The Republican field for U.S. Senate in Louisiana is getting crowded. Colleen Crain reports.
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The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.
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First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.
Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”
Pinsonat says given Cassidy’s cash on hand and the fact that he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid, and neither would the addition of any additional challenger.
Pinsonat says with four prominent Republicans now in the race, another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?
Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”
So far, no Democrat has entered the race.
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***Stations: As of the posting of this newscall, the mistakenly-released inmate remains on the loose. If he turns himself in or is back in custody by the time you run this story, update it accordingly.***
More trouble for the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate is mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson addressed the incident in a news conference.
Cut 7 (05) “…take full responsibility.”
Sheriff Hutson says Bryan’s mistaken release was the result of a clerical misidentification.
Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”
This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.
Cut 9 (05) “…for our community.”
Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. As of this morning, Bryan remains on the loose.
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17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says these aren’t just relief funds. They’ll go towards fortification projects to protect from future storms.
Cut 10 (12) “…critical facilities.”
Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.
Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.
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President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says these are fairly new rules.
NESHAP stands for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Hayes points out that the exemption extended to these chemical manufacturers is not permanent.
Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”
Hayes says eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.
Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.
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The Saints are putting on the pads for the first time in training camp today. It will be the first glimpse for both players and coaches of what the team can really look like. Tight end Juwan Johnson says the team has the best energy he’s seen since they started 5-and-2 with Jameis Winston in 2021.
Safety Justin Rid was the Saints’ biggest addition of the offseason. The Louisiana native is a seven-year vet and will be a leader in Staley’s new defense. He says the most important things right now are staying healthy and learning the playbook.
Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has made a living as one of the NFL’s most explosive deep threats. The speedster added ten pounds of muscle this offseason, and he says he expects to expand his game in Moore’s offense.