Mudslinging: The Louisiana governor’s race has devolved into a trash-talking slugfest in its final days ahead of the Nov. 16 runoff election, according to a new Associated Press analysis of the race. Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards and his Republican challenger Eddie Rispone have traded accusations of race-baiting and veteran-bashing. A negative turn likely was inevitable when the governor’s race reached a head-to-head matchup between Edwards and Rispone. In tight runoff competitions like this one, campaigns regularly turn to attack ads to try to peel support off their challenger. Read the full analysis.
Opening day: An eatery, marketplace, patio and bar concept called BLDG 5 Market | Kitchen | Patio announced it will be opening in the Perkins Road overpass area on Monday, Nov. 18. BLDG 5 is the product of three years of planning and development for husband-and-wife team Brumby and Misti Broussard, who transformed an old metal shed on Kalurah Street, across the street from Bet-R Grocery, into a fast-casual concept that will serve lunch and dinner as well as include a market. Read a recent inRegister feature about the restaurant.
Lawsuit: The Southern Poverty Law Center is suing the Louisiana Department of Health, accusing the state of failing to provide children on Medicaid with adequate mental health services. The lawsuit says children on Medicaid in Louisiana have few options when they experience a mental health crisis. SPLC sued Mississippi in 2010 on similar grounds. That case is still processing. The department declined to comment. Read the full story.
