LRN PM Newscall November 19

Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would increase the amount of money Louisiana receives from offshore oil and gas revenue clears a U-S Senate Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Top Republican contenders stayed out of this year’s Governor’s race, but reports say a number of GOP stars are weighing a run in 2023. Matt Doyle has the story…

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Legislation that would direct hundreds of millions of dollars more in offshore oil and gas revenue to Louisiana clears a Senate Committee.

If it gets signed into law the change could result in a windfall for the state, but one that Senator Bill Cassidy, who authored the legislation, says is constitutionally mandated to fund coastal restoration…

Cut 3 (11)   “levees” 

The legislation would give Gulf states 50 percent of offshore revenue generated, up from 37.5 percent currently. Cassidy says it also closes a loophole that exempted some rigs from contributing revenue.

Cut 4 (05) “…amount”

The bill also eliminates the 500 million dollar cap on total payouts to states.

Cassidy is optimistic this year’s attempt will succeed where others have failed and says it’ll be a significant economic boon to the state once it passes.

Cut 5 (07) “…marshland” 

Louisiana receives roughly 44 percent of all state-directed offshore oil and gas revenue.

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The 2019 Governor’s race is in the books and ambitious Republican state leaders are reportedly eyeing a 2023 race that won’t feature a popular incumbent Democrat.

Two prominent statewide elected figures stand out as early frontrunners, one of them is Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who tends to stay out of partisan fights, and is highly popular across party lines.

Cut 6 (10) “…better.”

That’s UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross who notes Nungesser won 68 to 32 over Democratic challenger Willie Jones in the October primary.

Cross says the other man thought to be a top contender is Louisiana’s Attorney General.

Cut 7 (10) “…Rispone.”

Cross says Landry’s more conservative reputation gives him an advantage over Nungesser.

Cross says there are also several GOP lawmakers who will consider running…

Cut 8 (10) “   …players.”

Cross says as of now it’s hard to name a Democrat who would be competitive in the 2023 governor’s race. The constitution prohibits Governor Edwards from running for a third consecutive term.

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Eleven more juvenile whooping cranes have been brought to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area near Gueydan as the state wildlife officials attempt to re-establish the population of the rare bird. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the large birds have tracking transmitters and will be released next week, with the hopes they stay in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12) “…throughout the year.″

Zimorski says when reintroduction efforts started in 2011, the bird was absent from the state. The state’s population of the bird at one point was as high as 10,000 but was nearly wiped out in the 1950s.

Cut 10 (08) “…of going extinct.”

Zimorski says one of the contributing factors to the bird’s decline was the disappearance of wetlands in favor of agriculture development.  Now, the birds are starting to take a liking to some of those areas too.

Cut 11 (10) “…whooping cranes prefer.”

The current total population is estimated to be over 800 with nearly 660 in the wild, 68 of those being in Louisiana.

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy is the latest political figure to spotlight the conspiracy theory that multi-millionaire sex offender Jeffery Epstein may not have committed suicide in his prison cell.  Kennedy voiced his concerns during a Senate hearing with Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Kathleen Sawyer

Cut 12 (09) “…American people think.” 

Kennedy becomes the second Republican in Congress to acknowledge the speculation over Epstein’s death after Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar made tweets spelling out a message that highlighted the popular theory.  Kennedy says the American people deserve answers and acknowledged while Sawyer isn’t handling the investigation, she does talk to the people that are…

Cut 13 (09) “…a thorough investigation.”

Two correctional officers who were working the night of Epstein’s death have been arrested following accusations of falsifying documents after botching safety checks.  Epstein’s apparent suicide came before he could provide details about potential co-conspirators in sex-trafficking.  Kennedy says he wants investigators to put full focus into finding answers.

Cut 14 (07) “…they normally would.”