LRN AM Newscall March 8

Funds are now available to help tenants and landlords who’ve experienced financial hardship from the pandemic. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

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Cattle and poultry producers in north Louisiana are still recovering from last month’s winter storms. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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For the first time in their lives, many Louisians are filing winter storm damage home insurance claims. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The state launches a new program to provide financial assistance to both tenants and landlords experiencing financial hardship from the pandemic. Executive Director of Louisiana Housing Corporation Keith Cunningham says $161 million has been allocated for 57 parishes.

Cut 4 (09)“…COVID.”

Parishes with populations over 200,000 will receive funding directly from the US. Treasury for aid, so now both urban and rural areas of the state are covered.

LHC in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Community Development will administer the program.

Cunningham says the primary focus is to pay rental arrears.

Cut 5 (09)“…April.”

The program also then gives eligible tenants up to three months for future rental assistance.

Cunningham says the eviction moratorium was necessary during the pandemic, but it transferred the financial burden to landlords and this program offers them relief.

Priority is given to households where at least one member has been unemployed for more than 90 days due to COVID…

Cut 6 (10) “…considered.”

For more information visit LA State Rent-dot com

www.LAStateRent.com

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The state’s cattle and poultry industries took a beating from last month’s historic winter storms.

LSU AgCenter regional livestock specialist Jason Holmes says thousands of chickens were lost when several poultry facilities collapsed due to snow and ice buildup.

Cut 7 (11)  “…work through.”

Feed mill operations were also backed up during the storms due to iced-over roads and snow.

Holmes estimates many cattle farmers lost at least a couple head, mostly calves, due to the stress of the event and the frigid temperatures. He says it came at a rough time…

Cut 8 (07) “…the ground”

Holmes says more so than lost livestock the industries really took a hit to their often expensive infrastructure, but that damage may be covered…

Cut 9 (12) “…right here”

A full accounting of the total cost to these two industries is expected to be released soon.

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Baton Rouge newborn Lexa Dennis is the youngest ever to receive Zolgensma (zol·gens·ma.), the most expensive gene-drug therapy in the world at $2.1 million. Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Charlotte Hollman says Lexa has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a debilitating and often fatal disease, was given the life-saving medication at just four days old at Woman’s Hospital.

Cut 10 (06) “…opportunity.”

Hollman says it was a team effort getting her approved for the medication and her older brother Axel, who also has SMA, received the medication just before his second birthday.

Mother of both Lexa and Alex, Andrea James…

Cut 11 (10) “…to do.”

SMA is the most common cause of death in the first year of life and the drug was approved for use in the United States in 2019. James says until there’s a cure for SMA…

Cut 12 (09) “…born. ”

Eleven days after Lexa received Zolgensma she was able to go home from the hospital.

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Thousands of Louisianans suffered some very unusual types of home damage during last month’s winter storms and now wonder if their insurance will cover it. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says if you sustained any damage from the storms do not hesitate to at least file a claim with your insurer.

Cut 13 (06) “…claim.”

Donelon also suggests filling a claim if you or anyone on your property hurt themselves in a slip and fall incident due to the weather.

Donelon says, unlike hurricane coverage…

Cut 14 (07) “…another.” 

One thing is universal: you still have a responsibility to do your best to mitigate the damage from the event, such as unfreezing pipes safely or covering holes in your roof.

Donelon says overall last month’s winter storms will cost the insurance industry 18 billion dollars.

Cut 15 (07)“….weather.”

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The LSU men’s basketball team outscored Missouri 19-12 in the final six minutes on Saturday and went on to beat Mizzou 86-80 to claim the three seed in this week’s SEC tournament in Nashville. Coach Will Wade was pleased with getting this victory on the road

Cut 16 (16) “…good start.”

Wade says it was nice to win a close game and execute down the stretch…

Cut 17 (19) “…tournament time”.

LSU will have a double-bye in the SEC Tournament and they’ll play the late game on Friday night. Wade wants to make a run in the tournament…

Cut  18 (15) “…for us.”