A new survey says increasing access to child care would mean big bucks for the state’s economy. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

State lawmakers learned today that Louisiana finished the previous fiscal year with a budget surplus of 565-million dollars. The state constitution limits how legislators can spend that money. Legislative leadership says they can use the additional cash to improve roads, complete more capital construction projects and fortify the coast.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill continues to call on the Southeastern Conference to drop its lawsuit against LSU officials. The league filed a federal lawsuit about six weeks ago to prevent LSU from rostering players that signed contracts with NFL and NBA teams. Murrill told ESPN Baton Rouge Radio LSU has not done that, so why the lawsuit….

Cut 11 (11) “…bizarre”

LSU men’s basketball played an exhibition game with just players last night as Coach Will Wade’s team is making doubly sure that the players who play are eligible.

Two new ferry boats will help commercial  and private vehicles cross the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron Parish. They are replacing a ferry that’s been in service since 1964. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet says a private company will also handle operations, which will be good for DOTD…

Cut 8 (08) “….longtime”

Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors in Houma built the ferries.

State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s been 75-hundred dollars for 46 years and now it’s time for Louisiana’s homestead exemption to go up.  Flemming says he’s ready to work with Louisiana legislators and other state and local officials to substantially increase the homestead exemption

Cut 12 (05) “…governor about this.”

Fleming says because the homestead exemption has not been increased, it’s resulted in an increase in property taxes on homeowners as a result of rising property values.

The first real cold front of Fall moves through the state on Friday. Temperatures will be much cooler this weekend, but LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of wildfires increases…

Cut 13 (12) “…pretty high”

Nearly all of north and central Louisiana is under an outdoor burn ban.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says a recent study shows that if there was adequate access to early childhood education, 30-thousand parents would be able to work, instead of staying at home to care for their children….

Cut 4 (11) “…workforce entirely”

That’s Doctor Heather Cope with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, who says the state is missing out on three-billion dollars in additional earnings because of the lack of affordable early childhood education options.

In Cameron Parish, two new ferries are replacing the Cameron Two ferry that’s been in service since 1964.  Each boat will measure 190- feet, by 50 feet, by 13 feet. DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet says putting these new boats in service will ensure uninterrupted loading and unloading of commercial vehicles across the Calcasieu Ship Channel…

Cut 7 (10) “…often.”

About 800 vehicles a day depend on this ferry service.

The author of Amendment 8 says it’s something the state needs. It would prohibit a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary from seizing private property for necessary purposes, known as expropriation.  Rosepine Representative Chuck Owen says the amendment would clarify current law to specify “foreign adversaries” as defined by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Cut 24 (08) “…and Iran are.”

Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore is reacting to harsh words from owner Gayle Benson as she expressed her displeasure over the team’s disappointing start to the season. Moore says Benson’s comments will not change the team’s preparation because they were already focused on getting better. He says they work in a results-based business and things will need to improve.

Cut 14 (08) “…better moving forward.”

Cut 23 (fade after 4 seconds and use as bed)

In this case, the Calcasieu Ship Channel will have to do. A new ferry boat has been put into service at the Cameron Crossing in southwest Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Three suspects are arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in St. Martinville. 22-year-old Carter Williams, 18-year-old Kason Sias Jr. and 17-year-old Jenarius Johnson are charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Michael Fusilier of Lafayette.

A new survey says increasing access to child care could get almost 30-thousand mothers to re-enter the workforce, generating 3.2-billion dollars in additional earnings. Dr. Heather Cope, the chief of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says the state needs to make child care more affordable, with child care currently costing up to 12-thousand dollars a year per child.

Cut 5 (06) “…any family’s budget.”

A new ferryboat is in operation for the Cameron crossing in Cameron Parish. Department of Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet says the Holly Beach ferryboat will replace the Cameron Two, which has been in service since 1964.

Cut 6 (08) “..100 miles”

The Cameron crossing is not getting just one ferryboat, it’s getting two. The second ferry boat is expected to be completed in late November.

Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a call to action to her team to respond to a disappointing start to the season. Kace Kieschnick has how her head coach and quarterback responded.

Cut 23 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

It will be the Big 12 versus the Pac-12 in the 50th Independence Bowl this December. The Pac-12 tie-in is actually for one of its Legacy teams – Oregon State, Washington State and the ten schools which departed the conference back in 2024. The game will be played Tuesday, December 22nd, at 7:30 Central Time.

A new survey says increasing access to child care would mean big bucks for the state’s economy. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The man accused of killing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, whose remains were found in a Baton Rouge-area landfill, has pleaded not guilty. 51-year-old Maurice Parms entered his plea during a court appearance. He’s facing six counts, including first-degree murder and indecent behavior with a child.

The SEC is not dismissing its federal lawsuit against LSU, but Attorney General Liz Murrill told 104.5 ESPN in Baton Rouge that goes directly against the wishes of the member institutions.

Cut 9 (14)  “…wrongdoing.”

The SEC says even though LSU never rostered any former NFL or NBA players, Will Wade’s recruitment of former G League player RJ Luis still threatens its pro player ban and its right to enforce its rules.

Frustration seems to be boiling over in Who Dat Nation, with Saints Owner Gayle Benson not mincing words in expressing her frustration in the team’s poor start to the season. Quarterback Tyler Shough says he and his teammates share Benson’s expectations for the team.

Cut 15 (10) “…can that way.”

A new report says increasing access to child care could unlock billions of dollars in economic growth for the state. Dr. Heather Cope, the chief of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says increasing access to early childhood education could allow almost 30-thousand parents to re-enter the workforce, leading to 3.2-billion dollars in additional earnings.

Cut 3 (11) “…for the state.”

The shipbuilding industry in Louisiana just got a shot in the arm with the Small Business Administration granting Fletcher Technical Community College nearly five-million dollars. Carrie Cortez, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce initiatives, says Fletcher will focus its workforce training and technical assistance to small manufacturers in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (09) “…and St. Martin.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is calling for a major increase in Louisiana’s homestead exemption. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bicyclist is killed in St. Mary Parish after being rear-ended by a pickup truck. State Police say a 42-year-old man from Patterson was riding on the line along the edge of U.S. 90 at around one yesterday morning when the pickup truck hit him from behind. Police say the cyclist was wearing dark clothing at the time and was not wearing a helmet.

State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s been 75-hundred dollars for 46 years and now it’s time for Louisiana’s homestead exemption to go up.  Flemming says he’s ready to work with Louisiana legislators and other state and local officials to substantially increase the homestead exemption and give much needed tax reductions to struggling Louisiana citizens.

Cut 12 (05) “…governor about this.”

The shipbuilding industry in Louisiana just got a shot in the arm with the Small Business Administration granting Fletcher Technical Community College in Terrebonne Parish nearly five-million dollars. Carrie Cortez, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce initiatives at Fletcher, says the school will use that money to offer hands-on practical training and  manufacturing-specific business instruction.

Cut 5 (11) “…capability development overall.”

——————–

Saints owner Gayle Benson speaking out calling the black and gold’s 1 and 4 start to this season unacceptable.  Head Coach Kellen Moore says Benson’s comments will not change the team’s preparation because they were already focused on getting better. He says they work in a results-based business and things will need to improve.

Cut 14 (08) “…better moving forward.”

A Monroe man has been arrested and charged with second degree murder after Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s investigators say he admitted to shooting a 13 year old boy.  23 year old Joshua Darnell Swan was arrested after deputies found the body of a teenager who’d been reported missing– inside a dumpster on Sunday with a gunshot would to the head.  Authorities say three other juveniles witnessed the shooting.

State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s time to increase Louisiana’s homestead exemption. That hasn’t happened in 46 years.  In recent years, state lawmakers have filed legislation to raise the homestead exemption, but business groups and policy organizations have opposed. They’ve argued it reduces vital revenue for local services. But Fleming says local governments need to be more fiscally responsible.

Cut 11 (10) “…help the people.”

After Leaders for a Better Louisiana urges voters to vote “no” on Amendment Eight, we are now hearing from the author of that amendment. Rosepine Representative Chuck Owen says Amendment 8 would prohibit a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary from seizing private property for necessary purposes, known as expropriation.  Owen says while it has not happened in Louisiana, allowing a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary to get its hands on land in Louisiana could have a devastating ripple effect.

Cut 9 (10)  “…off the table.”

——————————-

Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a call to action to her team to response to a disappointing start to the season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A  Slidell man is facing charges in connection with a hit and run that happened Tuesday evening on Gause Boulevard.  Officials say 48 year old Ralph Bordelon fled the scene after hitting the two runners.  He’s facing two counts of hit and run.  Both victims were taken to the hospital with non life-threating injuries.