A new COVID variant has been detected in the state. Dr. Krista Queen Director- Viral Genomics and Surveillance at LSU Health Shreveport says they discovered the B 1.630 variant in samples from the Baton Rouge area which has mutations they are observing.

Cut 12 (11) “….low percentage.”  

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four decades. Broussard praises Social Security for realizing the need for such a significant increase in monthly benefits.

Cut  11 (10)  “…to do it”  

Shipping delays have been an ongoing issue for businesses due to the pandemic but with the holiday season just over two months away Economist Loren Scott says last-minute shoppers could be in trouble this year. He says in the past retailers have saved money by ordering “just in time inventory,” which meant goods were brought in when they were absolutely needed. But with shipping delays and a backlog at ports, Scott says many retailers might adjust their business model.

Cut 8 (06) “…in the past.”

There’s cautious optimism as the sugarcane harvest ramps up in south Louisiana. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the harvest is getting off to a soggy start as many fields are muddy as a result of a wet 2021. He expects the tonnage will be off this year because of a damp growing season…

Cut 4 (10) “…on the tonnage.”

It’s hard to think about holidays when it still feels like summer in the Bayou State, but one economist says you need to get in holiday mode ASAP unless you want to hear Bah humbug this year. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four years. He says the COLA increase is something that will be welcomed by those who solely rely on SSI payments and those who don’t.

Cut 10  (10)   “…here in Louisiana.”

There’s cautious optimism as the sugarcane harvest ramps up in south Louisiana. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the harvest is getting off to a soggy start as many fields are muddy as a result of a wet 2021

cut 3 (12) “….fields out”

2020 was a stellar year for the industry as the American Sugar Cane League estimates 463-thousand acres of cane were harvested, with an average of 85-hundred pounds of sugar produced per acre. Gravois expects the tonnage will be off this year because of a damp growing season…

Now a check on today commodities….

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four decades.

Cut 9  (10)  “…prescription drug costs.”

The increase takes effect in January, with benefit payments to reflect a 5.9 percent hike in the current benefit being paid out to each recipient.

Shipping delays have been an ongoing issue for businesses due to the pandemic but with the holiday season just over two months away Economist Loren Scott says if you’re a last-minute shopper you really could end up being the Grinch this year.

Cut 6 (09) “…until November.” 

While Scott says he doesn’t see shelves being completely empty for retailers, he does however anticipate a problem if you are looking for a specific gift.

Today is the last day for those in Ida impacted parishes to call in for DSNAP interviews. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in Louisiana.  That word today from LSU Health Shreveport’s Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats.  It was discovered by the Viral Genomics and Sequencing Lab and is being called B.1.630.  It was sequenced last week from two samples collected in Baton Rouge. It was first detected in the U.S. in March of this year. So far, the predominance of the variant is said to be low.

Today is the final day to apply for disaster food stamps for residents living in 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard says It’s an income-eligible-based program and they look at your income from August 26th to September 24th…

Cut 5 (10) “…DNSAP benefits.”
Calls today are open for all last names until 6 PM.

It continues to be difficult for small businesses to see things return to what’s considered pre-pandemic normal. In addition to a labor shortage Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business says the amount of goods available for stores to sell is also a problem.

Cut 9 (08)  “…is an issue.”

Services will be held Saturday to honor the life of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in the line of duty. His funeral will be Saturday at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Trooper Kate Stegall says visitation will be Friday evening at Resthaven Funeral home and on Saturday morning before the 11 am service.

Cut 10 (07)  “…church.” 

The procession will begin at 8 am and the public is invited to assemble along the drive.

LSU-Shreveport is offering a course on Careers in the Legal Cannabis industry. Dr. Julie Lessiter, Vice-Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for LSUS says as more areas see legalization become a reality, interest is growing in the industry and the course can be taken no matter where you live.

Cut 14 (11)  “…this class too.”

Today is the last day for interviews for Disaster Food Stamps. Since DSNAP was made available for those eligible in the 25-parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says they’d been overwhelmed with calls, but now due to extra staff and extended call hours, hold times have been greatly reduced.

Cut 4 (11) “…and this week.”

Services will be held this weekend to honor the life of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday. His funeral will be held Saturday morning at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s been a difficult time for everyone who knew him.

Cut 11 (07) “…agency.”

Gaubert was ambushed sometime Saturday morning in his vehicle and found approximately fifteen hours later.

It continues to be tough for small businesses to return to normal as the pandemic eases.  Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says just because you have more people applying for jobs, doesn’t mean businesses are getting the right workers knocking on the door.

Cut 8 (11) “…for business owners.”

LSU-Shreveport is offering a third session of a course entitled Careers in the Legal Cannabis industry. Dr. Julie Lessiter is Vice-Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for LSUS says the course offers information on the science of legal marijuana, as well as the legalities and business practices. She says this is a “no credit” course and can be taken by anyone.

Cut 15 (09)  “…from the community.”

For more information visit LSU-Shreveport’s website.

Today is the last day for those in Ida impacted parishes to apply for disaster food stamps. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The federal government is expected to announce this morning a sizeable increase in benefits for Social Security recipients next year. Rising prices for goods and servcies will result in larger checks for retirees. Experts say the increase could rival the COLA increase of nearly six percent during the Great Recession in 2009.

LSU-Shreveport is offering a third session of a course in Careers in the Legal Cannabis industry. Dr. Julie Lessiter is Vice-Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for LSU-S and she says the class is a perfect way to acquaint oneself with the ins and outs of getting into the legal cannabis business…:
Cut 13 (13) “…what the barriers are.”
Classes start next Tuesday and contact LSU-Shreveport Continuing Education for more information.

Services will be held this weekend to honor the life of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday. Trooper Kate Stegall says Gaubert’s funeral will be held Saturday morning at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge after visitation services Friday night and Saturday morning….
Cut 10 (07) “…church.”
The man charged in Gaubert’s death, Matthew Mire, is being held without bond.

Small businesses continue to deal with a labor shortage as they attempt to return to normal operations as the pandemic eases. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shop owners are increasing pay.
Cut 7 (10) “…are raising compensation.”

Today is the final day to apply for disaster food stamps if you live in one of 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida. Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard says their customer service center will take calls until 6 PM tonight and they have an option if you can’t reach a customer representative right away…
cut 6 (11) “….place is up”
Go to DCFS’s website for more information.

LSU-Shreveport offers classes in the ins and outs of the legal marijuana business. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After dealing with budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus from the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says some of the money will go into the Rainy Day Fund and towards other constitutional dedications, leaving lawmakers an additional 450-million dollars to spend in the 2022 legislative session.

Small businesses across the U.S. and Louisiana are slightly less optimistic about the future. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has decided the state should not hand out public school letter grades this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision needs federal approval, but Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley expects that will occur.

Today is the final day to apply for disaster food stamps for residents living in 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida. The Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve answered more than 250-thousand calls for D-SNAP and approved 130-thousand households for the benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard says It’s an income-eligible-based program and they look at your income from August 26th to September 24th…
cut 5 (10) “….DSNAP benefits”
Calls today are open for all last names in the 25 impacted parishes from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.

Saturday is the funeral for Master Trooper Adam Gaubert who was fatally shot in the line of duty last weekend. Trooper Kate Stegall says the public can show their support for Trooper Gaubert and his family by lining the procession route from the funeral home to St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge…
cut 12 (04) “…honor possible”
The man accused of killing Gaubert and 37-year-old Pamela Adair in a multi-parish shooting spree, Matthew Mire, is in jail and is being held without bond.

Today is the last day to call in for those in Ida impacted parishes to call in for DSNAP interviews. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

___________________________________

Small businesses across the U.S. and Louisiana are slightly less optimistic these days about the future.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

_________________________________________

LSU-Shreveport offers classes in the ins and outs of the legal marijuana business. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

___________________________________________

Today is the last day for interviews for Disaster Food Stamps. Since DSNAP was made available for those eligible in the 25-parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says they’d been overwhelmed with calls, but now due to extra staff and extended call hours, hold times have been greatly reduced.

Cut 4 (11) “…and this week.”

Since enrollment began Howard says they’ve answered more than 250-thousand calls and processed about 175-thousand cases. She says they averaged eight thousand calls daily.  Howard says it is an income-eligible-based program and they look at your income from August 26^th to September 24^th.

Cut 5 (10) “…DNSAP benefits.”

Calls today are open for all last names for those in the impacted parishes and call hours are from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Howard says you must preregister online before you call in and they appreciate everyone’s patience during the process and they are trying to make it as convenient as possible.

Cut 6 (11) “…place is up.”

For more information visit DCFS.louisiana.gov/DSNAP

_____________________________________

It continues to be a tough field to hoe as small businesses work to return to normal as the pandemic eases.  Dawn Shea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shop owners are gearing back up and hiking pay.

Cut 7 (10) “…are raising compensation.”

However, she says 51-percent of those businesses survey reported job openings that couldn’t be filled, a nearly five-decade high.

McVea says just because you have more people applying for jobs, doesn’t mean businesses are getting the right workers knocking on the door.

Cut 8 (11) “…for business owners.”

McVea says the amount of goods available for businesses to sell is also a problem these days.

Cut 9 (08)  “…is an issue.”

_________________________

Services will be held this weekend to honor the life of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday. His funeral will be held Saturday morning at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Trooper Kate Stegall says visitation will be Friday evening at Resthaven Funeral home and on Saturday morning before the 11 am service.

Cut 10 (07)  “…church.” 

47-year old Gaubert was a 19 year veteran of the agency and was one of the two fatalities in a multi-parish shooting spree last Saturday. Gaubert’s body wasn’t discovered in his vehicle until 15 hours after his shooting in Ascension Parish. Stegall says it’s been a difficult time for everyone who knew him.

Cut 11 (07) “…agency.”

Those attending services for Gaubert are asked to use a face mask and socially distance. Stegall says the public can show their support for Trooper Gaubert and his family by lining the procession route from the funeral home to the St. George Catholic.

Cut 12 (04) “…honor possible.”

The funeral will also be live-streamed Saturday on LSP’s Facebook page.

___________________________________

LSU-Shreveport offers a third session of a course in Careers in the Legal Cannabis industry. Dr. Julie Lessiter is Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for LSUS. She says the class is a perfect way to acquaint oneself with the ins and outs of getting into the legal cannabis business…:

Cut 13 (13) “…what the barriers are.”

Medical marijuana in ingestible forms is currently legal at any of the 10 dispensaries across the state. New law taking effect next year will allow smokable medical cannabis. As more areas see legalization become reality, more and more are interested in learning about getting into the business. Lessiter says the course has been offered twice before by LSUS and can be taken no matter where you are…:

Cut 14 (11)  “…this class too.”

Lessiter says the Careers in Legal Cannabis course offers information on the science of legal marijuana, as well as the legalities and business practices. She says this is a “no credit” course and can be taken by anyone…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…from the community.”

(Classes start October 19^th. For information on the class or to sign up, contact LSU-Shreveport Continuing Education)

________________________________________________

There was a bright spot in LSU’s loss to Kentucky on Saturday. The Tigers running game finally got going as the junior running back Ty Davis-Price rushed for a career-best 147 yards and two touchdowns. Davis-Price credits the offensive line…

Cut  16 (17) “…they did”

There’s a lot of speculation about Coach Ed Orgeron’s job status. Center Liam Shanahan says they can’t control the talk that’s happening outside of the football operations’ building…

Cut 17 (19) “..for it” 

LSU will play the rest of the season without star-wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who suffered a season-ending injury. Shanahan hates to see such a key piece of their offense go down…

Cut 18 (26)”…those shoes.”

After dealing with years of budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state’s economy outperformed economists’ projections. He says when lawmakers gather for the 2022 session in March they’ll also have federal coronavirus relief dollars to spend. He says it’s an opportunity for the state to make some wise investments…

Cut  11 (07)  “…next year”  

Matthew Mire, the man accused of killing a state trooper, an Ascension Parish woman, and wounding three others Saturday in a multi-parish shooting spree, was denied bond today. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says Mire appeared in court via Zoom this afternoon and it was also revealed then that the suspect is on lockdown and under suicide watch.

Cut 13 (12) “…or others”

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  LSU Professor David Dismukes says winter heating bills in Louisiana are expected to be impacted negatively

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are skyrocketing.”

Long-awaited travel trailers for those who’ve been displaced by Ida are beginning to roll in the state.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”