A new city is coming to Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart reports voters in southwest East Baton Rouge Parish have voted to create St. George.
Cut 1 (33) “I”m Kevin Barnhart”
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Matt Doyle spoke with a political anaylst who explains how once longshot gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone pulled off his primary win against an entrenched establishment favorite…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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$115 million in federal grants is awarded to Louisiana schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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St. George is set to become the newest city in Louisiana following a vote that sees the area break away from Baton Rouge. St. George spokesperson Drew Murrell says for the next step, the Governor will soon appoint a mayor and city council.
Cut 4 (07) “…and city council.”
Murrell expects the city to be officially incorporated by January 1st. Murrell says the election results are like winning the Super Bowl to those who have been pushing the City of St. George movement for years.
Cut 5 (11) “…more efficient government.”
Murrell says the city now surpasses Lake Charles as the fifth largest city in the state.
Cut 6 (11) “…to be created.”
The population shift now means Shreveport overtakes Baton Rouge as the second-largest city in Louisiana.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s rise from statewide unknown to GOP standard-bearer came as a surprise to many political analysts who underrated his chances nearly a year ago.
UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says analysts underrated Rispone’s uncomplicated, straight forward branding as a President Trump-loving businessman. He says it was a clarion call for white voters.
Cut 7 (11) “…well.”
Rispone was the first Republican to announce his candidacy when he joined the race late last year.
Cross says Rispone was able to tap into a growing sense of identity politics among many white voters in the United States whose views align closely with Rispone’s messaging.
Cut 8 (11) “…values.”
Cross says roughly 200,000 more rural, mostly white voters showed up to vote in this primary than in 2015’s.
The President and Vice President made visits to Louisiana the week before the election. Cross says the last-minute blitz was effective, and a sign of a changing local political climate.
Cut 9 (06) “…races.”
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Rescue operations are still underway at the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans, but officials are increasingly concerned the incoming rainy weather could make the site even more unstable.
Several inches of rain is projected over the next few days and New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says that could cause some serious, new problems.
Cut 10 (07) “…collapse.”
Two people are confirmed dead as a result of the Saturday morning construction site collapse. McConnell says they aren’t giving up hope for a third unaccounted for person.
Cut 11 (11) “prayers”
The collapse occurred on Canal Street and Conti, and forced the evacuation of nearby businesses including the Saenger Theatre, which was airing the Broadway musical Wicked.
The structure has two cranes attached, one of which is visibly damaged and could come down at any moment. McConnell has bad news about the other…
Cut 12 (08) “…crane”
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The US Department of Education awards Louisiana $115 million in grants. A total of five grants will help support students and teachers over several years. Superintendent of Education John White says it’s exciting news for the state to receive the support from the five competitive grants.
Cut 13 (12) “…in our schools”
The lion’s share of the funding comes from the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program Grant, which will see $100 million awarded over five years. White says the state aims to serve 600 high-need schools and early education providers by the end of the grant period.
Cut 14 (10) “…a college level.”
White says the next step for schools to obtain a portion of the money is figuring out the best distribution.
Cut 15 (12) “…on these issues.”
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After a two-touchdown victory over Florida, LSU gets ready to visit Mississippi State for a 2:30 kick-off against the Bulldogs. Two years ago, the Tigers went into Starkville and were handed 37-7 loss. Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys were not prepared to play that night…
Cut 16 (17) “…that stadium”
LSU is 6-0, but the Tigers defense has had trouble stopping teams at times. Orgeron says he doesn’t want LSU involved in games like last Saturday, when both teams are trading touchdowns
cut 17 (15) “…get better”
Tiger Stadium was electric on Saturday and plenty of recruits were in attendance. Orgeron says the feedback he’s received has been outstanding
Cut 18 (22) our fans”