Former Louisiana Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been tapped to oversee the implementation of the one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that is expected to be signed into law today. Landrieu was the mayor of New Orleans when the city was allocated millions of dollars in federal money to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana voters rejected three of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s statewide ballot. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board has recommended that Governor Edwards should pardon the late Homer Plessy. He was a Creole man of color and was arrested in 1892 after he boarded the White section of a segregated train in New Orleans. Plessy was later convicted of the Separate Car Act but Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams says it’s time to wipe that conviction off the books…
cut 14 (04) “….deeply symbolic”
The governor is expected to follow the pardon board’s recommendation.

The state supreme court will be asked to decide whether a 2018 law that prohibits non-unanimous jury convictions should be retroactive, allowing those convicted on 10-2 or 11-1 verdicts to get new trials. The Louisiana Attorney General’s office says it will create chaos for the court system, defense attorney Hardell Ward disagrees…
cut 12 (13) “…actually affect”
An appellate court in New Orleans has ruled the 2018 law should be retroactive.

The President will sign the historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill today. It contains a reported $6-billion for roads and bridges in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been tapped to oversee the implementation of the legislation. Landrieu says their work will require strong partnerships across the government and with state and local leaders, business and labor to create good-paying jobs and rebuild America for the Middle Class.

Governor Edwards will be next to act on the Louisiana Pardon Board’s unanimous recommendation to posthumously pardon the late Homer Plessy. The man known as a 19th-century civil rights pioneer was arrested for trying to sit in the White section of a segregated train bound for Covington. Orleans Parish D-A, Jason Williams, spoke in favor of Plessy’s pardon.
Cut 13 (12) “…in this country.”
Plessy died in 1925 with the conviction for violating the railroad segregation law still a part of his record.

And the Louisiana Supreme Court will likely have to rule on whether those convicted by non-unanimous juries should receive a new trial. Non-unanimous verdicts were banned in 2018. Defense attorney Hardell Ward represents two men who were convicted on either a 10-2 or 11-1 verdict…
cut 10 (08) “…is a new trial”
The state supreme court will likely hear the issue next year.

President Biden is scheduled to sign the one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill today. It contains billions of dollars for Louisiana to improve roads and bridges. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there is also millions for public transportation, airports and flood control…
cut 8 (08) “….new program”
And President Biden has selected former Louisiana Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to manage the allocation of the dollars.

Three of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot failed, including Amendment One. Proponents say it would streamline tax collections. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many local governments opposed over concerns they would lose out on tax revenue…
Cut 4 (11) “…pretty good. “
Amendment Two passed as it will lower individual income tax rates, but taxpayers will no longer be able to deduct federal taxes paid on their state returns.

A legal showdown is brewing over whether persons convicted by split jury verdicts in Louisiana should get a new trial.:
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Monroe Police have arrested a 17-year-old in Saturday night’s fatal shooting death of Derrick Cowart. He died at a local hospital after first responders found him inside a home with a gunshot wound to his head. The teenage suspect was booked a short time later on a charge of second-degree murder.

Only Amendment two of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot received voter approval. Tax policy expert Jason DeCuir says amendment two will bring the state real tax reform as it will lower income tax rates for many individual tax files and reduce taxes on small businesses…
cut 6 (10) “….the franchise tax”
But amendment one, which had the support of the governor, legislative leaders and business groups failed. It would have created a centralized tax collection system. Amendments three and four also went down in defeat. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says voters have amendment fatigue…
cut 5 (08) “…of it”
There are no constitutional amendments on the December ballot.

President Joe Biden will sign the one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill today on the White House lawn. Louisiana will get billions of dollars from it to rebuild roads, bridges and water systems. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is excited about the possibilities…
cut 9 (07) “….businesses alike”
Former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been tapped to oversee the allocation of the spending.

The Louisiana Pardon Board has voted to pardon Homer Plessy who pleaded guilty in 1893 for violating the Separate Car Act when he sat in a “whites-only” railroad car in New Orleans. 64-year-old Keith Plessy, who is a descendant from a cousin of Homer Plessy, had this to say to the pardon board…
cut 15 (10) “…. Homer Adolph Plessy”
It’s expected Governor John Bel Edwards will agree that the Creole man should be pardoned.

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Polls are open today until 8pm in Louisiana but what’s available to vote on depends on your parish. Orleans Parish has the most items on the ballot because of municipal races, including the bid by Mayor LaToya Cantrell for a second term. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.
Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”
The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades…
Cut 9 (10) “…St James Parish.”
The bonfire season runs from November 21st to December 27th and the parish will begin issuing permits on November 20th
LRN
——————————
The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41 leading to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says while there has been a slight decrease, he doesn’t expect to see prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.
Cut 7 (11) “….into the winter.”
While OPEC has begun to slowly increase production, commuters won’t see a change in prices soon.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one of the major storylines in this election is the expected low turnout…
Cut 14 (09) “..lines.”
There are also races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Alford says the most interesting race is between Republican businessman Jeremy Stine and Democrat Dustin Granger in Lake Charles.
LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Bonfires on the Levee are officially greenlit for this Christmas Eve in St. James Parish after COVID snuffed them out last year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And Voters are heading to the polls today in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.
Cut 3 (09) “….what we have.”
The polls are now open and close tonight at 8 and those who don’t know where their polling location is can visit geauxvote.com to find out
LRN
——————————
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. The Mayor is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers.
There are races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the most interesting race is in Lake Charles as Republican businessman Jeremy Stine is battling with a high-profile Democrat…
Cut 13 (14) “…year ago.”
And a suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the suspect has been identified as Ahmad Green
Cut 15 (08) “…been arrested.”
Green was arrested in Shreveport and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million dollar bond. Officers are still looking for the suspect in the first shooting that occurred on October 13th.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Voters across Louisiana are finally getting their chance to vote Saturday after weeks of delay caused by Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
And the National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is an indication that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…
Cut 6 (11) “…going up.”
Redman says that OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production but we most likely won’t see an impact in prices at the pump for some time.
LRN
——————————
The Louisiana Tradition of Bonfire Lighting is finally back for the first time since the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufrense says canceling it last year was the most difficult thing he’s had to do as parish president and he’s overjoyed the event can finally be held again this year, weather permitting.
Cut 10 (11) “…normalcy.”
Permits will be issued by the parish on November 20th and will be lit on Christmas Eve at 7 pm.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell also opposes Constitutional Amendment one on the ballot which creates a single commission to collect sales and use taxes. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups support amendment one
Cut 12 (07) “…almost immediately”
Turnout for the election is expected to be relatively low.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

A Los Angeles Judge grants a petition to terminate the 13-year conservatorship for pop star and Kentwood native Britney Spears. It’s a victory for the Free Britney movement after Spears father and others have come under fire for an alleged abusive arrangement over her estimated $60 million estate. An attorney for Spears says a safety net for her personal and financial care will be put in place.

A suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says suspect Ahmad Green has been booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million-dollar bond. Reichardt says they are still looking for Jatavious Carroll of Delhi the suspect in the first shooting, that occurred on October 13th…

Cut  16 (10) “..get your information

Voters head to the polls Saturday in Louisiana. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments. Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.

Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”

The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades.

Cut  11 (08)  “…Christmas morning.”