Paul Braun

Louisiana Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off in First Debate of 2019

By Paul Braun • Sep 20, 2019

Incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham solidified themselves as the frontrunners of their respective parties Thursday night in the first gubernatorial debate of 2019.

Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman and self-described political outsider, dismissed Edwards and Abraham as “career politicians,” but struggled to provide detailed policy proposals of his own.

Review the Four Constitutional Amendments on the October 12 Ballot

By Paul Braun • Sep 17, 2019

Voters will have the final say on four proposed constitutional amendments when they head to the polls next month.

While most voters' will be focused on the gubernatorial candidates at the top of their ballot, they know little about the constitutional amendments down below.

Candidates' Messaging on State Economic Performance Needs Context

By Paul Braun • Sep 10, 2019

The Governor's race is heating up. As we approach the October 12 primary, the three major candidates vying to become the state's chief executive, and their supporters, have flooded the airwaves with their pitches to Louisiana voters.

And claims about the economy are front-and-center.

With candidates referencing their own economic statistics and offering conflicting outlooks, it can be hard for voters to know what to think.

On this week's Capitol Access, Greg Albrecht, chief economist of Louisiana's Legislative Fiscal Office, provides some non-partisan context.

Family of man killed by West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy files wrongful death suit

By Paul Braun • Sep 4, 2019

The family of a Port Allen man killed by a West Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy in July filed a wrongful death suit Wednesday in federal court.

Slain Civil Rights Leader Sadie Roberts-Joseph, Remembered as 'Voice for Peace' in Baton Rouge

By Paul Braun • Jul 22, 2019

The murder of a well-known African American activist in Baton Rouge left many in the capital city stunned. Sadie Roberts-Joseph was best known for founding the city’s African American history museum. Her funeral Monday capped more than a week of public mourning.

Killing of Sadie Roberts-Joseph, Baton Rouge African American History Museum Founder, Ruled Homicide

By Paul Braun • Jul 15, 2019

The East Baton Rouge Parish coroner released a preliminary autopsy report Monday determining that the death of Sadie Roberts-Joseph, a prominent figure in the Baton Rouge African-American community, was a homicide.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark said in the report that Roberts-Joseph was killed by “traumatic asphyxia, including suffocation.”

Roberts-Joseph was found dead Friday afternoon in the trunk of a car in the 2300 block of North 20th Street in North Baton Rouge, approximately three miles from her Scotlandville home.

Sgt. L’Jean McKneely, a spokesperson for the Baton Rouge Police Department, said officers were directed to “a body inside of a vehicle” by an anonymous caller on their tip line.

Police identified Roberts-Joseph as the victim Saturday morning. Authorities have not identified any suspects.

Even as Hurricane Barry made its way through Louisiana, news of her killing earned national media attention and prompted reactions of shock from City-Parish officials at the unexpected loss.

New Orleans Seeks More Control Of Revenue To Help With Infrastructure Problems

By Paul Braun • Apr 23, 2019

BATON ROUGE-- The House Ways and Means Committee discussed a trio of bills Monday and Tuesday that would give the city of New Orleans more control over local revenue to address its growing infrastructure concerns.

The public discussion came as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Administration and leaders of the city’s hospitality industry have been unable to reach an agreement on how to pay for repairs to the city’s infrastructure.