In July, a new three digit mental health and suicide prevention hotline was introduced and according to Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator with the department of health Robyn Thomas says there’s been an increase in substance abuse calls, plus calls related to anxiety, depression, and especially financial concerns…..
cut 6 (12) “…financial assistance”
The suicide and crisis lifeline is 9-8-8.

Inflation has been at a 40-year high but your Thanksgiving dinner will not break the bank. According to the American Farm Bureau price survey Louisiana residents can expect to pay $13.62 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten. Farm Bureau of Louisiana spokesperson Avery Davidson…
Cut 14 (07) “…sweet potatoes.”

We are expecting an announcement this week from U-S Senator Bill Cassidy on whether he’ll run for governor in 2023. Fellow G-O-P U.S. Senator John Kennedy, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Treasurer John Schroder are also considering running for governor. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s also strongly considering…:
cut 8 (09) “….over Thanksgiving”
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt and Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson are also considering, while State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is a possible candidate on the Democrat side.

Governor Edwards has about 14 months left in office. Edwards says improving education is one of his top priorities. Next year will be a mostly fiscal legislative session and Edwards hopes lawmakers will remain focused on what’s best for the state not their own agenda in an election year…
cut 12 (11) “…their election”

Who will run for governor next year is a big topic in Louisiana politics? Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt is a possible candidate. The chairwoman of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee says she’s looking at her options…
cut 9 (07) “…in January”
Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson also says he plans to make an official announcement in January but told a Baton Rouge radio station this morning he’s likely in.

And while who’s running for governor in 2023 has made the headlines of late, Governor John Bel Edwards says there are a few things he wants to accomplish in the final year of his second term. For example, continued strides with education.
Cut 11 (13) “…far too long.”
Edwards made the comments on his monthly call-in radio show.

Mental health officials say crisis calls have jumped by nearly half since a new, shorter number replaced an old ten-digit number in July. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says over 10-percent of ER visits are individuals who are sick with the flu. Kanter says get the flu shot now especially with the holiday season right around the corner…
cut 21 (10) “…flu season”

A lot of names are being thrown about as possible candidates for Governor in 2023. Kevin Gallagher reports on two of them who’ve been pretty quiet about it so for…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

School performance scores indicate Louisiana K-12 schools are back at pre-pandemic levels. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley believes if they stay the course on literacy, refresh the way they think about math teaching, continue to transform high schools and…
Cut 29 (09) “…in the state of Louisiana.”

Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator Robyn Thomas at the Louisiana Department of Health says the new 988 national suicide prevention and crisis hotline has seen a 50-percent increase in calls since it replaced a ten-digit number in July. Thomas says counselors can connect callers with additional resources if they are needed…
cut 5 (11) “….confidential”
And again that number is 9-8-8.

We’ve heard a lot about inflation, but according to the American Bureau Federation Thanksgiving Dinner Price survey, Louisiana residents can expect to spend 13-dollars less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten people. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson…
cut 15 (13) “….food source”
Davidson says the average price for a frozen turkey is just under 20-bucks.

Political buzz is afoot about who will or will not enter the race to be Louisiana’s next governor in 2023. The state Republican Party announced its support of Attorney General Jeff Landry. Another name being mentioned is District 6 Congressman Garret Graves, who’s been in the House since 2015. Graves says he’s had dozens of people ask him if he would consider running…:
Cut 7 (12) “…the race right now.”
Graves says he’ll spend a lot of time thinking about it over the Thanksgiving holiday. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is also a possible candidate. Hewitt says she’ll announce her decision in January. She says she is deeply concerned about the direction of the state…:
Cut 10 (12) “…greener pastures.”

Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator says she is glad so many Louisianans are using the new mental health and suicide prevention hotline. When the new 988 number replaced an old ten-digit number in July calls increased by nearly 50 percent. Robyn Thomas says when people call 988 they reach a trained professional in Louisiana.
Cut 4 (11) “…feel better.”

A survey finds a Thanksgiving dinner cooked in a home in Louisiana will cost less than the national average.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Mental health officials say crisis calls have jumped by nearly half since a new, shorter number replaced an old ten-digit number. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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A lot of names are being thrown about as possible candidates for Governor in 2023. Kevin Gallagher reports on two of them who’ve been pretty quiet about it so for…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A survey finds a Thanksgiving dinner cooked in a home in Louisiana will cost less than the national average. Whitney Thomas reports…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator says she is glad so many Louisianans are using the new mental health and suicide prevention hotline. When the new 988 number replaced an old ten-digit number calls increased by nearly 50 percent.  Robyn Thomas says when people call 988 they reach a trained professional.

Cut 4 (11)  “…feel better.”

She says counselors can connect callers with additional resources if they are needed.

Cut 5 (11) “…confidential.”

Thomas says there’s been an increase in substance abuse calls, plus calls related to anxiety, depression, and especially financial concerns.

Cut 6 (12)  “… financial assistance .” 

Again, the number is simply 988

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Political buzz is afoot about who will or will not enter the race to be Louisiana’s next governor in 2023. The state Republican Party announced its support of Attorney General Jeff Landry. Another name being mentioned is District 6 Congressman Garret Graves, who’s been in the House since 2015. Graves says, since the midterm elections, he’s had dozens of people ask him if he would consider running…:

Cut 7 (12) “…the race right now.”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, plus Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Treasurer John Schroder are also considering running for governor. Graves says there are some possible opportunities to better represent Louisiana in Congress in the New Year, and he is weighing his options seriously…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…over Thanksgiving.”

Another Republican considering the 2023 race for governor is St. Tammany Parish state Senator Sharon Hewitt, who is a committee chair and has authored numerous bills that became state law. Hewitt says she is also looking at her options…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…in January.”

Hewitt says she’ll announce her decision sometime in January. She says she is deeply concerned about the direction of the state, and who will really work to make things better…:

Cut 10 (12) “…greener pastures.” 

Hewitt says her decision will be based on where she can be of most & best use to Louisiana.

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And while who’s running for governor in 2023 has made the headlines of late, Governor John Bel Edwards says there are a few things he wants to accomplish in the final year of his second term. For example, continued strides with education.

Cut  11 (13)   “…far too long.” 

The next legislative session, and Edwards’ final session, will be a fiscal one and he’s hoping lawmakers remain focused on what’s best for the state and not their own agenda considering it’s an election year.

Cut 12 (11) “…their election.”

And Edwards says there have been great strides in making passenger rail service from New Orleans to Baton Rouge a reality in the near future and even more projects are in the works.

Cut 13 (11) “…about that.”

And the state’s 56^th governor believes a continued focus on clean energy will only attract more industry and individuals to the state.

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Inflation has been at a 40-year high but your Thanksgiving dinner will not break the bank. According to the 37th annual American Farm Bureau price survey Louisiana residents can expect to pay $13.62 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people. Fam Bureau of Louisiana spokesperson Avery Davidson says when farmers can save in producing people can save consuming…

Cut 14 (07)  “…sweet potatoes.”

Consumers can purchase a frozen self-basting Young Tom Turkey for a little under $20 this year and purchase fresh sweet potatoes for less than $3.00. Davidson says farmers have been working hard to keep consumer satisfaction.

Cut 15 (13)  “…in the world.”

Cubed stuffing, Serving rolls, and frozen greens are all under $8.00 this year. Davidson says he’s satisfied with Louisiana food resources.

Cut  16 (12)  “…food source.”

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 LSU will honor 17 seniors on Saturday night before they face UAB in the final home game of the season. One of those seniors is defensive end Ali Gaye. The native of Gambia says his parents will attend their first game in Tiger Stadium

Cut 17 (16) “…seeing that.”

Gaye has had a nice season, but many people in college football are talking about true freshman Harold Perkins, who has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week two years in a row. Gaye says Perkins is a special player…

Cut 18 (15) “…for him” 

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ULM has won two in a row but face a big test this Saturday when they visit Troy. The Trojans have won seven in a row and holding opponents to 16 points a game. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden says Troy is playing championship defense…

Cut 19 (19) “…every week.”

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The Saints are sticking with Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback for this Sunday’s game against the Rams. Coach Dennis Allen announced his decision after Wednesday’s practice…

Cut 20 (20) “…focus on”

Flu activity in Louisiana is twice the national average. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the flu vaccine takes effect relatively quickly and urges people to get vaccinated, especially with the holidays approaching.

Cut 11 (11)  “…very strong flu season.”

School performance scores indicate Louisiana schools are back at pre-pandemic levels Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley made the announcement this morning and says the statewide performance score in 2019 was 77-point-1 and for 2022 the state has bounced back.

Cut 3 (11) “…77-point-1” 
He credits a collective focus on attendance and well-being and professional learning for teachers for the increase in scores.

Two Louisiana members of Congress are preparing for bigger roles when the 118^th Congress convenes next year. District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise will be the House Majority Leader. He says he’ll work on crime, inflation, and the border…:

Cut 7 (11)  “…struggling”

District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson, who was re-elected without an opponent, will be vice-chair of the House Republican Caucus. He says it will give Louisiana a stronger voice on committee assignments and such…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…whole country.“

Congressmen Garret Graves, Clay Higgins, Julia Letlow, and Troy Carter are also expected to advance in their committee assignments.

Flu season is hitting Louisiana early, and hard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says flu activity here is nearly twice the national average…:

CUT 10(10)      “…signs of slowing yet.”

He says flu shots are available everywhere and they’re even free to those that cannot afford them. For information, visit “ldh.la.gov.”

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise won re-election last week and has also been elected the next House Majority leader, after Republicans take control in January. Scalise says he’ll work on the issues that are important to hardworking Americans…:

CUT 06(11)      “…communities safe.”

Hale Boggs was the last U.S. Representative from Louisiana to serve as majority leader…about 50 years ago.

School performance scores for K-12 return to pre-pandemic levels. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

An administrator with New Orleans’ Regional Transit Authority has been found to be covertly holding a similar job in Tampa Bay…simultaneously. Teri Wright’s combined salaries from both jobs is reportedly over $2350-thousand. Wright is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.