Critics say President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program is a waste of money and a vote grab. Supporters say it provides needed relief from crushing debt caused by soaring college costs. Marsanne Golsby has one young family’s perspective.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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The state’s Gaming Control Board confirms it: sportsbook – in person and via an app – is a big success in Louisiana. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Laura. Brooke Thorington talks with Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter about with city’s recovery.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Twenty-two billion dollars. That’s how much student debt the Education Data Initiative says more than 650 thousand Louisiana residents are carrying. Nationwide, those with incomes less than 125 thousand or household incomes of less than 250 thousand could see their debts reduced or eliminated.

Thirty-two-year-old Victoria Carter says she took out about thirty thousand dollars in loans and had paid all but about eleven thousand dollars of it when her young family relocated for her husband’s job.

Cut 4 (11)  “…right now.”

Her loans have been on hold and she says if she has to resume payments it will cost about 600 dollars a month for her and her husband. And even though she says her family is frugal, resuming the loans would be tough.

Cut 5 (09) “…our loans.”

Carter says young people are pressured to attend colleges to have good careers, but the cost is out of reach for many students now. She says those who say the relief is unfair to people who’ve paid off their loans may not understand how expensive college is.

Cut 6 (10)  “…when I was a kid.”

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The state’s Gaming Control Board reports sports betting – in person and via phone app – is off to a vigorous start in Louisiana. LGCB Chairman Ronnie Johns says numbers collected for the first half of the calendar year shows just over $85-million has been bet on sporting events through June 30^th…:

Cut 7 (08) “…revenue for the state.”

In-person sportsbook has been available since last November, but betting with apps has only been around since February. Johns says, of that $85-million bet, the state gets roughly $16.5-million dollars. He says some of that filters down to cities and parishes…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…early childhood education.”

Johns says the figures for the first half of 2022 are encouraging. He says estimates were the state would rake in about $30-million a year from sportsbook, but those estimates will be revised upward. College and pro football begin in just weeks, and Johns expects sports betting to surge…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…we move forward.”

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Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Laura, as the Category 4 storm made landfall in southwest Louisiana. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his outlook has improved immensely since this time last year now that city has received an allocation of federal supplemental disaster aid.

Cut 10 (11) “…around the corner.”

With a population of 80 thousand Hunter says many are still struggling to put their lives back together and reflecting on the anniversary can be difficult. Hunter says on Saturday he will spend time with his family and reflect on how the city has recovered since Laura.

Cut  11 (06)  “…as well.” 

Hunter says Lake Charles should be the poster child for when a community should receive supplemental disaster aid but after experiencing four federally declared disasters in 10 months it took longer than any other city in the nation to receive aid. And while every natural disaster is different, Hunter says the response shouldn’t be.

Cut 12 (11) “…disaster aid.” 

Hunter encourages residents to visit Lake Charles and see how much progress has been made.

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All the rain this week has not been good for the state’s soybean crop. It’s the state’s largest crop at one-point-two million acres planted, but LSU soybean specialist Doctor David Moseley says it’s getting bad for some farmers, especially in northeast Louisiana

Cut 13 (09) “..to rot.”

Over a foot of rain has fallen this week in some areas and Moesley says that leads to what is known as pod degradation…

Cut 14 (09)  “…the pod.

There’s about a 50-percent chance of rain through the weekend in northeast Louisiana and Moseley says they really need the rain to stop so they can harvest the crop…

Cut 15 (07)  “…right now.”

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The Saints will play their third and final preseason game tonight against the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Dennis Allen has not given any indication how long the regular season starters will play or if they’ll play, but it’s certainly a big game for the guys trying to make the team…

Cut 16 (11)  “..extremely important.”

The Saints currently have 80 players on their roster and will have to get down to 53 for the regular season. Defensive end Cam Jordan has this advice for the guys who are on bubble and might end up getting cut…

Cut 17 (28) “…will find y9u” 

Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu is looking forward to the regular season as he expects the defense to be a real strength…

Cut  18 (23)“…Super Bowl.”

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 Cut 19 (24) “…as a man”

Cut 20 (19) “ …intermediate accuracy” 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell defends her recent trip to France for a “sister city” agreement signing…at a cost of $43-thousabnd to taxpayers. She and aides stayed at a luxury hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower. She says she didn’t pick the hotel…:

CUT 13(12)      “…that regard.”

LSU’S one point five-billion-dollar fundraising campaign surpasses its goal three years early. LSU Foundation President Rob Stuart says the largest donations are from Our Lady of the Lake and LCMC Health for major improvements in health care. Stuart says the focus on health care and research initiatives is important.

Cut 5  (11) “..going forward.”

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation do not support President Biden’s plan to cancel or in some cases reduce the student loan debt. Senator Bill Cassidy says instead of providing student loan relief, he believes there should be greater transparency on college costs and post-college earnings. He’s calling on Congress to pass his College Transparency Act…

Cut 11 (12)  “.average earn”

When gas prices soared to record highs, several placed blame on the Biden Administration for limiting oil and gas leases. But Louisiana’s Commissioner of Conservation Richard Ieyoub says last year the department issued more than 500 permits and they project that number will exceed 800 this year.

Cut 6 (11) “…comes up.” 

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation do not support President Biden’s plan to cancel or in some cases reduce the student loan debt for millions of Americans. Senator Bill Cassidy calls it a spit in the face of Louisiana families who are struggling to get by…:

CUT 09(13)      “…they make.”

Cassidy says the President is spending 300-billion dollars that the country does not have.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is defending the 43-thousand dollars spent on a four-day trip to France where she signed a “sister city” agreement with a resort town on the French Riviera. Cantrell says the trip allowed her to promote tourism back to Louisiana…:

CUT 12(11)      “…city of New Orleans.”

While many blame the Biden Administration for the increase in gas prices after a ban on new oil and gas leases, the state’s chief regulator of the industry says drilling activity is up in Louisiana…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

DOTD says parts of I-10 through Baton Rouge could be reduced to ONE LANE for a full year, while workers widen the highway. The planned one-lane section will be short, and it’s not expected to begin until early 2024.

Many of us may blame the White House for hampering the energy industry and forcing gas prices skyward, but would it surprise you to hear oil & gas drilling permits are on the increase? State Commissioner of Conservation Richard Ieyoub says up to 800 permits will be issued by year’s end. He says that’s a real increase versus a decline of drilling here in the Bayou State…:

CUT 07(07)      “…our jurisdiction.”

In terms of actual dollars, oil & gas is still the biggest contributor the state’s annual fiscal picture.

The Louisiana National Guard is holding a town hall meeting to discuss the renaming of Camp Beauregard. The name is changing due to its confederate roots. The town hall will be Thursday, September 8^th at 6 pm at the camps’ Post Theater in Pineville. The public is encouraged to come to offer thoughts, concerns and suggestions for a new name.

LSU officials are thrilled about the success of their latest fundraising campaign. It has surpassed its goal and done that three years early…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is taking heat for showing up in court last week to support a convicted juvenile carjacker; not the victims. Her response…?

CUT 14(10)      “…what I did.”

While many blame the Biden Administration for high gas prices due to its energy policies, the state’s chief regulator of the industry says drilling activity is up in Louisiana…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge mother is under arrest for allegedly stealing goods from a children’s clothing store and setting fire to a clothing rack; presumably to cover the escape. LRN is told Jerdae Tanner’s two children assisted in the crime. She is charged with aggravated arson and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Count Senator Bill Cassidy as big “no” vote on President Biden’s student loan pay-down plan. Cassidy says instead of providing student loan relief, he believes the federal government should require greater transparency to college costs and post-college earnings. He’s once again calling on Congress to pass his College Transparency Act…:

CUT 11(12)      “…average earn.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell defends her recent trip to France for a “sister city” agreement signing…at a cost of $43-thousabnd to taxpayers. She and aides stayed at a luxury hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower. She says she didn’t pick the hotel…:

CUT 13(12)      “…that regard.”

Many are debating President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel or in some cases reduce a person’s college loan debt by as much as 20-thousand dollars. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says it is unfair for a person who paid off their college loan, while others who have not are catching a big break…
cut 10 (12) “…paid for”
But Democratic New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the President is bringing long-needed relief to student loan borrowers.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is defending the 43-thousand dollars spent on a four-day trip to France where she signed a “sister city” agreement with a resort town on the French Riviera. Cantrell says the trip allowed her to promote…
cut 12 (11) “…city of New Orleans”
NOLA-dot-com says Cantrell and her aides stayed at a luxury hotel overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

LSU officials are thrilled about the success of their latest fundraising campaign. It has surpassed its goal three years earlier than projected. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is sitting up today after suffering a heart attack Sunday night. Webre says doctors told him that the type of heart attack he has is often fatal. Webre credits the doctors and medical staff for the lifesaving measures they performed.

When gas prices soared to record highs, several placed blame on the Biden Administration for limiting oil and gas leases. But Louisiana’s Commissioner of Conservation Richard Ieyoub says last year the department issued more than 500 permits and they project that number will exceed 800 this year.

Cut 6 (11) “…comes up.” 

Conservation is considered the chief regulator of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.

LSU’S one point five-billion-dollar fundraising campaign has surpassed its goal—and done so three years early. The Fierce for the Future Foundation President Rob Stuart says four hundred million dollars has been raised since President William Tate arrived. Direct donations flowed into every LSU campus in the system, and there’s more for scholarships.

Cut 4  (09) “…are important.”

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation do not support President Biden’s plan to cancel or in some cases reduce the student loan debt for millions of Americans. Senator Bill Cassidy calls it a spit in the face of Louisiana families who are struggling to get by.

Cut 9 (13)  “…they make.”

But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans says the President is bringing long-needed relief to student loan borrowers and allows them to seek more opportunities in the future.

LSU’S one point five billion dollar fundraising campaign has surpassed its goal—and done so three years early. The Fierce for the Future campaign received donations for every LSU campus. LSU Foundation President Rob Stuart says donations to the previous campaign were split evenly between academics and athletics. But this time two-thirds of the money went to academics.
Cut 3 (10) “…academic side”
Stuart says four hundred million dollars has been raised in the year since President William F. Tate IV arrived.

The Board of Regents has revised its admission standards allowing students who passed college courses in high school to be admitted into a university, even if they don’t have the required GPA or ACT score. Deputy Higher Ed Commissioner Tristan Denly says the policy change supports the state’s Master Plan goal of doubling the number of credentials awarded annually by 2030…
cut 8 (10) “…secondary attainment”

Twelve families who lived on the Isle de Jean Charles island have moved into new homes in Terrebonne Parish as part of a 48-million dollar federal resettlement plan, because the Island is washing away into the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 11 (10) “…climate change”
Pat Forbes with the State Office of Community Development says they expect another two dozen families to re-locate to the new neighborhood by the end of the year.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the state’s first accountability plan for kindergarten through second grade. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s a literacy focused-plan and students will begin taking a literacy indicator during the 2024-25 school year. He says they have several ideas on how to ensure students can read at grade level once they reach the third grade…
cut 14 (12) “….the school”