Acadiana Representative Phillip DeVillier is the Republicans’ choice for the next Louisiana Speaker of the House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Governor’s Office has launched “56 for 56” – a social media campaign highlighting one of the governor’s accomplishments every day for his final 56 days in office. While the series highlights the progress of Governor Edwards, Digital Creator for the Governor’s Office Tyler Walker says it also celebrates Louisianans who supported and worked with Governor Edwards since 2016.

Cut 6 (13) “…we’ve made.”

The question looms if incoming lawmakers can meet the January 15^th deadline to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district.  Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez says it’s best to ask for a deadline extension because it’s not ideal for current lawmakers to meet.

Cut 9 (11) “…could pass.” 

Early voting numbers in the Bayou State show only 254,000 people voted that’s 115,000 fewer voters than the October early-voting turnout. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says this is not a good indication for Democratic candidates who are in big races like Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Cut 12 (11) “…statewide contender.” 

The question looms if incoming lawmakers can meet the January 15^th deadline to redraw the state’s congressional map.  Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez says they’ll have a better idea soon if current or incoming lawmakers will address the map.

Cut 10 (08) “…take it up.” 

Federal Judge Shelly Dick ruled the map must have two majority-black districts, not one.

It appears that Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier is the Republicans’ choice for Louisiana Speaker of the House. LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says he’s never seen a legislature so pro-active, and they need to get a leg up because…

Cut 3 (10) “….right off the bat.”

And there’s a chance another special session could be called before the regular session begins in March.

The Governor’s Office has kicked off the “56 for 56” social media campaign for Edwards’ final days in office…

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A Natchitoches Parish Grand Jury has returned a decision of “No True Bill” on assault charges filed by Natchitoches Parish President candidate Latorria Freeman against current President John Richmond. The criminal complaint alleged Richmond had a physical altercation with Freeman.  Freeman a Democrat is in a runoff with Independent John Salter. The charges will be dismissed.

A federal Court has given the Louisiana legislature until Jan. 15 to pass a new congressional map for the state that would include a second majority-minority district.  Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez doesn’t think the deadline is ideal…

Cut 9 (12) “…could pass.” 

And if Edwards vetoed the maps, because of the limited timeline, Cortez there would be a veto override session for incoming lawmakers and Governor-elect Landry.

Governor John Bel Edwards term ends on January 8th and until then Louisianans will be able to view his top accomplishments in the “56 for 56” social media campaign. Digital Creator for the Governor’s Office Tyler Walker encourages Louisianans to comment on their favorite state improvement during Edwards tenure.

Cut 8 (11) “….this week.” 

The public can follow the Governor’s social media accounts and use the hashtag #56for56.

The 2023 school performance scores were released by the Louisiana Department of Education and there’s good news for students in the Bayou State. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

UNO surveyed 429 residents over the telephone and 17-percent of the respondents cited crime as the top priority for incoming Governor Jeff Landry. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak…
cut 15 (09) “….public safety”
15-percent said the economy needs to be Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s top priority, 12-pecent said education.

The overall performance score for Louisiana public schools is 78.5. That’s the highest score since 2018, which is encouraging to state education leaders. But Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says more work needs to take place…
cut 5 (10) “….student needs”
The number of low-performing schools that needs special attention from the state has grown from 272 in 2019 to 353.

The Secretary of State’s Office projects a voter turnout for Saturday at around 20-percent. Pollster John Couvillon says the three statewide races are not generating a lot of buzz, but there are some hotly contested local elections…
cut 13 (11) “….the primary”
Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Governor John Bel Edwards has less than two months to go in his second term as governor. So one of the things the governor will do during this time is highlight some of the accomplishments. He is the 56th governor so the social media campaign is called 56 for 56….
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Digital creator for the Governor’s office, Tyler Walker, says they’ll also recap economic development projects, criminal justice reform and the first social media post during this campaign was dedicated to the Medicaid expansion.

23-year-old-Jacoby Johnson of Rayville faces four counts of attempted second-degree murder after four women were stabbed on LA Tech’s campus Monday morning. A student, who did not witness the incident and asked not to be identified questions why the school was never put on lockdown.

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The ages of the victims are 23, 62, 65, and 72.

JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says turnout among Louisiana’s Democratic voters for the November 18^th election may be worse than the primary. 115,000 less voters participated in early voting for the runoff….

Cut 12 (11) “…statewide contender.” 

Polls open at 7 am on Saturday and close 8 pm.

Yesterday the Governor’s Office launched “56 for 56” – a social media campaign highlighting one of Edward’s accomplishments each day of his final 56 days in office. Governor’s Office Digital Creator Tyler Walker says it also celebrates Louisianans who supported and collaborated with Edwards since 2016.

Cut 6 (13) “…we’ve made.”

According to a new poll, Edward’s job approval is 40 percent, 41 percent disapprove, and 20 percent had no opinion. UNO conducted the statewide survey and pollster Ed Chervenak says Edwards’ approval rating is 20 percent higher than when predecessor Governor Bobby Jindal left office…

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Edwards who is Louisiana’s 56^th governor leaves office on January 8^th.

Detectives are trying to determine what sparked Monday morning’s stabbing on the Louisiana Tech campus that left four people injured. Brooke Thorington has more…
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Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier has gained enough support from fellow legislators to be elected as the next speaker of the house for the Louisiana House of Representatives. DeVillier will begin serving his third term on January 8th and that’s when official vote is expected to be taken. Metairie Republican Cameron Henry is expected to be the next Senate President.

UNO surveyed 429 residents over the telephone and 17-percent of the respondents cited crime as the top priority for incoming Governor Jeff Landry. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak…
cut 15 (09) “….public safety”
15-percent said the economy needs to be Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s top priority, 12-pecent said education.

The overall performance score for Louisiana public schools is 78.5. That’s the highest score since 2018, which is encouraging to state education leaders. But Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says more work needs to take place…
cut 5 (10) “….student needs”
The number of low-performing schools that needs special attention from the state has grown from 272 in 2019 to 353.

Officials are calling Monday morning’s stabbing on the Louisiana Tech campus that injured four people a random attack. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…
cut 7 (10) “….always do”
23-year-old student Jacoby Johnson of Rayville was arrested and a motive has not been established. One of the victims is in critical condition at a hospital in Shreveport.

Governor John Bel Edwards has less than two months left in office and his approval rating according to a new poll is at 40-percent, 41-percent disapprove of the job he’s done and 20-percent did not provide an opinion. UNO conducted the statewide telephone poll and pollster Ed Chervenak says Edwards’ approval rating is 20-percent higher than when former Governor Bobby Jindal left office in 2016…
cut 14 (06) “…20 percent”

2023 public school performance scores are out and they show consecutive years of growth…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Eunice Republican Phillip DeVillier has reportedly received enough support from his colleagues that he’ll be the next House Speaker for the Louisiana Legislature. An official vote will take place when a new state legislature convenes on January 8th.

Also, Governor Edwards is considering holding a special session so the outgoing legislature can redraw the Louisiana Congressional map so it contains two majority minority districts.

A stabbing on Louisiana Tech’s campus yesterday left four people injured one of them is in critical condition at a Shreveport hospital. Two others are in serious but stable condition, while the fourth victim refused treatment. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says the attack happened around 9 AM at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center…
cut 9 (10) “…when this happened”
A student identified as Jacoby Johnson was arrested in what authorities are calling a random act of violence.

The attack shook many of the students that attend Louisiana Tech. A student we spoke with, believes the school should have gone into lockdown when the attack occurred…
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A candlelight vigil is scheduled for tonight on campus.

The Louisiana Department of Education has released Student Performance Scores and in spite of the unprecedented disruptions since 2020, State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley is encouraged.
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The overall state performance score for the 2022-23 school year is 78.5 out of a possible 150 points. It’s the best score the state has had since 2018.

A telephone survey of 429 Louisiana registered voters finds that 52-percent of respondents support the legalization of recreational marijuana. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says prior to 2021, a majority of voters were firmly against legalization.
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He says there is a clear inverse relationship between age and support for legalization, with increasing age associated with deceased support.