The Governor’s race is over and Louisiana’s politicos turn their attention to the 2020 races. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana sees its first casualty to vaping as part of a larger national outbreak of illness and death.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Governor Edwards activates the state’s cybersecurity team in response to an attack on state government computer systems. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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This year’s big race is over but it’s never too soon to start looking towards 2020. Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says even though Democratic Governor Edwards just won re-election, don’t expect another statewide upset for the party…

Cut 4 (10) “right now.”

Cassidy was first elected in 2014, beating Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu 56 to 44.

The President put a lot of time and effort into flipping the Governor’s Mansion but ultimately failed. Stockley says even though Rispone ran as a Trump proxy…

Cut 5 (13) “…in play.”

In 2016 President Trump won the state 58-38 over Hillary Clinton.

All of Louisiana’s U-S House delegation is up for re-election in 2020, but Stockley says none of the incumbents will face a real threat. The only question is whether  Congressman Ralph Abraham will retire. Stockley says a decision needs to be made soon…

Cut 6 (08) “decisions”

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Louisiana sees the first death from the outbreak of vaping related illness.  Nationally, over 2,000 cases of illness have been detected and are to blame in 40 deaths.   Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says so far, thirty cases of vaping lung injuries have been diagnosed in the state.

Cut 7 (09) “…that they deserve.”

The identity of the deceased has not been released due to privacy laws.  The median age for victims is 29-years-old, with the youngest person being 17 and the oldest being 71.  Kanter says there is still much mystery surrounding vaping and what is causing the lung injuries to happen.

Cut 8 (10) “…nicotine in it.”

55 percent of those reporting lung injuries stem from vape products that contained the combination.  One in five individuals reported using nicotine alone.  Recent data indicates middle and high school vaping rates have doubled since 2017 in Louisiana. In 2019, an estimated 32 percent of high schoolers and 15 percent of middle schoolers reported using vape products more than once.

Kanter says there is only one recommendation in mitigating the risk of lung injuries from vaping.

Cut 9 (11) “   …addiction to quit.”

Kanter adds the Louisiana Quit Line, often used by cigarette smokers, can help provide resources to those who want to stop vaping as well.

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Livingston and Albany, two towns in Livingston Parish ended their prohibition on liquor sales in overwhelming votes Saturday.

Albany Mayor Eileen Bates-McCarroll says the processed started last year at a Livingston Chamber of Commerce meeting when area leaders agreed it was time to put the issue up for a vote.

Cut 10 (10) “…Margarita.”

25 percent of the electorate in Albany had to sign a petition to get the issue on the ballot.

Bates-McCarroll says the vote will help out the local economy by incentivizing development along their I-12 exit, and hopefully bring a few new restaurants into town.

Cut 11 (10) “decision”

Opponents of the ordinance believe the law change could result in more incidents of drunk driving.

Bates-McCarroll has lived in town long enough to watch attitudes change as different folks move in and out, and…

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The Mayor says the liquor ban was originally passed in Albany about half a century ago.

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A ransomware attack brought most of the state government to a halt on Monday.   The attack forced the shutdown of state agency websites as well as email and internet access. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says upon detection, the Office of Technology Services initiated security protocols.

Cut 13 (05) “…state’s network traffic.”

A hacker can use ransomware to block a user’s access to a computer system until the target pays whatever price tag is set on a ransom. Governor Edwards tweeted no ransom has been paid. Edwards has activated the state’s cybersecurity team in response to the attack.

Berry says a similar attack took place over the summer with some of the state’s school systems.

Cut 14 (05) “…kind of thing.” 

The issue shut down operations at the state’s 79 OMV locations. Berry says no personal data has been leaked as a result of the attack.

Cut 15 (11) “…one by one.”

Edwards tweeted full restoration of services may take several says.

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An LSU win on Saturday against Arkansas and the Tigers will clinch an SEC West title and punch their ticket into the SEC Championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he hasn’t really thought about postseason play yet

Cut 16  (13)  …beat Arkansas.  

The oddsmakers are not expecting much of a game on Saturday. LSU is a 44.5 point favorite.

LSU will spend this working on improving a defense that allowed 402 yards rushing in a victory over a four-win Ole Miss team. Orgeron says they had guys out of position on some of those long runs, so getting guys in the right position is critical

Cut 17  (15)  me first” 

Is it possible LSU doesn’t have the personnel to be a great defense? They seem to be missing All-American linebacker Devin White, who is now with the Buccaneers. Orgeron still believes in his guys…

cut 18  (25)  the season strong” 

Governor Edwards can thank a surge in African American voter participation for keeping him from loading up a U-Haul and leaving the Mansion. Power Coalition for Justice and Equity Executive Director says they knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors to push voter turnout, but President Trump’s three visits to Louisiana during the campaign also energized minority voters…

Cut 5 (10) “…vote” 

Shelton made the statements on Talk Louisiana.

Governor Edwards tweets that the cyber-attack on state websites that shuttered them, and closed down the OMV today was the result of a ransomware attack. The attack was initially discovered on one state website, and in order to stop it from spreading across the rest of the network the decision was made to shut down all state sites. The Division of Administration reports that no data was compromised, and no ransom was paid as a result of the attack.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh criticizes his party’s inability to flip the Governor’s mansion but celebrates the substantial gains the GOP made in the Legislature. This election cycle saw the GOP take a supermajority in the Senate and a near super-majority in the House. Seabaugh says if the Governor felt he had trouble working with GOP legislative leaders in his first term, he hasn’t seen anything yet.

Cut 7 (08) “…in both Houses.”

Seabaugh is a candidate to be the next House Speaker.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River.  The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews will make several significant repairs.

Cut  12 (09) “…LED-type lighting system.” 

African American voter participation jumped six percent from the primary to the run-off, a major reason why Governor Edwards will be returning to office for another four years. The Power Coalition was at the center of that effort, and Executive Director Ashley Shelton says this year’s minority turnout will help keep minority priorities in the conversation in Baton Rouge, regardless of party affiliation.
Cut 4 (10) “…vote.”
Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh criticizes his party’s inability to flip the Governor’s mansion. Seabaugh says GOP challenger Eddie Rispone had multiple flaws, from his reliance on President Trump to having young political consultants who had no idea about Louisiana politics.

Cut 6 (08) “…the Republican side.”

Seabaugh is a candidate to be the next House Speaker

Folks who come down with the flu can turn to Baloxivir (bal-OX-uh-veer), an anti-viral treatment that’s been out a little over a year publicly. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fred Lopez, says the drug can reduce the severity and amount of time you’ll be sick…
Cut 9 (10) “…symptoms.”
The treatment is approved for anyone over the age of 12.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River.  The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the structural integrity of the bridge is not in question.

Cut 14 (07) “…a 50-year-old bridge.”

The work will require single lane closures during the project.

Black voter turnout propels Governor Edwards to a second term, and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice was at the heart of that effort. Executive Director Ashley Shelton says the group knocked on over 298,000 doors, sent 375,000 text messages, and made over 350,000 phone calls.

Cut 3 (07)   “…old school” 

Democrats may have maintained the Governor’s Mansion but Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the near Republican supermajority in the Legislature will curtail much of Edwards’ agenda…

cut  2 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”    

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Folks who come down with the flu can turn to Baloxivir (bal-OX-uh-veer), an anti-viral treatment that’s been out a little over a year publicly. It’s not the only post-infection flu medication out there, LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fred Lopez says unlike the others it’s just a single dose in pill form, and it’s newer…

Cut 10 (11) “…viruses.”

That being said Lopez says there’s no substitute for the flu vaccine.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says contractors are in the assembly period to get everything they need to get the work done into place.

Cut 13 (07) “..early 2021.”

The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973.

Analysts credit a huge turnout of African-American voters for helping Governor John Bel Edwards win re-lection. The Power Coalition knocked on thousands of doors and sent text messages to black voters urging them to vote. Executive Director Ashley Shelton says President Trump’s three visits to Louisiana during the campaign also energized minority voters…
cut 5 (10) “….vote”
Shelton was a guest this morning on Talk Louisiana.

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh appeared on 7-10 KEEL’s morning show and says with the Republicans holding a supermajority in the Senate and a near supermajority in the House, the next four years could be contentious if Edwards keeps pushing left-leaning policies….
cut 8 (08) “…standoff”
Seabaugh is seeking to be the next House Speaker.

The state Department of Transportation announces work will begin in January on improving the 1-20 bridge over the Mississippi River. The two-mile bridge connects Madison Parish to Warren County, Mississippi and it was built in 1973. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews will make several significant repairs.
Cut 12 (09) “…LED-type lighting system.”
During construction, single-lane closures will be required, but no lane closures are expected in both directions at the same time.

The Saints intercepted four passes yesterday on their way to a 34-17 win over Tampa Bay. P-J Williams, filling in for the injured Marshon Lattimore also had to defend one of the best receivers Mike Evans. Williams had one of those interceptions. Coach Sean Payton…
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New Orleans is 8-and-2 and will host 5-and-5 Carolina on Sunday.

Black voter turnout powered Governor Edwards’ successful reelection bid. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the people behind that surge…
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But election night wasn’t all bad for Republicans. Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin was re-elected and Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the G-O-P has a large majority of legislators in the House and Senate…
cut 7 (08) “….in both houses”

The Louisiana Health Department has confirmed its first vaping-related death. Privacy laws prevent the state from identifying the victim. But L-D-H can say that there have been 30 cases of lung illnesses or injuries that are tied to vaping products. The median age of the victims is 29-years-old.

If you come down with the flu, there’s a new anti-viral treatment you can take that can reduce the severity and the amount of time you feel sick. It’s called Baloxivir (bal-OX-uh-veer). LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Doctor Fred Lopez, says the treatment is approved for anyone over the age of 12, but that being said, there’s no substitute for the flu vaccine…
cut 11 (10) “…country”
Less than 50 percent of US adults get vaccinated for the flu every year.

Technical issues have shut down certain state government services, including the D-M-V and SNAP benefits.

Black voter turnout powered Governor Edwards reelection victory, and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice was one of the major drivers of that effort, knocking on 298,000 doors, sending 375,000 texts, and making 350,000 phone calls to minority voters. Executive Director Ashley Shelton says this year’s minority turnout will help keep minority priorities in the conversation in Baton Rouge, regardless of party affiliation.

Cut 4 (10) “…vote.”

Folks who come down with the flu this season will likely be turned onto Baloxivir, an anti-viral treatment that’s been out a little over a year publicly. LSU Health New Orleans Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says if you get infected, the treatment can help reduce the severity and amount of time you’ll be under the weather…

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Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says despite having a Democratic victory over the Governor’s mansion, there is still a strong GOP counterbalance in the state legislature. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”    

State websites are down due to a technical problem and the OMV has canceled service for the day.

LSU is 10-and-0 but Saturday’s 58-37 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels was a disappointing affair for the Tigers defense that gave up 614 total yards, the most given up by an LSU defense since 2001. Coach Ed Orgeron says the most important thing is that they won the game…
cut 18 (16) “…way it is”
LSU returns home this Saturday night to host Arkansas. The Razorbacks are two and eight and averaging just 353 yards a game.

With one more regular-season game left, there’s a three-way tie for first place left in the Southland, between Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls and Central Arkansas. The Colonels won their third straight on Saturday as Coach Tim Rebowe’s team started fast and defeated McNeese 34-20…
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S-L-U has won four in a row and hosts Nicholls on Thursday.

The Saints intercepted four passes yesterday in their 34-17 win over Tampa Bay. On offense, quarterback Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas had a strong game with eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Brees says the trust factor he has with Thomas is high…
Cut 16 (10) …every play.
The Saints return home to host Carolina this Sunday. Atlanta beat the Panthers 29 to 3 yesterday as Kyle Allen was intercepted four times.

The 49ers continue to have the best record in the N-F-C as San Francisco rallied to beat Arizona 36-26.

Only nine players suited up for the Pelicans last night but they still defeated Golden State 108-100, who is also battling injuries. Six players scored in double figures for the Pels, led by J-J Redick’s 26 points.