Congress has passed legislation awarding Saints hero and ALS advocate Steve Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal…
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A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana parents with children enrolled in private schools now have the ability to take advantage of the new START K12 saving program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Saints legend and ALS advocate Steve Gleason will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal., Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2007, memorably blocking a punt for a touchdown against the Falcons in the Saints first game back in the dome after Katrina. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s the highest honor Congress can bestow.
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The bill passed nearly unanimously in both chambers of Congress.
Gleason was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2011, and has since fought to raise awareness of the condition, and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from the fatal disease that results in the slow degradation of motor functions. Cassidy says his accomplishments are remarkable.
Cut 5 (10) “…vocal chords.”
The bill was pushed largely by the Louisiana, and Washington delegations. Gleason is a Washington state native.
Cassidy says he’s the first disabled American to receive the award, and is a model for those who suffer with disabilities that their lives can have meaning, and be fulfilling. Cassidy says Congress is sending a message with the honor.
Cut 6 (12) “momentous.”
The bill awaits the President’s signature.
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A dispute over a holiday display in the front yard of a Mandeville home has taken over social media. An anonymous note was sent to the home of Diana Rowland, by what Rowland calls a “Judgy McJudgeface” neighbor, saying her use of three inflatable dragons as decorations was inappropriate at Christmas and made her neighbors wonder if she was involved in a demonic cult. It’s Rowland’s response that has gotten plenty of attention on the web.
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Rowland says she doesn’t suspect it’s a nearby neighbor, or it’s someone new to the area as she’s put the dragons up in the past without incident.
Cut 8 (09) “…the dragons better.″
While Rowland says she’s gotten offers for additional Christmas decorations in an effort to further anger the person, she insists she likely won’t be adding any more to the display.
Cut 9 (10) “…over the top.”
Rowland adds the social media buzz has even captured the attention of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
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Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition related expenses between kindergarten and 12th grade. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s excited about the plan that could see parents use up to $10,000 annually on private school tuition.
Cut 10 (11) “…college savings plan.”
Foil says the idea stemmed from the college START saving program already in place and when the federal tax plan was done in congress last year, a provision was put in saying those with a college savings plan can use the funds toward a tax break on tuition expenses for K through 12.
Cut 11 (11) “…they are born.”
Foil says the program is a big win, even if a child does not attend private school.
Cut 12 (08) “…for college tuition.”
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Louisiana personal income growth tanked in the third quarter, down to 2.3 percent, good for 48th in the nation. That’s down from 4.8 and 6.6 percent in the second and first quarters respectively. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re just now feeling the effects of the full tariffs, which he credited with a 101 million dollar drop in farm earnings that quarter.
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Edwards highlighted a Forbes report that detailed how Louisiana was most at risk of economic penalties related to tariffs.
Edwards, one of the few prominent national Democrats who maintains a working relationship with the President, has sent a letter to Trump, asking the Commander in Chief to back out of the escalating trade war with China.
Cut 14 (10) “…as possible.”
But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s more complicated than just the tariffs. While they hurt farmers, there was also a lot of nasty, heavy rains that hit just as harvest time had rolled around.
Cut 15 (10) “…plowed under”
And Strain says it’s not just farmers that took a huge hit this quarter. With the price at the pump at a remarkable low, the oil industry is on its back heels again, and suffering noticeable losses.
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The Saints can lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Black and Gold and the Steelers only play each other once every four years, but Quarterback Drew Brees says the Steel Curtain defense is playing like you expect them to play…
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The Saints have only scored 50 points in their last three games. Brees says they have to cut down on the mistakes that are stalling drives…
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Some would say Sunday’s game is match-up between future hall of fame quarterbacks, Drew Brees versus Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls. But defensive end Cam Jordan says Roethlisberger is not even one of top five quarterbacks of this era
Cut 19 (18) “…okay”