We are one month away from the May 16th primary. Jeanne Burns spoke to a local political strategist about the U.S. Senate Republican primary.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”
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West Monroe Senator Jay Morris has a bill that would allow the legislature to pursue a civil lawsuit against an elected official it wants ousted because of malfeasance or gross misconduct. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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College-bound seniors statewide will start receiving emails giving them direction as to which in-state schools they should be applying to. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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We are a month away from the May 16th election, and the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary will continue to heat up with the three major candidates having millions of dollars to spend. Political strategist Mary-Patricia Wray says polling earlier this year showed a large group of undecided voters, but that’s starting to change.
Cut 4 (10) “…pick a candidate.”
Incumbent Bill Cassidy faces two tough opponents as he seeks a third term in office. Cassidy lost a lot of support from within the Republican Party when he voted to convict then-former President Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021. Wray says despite Cassidy’s high negatives, there is good chance he makes the run-off.
Cut 5 (12) “…vote for him (2x).”
Julia Letlow and John Fleming are Cassidy’s two main challengers. Wray says the candidates will by vying for votes from Acadiana, north Louisiana and the Baton Rouge-Northshore suburbs. She says voter turnout is expected to be high in those areas due to a lot of Republican voters and competitive down-ballot races.
Cut 6 (10) “…next four weeks.”
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A bill heading to the Senate floor would set up a process for the Louisiana legislature to use the courts to remove a public official from office for malfeasance or gross misconduct. Under the bill by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, it would take a two-thirds vote by either the House or Senate for a lawsuit to be filed.
Cut 7 (09) “…easier to prove.”
Senate Bill 425 passed on a four to three vote. Democrats oppose the measure; Baton Rouge Senator Larry Selders expressed concern that a politician could be ousted based solely on accusations of wrongdoing.
Cut 8 (09) “…they’re not convicted.”
Morris did not provide any specific case of misconduct that led to him filing the bill. But he says there are mayors who have been involved in serious scandals, and nothing is done for a long time.
Cut 9 (09) “…for good governance.”
New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says with Republicans holding a super majority in the House and the Senate, the G-O-P could use this method to get of Democratic officials it didn’t like.
Cut 10 (09) “…the Senate side.”
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High school seniors across the state considering which colleges to apply to will now get personalized emails steering them in the right direction. The Board of Regents is joining forces with public colleges and universities, higher education systems and college-access organizations in this venture. Tristan Denley, the deputy commissioner of academic affairs and innovation at the Board of Regents, says these are not form letters; these are prepared specifically for each recipient.
Cut 11 (11) “…to apply for.”
Denley says the goal is to take the confusion out of what is already a very daunting task.
Cut 12 (11) “…across the state.”
Denley says the emails are tailored to each student to let them know which schools he or she is best suited to apply for – and that goes for schools of all levels of selectiveness.
Cut 13 (13) “…about those too.”
This venture builds on a pilot program that was launched in 2024; it now expands statewide.
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Fifth-year senior Bo Bordelon is one of the surprising stories at LSU’s spring practice. Bordelon has been a career backup at LSU; but with a new coaching staff, he’s moved to the top of the depth chart at left guard.
Cut 14 (11) “…just start new.”
His father, Ben Bordelon, was an All-SEC lineman for the Tigers in the 1990s, so for Bo Bordelon to be playing at LSU means a lot, and he didn’t think about transferring anywhere else.
Cut 15 (14) “…off for LSU.”
Media members who cover LSU football thought Ole Miss transfer and former Calvary Baptist star Devin Harper would be a starting guard; but so far, Bordelon is outplaying him.
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After winning two out of three against 10th ranked Southern Miss last weekend, the Cajuns are at Troy this weekend for a three-game series. At the halfway point of the Sun Belt Schedule, U-L Lafayette is 6-and-9 in conference play. Coach Matt Deggs believes his team is capable of making a move towards the top of the Sun Belt standings.
Cut 16 (15) “…think they’re close.”
Right-hander Cody Brasch will make his second career start on the mound this evening. Andrew Herrmann will start tomorrow’s game.
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The LSU Tigers are looking to play better baseball this weekend as they host 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. The Aggies are 28-7 overall and 9-5 in the SEC after failing to make the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2021. Coach Jay Johnson says the Aggies have stayed away from the injuries this season.
Cut 17 (18) “…they’re really good.”
In LSU’s recent wins, they’ve shown the ability to come from behind. but Johnson doesn’t want to rely on late inning rallies to win.
Cut 18 (15) “…to be played.”
First pitch tonight is six p-m, and the game will be shown on ESPN.