The 2019 Governor’s race is in the books and ambitious Republican state leaders are reportedly eyeing a 2023 race that won’t feature a popular incumbent Democrat. Two prominent statewide elected figures stand out as early frontrunners, one of them is Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who tends to stay out of partisan fights, and is highly popular across party lines.

Cut 6 (10) “…better.”

Cross says the other is AG Jeff Landry.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is the latest politician to question whether or not multimillionaire pedophile Jeffery Epstein hung himself in his New York jail. Epstein’s apparent suicide came before he could provide details about potential co-conspirators, reportedly including high profile people, in sex-trafficking.  Kennedy says he wants investigators to put full focus into finding answers.

Cut 14 (07) “…they normally would.”

Eleven more juvenile whooping cranes have been brought to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area near Gueydan as the state wildlife officials attempt to re-establish the population of the rare bird. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the population of the bird at one point was as high as 10,000 but was nearly wiped out in the 1950s.

Cut 10 (08) “…of going extinct.”

Zimorski says when reintroduction efforts started in 2011, the bird was absent from the state.

Legislation that would direct hundreds of millions of dollars more in offshore oil and gas revenue to Louisiana clears a Senate Committee. The legislation would increase the percentage of offshore oil and gas revenue sent to the state. US Senator Bill Cassidy says it also closes a loophole that exempted some rigs from contributing revenue.

Cut 4 (05) “…amount”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would increase the amount of money Louisiana receives from offshore oil and gas revenue clears a U-S Senate Committee.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Division of Administration says most online state services are now back in action after yesterday’s ransomware attack. Authorities now believe the attack was initiated after an illicit file was downloaded to a state computer, and roughly 1,600 computers and 130 servers will need to be rebuilt as a result.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is the latest political figure to question whether multi-millionaire child sex offender Jeffery Epstein committed suicide in his prison cell.  Kennedy voiced his concerns during a Senate hearing with the Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Kathleen Sawyer…

Cut 13 (09) “…a thorough investigation.”

Kennedy becomes the second Republican in Congress to acknowledge the speculation over Epstein’s death after Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar.

It’s early but the 2023 Governor’s race is shaping up to potentially be packed with some of the biggest names in Louisiana Republican politics. The two frontrunners, if they decide to run, appear to be Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana’s attorney general…

Cut 7 (10) “…Rispone.”

That’s UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor who adds Congressman Garret Graves and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt are two other names to watch.

Legislation that would direct hundreds of millions of dollars more in offshore oil and gas revenue to Louisiana clears a Senate Committee. If signed into law, it would be a windfall for Gulf Coast states and Senator Bill Cassidy, who authored the legislation, says in Louisiana the money must go to coastal restoration…
Cut 3 (11) “levees”
The legislation would give Gulf states 50 percent of offshore revenue generated, up from 37.5 percent currently.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is the latest political figure to spotlight the conspiracy theory that multi-millionaire sex offender Jeffery Epstein may not have committed suicide in his prison cell. Kennedy voiced his concerns during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Kathleen Sawyer
Cut 12 (09) “…American people think.”
Kennedy becomes the second Republican in Congress to acknowledge the speculation over Epstein’s death.

A U-S-A Today Network report says Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are two well-known Republicans who may run for governor in 2023. U- Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there are also several GOP lawmakers who will consider a run…
cut 8 (10) “…players”
Cross says as of now it’s hard to find a Democrat who would be competitive in the 2023 governor’s race. The constitution prohibits Governor Edwards from running for a third consecutive term.

The state has received eleven more juvenile whooping cranes as it continues an effort to rebuild the population of the large bird that is endangered. LDWF biologist Sara Zimorski says the birds are currently at the White Lake Conservation Area near Gueydan and will soon be released in a habitat that’s to their liking…
cut 11 (09) “….prefer”
There are 68 whooping cranes in Louisiana.

The Division of Administration says most online services are available today following the attempted ransomware attack on state government, but Office of Motor Vehicle locations remain closed for the rest of the day. State Police and several federal agencies are investigating this attempted ransomware attack.

Top Republican contenders stayed out of this year’s Governor’s race, but reports say a number of state GOP stars are heavily weighing a run in 2023. Matt Doyle has the story…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Eleven more juvenile whooping cranes have been brought to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area near Gueydan as the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries attempts to re-establish the population of the rare bird. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the large birds have tracking transmitters on them and will be released next week, with the hopes they stay in Louisiana.
Cut 9 (12) “…throughout the year.″
The current state population is in the dozens.

The Office of Motor Vehicles remains closed today after an attempted ransomware attack on the state’s computer system forced a temporary closure Monday. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry…
Cut 15 (11) “…one by one.”

Louisiana reports its first vaping-related death. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The 2019 election season is over and when you look ahead to next year, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the only question is whether Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision should be made soon…
Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

This past weekend voters in the small Livingston Parish towns of Livingston and Albany overwhelming approved the sale of liquor. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the new ordinance will boost the local economy by incentivizing development along the I-12 exit and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town…
Cut 11 (10) “decision”

The Office of Motor Vehicles will open at noon today after an attempted ransomware attack on the state’s computer system forced a temporary closure Monday. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry…
Cut 15 (11) “…one by one.”

Louisiana reports its first vaping-related death. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The 2019 election season is over and when you look ahead to next year, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the only question is whether Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision should be made soon…
Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

This past weekend voters in the small Livingston Parish towns of Livingston and Albany overwhelming approved the sale of liquor. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the new ordinance will boost the local economy by incentivizing development along the I-12 exit and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town…
Cut 11 (10) “decision”

After a ransomware attack brought most of the state government to a halt on Monday the Department of Motor Vehicles is expected to open at noon today. The attack forced the shutdown of state agency websites as well as email and internet access. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says a similar attack took place over the summer with some of the state’s school systems.

Cut 14 (05) “…kind of thing.” 

No personal data has been leaked as a result of the attack.

Louisiana sees its first vaping related death.   Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says the identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.  Kanter says there is still much mystery surrounding vaping and what is causing the lung injuries to happen.

Cut 8 (10) “…nicotine in it.”

The Governor’s race is over, and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Drew Brees is venturing into yet another new business enterprise. According to The Advocate the Quarterback is the co-owner of Surge Entertainment Center in Lafayette set to open this Saturday. The Center will feature a trampoline park, bowling lanes, karaoke room, golf simulator, batting cages and a restaurant. This is not his first business venture, he’s the co-owner of a restaurant and owns several franchises and is an investor in Waitr.

Governor Edwards activates the state’s cybersecurity team in response to an attack on state government computer systems. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana sees the first death from the outbreak of vaping related illness.  Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says there is only one recommendation in mitigating the risk of injuries from vaping.

Cut 9 (11) “   …addiction to quit.”

The identity of the victim has not been released due to privacy laws. For help quitting call 1-800-Quit-Now.

This year’s big election is over in the Bayou State but it’s never too soon to start looking towards 2020.  ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says even though many feel Donald Trump was on the ballot instead of Eddie Rispone in the Governor’s race this year, Stockley says it’s not a reflection on Trump in the Presidential race.

Cut 5 (13) “…in play.”

Livingston and Albany, two towns in Livingston Parish ended their prohibition on liquor sales in overwhelming votes Saturday. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the process started last year at a Livingston Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Cut 10 (10) “…Margarita.”

Louisiana reports its first vaping-related death. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

I-T officials are trying to get the state’s servers back up after an attempted ransomware attack forced the closure of the state’s O-M-V offices and D-C-F-S could not accept food stamp applications. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry…
cut 15 (11) “…one by one”
Full restoration of services could take a few days.

The 2019 election season is over and when you look ahead to next year, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the only question is whether Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision should be made soon…
Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

This past weekend voters in the small Livingston Parish towns of Livingston and Albany overwhelming approved the sale of liquor. Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the new ordinance will boost the local economy by incentivizing development along the I-12 exit and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town…
cut 11 (11) “…decision”
Opponents of the liquor law change could result in more impaired drivers.

An attempted ransomware attack is causing website issues and disrupting business for most state agencies. The attack forced several state agency websites to shut down and many state workers were left without email. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says upon detection, the Office of Technology Services initiated security protocols.
Cut 13 (05) “…state’s network traffic.”
In a social media post. Governor Edwards says there is no anticipated data loss and the state did not pay a ransom. The governor’s office says it could take days to restore all websites and online operations.

Louisiana has reported its first vaping-related death. Nationally, there have been 40 deaths. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says so far, 30 cases of vaping lung injuries have been diagnosed in the state.
Cut 7 (09) “…that they deserve.”
The identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.

The Governor’s race is over and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today on Capitol Hill, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on legislation that would increase offshore revenue sharing between the federal and state governments from 37.5-percent to 50-percent, bringing the percentage in line with onshore energy production. If the legislation is approved, it will move to the full Senate for its approval.