10:30 LRN Newscast Jan 28

President Joe Biden’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and federal waters receives criticism from U-S Senator John Kennedy saying it will cost Louisianans jobs. While environmentalists applaud the moratorium, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards believes a balance can be struck between oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico while also protecting the environment.

Cut 5 (11) “…our country.”

Insurers have paid or reserved $7.7 billion on claims in Louisiana through the end of 2020 from hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says $6.6 billion has been paid so far on those claims.

Cut 9 (13) “…process.”

The Louisiana Department of Education is developing a new program to help develop student’s emotional and social health in hopes to boost academic outcomes. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says leaders will participate in a series of workshops and five, six-hour-long modules to develop skills related to student emotional health…

Cut 13 (09) “….need.”

The training focuses on developing social/emotional help in early childhood.

The Secretary of State’s Office has re-started the process of replacing the state’s current stock of 10-thousand voting machines, which are decades-old. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the Office of State Procurement is now accepting bids from vendors who can supply the state with new voting equipment.

Cut 3 (10)  “…transparent elections”

Ardoin says bids are due by March 24th.