TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
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INTRO:
A new poll in the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas reveals a change in that contest.
Democrat James Talarico is leading Republican Ken Paxton by 22 percentage points among likely Harris County voters.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports:
SOT:
“The poll shows state Representative Talarico with the support of 58% of likely voters in Harris County, compared to 36% backing Attorney General Paxton. Mark Jones of Rice University’s Baker Institute calls it a flashing warning light for Paxton supporters. This is the type of result that, if it translates to a similar trend statewide, would signal that Talarico is in the driver’s seat or, at least right now, with a modest advantage to win on November 3. Jones says that losing Harris County by such a wide margin would be difficult for Paxton to offset elsewhere in the state. The county contains roughly one in every seven registered voters statewide.”
TAG:
On Tuesday, both Vice President JD Vance and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Northwest Louisiana came to Texas to campaign for Republicans.
It comes just days before early voting begins in Texas.
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INTRO:
Louisiana's Department of Insurance says it's available to provide unbiased advice, as Medicare open enrollment begins Thursday.
Ron Henderson says the department can help as Medicare beneficiaries switch between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare:
SOT:
“We'll run a comparison for you based on your drugs, based on the type of doctors you need, and then it will spit out your top three.”
TAG:
Henderson also cautions seniors not to give out their Medicare number due to the number of scams this time of year.
He says to treat your Medicare number like your Social Security number.
Open enrollment ends on December 7th for plans beginning in 2027.
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INTRO:
In Arkansas, two-term incumbent Republican Senator Tom Cotton was noticeably absent from Monday’s debate on ArkansasTV.
The Democratic challenger for Arkansas’ U.S. Senate seat – Hallie Shoffner - did take part in the debate along with Libertarian Challenger Jeff Wadlin.
While both candidates attacked Cotton’s performance in the U.S. Senate to help regular Arkansas citizens, they moved on to talk about important issues facing the state.
Jeff Wadlin, for example, addressed the urgent need for better health care in rural arkansas:
SOT:
“So what I would advocate for is we look at the whole population of Arkansas where the population centers are, where the roads are and we come up with some design principles.”
TAG:
On the issue of foreign policy, Hallie Shoffner spoke against what she called endless wars, and writing blank checks to pay for them.
Shoffner says she would vote to end the war in Iran:
SOT:
“America and Arkansas is not safe when our families cannot afford fuel, when our farmers cannot produce food. I want to be your next senator because I have the sense enough to know how to put Arkansas first.”
TAG:
Cotton’s campaign released a statement explaining that instead of taking part in the debate, the senator instead attended a birthday party for World War II veteran and family friend Jock Davis.
<**** FORECAST ****>
The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
- Mostly cloudy conditions through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 91 today.
- Tomorrow: sunny skies with a high near 90.
- Friday: we begin to see cooler conditions arrive, with a high near 81
- Then 72 by Saturday.
- At this point, there’s no mention of rain in the forecast from now through the weekend.
- Severe to extreme drought conditions remain across our region, along with numerous Burn Bans.
- Check with your local, county/parish, or state officials before starting any outdoor fires.
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