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.