Retired Judge Joe Bleich has ordered a new runoff election for Caddo Parish Sheriff after candidate John Nickelson won his lawsuit challenging the result of the November 18th election. Teiko Foxx has more….
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Insuring Louisiana’s school buildings is becoming a struggle with climbing rate increases. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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State Transportation has extended the deadline for the public-private partnership to widen Interstate 10 and construct a new Calcasieu River Bridge. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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John Nickelson has won his lawsuit requesting a special election after challenging the result of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s November 18th runoff election. He lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says retired Judge Joe Bleich identified at least 11 illegal votes.
Cut 4 (12) “…vote margin.”
Of the eleven votes, two people voted twice, at least five mail-in votes were invalid, and four were cast by unqualified voters. Hughes expects Whitehorn to appeal the court’s decision to overturn the election.
Cut 5 (12) “…on this.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Whitehorn expressed his disappointment:
“Overturning an election because the winner won by one vote is essentially saying, every vote matters, except if the win is by one.”
Hughes says the earliest an election can be held is next spring.
Cut 6 (12) “…local race.”
Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator’s term ends June 30th.
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Louisiana Homeowners are not the only ones feeling the pinch of climbing property insurance premiums. Louisiana School Boards Association Lobbyist, Dannie Garrett says it’s becoming a struggle for school districts
Cut 7 (09) “…money somewhere.”
Garret says expenses associated with school buildings are schools’ second largest expense and insurance rates continue to rise. He would like to see the legislature address property insurance reform but Garret says, districts, especially rural ones need help…
Cut 8 (11) “…school system.”
Even School Districts with a strong industrial presence, which beefs up the tax base, are beginning to have trouble keeping up while more rural parishes are struggling and need help from the state. But while insurance rates have continued to climb, state funding of schools has been flat, says Garret.
Cut 9 (06) “…per pupil.”
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State Transportation extends the deadline of the public-private partnership for widening Interstate 10 and a new Calcasieu River Bridge. The project made headlines when the use of tolls to fund construction was announced. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz…
Cut 10 (11) “…this project.”
The original deadline of December 3rd has been extended for 60 days. State lawmakers rejected the proposal over the $2.1 billion price tag and the burden tolls would place on motorists. A new administration will be sworn in on January 8th and Guidroz says the bridge connecting Lake Charles and Westlake is critical infrastructure…
Cut 11 (11) “…cost anything.”
In October, after the House Transportation Committee rejected the plan, interim State Transportation Secretary Eric Kalivoda stated DOTD would focus on rehabbing the existing bridge in the meantime. Guidroz says the deadline extension can be seen as a lifeline for the project…
Cut 12 (10) “…path forward.”
An estimated 90,000 vehicles cross the Calcasieu River Bridge daily.
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In partnership with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Niagara Bottling is hosting a two-day hiring event, today and tomorrow in Hammond. Regine Williams with the LWC says they are looking to hire employees for their new water bottling plant in Ponchatoula.
Cut 13 (09) “…and more.”
Since 1963, the southern California-based company has grown into the largest family-owned and operated bottled water company in the US. Williams says they are asking attendees to pre-register for the event which can be done on LWC’s social media pages.
Cut 14 (08) “…hiring event.”
The event will be from 8am until 3:30 pm today and 8 am until 1:30 pm Thursday at Chappapeela Sports Park.
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LSU Coach Brian Kelly says a decision has yet to be made on if quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in the Tigers bowl game on New Year’s Day in Tampa against Wisconsin. Daniels is a likely top ten pick in the 2024 NFL draft and Kelly says the Heisman finalist understands the pros and cons of playing in one more college game…
Cut 15 (15) “…both sides of it.”
The NCAA transfer portal is open and it’s expected the Tigers will sign defensive linemen, defensive backs and also look for a veteran receiver or two. What about a quarterback to compete with Garrett Nussmeier? Kelly says if they sign a quarterback, they’ll inform Nussmeier and others…
Cut 16 (21) “…that room.”
After a disastrous season on defense, Kelly is still evaluating what went wrong. Could B-K fire defensive coordinator Matt House after two seasons? Kelly says personal relationships will not get in the way of what’s best for LSU…
Cut 17 (18) “…national championship.”