U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as U-S Attorney General, despite concerns that Blanche’s ties to President Trump could give the White House too much influence over the Justice Department.

Cassidy says he made his decision after talking with two sitting U-S Attorneys in Louisiana — David Courcelle and Kurt Wall — who both support Blanche’s nomination. Cassidy also considered the endorsement of former Attorney General William Barr…

[Cut 11 (11) “…reality”]

It’s unclear when the Senate will vote on Blanche’s confirmation.

Meanwhile, New Iberia State Senator Blake Miguez has qualified for the race to replace Congressman Cleo Fields in Louisiana’s sixth district.

Fields is not seeking re-election after the district was redrawn to favor Republicans. Miguez’s top Republican challenger is expected to be Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, who lives in the district. Miguez does not.

State Police have arrested three people in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a 24-year-old Folsom man. Rodrigo Ornelas was hit and killed while riding his bicycle at night on Highway 40 in St. Tammany Parish on April 12th. Trooper Marc Gremillion says 34-year-old Megan Kyle of Bogalusa was identified as the driver, while her parents face obstruction charges.

[Cut 7 (08) “…the crime.”]

A northwest Louisiana lawmaker plans to introduce legislation next year banning license-plate reading cameras known as Flock cameras.

State Representative McCormick says the cameras collect and store vehicle data in a national database without a warrant…

[Cut 5 (09) “…against these cameras”]

Supporters of the technology say the cameras track vehicles of interest, not the people inside them.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’ll support Todd Blanche’s nomination for U-S Attorney General, despite concerns over Blanche’s close ties to President Trump.

Critics worry Blanche could give the president too much influence over the Justice Department. Cassidy became emotional as he explained his decision…

Cut 10 (10) “…right decision”

Cassidy says he’s also concerned that if Blanche is rejected, President Trump could nominate someone even more controversial.

State Police have arrested three Washington Parish residents in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash in St. Tammany Parish.

Twenty-four-year-old Rodrigo Ornelas was killed while riding his bicycle at night on Highway 40 on April 12th. Trooper Marc Gremillion says investigators determined 34-year-old Megan Kyle of Bogalusa was the driver, and her parents tried to hide their daughter’s involvement…

Cut 8 (10) “…light eventually”

A Republican state lawmaker wants to ban Flock cameras and plans to file legislation next year.

The cameras scan license plates and vehicle information, storing the data in a searchable database. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says they can help fight crime, but he believes collecting information without a warrant violates citizens’ rights…

Cut 4 (11) “…citizens”

Today is the final day of qualifying for the November Congressional elections.

Board of Regents Chairwoman Misti Cordell qualified as a Republican in the Fifth District race. The open primary includes candidates from both parties, and Cordell says she hopes to appeal to all voters…

Cut 13 (06) “…everybody”

The Fifth District race also includes Republican state lawmakers Stewart Cathey, Michael Echols and Gabe Firment.

A state lawmaker proposes a bill to ban AI-powered Flock Security cameras in Louisiana.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy announced he will vote to confirm President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General Todd Blanche. Without Cassidy’s support, there’s a good chance Blanche would not be confirmed, because two other Republican Senators have already said they would vote no. Cassidy says in the end he believes Blanche is the best person to run the Justice Department.

State Police have arrested three people from Washington Parish in connection with a fatal hit and run crash that killed a bicyclist from Folsom. Authorities say 24-year-old Rodrigo Ornelas was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bike at night on Louisiana Highway 40 in St. Tammany Parish on April 12th. Trooper Marc Gremillion says detectives determined it was a Buick Encore that hit Ornelas…

Cut 6 (09) “…provided information”

Gremillion says through their investigation they determined it was 34-year-old Megan Kyle of Bogalusa was the driver of the vehicle and her parents, Monica Wildebrandt and Robert Kyle were charged with obstruction.

The third and final day of qualifying for the November Congressional elections got underway this morning with Board of Regents Chairwoman Misti Cordell qualifying for the fifth district….

Cut 12 (10) “…say that’

Cordell, who is a Republican, joins a field that features three Republican state lawmakers, who qualified on Wednesday, Stewart Cathey, Michael Echols and Gabe Firment.

Todd Blanche appears to have the votes to become the next U.S. Attorney General after Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said he’ll support President Trump’s nominee. Several senators have expressed concern Blanche could give the president too much control over the Justice Department. Cassidy acknowledged Blanche is not perfect, but…

Cut 9 (11) “…Mr. Blanche”

Blanche’s former role as Trump’s personal lawyer and his involvement in a controversial IRS settlement have raised questions about his independence. Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski say they’ll oppose him.

Qualifying continues today for the Congressional races. Democrat Rubia Garcia is seeking to replace fellow Democrat Cleo Fields in the Sixth District, even though the district has been redrawn to favor a Republican.

Garcia says she wants to go to Washington to make life better for Republicans and Democrats…

Cut 13 (11) “…all partisan lines”

Qualifying ends at 4:30 this afternoon.

Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick says he’ll file a bill next year to ban AI-powered Flock cameras that scan license plates and collect vehicle information in a searchable database. McCormick says the cameras violate the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Cut 3 (11) “…across the country.”

But police could oppose the legislation. Flock Safety says its technology was used by law enforcement in nearly a million cases nationwide last year.

Saints legend Drew Brees will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. The Super Bowl MVP says there are so many people to thank…

Cut 15 (08) “…so much gratitude.”

The induction ceremony begins at 11 AM central time in Canton, Ohio tomorrow.

Today is the final day to qualify for the Congressional elections this fall.

Two Democrats have entered the race to replace Cleo Fields in the Sixth District. Pat Forbes has the endorsement of former Governor John Bel Edwards. Forbes is an engineer who has worked for three governors in state government. He says Republicans aren’t doing enough to address the needs of Louisiana residents…

Cut 11 (11) “…and health care”

The other Democrat in the race is Rubia Garcia, who shares many of Forbes’ concerns.

Also in the Sixth District race, Higher Education Chairman Misti Cordell has entered the contest, joining Republican state lawmakers Stewart Cathey, Michael Echols and Gabe Firment.

There’s still no word on whether Republican state Senator Blake Miguez will qualify today.

Elvis Brooks spent 42 years in prison for a murder a New Orleans judge later determined he did not commit. He’s seeking 480-thousand dollars in compensation from the state.

ProPublica reporter Richard Webster recently wrote an extensive story about Brooks. Webster says Brooks is upset with Attorney General Liz Murrill because she’s preventing him from receiving the money…

Cut 6 (07) “…for him”

Murrill says Brooks pleaded guilty to the crime, and there’s evidence linking him to the fatal shooting at a New Orleans bar in 1977.

Saints legend Drew Brees will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow.

The Super Bowl MVP helped revive the Saints and the city of New Orleans when he arrived as a free agent after Hurricane Katrina. Brees says it was a rebirth for both him and the community.

Cut 14 (12) “…the other side.”

Brees finished his career with more than 80-thousand passing yards and 571 touchdown passes.

A New Orleans man believes he’s deserving of up to 480-thousand dollars in compensation from the state for serving 42 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports nine cases of flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, including five deaths. LDH urges residents to avoid brackish or salt water if you have an open wound.

NOAA’s revised hurricane forecast has the season projection down to seven to 13 named storms, including two to six hurricanes. Forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says the quieter-than-average hurricane season can be credited to a strong El Niño in the Atlantic.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the event gets.”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow alongside running back Roger Craig, linebacker Luke Kuechly, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and kicker Adam Vinatieri. He says that every interaction he has with a current Hall of Famer gives him more appreciation for the honor he is about to receive.

Cut 16 (14) “…see and appreciate.”

Following the Supreme Court ruling in the Callais case, Louisiana’s Republican-led legislature redrew the state’s congressional map with the purpose of flipping district six back to GOP control. But that hasn’t stop Democrats Pat Forbes and Rubia Garcia from taking a stab at the seat that Cleo Fields is vacating as a direct result of the redistricting. Forbes was an aide to former Governor John Bel Edwards and says the Republicans vying for the sixth district seat seem to have lost their focus.

Cut 10 (08) “…to most people.”

Garcia previously qualified in the fifth district and has shifted her focus to the sixth, since she lives within that district’s boundaries. She and Forbes agree that affordability is one of the biggest issues facing voters.

Cut 12 (08) “…with groceries.”

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Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, as a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Former LSU wide receiver Barion Brown has made a splash at Saints training camp. Brown was picked in the sixth round of this year’s draft as the last of three receivers selected by the Saints. Despite his strong start, he says he can’t listen to his own hype.

Cut 17 (09) “…good plays or bad plays.”

The sixth district was redrawn specifically so that a Republican would get elected, but that hasn’t stopped two Democrats from running for the seat. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Colorado State and NOAA have both revised their hurricane forecast for this year.  It’s down slightly from eight to 14 named storms to seven to 13.  Forecaster Matthew Rosencrans…

Cut 8 (09) “…things in May.”

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A 69-year-old New Orleans man who spent 42 years in prison for a murder a judge later said he did not commit is seeking 480-thousand dollars in state compensation. But Attorney General Liz Murrill says Elvis Brooks is not eligible because he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2019 in connection with the 1977 fatal shooting. Reporter Richard Webster…

Cut 4 (12) “…that should hold.”

Big weekend ahead for the legendary Drew Brees who’ll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. The Super Bowl MVP says there are so many people to thank along his 20-year career.

Cut 15 (08) “…so much gratitude.”