With State Representative Julie Emerson now the fifth Republican to mount a primary challenge against Senator Bill Cassidy, the Republican says he’s not worried about his political future. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The special session may end today. Jeff Palermo reports a bill to move the federal election primaries back from April to May is one vote away from final legislative passage.
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Tulane football coach Jon Sumrall addressed the LSU coaching vacancy. Andre Champagne has more.
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State Representative Julie Emerson announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate Monday morning, running for the seat currently held by Bill Cassidy. The Carencro representative says while she views herself as a staunch conservative, she also sees herself as a consensus-builder.
Emerson says she has proven that she can work across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation.
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Emerson is the fifth prominent Republican to mount a primary challenge against Cassidy, who says he welcomes the additional competition and the political attacks that will come with it.
Cut 6 (05) “…plan on winning.”
Cassidy says while Emerson and all other challengers tout their conservative credentials, he has actually proven them in Washington.
Cut 7 (08) “…with President Trump.”
So far, no Democrat has announced his or her candidacy for the U.S. Senate race.
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The special session could end today as the House is poised to approve legislation that would move next year’s federal primary election from April to May. Democrats do not have the votes to stop the change to the election cycle, but they’ve been vocal in their opposition. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle believes there’s a push to move the dates back so Republicans can re-draw a new Congressional map with only one Black majority district instead of two, after the Supreme Court rules the current map is unconstitutional.
The bill is by Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter, and he was asked how the state will explain why the primary election dates were pushed back a month. Kleinpeter says the answer is simple.
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Marcelle asked Kleinpeter that if the Supreme Court ruled the Congressional map unconstitutional, could he support a new map with Black majority districts?
Cut 10 (18) “…wouldn’t be here.”
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If you haven’t left the house yet this morning, you should plan on putting on at least a lightweight jacket. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re in for the coldest temperatures so far this season today.
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Keim says that’s the way it’s going to be for the rest of the week right into Halloween night. The good thing is, you won’t have to put a poncho on your little ghouls and goblins – but a jacket might be appropriate.
Cut 12 (09) “…keep them warm.”
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LSU football fans, get used to the name Frank Wilson. He’s going to be the team’s head coach for the remainder of the season. He was appointed interim head coach Sunday after the school fired Brian Kelly after almost four seasons at the helm. During his first news conference following his appointment, Wilson said he’s excited for the challenge.
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Wilson says he will work to lead LSU to a strong finish to the season.
Wilson says he’s not thinking into the future, whether he would be considered for the full-time vacancy. He says when he was asked to serve as head coach for the remainder of the season, he jumped at the opportunity.
Cut 15 (09) “…university extremely well.”
To say that Wilson’s first test is a difficult one is putting is very mildly. Following a bye week, LSU heads to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama.
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Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall addressed the coaching carousel when he met with the media on Tuesday. Sumrall is expected to be one of the top candidates for the LSU head coaching position, but he says he’s committed to being with the Green Wave.
Cut 16 (18) “…guys know that.”
As a head coach, Sumrall has a record of 38-and-10 with Troy and Tulane. Sumrall is not fazed or distracted by the mentions of his name in the coaching searches and says he’s locked in on playing UTSA on Thursday.
Cut 17 (11) “…my focus, fully.”
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Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (“shuck”) has been named the starter for the Saints moving forward after the recent struggles of Spencer Rattler. Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says head coach Kellen Moore’s decision to bench Rattler in-game was surprising.
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Jackson says Sunday’s game against the Rams is a golden opportunity for Shough to prove to the coaching staff that he can be the future quarterback of the franchise.
Cut 19 (21) “…building around him.”
Jackson says Shough is going to have to be successful in a few specific parts of his game if he wants to break out.