The three major candidates for Governor will take the stage tonight at 7pm for the final gubernatorial debate of the primary. Matt Doyle has more.
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Governor Edwards’ former employee Juanita Washington is suing Edwards to get access to documents related to former Deputy Chief of Staff Johnny Anderson, who allegedly sexually harassed and assaulted her…
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The cost of driving on Louisiana roads is estimated to cost up to almost $2300 per driver annually according to new research. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The final gubernatorial debate of the primary kicks off tonight at 7 pm on Gray Television networks across the state.
Governor Edwards is sure to be questioned about the growing sexual harassment scandal involving his former deputy chief of staff Johnny Anderson. LSU Shreveport Poli Sci professor Jeff Sadow says Edwards’ previous concise deflections on the question have been effective.
Edwards is being sued by his former employee Juanita Washington who says she was harassed and assaulted by Anderson.
Eddie Rispone enters this debate as the top polling Republican with just four days until voting. Sadow says the Baton Rouge businessman needs to make himself look good for potential run-off voters.
A November 16th run-off would be triggered if no candidate cracks over 50 percent of the vote.
Abraham refrained from attacking Rispone in the last debate despite a salvo of Rispone attack ads, but Sadow says Abraham needs to go on the offensive to hopefully gain some momentum.
The debate will be held in Shreveport.
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Juanita Washington, the woman who accused Governor Edwards’ former aide, Johhny Anderson, of sexual harassment has filed a public records lawsuit in order to gain access to information related Anderson’s tenure. Washington says she was forced to resign from her position after she made the accusation.
The suit seeks documents, texts, and emails associated with Anderson.
Washington and her attorneys from Truth in Politics say Edwards has missed several deadlines after numerous requests to release public records concerning the harassment case. She filed a lawsuit on Tuesday demanding the release of those documents.
Edwards Deputy Executive Counsel Tina Vanichchagorn says that Truth in Politics requested 15 separate items pertaining to this case on August 8th. Vanichchagorn says each request takes time to prepare.
She says the political organization also requested 49 other records in the last three months.
Washington says that she retracted her resignation after Governor Edwards fired Anderson over the allegations, and Washington says that Edwards would not let her have her job back. Vanichchagorn stated that was not the case.
Cut 10 (09) “…to do that.” (Cut 10 is glitching at the moment, you can find the audio in the cut for 30, or in the Newscall full file)
Vanichchagorn said that within six hours of learning of the allegations against Anderson, Governor Edwards had him removed from office.
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New research shows rough, congested, and unsafe roads are costing Louisiana motorists around $6.9 billion annually, which could cost up to almost $2,300 per driver. Spokesperson for the transportation research group TRIP, Rocky Moretti, says safety alone costs a total of $2.3 billion.
Cut 11 (09) “…in traffic safety.”
Moretti says vehicle operating costs are $2.1 billion statewide due to cars getting beat up from tattered roads and needing to be repaired or replaced.
Cut 12 (10) “…stress it’s under.”
Moretti says longer commutes to work cost motorists time with family as well as limit job opportunities.
Cut 13 (07) “…they can employ.”
The TRIP report shows nearly half of major locally and state-maintained roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
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The “On the Road Again” project is being considered a huge success. The program lets parents who’ve lost their license for falling behind on child support to catch up in and get their license reinstated. Department of Children and Families Regional Administrator for Child Support Enforcement Sandra Broussard says they’ve seen an 85% increase in collections this year.
Broussard says the project lightens up on the qualifications for a limited time to get a letter from DCFS to take to the OMV to get a license back.
Cut 15 (11) “…may have ordered.”
Last year, during a six week period, 195 people took advantage of the program. Broussard says this year was extended to 8 weeks, with 291 people getting back on the road again. The money will benefit 365 families with 480 children.
Cut 16 (09) “…to our families”
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Big game tonight for the Ragin Cajun football team as they host Appalachian State in a game that will be televised by ESPN Two starting at 7 PM. The two teams met in the first Sun Belt championship game last year and both teams could meet again in the conference title game. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says he’s impressed with Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas…
Napier says they are not treating tonight’s contest like another game
Cut 18 (13) championship game”
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LSU’s offense, which leads the country in scoring, faces its toughest test by far on the season when they host Florida. The Gators lead the SEC in scoring averaging allowing 10 points a game and they lead the conference in sacks with 26. Center Lloyd Cushenberry says protecting quarterback Joe Burrow is a must
Last year, Florida dominated LSU’s o-line, beating the Tigers 27-19. Cushenberry says he has not forgotten…