President Biden will pardon thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. Biden says marijuana laws disproportionately affect people of color. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Andre Belanger says it’s a bold move for the president politically, but…:
Cut 13 (13) “…is going to have.”

We’re a month away from the November eighth open congressional primary election. U-S Senator John Kennedy is a heavy favorite to win re-election. Democratic candidates Luke Mixon, Gary Chambers and Syretia Stieb (Stibe) are trying to force a run-off, and pollster John Couvillon says Black voters are expected to come out strong from Chambers and Stieb…
cut 4 (10) “….comes up with”

The 46th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta is underway in Sabine Parish, and they expect to serve five thousand dozen tamales. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are just a month away from the federal elections. Senator John Kennedy is the heavy favorite to win re-election, but pollster John Couvillion says that race might have some surprises.  Marsanne Golsby reports

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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The 46^th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta is underway in Sabine Parish, and they are prepping to serve five thousand dozen tamales. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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President Biden pardons thousands of persons for federal marijuana possession convictions. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Federal elections are getting close. The open congressional primary election will be on November 8^th. Senator John Kennedy is considered a heavy favorite to win re-election. However, pollster John Couvillon says that race could have implications that affect next year’s statewide races.

Cut 4 (10)  “…comes up with.”

Kennedy’s best-known challengers are moderate white Democrat Luke Mixon and African American Democrat Gary Chambers. Couvillon says he expects Chambers to finish second.

In Southwest Louisiana, incumbent Clay Higgins is facing what Couvillon believes is a strong challenge from Republican attorney Holden Hoggatt. Couvillon says Higgins is potentially vulnerable because of perceptions he wasn’t aggressive in seeking hurricane relief funds.

Cut 5 (09) “…two years ago.”

He noted that former Congressman Dr. Charles Boustany is expected to endorse Hoggat next week.

Couvillon says national turnout has been steadily increasing in recent years and he expects that to continue—even in a relatively low-key election season in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (06)  “..healthy side.” 

Early voting begins October 25^th and goes until November 1^st.

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Louisiana is known for its Cajun cuisine but in Sabine Parish this weekend you can honor a beloved Mexican staple at the 46th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta. It was almost five-decades ago when Festival President Chris Loupe’s father originated the event after then-Governor Edwin Edwards offered matching funds for festivals this time of year.

Cut 7 (12) “…do it again.”

The four-day event which kicked off Thursday has plenty of rides, music, arts and crafts, and even a parade on Saturday. And Loupe says this festival also has a few other things that aren’t your run-of-the-mill activities, like taking your truck for a spin in the mud bog…

Cut 8 (07)  “…you can.”

The Tamala Fiesta can attract some 15-thousand people and Loupe estimates around five thousand dozen tamales will be consumed this weekend. And if for some reason you’re not a tamale connoisseur…

Cut 9 (13)  “…good tamale.”

As far as the tamales go, Loupe says they have mild, medium, hot, and extra hot but he warns to consume the latter with extreme caution.

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U.S. Senators released a PSA warning about the dangers of Rainbow Fentanyl ahead of the Halloween season. Executive Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center at LSU Health Shreveport Nick Goeders says the Drug Enforcement administration has found this rainbow fentanyl in 21 states since February…

Cut 10 (12) “…in them.”

Dr. Goeders says the pills are made as a way to disguise the drug as it comes into the country, in some cases even looking similar to oxycontin…

Cut  11 (09)  “…real medicines.”

Dr. Goeders says while he can’t be sure the drug is targeting children, it could be easily mistaken and urges parents to take caution when trick-or-treating this year…

Cut 12 (10) “…take that” 

Dr. Goeders recommends parents look at the DEA’s online resource, “What every parent and caregiver needs to know about fake pills” to find more information.

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President Biden will pardon thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law, and he is calling on state governors to do likewise. Biden says marijuana laws disproportionately affect people of color. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Andre Belanger (bel AHN zhay) says it’s a bold move for the president politically, but…:

Cut 13 (13) “…is going to have.”

In a written statement the President says “no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.” His pardon affects only those convicted of federal marijuana charges, which Belanger says is relatively few. He says, as it is, the pardons are “no big deal”…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…be a big deal.”

Biden is calling on state governors to follow suit and pardon their simple possession convictions as well. Belanger says our state is actually ahead of many others in taking steps to decriminalize marijuana possession, and other marijuana reforms are being considered. Governor John Bel Edwards may consider issuing state pardons for simple possession before he leaves office at the end of next year…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…two different concepts.”

In Louisiana, simple possession of weed carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and fines up to $500 for a first offense.

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LSU will face its biggest test yet as they take on eighth-ranked Tennessee in Death Valley tomorrow. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who transferred to the team from Arizona St. this offseason, says he’s excited for the challenge that comes with playing in the SEC…

Cut 16 (20)  “…have fun.” 

Daniels has thrown for 915 yards and 6 touchdowns on a 68% completion percentage this season, but his biggest stat is his zero interceptions to this point. Daniels says he prides himself on limiting turnovers…

Cut 17 (19) “…the ball.” 

The Tigers are averaging 36 points per game this season and 26 in SEC play, but against the high-flying offense of the Volunteers, wide receiver Malik Nabers says they need to get off to a fast start…

Cut 18 (14) “…field longer.” 

Tiger Stadium is already sold out for the 11 AM kickoff.

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After losing to Arkansas State 48-25 last Saturday, ULM will host Coastal Carolina for homecoming tomorrow. The Warhawks are 2-and-3 and Coach Terry Bowden says the losing record does not sit well for his team…

Cut 19 (15) “…be successful.”

Coastal is 5-0 and they won a close game last week, edging out Georgia Southern 34-30. Bowden says they will arrive in Monroe believing they will come away with a win…

Cut 20 (23) “ …football game.” 

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A day after launching his bid to be the next governor of Louisiana. Attorney General Jeff Landry spoke with Jeff Palermo about his campaign…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the U-S Department of Commerce is sending 300-thousand dollars to his tourism department so that the state can use those funds to promote Louisiana as a travel destination in three specific international markets…Madrid, Milan, and Mumbai…

Cut 7 (06) “…or state.”
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says he has been meeting with USDA officials on how to create a better mechanism for farmers to receive assistance when they’re impacted by natural disasters, because disaster funding is handled differently each time for farmers. He says there needs to be a standard mechanism in place.

Cut 10 (10) “…of parishes” 

According to Dr. Loren Scott’s economic outlook, he believes there will be a national recession in the first to third quarter of 2023, but Louisiana should be able to weather the storm due to expected job growth. He says the recession

will be relatively short because the federal reserve has to do something to curb our current inflation.

Cut 14 (10)  “…into a recession.” 

And after that he expects Louisiana will see a growth of some 31-thousand jobs.

Louisiana is expected to see major job growth over the next two years even amid a predicted national recession. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Lafayette High was placed on lockdown for some time today, as cops checked up on social media threats of violence. At least two students were taken into custody. In St. Martin Parish, St. Martinville Junior High was evacuated to investigate a reported bomb on the campus. After a thorough search, no bomb was found. The “all clear” was given at about 1:30. Just kids having fun…?

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says he’s been meeting with USDA officials on how to create a better mechanism for farmers to receive assistance when they are impacted by natural disasters. He’s hoping revisions will be added to the new farm bill and he says they may look at having “ag” added to the Stafford Act…:

CUT 09(08)      “…separate appropriation.”

Strain says there’s no standard on how natural disaster funding is handled when they lobby congress for assistance for farmers. Each time he says it’s processed differently, which isn’t good.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is off to a perky start of a year of campaigning for Governor. Landry says he wants to get Louisiana off the bottom of by-state rankings…:

CUT 05(09)      “…put up with that.”

Though many names are mentioned as being interested in running, Landry is first to make it official.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is now officially a candidate for Governor in 2023, and he certainly sounds like one. He says, as the governor, he’ll focus on reducing crime, improving education and the state’s economy. Landry says he’ll get out there and spend some time with voters and then release a detailed plan on addressing those…:

CUT 04(11)      “…being last.”

Landry is expected to gather a LOT of company in the race to be the state’s next governor next year.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the feds need a standard procedure for doling out disaster aid for farmers, and he’ll go to Washington soon to discuss getting that done. Strain says natural disasters can set farmers back badly, as with Hurricane Ian last week in Florida…:

CUT 11(12)      “…pay that bill.”

Louisiana will get a pot of federal dollars to help promote the bayou state in other countries, like Spain, Italy and India. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says we were growing internationally as a tourist destination, and then COVID hit…:

CUT 06(09)      “…breaking numbers.”

Nungesser plans a promotional trip to Australia soon to invite the Aussies to enjoy what Louisiana has to offer.

Federal and local authorities have busted an international drug ring that was operating out of a lavish sprawling home on the banks of Baton Rouge’s LSU lakes. Five men and a woman were arrested; some of them foreign nationals. Hundreds of thousands in illegal drug cash was stashed in the home; inside air vents, nooks, crannies and even in the center of a large decorative column. They also found loaded guns stowed all over the home.

The Bayou State is expected to add over 14-thousand new jobs over the next year. That’s according to economist Dr. Loren Scott in his annual economic outlook report. Good news, sure…but Scott says that’s still 38-thousand jobs short of what pre-pandemic levels. He says we ARE expecting to go deeper into recession next year, but…:

CUT 13  (07)        “…through the recession.”

He says a lot of federal infrastructure law money will mean loads of construction jobs. He also expects to see further jobs growth on 2024.

The news that OPEC was reducing daily oil production has had the expected result on gas prices. The state wide average cost of regular today is $3.20; 7-cents higher than just yesterday, and a dime higher than a week ago. Fuel analysts say try to budget spending between $3 and $4 a gallon through the winter.

Now officially on the gubernatorial campaign trail for 2023, Attorney General Jeff Landry looks forward to getting out there to discuss solutions to the state’s troubles…:

CUT 03  (13)        “…those problems.”

His priorities? Crime, education and the economy.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana is getting federal funds to help make up for its tourism losses during the pandemic. $300-thousand from the U.S. Department of Commerce will be added to $600-thousand in state funds to promote Louisiana abroad. Up next, a marketing trip to Australia…:

CUT 08(08)      “…to Louisiana.”

A day after launching his bid to be the next governor of Louisiana. Attorney General Jeff Landry spoke with Jeff Palermo about his campaign…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

When Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the possibility of Landry being his successor, Edwards says he’s not ready to back anyone politically for the state’s head office, but he said he knows he won’t Landry. The two have been opposed on several occasions as they held statewide office, the most recent disagreement was over COVID restrictions.

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says he has been meeting with USDA officials on how to create a better mechanism for farmers to receive assistance when they’re impacted by natural disasters, because disaster funding is handled differently each time for farmers. He says there needs to be a standard mechanism in place.

Cut 10 (10) “…of parishes” 

According to Loren C. Scott and Associates’ economic outlook, the Bayou State is expected to add over 14-thousand jobs next year and more than twice that in 2024. But Economist Dr. Loren Scott says that’s still 38-thousand jobs short of the pre-pandemic employment level.

Cut 12 (12) “…recovering those jobs.”

Scott predicts there will be a significant growth in industrial construction jobs to support infrastructure projects in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lake Charles.