Congressman Ralph Abraham has an up and down week, as he gets dragged for missing congressional votes, but scores two major donors…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
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With the much talked about algae bloom impacting the gulf coast and the excessive water flowing through the Bonnet Carre Spillway, is Louisiana seafood safe? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor John Bel Edwards signed a bill Friday morning that gives the state an addiational 700-million dollars to spend on specific transportation projects. The money comes from the BP oil spill settlement, but Edwards says the legislation is not taking money away from repairing the coast damaged by the spill…
Cut 3 (08 “…that spill”
The money will fund highway projects in Caddo, Rapides, St. Tammany, I-49 through Acadiana and L-A 1 in LaFourche Parish.
Edwards says the bill also allocates 125-million dollars for what is known as the L-A 415 connector, which is a new four-lane roadway to help traffic congestion on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish.
Cut 4 (07) “…LA 1”
Houma Representative Tanner Magee and Port Allen Senator Rick Ward are co-authors of the legislation that will fund these important transportation projects. Ward says he started meeting with Magee about the legislation in January…
Cut 5 (07) “…are today”
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An Associated Press report finds Congressman Ralph Abraham, the top-polling Republican in the governor’s race, has missed 39 percent of US House votes since November. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says anytime an elected official takes time from legislating to campaign, they open themselves to criticism…
Cut 6 (10) “…Washington.”
Abraham responded, saying “being a Congressman is more than just sitting at a desk voting yes or no, we are daily solving our constituents’ problems.”
But Hogan says the attack often doesn’t stick, because most of those votes, like a recent one on immigration, weren’t even close anyway.
Cut 7 (10) “…have this.”
Abraham is missing from the roll call on 196 of the 509 votes that have been called since November.
It wasn’t all bad news this week for the candidate though, as Abraham managed to snag two of the state’s top donors for his gubernatorial effort. Hogan says it’s a major win for the Congressman.
Cut 8 (11) “…campaign.”
Those donors are Boysie Bollinger, who ran a shipbuilding firm, and Joe Canizaro, a New Orleans banker.
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It’s been a tough year for the Louisiana seafood industry and an algae bloom in Lake Pontchartrain is the latest hurdle. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says many of those looking to get Louisiana seafood on their table are asking if it is safe.
Cut 9 (11) “…catching is safe.”
The opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway has affected the salinity levels of Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi Sound, impacting tourism and driving catchable product further offshore. Nungesser says it is important to score emergency funding for fishermen who are getting nothing right now.
Cut 10 (08) “…line for them.”
Nungesser says there is no shortage of red tape to cut through to get assistance for the seafood industry.
Cut 11 (11) “…not an option.”
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A Baton Rouge woman is one million dollars richer thanks to a social media post. Lala Singleton says she only plays the Lottery once in a while, but Lottery spokesperson BreAnne Frye says after Singleton was tagged in a Facebook post by her sister-in-law in Connecticut that someone in Baton Rouge had one a million dollar Powerball prize.
Cut 12 (10) “…all five numbers.”
Frye says the winnings come at a good time for Singleton.
Cut 13 (09) “…morning for sure.”
Frye says Singleton already has plans to use a portion of the money toward a charitable cause close to her heart.
Cut 14 (10) “…and competitive athletes.”