There has been a rise in women running for legislative seats in Louisiana, but the state still has the lowest percentage of seats assigned to females in the nation.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “I”m Kevin Barnhart”

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A political consultant projects a record-breaking amount of money will be poured into the governor’s race over the next thirty one days, starting with some new ads from both campaigns…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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 Three State Police Academy employees have been reassigned as part of an ongoing investigation into training sessions that State Police say may have gone too far…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Despite many women being on the recent ballot, Louisiana has one of the lowest percentages of seats assigned to women in the state legislature. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the national average is about 30% while in Louisiana it is about 16%.

Cut 4 (10) “…where we were.”

Ultimately, 77 women ran for legislative seats. Cross says there are multiple factors that contribute to rise of women candidates.

Cut 5 (12) “…didn’t get elected.”

Cross says while they are striving to get into power, women still have the hurdle of figuring out how to get the votes to land in office.

Cut 6 (10) “…successful in Louisiana.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will provide in-state testing for Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal ailment impacting the deer population nationally, but has not yet been detected in Louisiana. LDWF deer program manager Johnathan Bordelon says if hunters want to have their deer tested, they can pay $37.50 to have a test done.

Cut 7 (12) “…turnaround in results.” 

Bordelon says the disease is a neurological infection that can be spread multiple ways, including deer to deer.

Cut 8 (11) “…infection are multiple.”

The disease is has been detected in 26 states including all three that border Louisiana.  Bordelon says while there has been no human sickness linked to CWS, the CDC does have a warning for hunters out of an abundance of caution.

Cut 9 (13)  “…consume that deer.”

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The first few ads of the governor’s race run-off are now in rotation as the first salvos in what one analyst says will be the most expensive one month period ever in Louisiana political history.

Political consultant Roy Fletcher says an incredible 20 million dollars will likely be spent over the next few weeks.

Cut 10 (08) “…whole deal”

Eddie Rispone is running cuts from Friday’s Trump rally, one showing the President attacking Governor Edwards and another praising Rispone. Edwards’ new ad works to equate Rispone with Bobby Jindal.

Fletcher says the money will pour in from both national parties and governors associations, along with additional funding from partisan actors like George Soros and Charles Koch.

Cut 11 (07) “at play”

Edwards will be supported by his locally run Gumbo PAC, but he’s likely come under heavy fire from well-funded local conservative activists Truth in Politics.

Fletcher says expect an ad blitz unlike anything you’ve seen in a state election. You will not be able to escape from the constant political messaging.

Cut 12 (10) “…spent” 

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An ongoing investigation into injuries to multiple State Police cadets during training last week has resulted in the reassignment of three employees responsible for training.

There’s been accusations that the injuries resulted from hazing, but State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves would not label the incidents as such. He did say the training went beyond “normal parameters.”

Cut 13 (11) “…established”

Reeves met with the cadets last night to apologize for the incidents.

The Colonel says the training sessions that resulted in the incidents, including one cadet reportedly fracturing their arm, are some of the most intense lessons in the curriculum.

Cut 14 (10) “…custody” 

The training involves learning how to handcuff, responding to physical altercations, grappling, and use of the baton.

Reeves says it’s one of the most physical periods of training, and so they’re used to seeing some injuries to cadets even when training remains within the normal parameters.

Cut 15 (08) “…uncommon”

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At the halfway point of the regular season, second-ranked LSU is ranked in the middle of the pack in scoring defense, allowing 21 points a game. The Tigers are usually much better than that. Safety Jacoby Stevens still believes LSU can have one of the top-rated defenses in the conference…

Cut 16  (17) “…you’ll notice” 

LSU is at Mississippi State for a 2:30 kickoff this Saturday. Stevens says he likes playing in Starkville..

cut 17  (20) “…its a thrill” 

Freshman cornerback Derek Stingley has emerged as one of LSU’s best players on defense. He received SEC Freshman of the Week honors after coming up with a crucial interception against Florida. Stevens says he knew Stingley would be a great player…

Cut 18 (12)  deserving of” 

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ULM takes its 2-0 record in the Sun Belt on the road to face 24th ranked Appalachian State. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says the Mountaineers will present them with a big test…

cut 19 (20)   “after this”   

Viator says App State is not a very big team size wise, but they have great team speed…

cut 20 (16) “ can’t run”   

Representative Franklin Foil will request a recount in the hotly contested Baton Rouge Senate race that currently is set for a three-way run-off after the two Republican candidates tied. Foil was initially shown to be the 2^nd place winner by eight votes, but late Saturday night the Secretary of State informed him a correction put him in a 12,522 vote tie with Representative Steve Carter…

Cut 12 (13) “…properly” 

Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson took 1^st place in the race.

A political analyst says Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do if he wants to cut into the 52 percent share of the vote Republicans won in the primary. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says white rural voters ran from Edwards en masse during the primary, and to win them back he needs to reassure them on a few key conservative cultural issues.

Cut 7 (06) “…make”

The influenza season in Louisiana is off to an early start, so in an effort to fight the flu, the Louisiana Health Department has scheduled days where residents can get vaccinated for free. L-D-H immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says most parish health clinics have selected a day to give out free flu shots

Cut 3 (10) “…much less serious”

To find the flu vaccination day nearest you, visit the state health department’s website and go to the fight the flu section.

It is day four of rescue operations at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans and officials remain hopeful that a missing construction worker may be found still alive.  There has been no shift in the structure or cranes, but New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says with the uncertainty of stability, they are being very thorough in accounting for rescue workers.

Cut 9 (11) “…to be operating.”

A political analyst says Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do if he wants to cut into the 52 percent share of the vote Republicans won in the primary.  One major change UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the Edwards campaign needs to make is to ditch the sales pitch on accomplishing a surplus. The Professor says it clearly backfired…

Cut 8 (07) “…ultimately”

Edwards’ has tipped his hand as to his new strategy going forward, with his first run-off ad comparing Eddie Rispone to Bobby Jindal.

Flu season in Louisiana is off to an early start, so in an effort to fight the flu, as the Louisiana Health Department has scheduled days where residents can get vaccinated for free. L-D-H immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says in October they have already seen a higher than normal number of cases…

Cut 5 (08) “…don’t know.”

It is day four of rescue ops at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse and officials remain hopeful that a missing construction worker may be found still alive.  There has been no shift in the structure or cranes, but New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says some of the best building collapse experts from around the country have come to assist in the rescue efforts.

Cut 11 (09) “…Oklahoma City to 9/11.” 

Two construction workers have been confirmed dead as a result of Saturday’s collapse

Representative Franklin Foil will request a recount in the hotly contested Baton Rouge Senate race that currently is set for a three-way run-off after the two Republican candidates tied.  Foil says we should have a good idea of what state the race is in by Thursday when each paper ballot is counted.

Cut 14 (11) “…hours”

A political analyst says Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do if he wants to cut into the 52 percent share of the vote Republicans won in the primary. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards best chance is to position himself as a remedy to nasty national style politics.

Cut 6 (09) “…elsewhere”

Recent polls show President Trump’s approval rating in the state is somewhere in the mid to low 50s.

Representative Franklin Foil will request a recount in the hotly contested Baton Rouge Senate race that currently is set for a three-way run-off after the two Republican candidates tied. Each campaign will be allowed to have representatives present for the recount of the paper ballots. Foil says he’s picked out his team that will meet at the Secretary of State’s office in two days.

Cut 13 (10) “…process.”

The state office of public health has set up days where residents can get a flu shot for free at their parish health clinic. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”   

State Police have responded to allegations of hazing at the academy by reassigning three trainers linked to training exercises that injured up to ten cadets, including one that had a fractured arm. Captain J-B Slaton says the injuries occurred during defensive tactics training and they are investigating. State Police did not say the believe the actions were hazing but did say the training went beyond “normal parameters”.

Republicans combined to score 52 percent of the primary vote, and UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Governor Edwards has to revamp his campaign strategy to catch up…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The state office of public health has set up days where residents can get a flu shot for free at their parish health clinic. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”   

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The influenza season in Louisiana is off to an early start, so in an effort to fight the flu, the Louisiana Health Department has scheduled days where residents can get vaccinated for free. L-D-H immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says most  parish health clinics have selected a day to give out free flu shots

Cut 3 (10) “…much less serious”

To find the flu vaccination day nearest you, visit the state health department’s website and go to the fight the flu section. Welch says getting vaccinated not only protects you from the flu, but it also protects those around you…

Cut 4 (07) “…protecting everyone else”

Last year in Louisiana, over 14-thousand people were hospitalized with the flu and 14-hundred people died from complications from the flu. Welch says in October they have already seen a higher than normal number of cases…

Cut 5 (08) “…don’t know.”

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A political analyst says Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do if he wants to cut into the 52 percent share of the vote Republicans won in the primary.

UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards will be bombarded by partisan attack ads and national Republicans, but he could use that to his advantage by spending millions on ads aimed at voters who are tired of D.C. politics.

Cut 6 (09) “…elsewhere”

Recent polls show President Trump’s approval rating in the state is somewhere in the mid to low 50s.

Cross says white rural voters ran from Edwards en masse during the primary, and to win them back he needs to reassure them on a few key conservative cultural issues.

Cut 7 (06) “…make”

But the Professor says Legislative results in other parts of the state paint a bleak picture for Edwards’ odds of convincing that block of voters.

One major change Cross says the Edwards campaign needs to make is to ditch the sales pitch on accomplishing a surplus. The Professor says it clearly backfired…

Cut 8 (07) “…ultimately”

Edwards’ has tipped his hand as to his new strategy going forward, with his first run-off ad comparing Eddie Rispone to Bobby Jindal.

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It is day four of rescue operations at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans and officials remain hopeful that a missing construction worker may be found still alive.  There has been no shift in the structure or cranes, but New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says with the uncertainty of stability, they are being very thorough in accounting for rescue workers.

Cut 9 (11) “…to be operating.”

Authorities believe they have narrowed down the possible location of the missing individual.  McConnell says workers have been informed of an audible cue in the event that movement is detected in the structure that could result in further collapse.

Cut 10 (13) “…evacuate (x6).”

McConnell says some of the best building collapse experts from around the country have come to assist in the rescue efforts.

Cut 11 (09) “…Oklahoma City to 9/11.” 

Two construction workers have been confirmed dead as a result of Saturday’s collapse and the area is still considered extremely dangerous to pedestrian and car traffic.

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Representative Franklin Foil will request a recount in the hotly contested Baton Rouge Senate race that currently is set for a three-way run-off after the two Republican candidates tied.

Foil was initially shown to be the 2^nd place winner by eight votes, but late Saturday night the Secretary of State informed him a correction put him in a 12,522 vote tie with Representative Steve Carter…

Cut 12 (13) “…properly” 

Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson took 1^st place in the race.

Each campaign will be allowed to have representatives present for the recount of the paper ballots. Foil says he’s picked out his team that will meet at the Secretary of State’s office in two days.

Cut 13 (10) “…process.”

Foil says we should have a good idea of what state the race is in by Thursday when each paper ballot is counted.

Cut 14 (11) “…hours”

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Cut 15 (07) “…is yes.”

Cut 16 (13) “…feel guilty”

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Republicans combined to score 52 percent of the primary vote, and UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Governor Edwards has to revamp his campaign strategy to catch up…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A freshman from the University of Alabama is arrested, suspected of calling a threat to Tiger Stadium during the LSU’s game with the Florida Gators. 19-year-old Connor Croll was booked into the Tuscaloosa Country jail early Sunday. Croll is being held without bond and is expected to face charges in Baton Rouge.

Representative Franklin Foil will request a recount in the hotly contested Baton Rouge Senate race that currently is set for a three-way run-off after the two Republican candidates tied. Foil was initially shown to be the 2^nd place winner by eight votes, but late Saturday night the Secretary of State informed him a correction put him in a 12,522 vote tie with Representative Steve Carter…

Cut 12 (13) “…properly” 

Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson took 1^st place in the race.

The influenza season in Louisiana is off to an early start, so in an effort to fight the flu, the Louisiana Health Department has scheduled days where residents can get vaccinated for free. L-D-H immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says getting vaccinated not only protects you from the flu, but it also protects those around you…

Cut 4 (07) “…protecting everyone else”

It is day four of rescue operations at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans and officials remain hopeful that a missing construction worker may be found still alive.  There has been no shift in the structure or cranes, but New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says with the uncertainty of stability, rescue workers will receive an audible cue if there is a detection of a further collapse.
Cut 10 (13) “…evacuate (x6).”
Two construction workers have been confirmed dead as a result of Saturday’s collapse.

A political analyst says Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do if he wants to cut into the 52 percent share of the vote Republicans won in the primary. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says white rural voters ran from Edwards en masse during the primary, and to win them back he needs to reassure them on a few key conservative cultural issues.

Cut 7 (06) “…make”

The influenza season in Louisiana is off to an early start, so in an effort to fight the flu, the Louisiana Health Department has scheduled days where residents can get vaccinated for free. L-D-H immunization director Doctor Frank Welch says most  parish health clinics have selected a day to give out free flu shots

Cut 3 (10) “…much less serious”

To find the flu vaccination day nearest you, visit the state health department’s website and go to the fight the flu section.

The US Department of Education awards Louisiana $115 million in grants.  A total of five grants will help support students and teachers over several years. Superintendent of Education John White says the next step for schools to obtain a portion of the money is figuring out the best distribution.

Cut 15 (12) “…on these issues.”

A political analyst says Governor Edwards needs to revamp his election strategy if he wants to stand a chance of cracking 50 percent in the run-off. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that starts with ditching the sales pitch on accomplishing a surplus. The Professor says it clearly backfired…

Cut 8 (07) “…ultimately”

Edwards’ has tipped his hand as to his new strategy going forward, with his first run-off ad comparing Eddie Rispone to Bobby Jindal.

It’s day four of rescue operations at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans and officials remain hopeful that a missing construction worker may be found still alive.  New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says with the instability of the remaining structure, they are being very thorough in accounting for rescue workers.

Cut 9 (11) “…to be operating.”

A new city is coming to Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart reports voters in southwest East Baton Rouge Parish have voted to create St. George.

Cut 1 (33) “I”m Kevin Barnhart”