Small business optimism is up, but the National Federation of Independent Business still wants a change in the Governor’s mansion….
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Now that the legislative session is over, expect to hear more from the candidates for Governor, Democratic Incumbent John Bel Edwards and his two Republican challengers Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on the early tone of the race…
cut 4 (10) “…party philosophy”

Governor Edwards is in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services. The law will bring Uber and Lyft to the Houma-Thibodaux region, central Louisiana and other areas of the state that currently do not have it. Uber spokesperson Evangeline George on when they may go statewide…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

A Houma man is dead after State Police say he wrecked his car into a tree following another crash where he fled the scene. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 44-year-old Ricky Giroir Jr. was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Highway 315 in Terrebonne when the initial crash happened.
Cut 12 (10) “…that fatal crash.”
Sandifer says investigators are uncertain why Girior fled from the initial crash.

With the legislative session in the books, the state’s political focus shifts to the governor’s race and the October 12^th primary ballot. It’s been a quiet race so far, with little ad spending from Governor Edwards and his two Republican opponents, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says expect that to change, and soon…

Cut 3 (12) “…August.”

Governor Edwards is challenged by Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

Small business optimism is up according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says in addition to the wrap up of the legislative session, the new tax code on the national level is contributing to the rise.

Cut 7 (10) “…into their business.”

Governor Edwards is set to sign legislation that will start the process of OKing ride share services like Uber and Lyft statewide.Uber spokesperson Evangeline George says authorizing Ubers across the state will expand tourism access for visitors who are interested in seeing more than just the big city sights.

Cut 9 (07) “…Louisiana.”

Previously Uber only operated in the state’s major cities and was not present in many rural and suburban communities, or Alexandria.

Small business optimism is up according to the National Federation of Independent Business.   NFIB Louisiana spokesperson Dawn Starns says business owners in Louisiana area feeling better now that the 2019 legislative session is in the rearview mirror.
Cut 6 (07) “…any damage anymore.”
Starns says the new tax code on the national level also contributes to the rise.

If a recent forecast is any indication, the 2019 Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record.  The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Jersey, is an area with very little oxygen.  LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the higher nitrogen levels in the Mississippi River come from fertilizer and chemical runoff from large farms along the river.
Cut 12 (10) “…not much happening.”
The dead zone is not a danger to humans.

2020 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary voters will be weighing in later in the season than usual after the state’s primary date gets pushed back…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Jennings man is in jail accused of stealing crawfish. Sheriff’s deputies in Jefferson Davis Parish have made the arrest of 22 year old John Coleman, after he allegedly nabbed eleven sacks of crawfish from a cooler. Coleman admitted to detectives that he took the mudbugs and is now being held without bond.

The Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary has been pushed back a month to April 4^th, 2020, making this cycle’s Louisiana primary the latest in two decades.  That could leave the state voting after a primary winner has all but been decided, but Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says there is a bonus to voting later…
Cut 4 (10) “…that month”
On the heels of Governor Edwards’ signature of abortion restrictions, a poll is out showing 42 percent of Democratic voters would like another Democrat to challenge the incumbent in the gubernatorial race.  UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says the poll does provide some good news for Edwards. 60 percent of Democrats opposed his signing of the restrictions, but some of those pro-choice Democrats seem to still be in his corner.
Cut 9 (07) “…anyway.”  We Ask America, who ran the poll, is reportedly a Republican friendly polling firm.

If a recent forecast is any indication, the 2019 Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record.  The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Jersey, is an area with very little oxygen.  LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.

Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”

The dead zone is not a danger to humans.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging everyone in southwest Louisiana to participate in a hurricane evacuation study conducted by LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey will take place by phone and will take about 18 minutes to complete. The polling helps to determine how accurate the evacuation times are with current zoning.

Cut 14 (08) “…support that population.”

Legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session will move the 2020 presidential primary to April fourth, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Handwerk says despite the later primary date, he expects several candidates will still be seeking the nomination…
cut 6 (12) “…to us”
The state was scheduled to hold the presidential primary on March 7th, but that would put the spring general election on Easter weekend, which is a violation of state law.

The Shreveport City Council will vote this afternoon on a measure to repeal the city’s saggy pants ordinance. Councilwoman LeVette Fuller says the government should not tell people how to dress. But Councilman James Flurry says his constituents tell him that they want the ban to remain in place.

A survey from the Republican-leaning polling firm We Ask America finds that 42-percent of Democrats in Louisiana would like to see another Democratic candidate for governor, because of John Bel Edwards anti-abortion views. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards re-election campaign team should be concerned…
cut 8 (12) “….area”
At this point, there’s been no indication of a Democrat planning to challenge the governor.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying residents in ten southwest Louisiana parishes to find out more about their hurricane preparedness plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell…
cut 15 (09) “….prepare emergency responders”

A poll of Louisiana Democrats finds that 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat challenge Governor Edwards this fall. Matt Doyle explains why…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Thibodaux this afternoon for a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation that creates a statewide framework for ridesharing services like Uber and Lfyt. The law will bring ridesharing services to Alexandria and rural areas.

Scientists predict the northern Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone this summer is the second largest on record. It’s an area in the Gulf that has low oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Doctor Nancy Rabalais says it’s a big problem for shrimpers…
cut 11 (09) “…imports as well”
Excessive nutrients and fertilizer from farmlands along the Mississippi River watershed have caused the dead zone.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is currently surveying residents in 10 southwest Louisiana parishes about their hurricane evacuation plans. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey is looking for information to improve evacuation operations.
Cut 13 (11) “be taking pets.”
Mitchell says the phone survey takes 18 minutes to complete.

On the heels of Governor John Bel Edwards signing the fetal heartbeat abortion bill, a survey of 500 Louisiana Democrats finds 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat run for governor. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says an ambitious, pro-choice Democrat could pose a serious threat to Edwards’ re-election chances, but…
cut 7 (12) “….the party”
The survey found that only 32-percent of Democrats support the governor’s pro-life position.

The 2020 Presidential Primary will take place in April next year, about a month later than originally planned. Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says with a large field of Democratic presidential candidates, he expects Louisiana to remain an important state in the nomination process…
cut 5 (07) “…in Louisiana”

Scientists predict the 2019 Dead Zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record. The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Hampshire, is an area with very little oxygen that can’t support marine life. LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.
Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”
Researchers will map out the hypoxic area next month.

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is surveying southwest Louisiana residents to learn more about their hurricane preparedness plans…
voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana scientists predict the dead zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico is the second largest on record, about the size of New Hampshire. The dead zone is a low oxygen area that can’t support marine life. LSU professor Doctor Nancy Rabalais says the ag industry is not doing enough to keep the nutrients and fertilizer out of the Mississippi River watershed, which is causing the dead zone…
cut 12 (10) “…not much happening”

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is polling residents in 10 southwest Louisiana parishes to learn about their hurricane evacuation plans. Brant Mitchell says the polling helps determine if emergency preparedness officials have the correct times in place for when to call for evacuations……
cut 14 (08) “….support that population”

2020 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary voters will weigh in later in the season than usual after the state’s primary date gets pushed back. Matt Doyle has reaction from the state democratic party….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

2020 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary voters will be weighing in later in the season than usual after the state’s primary date gets pushed back…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

A poll shows two in five Louisiana Democrats would like to see another Democrat challenge Governor Edwards in the fall race. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________________________

LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute is conducting a hurricane evacuation study that could result in more efficient plans for evacuating southwest Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________

The Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary has been pushed back a month to April 4^th, 2020, making this cycle’s Louisiana primary the latest in two decades.

That could leave the state voting after a primary winner has all but been decided, but Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Chairman Stephen Handwerk says there is a bonus to voting later…

Cut 4 (10) “…that month”

Handwerk says he’s not afraid that moving the primary back will mean fewer options for Louisiana voters as the field narrows. He adds that with a competitive primary field of over 20 candidates…

Cut 5 (07) “…Louisiana.”

Polls show former Vice President Joe Biden leading the pack, followed by Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Analysts say you can get a pretty clear picture of who is going to be the nominee after the March primaries are finished, but Handwerk says with record breaking fundraising, Louisiana’s later date could set it up for some serious attention…

Cut 6 (12) “…to us.”

 ________________________________________

On the heels of Governor Edwards’ signature of abortion restrictions, a poll is out showing 42 percent of Democratic voters would like another Democrat to challenge the incumbent in the gubernatorial race.

UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says an ambitious, pro-choice Democrat could pose a serious threat to Edwards’ reelection chances, and put their name on the map nationally, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…the party.”

Edwards received widespread condemnation from national Democrats for his signature of the fetal heartbeat abortion ban passed by the legislature.

Only 43 percent of Democrats say they would not like to see another Democrat, and Cross says Edwards’ signature of those abortion restrictions has presented a new challenge for his re-election effort.

Cut 8 (12) “…area.”

Among Democrats under 35-years-old, 64 percent support having another Dem option in the race.

Cross says the poll does provide some good news for Edwards. 60 percent of Democrats opposed his signing of the restrictions, but some of those pro-choice Democrats seem to still be in his corner.

Cut 9 (07) “…anyway.”

We Ask America, who ran the poll, is reportedly a Republican friendly polling firm.

___________________________________________________

If a recent forecast is any indication, the 2019 Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico may be the second largest on record.  The zone, which is estimated to be about the size of New Jersey, is an area with very little oxygen.  LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says the swelling Mississippi River levels are to blame for the near-record size.

Cut 10 (07) “…high this year.”

Researchers will be mapping out the hypoxic area coming up next month.

Rabalais says the low oxygen levels in the Gulf can impact shrimpers as they may stay closer to shore and get smaller shrimp that are not worth much money, or choose to go further offshore beyond the dead zone.

Cut 11 (09) “…imports as well.”

Rabalais says the higher nitrogen levels in the river come from fertilizer and chemical runoff from large farms along the river.

Cut 12 (10) “…not much happening.”

The dead zone is not a danger to humans.

_________________

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging everyone in southwest Louisiana to participate in a hurricane evacuation study conducted by LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute. Institute Director Brant Mitchell says the survey is looking for information to better assist in evacuation operations.

Cut 13 (11) “be taking pets.”

Mitchell says the survey will take place by phone and will take about 18 minutes to complete. The polling helps to determine how accurate the evacuation times are with current zoning.

Cut 14 (08) “…support that population.”

Mitchell says these types of surveys happen in other hurricane-prone areas as well.

Cut 15 (09) “prepare emergency responders.”

Calls will be made to those living in Acadia, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermillion Parishes.

_______________________________________

It was a disappointing end to the 2019 LSU baseball season as the Tigers failed to live up their number one preseason ranking. But Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says 2020 LSU baseball team will be a contender for the College World Series again next year

Cut 16  (21) “…be the key”  

LSU could have a starting rotation of Cole Henry, Landon Marceaux, Jaden Hill and Eric Walker next season, plus Matt Beck and Devin Fontenot return as key relievers. Moran says that has the makings of a strong pitching staff…

cut 17 (19) “.all year” 

Moran says a key to next year’s team success is the development of Gavin Dugas and Drew Bianco, as they will likely be starting infielders next season. He says the incoming freshmen that will play a role on next year’s team are Denham Springs shortstop Cade Doughty, Memphis outfielder and football star Maurice Hampton and former Airline star Hayden Travinski, who has power in his bat

A cold front will bring the Bayou State cooler temperatures and lower humidity for the next few days. Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says says the heat and humidity will return Friday afternoon, so get outside the next few days and enjoy this brief return to spring like weather…

Cut 5 (12) “…several days.”

The battle to deter hazing on college campuses continues with a bill on the way to the Governor’s desk authored by Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry.  It revises the state’s current anti-hazing laws based on the recommendations of law enforcement, and requires organizations to report hazing much sooner in the process. Landry says with the changes, campus police are allowed to take their hazing investigation beyond the campus.

Cut 14 (12) “…hazing perpetrators are.” 

The 2019 Legislative Session marks the first increase in base funding for higher education in a decade. Lawmakers appropriated an additional 47-million dollars to help with mandated costs for universities and colleges. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says lawmakers were attentive to their issues…

Cut 9 (10) “….to do that.”

On the heels of Governor Edwards’ signature of abortion restrictions, a poll is out showing 42 percent of Democratic voters would like another Democrat to challenge the incumbent in the gubernatorial race. Only 43 percent of Democrats say they would not like to see another Democrat, Among Democrats under 35-years-old, 64 percent support having another Dem option in the race. 60 percent of Democrats opposed his signing of the restrictions. We Ask America, who ran the poll, is reportedly a Republican friendly polling firm.