Governor John Bel Edwards will hold his annual year-end press conference today. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says he expects Edawrds to avoid talking about the recent failures and staff shake-ups at the Department of Children & Family Services. Likewise the State Police / Ronald Greene roadside death case. As for what to expect in his last year in office Cross says Edwards will do what he can to leave his mark despite his lame-duck status…:

CUT 12(08)      “…somewhat less.”

Cross feels Edwards will be judged overall as a good governor.

Illegal street racers were out again over the weekend in Baton Rouge. Videos posted online show them and their muscle cars blocking parts of Interstate 10 and doing burnouts and donuts in parking lots. In one case, they actually set the pavement in a parking lot on fire. Police issued a few tickets, but arrested no one.

It’s Christmas week and it’s just not Santa that’s coming to the Bayou State from the North Pole this week. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Palermo.”

The New Orleans Saints may be having a lousy season, but at least they beat the Atlanta Falcons Sunday – for a second time. The Black & Gold held on the win 21-18. QB Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes, and Taysom Hill threw a long 68-yard TD. The Saints are at Cleveland Christmas Eve.

In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. However, there is a downside for some; that increase could make some SNAP food stamp recipients ineligible. DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says about 14-hundred SNAP recipients will be affected…:

CUT 05(10)      “…an effect.”

For more information, visit “dcfs.la.gov”

Get ready for a big blast of frigid air for the Christmas weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Friday morning will bring hard freezes for the northern parishes, milder freezes for central and southern Louisiana…and near-freezing temperatures close to the coast. This cold air will not bring us a White Christmas but Keim says you might want to ask to Santa for flannel PJ’s…:

CUT 15(10)      “…below normal.”

A new survey from Tulane University shows the traditional office environment is making a bit of a post-pandemic comeback; especially among smaller businesses. The survey asked over 150 startups and small businesses across a 10-parish region about staffing and plans to lease office space. Emily Egan, with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business, says nearly 70-percent plan to add employees and the number planning to lease space rose by 6-percent…:

CUT 07(12)      “…primary office.”

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. UL-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross feels the governor will avoid mentioning the Ronald Greene – State Police roadside death case. Cross says the real question is what did Edwards know and when did he know it..?

CUT 11(07)      “…on this.”

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week, as temperatures dip to near or below freezing. He says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…:

CUT 14(07)      “…in New Orleans.”

A White Christmas coming? Keim says wintery precipitation is not in the forecast, so…probably not.

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Edwards to tout the budget surplus that’s allowed him to make critical investments in roads and bridges and teacher pay raises…:

CUT 10(09)      “…historic low.”

The Governor’s last “Ask The Governor” radio program of the year airs Wednesday afternoon here on the Louisiana Radio Network.

Is the office making a post-pandemic comeback? Data from Tulane University shows Louisiana small businesses and startups planning more hiring and leasing office space…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

A New Orleans woman pleads guilty to stealing mail she handled while employed with the Post Office. 38-year-old Keishan Wilson was taking items while working as a mail processor. She faces up to five  years in prison at sentencing, plus stiff fines.

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. Brooke Thorington has more on what he’s expected to highlight…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

The “street racers” – for lack of a better term – are back in Baton Rouge. Saturday night, a group actually set fire to a parking lot with their burnouts and donuts. The muscle car drivers were stopped by Baton Rouge cops, who issued tickets to a handful of them. Locals say police response must be harsh or they will continue.

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week…:

CUT 13(10)      “…below normal.”

Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana. This cold air will likely NOT bring us a White Christmas, as precipitation is not in the weekend forecast.

In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary for family support at D-C-F-S, Monica Brown, says it’s the largest increase in 40 years and veterans benefits will also go up next year…:

CUT 04(08)      “…to be great.”

For more information about SNAP, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

A Union Parish Grand Jury charged five law enforcement officers in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. The most serious charge is negligent homicide.
Cut 1(36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An update on this week’s shooting at the St. Mary Parish courthouse. State Police identify the man killed as 34-year-old inmate Chad Williams of Berwick. During a scuffle with a parish corrections officer, Williams got the deputy’s handgun and shot himself in the head.

New federal labor numbers show Louisiana continues to add jobs, as the jobless rate declines. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth straight month of record lows…:
CUT 13(12) “…from there.”
Cates says construction has gained 34-hundred jobs from October 2022. Education and Health Services gained nearly 15-thousand jobs from November 2021. The Lafayette area has gained 52-hundred jobs over the year.

We are looking at a mild weekend, but artic air will arrive just in time for Christmas. State Climatologist Barry Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…
cut 14 (07) “….26 in New Orleans”
Keim says there is a slight possibility for winter precipitation on Christmas eve for south Louisiana.

A Union Parish grand jury has handed down indictments against five law enforcement officers involved in the fatal arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene in 2019. Greene died shortly after he was beaten and tasered by officers following a police chase in north Louisiana. Master Trooper Kory York, who is now on administrative leave, faces the harshest charges, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. The other officers face obstruction of justice and malfeasance charges. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 9 (09) “…young man”

York has hired high powered criminal defense attorney Mike Small out of Alexandria. Small says federal prosecutors investigated the case for two and a half years and determined criminal charges were not warranted. Small believes a fair minded jury in Union Parish will find Trooper York not guilty of all charges.

November marked the sixth straight month of record-breaking unemployment. And this month the state set a record for non-seasonally adjusted employment–which includes temporary jobs….
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says all of the parks have added holiday features.
Cut 3 (08) “..Christmas pictures. ”
For more information go to L-A state-parks-dot-com.

Indictments were handed down Thursday against five law enforcement officers at the scene when Ronald Greene was beaten and tasered by cops before he died in May of 2019. Greene’s mother Mona Hardin remains concerned State Police continues to mistreat people of color…:
CUT 08(12) “…clean up.”
State Police Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis says the actions by these officers are inexcusable and have no place in public safety services.

For the sixth consecutive month Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is a record low three-point-three percent. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says there are about 68-thousand people who are unemployed…
cut 14 (11) “….be openings”

Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of the abandoned Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City to Foundation Gaming, a Mississippi-based company. Foundation’s marketing operator Les McMackin says plans for the project feature new construction on a 47,000-square-foot casino, renovation of the 405-room hotel, at least three new restaurants, and…:
CUT 11(11) “…and live.”
Target date for the grand opening is Christmastime 2024.

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. Oakley House at the Audubon Historic site near St. Francisville is conducting ongoing guided tours and more…:
CUT 04(07) “…going on.”
For more info go to L-A State Parks-dot-com.

The mother of Ronald Greene made remarks Thursday evening after criminal charges were handed down against five law enforcement officers who were at the scene when her son was beaten and tased by cops before he died in May of 2019. Mona Hardin said she asked Governor John Bel Edwards to join them last night.
Cut 6 (15) “…for itself.”
Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the grand jury failed to charge the officers with murder or even manslaughter. Only one is charged with negligent homicide, Master Trooper Kory York, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Cut 7 (12) “…they’re convicted.”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana continues to add jobs.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth month in a row the state has either tied or set a record low. Cate says there are ten thousand openings on the workforce commission’s web page, and the state has programs to help employers and people looking for work.

Cut 15 (08) “…in January.”

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says all of the parks have added holiday features.

Cut 3 (08) “…Christmas pictures. ”
There are 38 state parks, historic sites, and preservation areas. He says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. For more information go to L-A state-parks-dot-com.