The federal Inflation Reduction Act has been signed into law by President Biden, and only one Louisiana congressman voted for it. That’s District 2’s Troy Carter, who says the legislation has billions to promote green energy and reduce carbon emissions. He says the bill will lower energy costs, while minding the environment…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…this is it.”

The state’s Unclaimed Property fund is set to receive over $436-million state tax refunds, unless they’re claimed soon. Department of Revenue spokesman Byron Henderson says that can happen for a variety of reasons; like a change of address. He advises you get in touch with LDR to see in you have refund money before October. After that it goes to Unclaimed…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…personal property.

For those who’ve been nervous about getting COVID shots because of the novel nature of the Pfizer and Moderna formulas…you can now get Novavax COVID shots, which are a more conventional type of protein subunit vaccine.                The FDA has approved Novavax for person 18 and older. They’re available at LSU Health Shreveport, and soon will be most everywhere else.

To help with the ongoing teacher shortage, a new law allows retired Louisiana-certified teachers to return to the classroom, keep their retirement, and draw full pay.  President of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendent Mike Faulk says it affects teachers who retired from 2010 to June 30, 2020. He says the number who’ve elected to do that so far is not very high, and the response has been better in cities than in rural areas…:

CUT 14(08)      “…advantage of it.”

He says retired teachers interested should contact their retirement system.

The state Bond Commission has voted to delay a 39-million dollar future line of credit for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board for a second time. Attorney General Jeff Landry wants city leaders to explain why they will not enforce the state’s new abortion ban. Seven to six was the vote in favor of delaying the funding, State senator like Jimmy Harris says Landry is playing politics with future financing that can help 384-thousand people…

Cut 11 (13)  “…your locals”

But Landry says elected officials should not be able to put out a statement saying they will not follow a state law and not face repercussions

Cut 12 (09) “…of duty”  

The delay means funding would not be available at least until 2023.

Congressman Troy Carter was the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed into law Tuesday. The law aims to fight the climate crisis by investing in alternative energy and reducing carbon emissions by forty percent by 2030. We asked him if it’s too late for Louisiana’s coastline.

Cut 3 (11) “…got it today.” 

To help with the ongoing teacher shortage, a new law allows retired Louisiana-certified teachers to return to the classroom, keep their retirement, and draw full pay.  President of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendent Mike Faulk says it affects teachers who retired from 2010 to June 30, 2020.

Cut 13 (06) “…next year.”

Faulk says however the number is not significant.

For the second consecutive month, the state Bond Commission has voted to delay a 39-million dollar future line of credit for the New Orleans Sewer and Water Board. Attorney General Jeff Landry they says they want city leaders to explain their stance that it will not enforce the state’s new abortion ban law…..

Cut 9 (11)  “…democracy.”

Lobbyist Paul Rainwater spoke on behalf of the city. Rainwater made the case that this funding is critical to complete a project that would reduce street flooding in New Orleans….

Cut 10 (05) “..water board” 

Seven to six was the vote in favor of delaying the funding, which would not be made available until at least 2023.

More than $436 million in state tax returns is due to be turned over to Unclaimed Property, but the Louisiana Department of Revenue is urging the some 20 thousand individuals and businesses to contact them before the October 6^th deadline. LDR spokesperson Byron Henderson says be on the look out for a letter from LDR.

Cut 7 (09) “…August 18th.” 

As to why the tax returns have yet to be claimed, Henderson says there are a variety of reasons, for example, they’ve moved since their last return was filed.

More than $436 million in state tax returns is due to be turned over to Unclaimed Property, but the Louisiana Department of Revenue is urging the some 20-thousand individuals and businesses to contact them before October. LDR spokesperson Byron Henderson…

Cut 6 October 6^th deadline :11

Henderson says you’ll need to complete and return the LDR voucher in the Notice of Unclaimed Property letter dated August 18^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will lobby the Legislature to include rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban. The governor believes there is enough bipartisan support to add these exceptions…

Cut 15 (06)  “…thing to do.”
Next year will be an election year for state lawmakers.

Federal, state, and local officials gathered this week for a ceremony observing the deepening of the Mississippi River’s navigation channel. The river is now 50 feet deep from the mouth of the river to the Port of New Orleans and onto the Huey P. Long Bridge. Big River Coalition director Sean Duffy says the first two ships to navigate at a 50-foot draft went down the river from New Orleans within the past 10 days…:

Cut 8 (08)  “…cargo will come.”

Duffy has been working to get the river deepened for about ten years and the $250-million project will continue.

A $21 million settlement has been reached with Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation and the 105 homeowners who purchased houses from his foundation that were ill constructed after Katrina. Attorney Ron Austin says because the foundation has folded Global Green will fund the settlement.

Cut 12 (09) “…properly.” 

Governor Edwards signed a law this year that led to a ban on most abortions. But the pro-life Demcorat would like to see the Legislature next year add exceptions for rape and incest…
cut 14 (12) “…to answer it”
It remains to be seen if the mostly conservative Legislature will go along with the governor’s wishes.

For the first time in 75 years, endangered Kemp ridley sea turtle hatchlings have been spotted on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands located in eastern St. Bernard Parish. Todd Baker is project manager for the state’s coastal protection and restoration authority and he says it’s a huge deal…
Cut 4 (09) “turtle in the world”
Baker says restoring the evaporating islands becomes more of a priority now.

Officials gathered this week to observe the official opening of a deepened Mississippi River navigation channel. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

An Associated Press report says two deaths in Florida have been linked to raw oysters from Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health says they have yet to receive any formal report from their colleagues in Florida. Eating raw oysters can produce a bacterial infection and people who have an immune disorder or a blood disorder should not eat protein products raw.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will push the state legislature next year to include an exception for rape and incest to the state’s law that bans most abortions. Edwards made the comments during his monthly radio show…
cut 13 (06) “…..next year”
Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, signed a bill earlier this year that led to the closure of the state’s three abortion clinics.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests have been discovered on Louisiana’s Chandeuleur Islands for the first time in 75 years. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority project manager Todd Baker says prior to this discovery, nestings for this endangered species were found in Mexico, Texas and Florida…
cut 6 (12) “….to the population”

A $21 million settlement has been reached with Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation which constructed eco-friendly homes after Katrina. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Entergy is no longer accepting applications for a one-time 150-dollar credit after receiving 17-thousand applications during a seven hour period yesterday. Entergy made four-point-four million dollars available to eligible customers based on their total income. The significant response shows many are struggling to pay their high power bills this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will lobby the Legislature to include rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban. The governor believes there is enough bipartisan support to add these exceptions…
cut 15 (06) “….thing to do”
Next year will be an election year for state lawmakers, so how will that factor into an attempt to add rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban?

From the Huey P Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish to the mouth, the Mississippi River has been dredge so that it’s 50-feet deep instead of 45. Big River Coalition director Sean Duffy says they will now work to deepen the river all the way to the Port of Baton Rouge. He says the Mississippi leads to two of the nation’s largest river ports, and keeping commercial traffic flowing is key to the state’s economy…:
Cut 9 (10) “…that river system.”

A 20.5 million dollar settlement has been reached with Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation and the 105 homeowners who purchased houses from his foundation that were constructed in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Attorney Ron Austin says residents have lived in subpar conditions ever since.
Cut 10 (12) “…defective product.”
Austin sys the settlement will enable Make It Right homeowners to conduct necessary repairs and live in a safe environment.

Endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have been found on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands in extreme eastern St. Bernard Parish for the first time in 75 years. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority project manager Todd Baker says it’s a major development…
cut 5 (11) “…this thing”
Baker says it makes restoring the Chandeluer Islands more of a priority in an effort to save the Kemp Ridley sea turtle from extinction.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed a law this year that led to an abortion ban except for certain medical exceptions in Louisiana. But the pro-life Demcorat would like to see the Legislature next year add exceptions for rape and incest…
cut 14 (12) “…to answer it”
It remains to be seen if the mostly conservative Legislature will go along with the governor’s wishes.

A 20-million dollar settlement has been reached between residents of a post Hurricane Katrina housing development in New Orleans and superstar actor Brad Pitt and the Make it Right Foundation. The foundation paid for the construction of poorly built homes that turned out to have many issues including mold, sewage and electrical problems. Attorney Ron Austin…
cut 11 (04) “…else to go”
The settlement going to the 107 homeowners will be funded by Global Green.

Officials gathered this week to observe the official opening of a deepened Mississippi River navigation channel. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

There’s an Associated Press story with a headline that reads two deaths in Florida linked to raw oysters from Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health says they have yet to receive any formal report from their colleagues in Florida. L-D-H says if confirmed they will follow their routine Molluscan Shellfish Program safety protocols.