State leaders of all stripes will gather today at the foot of the State Capitol for Governor Edwards 11:30 AM swearing-in. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Two Republicans square off today for Speaker of the House, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the result could have massive Legislative implications…
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Coach O’s hometown of Larose in Lafourche Parish has a special electricity in the air as the LSU Tigers are at the doorstep of a national championship.
Cut 3 (29) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in today at 11:30 AM for his second term of office on the steps of the Capitol, weather permitting.
Advisor to the Governor Richard Carbo says attendees will get to hear from Edwards about his plans for the next four years, and enjoy some top-notch Louisiana talent.
The Governor’s Ball is traditionally held the night of the inauguration, but it’s been canceled to allow state dignitaries to head down to New Orleans for the CFP National Championship.
Second term celebrations tend to be a bit smaller than they were for the first term, but Carbo still expects a good number of supporters of both Edwards and the new Legislative class to attend.
The House and Senate convene at 10 AM, before the ceremony.
The mood will be celebratory, but UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says it won’t last long…
Cross says that’ll likely continue to tank his long-running campaign promise of a minimum wage hike. Instead, he’ll have to find some issues where there’s broad Legislative consensus.
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A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years today. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Lafayette Senator Page Cortez is expected to be picked as Senate President, but it’s a battle for House Speaker, between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder…
Mack represents the conservative wing of the near supermajority of Republicans in the House. Pinsonat says Mack has the backing of US Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry…
Kennedy and Landry co-signed an open letter telling Republicans to back whichever candidate receives the most Republican support, to keep Democrats from having any influence on the Speaker selection.
Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. If Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading the House….
The Louisiana Legislature convenes at 10 AM.
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Larose has it’s purple and gold ready for the big game tonight. The Lafourche Parish town is where Coach O grew up. Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron Henry LaFont says there is a surreal feeling in the town following his long path to get to the helm of LSU’s football program and at the doorstep of a championship.
Cut 11 (08) “…happen this quick.”
Coach O took over the team on an interim basis in 2016 before being named the permanent head coach. In the time since, LaFont says he has been most impressed with the way he has treated his players and his staff.
Cut 12 (09) “…second to them.”
LSU has played for a national championship before, but LaFont says having Coach O be a hometown boy adds something special to the situation.
Cut 13 (10) “…mean it’s unbelievable.”
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After a long 15-day layoff since winning the Peach Bowl, LSU and Clemson strap on the helmets tonight in college football’s national championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s tried to keep the preparation for this game close to what they’ve done all year
LSU is seeking its fourth national title in program history, while Clemson can win its third championship in four years. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney says the focus is not trying to become college football’s next great dynasty…
Orgeron says after studying Clemson for two weeks, they are prepared for what they’ll try to do tonight, but he knows they’ll get some different looks. He says the team that makes the best in game adjustments will win
Orgeron not only goes into this game representing LSU, he’s also representing Cajuns. Many around the country poke fun at Coach O’s accent and the coach has used that to his advantage