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LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC West, according to journalists who attended the SEC Football Media Days. Alabama is once again the favorite in the West followed by Auburn, Mississippi State and  Texas A-and-M. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says fifth place is even lower than he projected….

 

Cut 3 (:13) “…Jimbo Fisher’s first year.”

It’s the lowest LSU has been picked since the 1990s. Moran says LSU’s difficult schedule is contributing the low expectations…

Cut 4  (14) “…under Dan Mullen.”

Moran says LSU’s biggest question marks are at quarterback and wide receiver, but the defense could be one of the best in the SEC…

Cut 5  (10) “in skilled positions”

Linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams are first-team all SEC preseason selections.

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The last two major candidates for the Secretary of State’s special election in November have qualified to run for the positioned vacated by Tom Schedler after sexual harassment allegations led to his resignation. Representatives Rick Edmonds and Julie Stokes are now in the special election race. Stokes, a Kenner Republican, says her top priority would be election security.

Cut 6 (13)  “the state.”

Secretary of State is responsible for state elections, along with new business registration.

Edmonds, a Baton Rouge Republican, also led with election security as the biggest issue take on if he were to be elected. He says one way he’d address potential vulnerabilities in the election system would be by purchasing the best, most secure voting machines money can buy.

Cut 7 (08)  “best protection.”

Democrat Renee Fontenot Free and former Republican state legislator A.G. Crowe joined the race earlier this week.

The office became available after former Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned in the wake of sexual harassment and stalking allegations involving his former secretary. The high profile resignation lead to calls for an overhaul of state sexual harassment policies. Stokes says if elected, she won’t let that kind of behavior happen on her watch.

Cut 8 (11) “fellow personel”

While primarily considered an elections office, the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for helping new businesses get their paperwork to get started. Edmonds says if elected, he’d work with the department to do more to facilitate business growth in the state.