A Crowley Republican has been tapped to chair the House committee in charge of redistricting in 2021. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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As football fans get ready for the LHSAA Prep Classic, this year it’s the city of Natchitoches putting out the red carpet for attendees. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Crowley Representative and Republican John Stefanski has been tapped by the State House Speaker to chair House and Governmental Affairs, the committee tasked with overseeing redistricting next year.
We don’t have census data just yet but Stefanski says they’re pretty confident about one thing…
Cut 3 (08) “…right now.”
Ten years ago the state lost a congressional seat after the population plummeted post-Hurricane Katrina.
Redistricting defines the boundaries of each Legislative and Congressional district and can result in maps that are a major boon for the party in control of the Legislature, but Stefanski says he aims to be fair…
Cut 4 (08) “…right”
The map will be crafted in House and Governmental Affairs and must win full Legislative approval in the Republican-dominated Capitol, but could be vetoed by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.
Stefanski says redistricting is a major endeavor but the Legislature’s first priority upon returning to session in April will be addressing a likely COVID-induced budget deficit…
Cut 5 (08) “..redistricting.”
The Legislature is scheduled to convene the regular session on April 12th and can run until June 10th. A redistricting focused special session could take place a day after the regular session ends.
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The Day 1 Families Fund awards Catholic Charities of Acadiana a $5-million dollar grant to help families facing homelessness. Catholic Charities Spokesperson Ben Broussard says with the pandemic and two major hurricanes the grant couldn’t have come at a better time.
Cut 6 (11) “…homelessness.”
The Day 1 Families Fund is a part of the Jeff Bezos Day One charitable organization, Bezos is best known as the founder of Amazon. Broussard says this is the largest grant they have ever received in their 47-year history.
Cut 7 (11) “…to us.”
Broussard says just this year with mass evictions and the hurricanes they’ve spent half a million dollars to keep families from being homeless. The $5 million grant will help them build a new shelter and aid more families.
Cut 8 (11) “…right there.”
Broussard says they’ve seen family homelessness grow by 200-percent in the Acadiana area this year.
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High School Football Fans will begin flocking to Natchitoches Saturday to attend the annual Louisiana High School Athletic Associations’ Prep Classic. Kelli West, spokesperson for the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission says they are looking forward to new visitors.
Cut 9 (07) “…favorite team.”
The games were moved away from New Orleans due to COVID restrictions.
West says fans can get an early start on taking in the sites Saturday night with a fireworks show before games kick off on Sunday. They can also bask in the city’s renowned Christmas lights.
Cut 10 (12) “…and scenes.”
Natchitoches will be catering to football fans by extending hours for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum. West says there’s plenty of activities for visitors.
Cut 11 (11) “…see and do.”
Natchitoches is also home to the house featured in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias.
The games will be played at Northwestern State, Sunday through Wednesday.
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The Saints continue the race for the 1st seed in the NFC playoffs today against the 6-8 Vikings in the Dome with kickoff set for 3:30.
Minnesota haunts the dreams of Black and Gold fans and Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins says while their nemesis has struggled this year their record is not reflective of their talent…
Cut 12 (08) “…A-game.”
Six of the Viking’s eight losses have been by a touchdown or less. The Saints are only a game and a half behind Green Bay for the only bye week in the playoffs.
The Saints now top receiver Emmanuel Sanders is excited about the Christmas Day contest. He says it’ll be a packed, but fun day for him and his family.
Cut 13 (11) “…Day.”
It’s the first time the Saints have ever played on Christmas Day. The last NFL games to be played on Christmas were in 2017.
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The Ragin Cajuns go after their tenth win of the season Saturday when they take on Texas San Antonio in the Servpro First Responder Bowl in Dallas. U-L Lafayette enters the game as co-champs of the Sun Belt Conference. They were disappointed the conference tite game was canceled because of COVID issues with Coastal Carolina, but Coach Billy Napier says his team is now focused on winning this bowl game…
Cut 14 (14) “…right way”
U-L Lafayette is 9-1, while the Roadrunners are 7-and-4 and enter the game on a three-game winning streak. U-T-S-A features the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in Sincere McCormick, who has rushed for 13-hundred yards. Napier says they must slow down McCormick…
Cut 15 (15)“…success.”
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