Next week is National Hazing Prevention week, but state leaders are in Baton getting an early start on the conversation with a summit to combat hazing today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A Republican Senator from Metairie calls GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s recent attacks on the 2017 criminal justice reform “disingenuous”…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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 The top three candidates for governor squared off for a mostly tame first debate night. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Board of Regents is hosting Hazing Prevention Summit today in Baton Rouge. Board spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom says the event is an opportunity for state’s highest-level leaders to continue the conversation about eliminating hazing culture.

Cut 4 (11) “…but also solutions.”

The event will feature a special message the parents of Max Gruver, the LSU student who died as a result of frat hazing. Sunstrom says since Gruver’s death, campuses have instituted education about hazing for students as well as leaders.

Cut 5 (11) “…to be interactive.”

Sunstrom says bringing awareness to the dangers of hazing is just the first step in the fight against the activity, but what is really important is seeing a culture shift.

Cut 6 (09) “…in our childhood.”

Next week is National Hazing Prevention week.

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Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s attacks on the 2017 Legislative criminal justice reform package are off-base, and not true.

Rispone’s TV ads claim “John Bel Edwards’” criminal justice reform put dangerous criminals back on the street, but Martiny, A Republican, says no criminal convicted of a violent crime got out early.

Cut 7 (12) “…offenders” 

Martiny says thanks to the reform Louisiana is no longer the top incarcerator in the country, which did not make the state any safer.

Cut 8 (08) “…the jail.”

The Department of Corrections reported 17.8 million dollars in savings in the last fiscal year due to the reforms.

Martiny says Rispone’s attacks disrespect the bipartisan support for the reforms which were rolled out over ten different bills. He says seven of those bills were authored by Republicans.

Cut 9 (08)  “…disengenuos”

Similar reforms were supported in Washington by President Trump. Those reforms ultimately passed.

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Statewide West Nile virus cases are down from this same time last year.  So far, Department of Health stats have only recorded twelve cases, compared to seventy-nine, this week last year.  State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says the weather in the spring has proven to have lingering effects in mitigating impacts on the mosquito population.

Cut 10 (11) “…mosquitos.”

Ratard says regardless of a year’s infection rate, it is important to always safeguard yourself and other from mosquitos, because it takes just one bite to make it a bad West Nile season for you.

Cut 11 (08) “…november.” 

West Nile infections are divided into three categories with the first being an asymptomatic, the second being a flu-like West Nile fever which accounts for three cases this year, and the third is a dangerous neuroinvasive infection of the brain and spinal cord which accounts for six cases. Ratard says if you think you may have been infected, seek medical attention immediately.

Cut 12 (11) “…season.”

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The first gubernatorial debate of the race is in the books and the candidates took turns tearing at each other during an occasionally lively night of discussion, with one new revelation from the Governor.

Governor Edwards made news, saying he does not support abortion exceptions for rape or incest. He voiced his full support for every part of the abortion ban he passed last session.

Cut 13 (12) “…members.”

Top polling Republican Ralph Abraham spent most of the night swinging at the Governor over the state of the Louisiana economy. Abraham says Edwards went back on his word about not raising taxes.

Cut 14 (08) “…killed it.” 

Edwards shot back that Abraham’s contention was “absurd” saying the state economy is the biggest it’s been in state history.

Republican Eddie Rispone stayed mostly out of the fray, instead using his time to sell himself as a businessman and outsider but did take a shot at his fellow Republican over support for the President.

Cut 15 (10) “…Clinton”

Those comments were related to comments Abraham made in 2016 where he suggested President Trump withdraw after the Access Hollywood tape revelations.

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Teddy Bridgewater is expected to get the start at quarterback on Sunday when the Saints visit the Seahawks. Bridgewater believes he shook some rust off by getting meaningful snaps last week…

Cut 16  (20) “…means” ”   

Bridgewater hopes the offense can be as prolific as it is when Drew Brees is on his game…

cut 17 (12) “…our teammates” 

Taysom Hill may also get some snaps at quarterback. Bridgewater trusts the coaching staff’s game plan…

Cut 18 (13) “it work” 

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Louisiana Tech plays a rare Friday night home game tonight against F-I-U. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz understands Friday is reserved for high school football, but he’ll take the national TV exposure they’ll get on the CBS Sports Network…

cut 19 (28)   “enthusiasm.”   

FIU won its first game of the season last week against New Hampshire. Holtz says they ran for a bunch of yards with backup QB Kaylan Wiggins…

cut 20 (15) “through the air 

The Cajun Navy has volunteers heading to Texas as the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda has forced numerous water rescues in an area east of Houston. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they are receiving frantic phone calls and Facebook messages from those that are stranded…
Cut 13 (09) “…expecting more rain.”
The heavy rainfall has also closed a part of I-10 in Texas.

A new poll on the governor’s race has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Ralph Abraham at 24-percent and Eddie Rispone garnering 16-percent. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says two main questions in this governor’s race, can Edwards gain additional support from undecideds and can Rispone catch Abraham and get in a November run-off with the incumbent
Cut 5 (11) “…week away”

A Webster Parish woman who ran a non-profit that oversaw a program to help feed low-income children has admitted to stealing one-point-one million dollars from the federal government. 59-year-old Myrna Thomas Quarles of Cotton Valley faces up to 10 years in prison. U-S Attorney David Joseph says Quarles deposited checks from a federal feeding service program into her own banking account…
Cut 8 (11) “this lady”
Joseph says Quarles also used the Greater Horizons credit card to the tune of 370-thousand dollars on herself.

Governor Edwards says the estimated 500-million-dollar surplus for the last fiscal year is evidence state’s economy is doing well. Critics say the surplus is evidence that the .45 percent sale tax pushed by the governor in 2018 was not necessary, but Edwards countered, saying at the time estimates underrated the state economy, but that changed…

Cut 9 (12)  “Jindal”

A Webster Parish woman pleads guilty to stealing over a million dollars from a program designed to feed poor, hungry children.

cut  2 (30) “Matt Doyle”  

The United Cajun Navy dispatches to east Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Depression Imelda.  United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they’ve got boats out helping victims and first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…do their job.”

The Edwards administration is taking criticism for an estimated 500-million dollar surplus. Many Republicans say residents are getting taxed too much. But Edwards says the surplus is the result of an improving economy and the surplus dollars will be invested into long-overdue projects…
Cut 10 (10) “dollars”

A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling polled the governor’s race in April and he says Rispone has seen his support grow because of an aggressive media campaign. He says Edwards has also seen his support increase among white Democrats, white Independents and even Republicans.
Cut 4 (10) “…some voters”

A new poll on the governor’s race shows that it’s more likely than not a November run-off will be needed.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Bossier City man who was also a former high school band director has been arrested for “revenge porn.” Bossier Sherriff Julian Whittington says they arrested 43-year old Patrick Neff Wednesday on two separate charges of Obscenity and Unauthorized Disclosure of a Private Image. Whittington says their investigation found that Neff disclosed several nude photos his former dating partner with a student at Airline High School without the partner’s permission.

A Cotton Valley woman has pleaded guilty to stealing 1.1 million dollars from a federal program dedicated to feeding poor children. US Attorney David Joseph says 59-year-old Myrna Quarles set up a program claiming to feed economically disadvantaged children during summer months when they were not at school.

Cut 6 (11) “…entitled to.”

Joseph says some meals were provided during the program’s two-year run, but the reported numbers were greatly inflated.

Governor Edwards says the estimated 500-million-dollar surplus for the last fiscal year is evidence Louisiana’s economy is doing well. The Governor says another bonus of receiving a larger than expected surplus is that the state can begin replenishing the savings account that was drained in the Jindal years.

Cut 11 (12) “…Governor” 

A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon  with JMC Analytics and Polling says the race appears headed to a run-off

Cut 3 (10) “…Omar Dantzler”

16-percent of those polled are undecided. The three major candidates for Governor have their first debate tonight at LSU.

The United Cajun Navy is headed to east Texas in response to flooding from Tropical Depression Imelda.  United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says thirteen boats were dispatched this morning prior to the interstate being shut down due to flooding, but he has lost track of the number of volunteers in the area.

Cut 14 (12) “…thousands by now.”

Governor Edwards says the estimated 500-million-dollar surplus for the last fiscal year is evidence state’s economy is doing well. Critics say the surplus is evidence that the .45 percent sale tax pushed by the governor in 2018 was not necessary, but Edwards countered, saying at the time estimates underrated the state economy, but that changed…

Cut 9 (12)  “Jindal”

A Webster Parish woman pleads guilty to stealing 1.1 million dollars from a federal program dedicated to feeding poor children. US Attorney David Joseph says 59-year-old Myrna Quarles of Cotton Valley set up a program claiming to feed disadvantaged children but instead, she loaded up the program’s credit card…

The Cajun Navy has volunteers heading to Texas as the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda has forced numerous water rescues in an area east of Houston. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they are receiving frantic phone calls and Facebook messages from those that are stranded…
cut 13 (09) “….expecting more rain”
The heavy rainfall has also closed a part of I-10 in Texas.

A new poll on the governor’s race has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Ralph Abraham at 24-percent and Eddie Rispone garnering 16-percent. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says two main questions in this governor’s race, can Edwards gain additional support from undecideds and can Rispone catch Abraham and get in a November run-off with the incumbent
Cut 5 (11) “…week away”

A Webster Parish woman who ran a non-profit that oversaw a program to help feed low-income children has admitted to stealing one-point-one million dollars from the federal government. 59-year-old Myrna Thomas Quarles of Cotton Valley faces up to 10 years in prison. U-S Attorney David Joseph says Quarles deposited checks from a federal feeding service program into her own banking account…
cut 8 (11) “…this lady”
Joseph says Quarles also used the Greater Horizons credit card to the tune of 370-thousand dollars on herself.

The Edwards administration is taking criticism for an estimated 500-million dollar surplus. Many Republicans say residents are getting taxed too much. But Edwards says the surplus is the result of an improving economy and the surplus dollars will be invested into long-overdue projects…
cut 10 (10) “…dollars”

A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling polled the governor’s race in April and he says Rispone has seen his support grow because of an aggressive media campaign. He says Edwards has also seen his support increase among white Democrats, white Independents and even Republicans
Cut 4 (10) “…some voters”
The United Cajun Navy dispatches to east Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Depression Imelda.  United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they’ve got boats out helping victims and first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…do their job.”

With more intense rain in the forecast, some areas could see rain totals between 25 and 35 inches through Friday.

A Webster Parish woman pleads guilty to stealing over a million dollars from a program designed to feed poor, hungry children. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “Matt Doyle”