermajority in the House…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A new ad from Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone claims that Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform plan has led to a 20-percent increase in murders. But a new Edwards ad features current and former law enforcement officials refuting what his campaign calls false attacks on Edwards’ public safety record…
cut 13 (10) “…above politics”

Good news for Louisiana soybean farmers as privately run Chinese firms have agreed to purchase 67-million dollars worth of U-S Soybeans ahead of high-level talks next month aimed at ending the trade war. Louisiana Soybean Grain Research and Promotion Board Chairman Charles Canatella says there’s hope a long term could get done…
cut 5 (08) “…going on”