Thanksgiving arrives Thursday, and while what goes into making the meal for the day may cost a bit, Louisiana residents are paying less than the national average. More from Dave Brannen.
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The state receives a $1.5 million grant to address human trafficking. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has been named the new Chairman of House Education. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
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As Louisianans sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, know that the price tag for the meal is lower than the national average. That’s according to the Louisiana Farm Bureau and spokesman Avery Davidson on the costs of a dinner to feed ten people.
Cut 4 (10) “…average of $68.72. “
Davidson says compared to 2019, a Thanksgiving meal in the Bayou State this year costs about five dollars more, no thanks to inflation and the nearly two-year-old global COVID pandemic.
Davidson says regardless of the price, the main staples for a Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S. and Louisiana are also among the cheapest worldwide.
A lot of folks can’t bypass having sweet potato-something on the Thanksgiving dinner table and Davidson says even those veggies cost less in Louisiana than the national average.
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He says you can even pay less by buying directly from a grower of sweet potatoes.
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As we move into the holiday season Governor Edwards continues to encourage COVID vaccinations and for those who already are, he’s also touting booster shots. Edwards says last year’s holiday gatherings brought about a surge in cases.
Booster shots are now available for anyone 18 and older already fully vaccinated for COVID more than 6 months since their last dose, or two months since the single Johnson and Johnson dose. Edwards says it’s important to boost your immunity to protect those who are more susceptible.
Vaccine immunity has been shown to drop after six months on the two-dose vaccines, and two months after the one-dose vaccine, so Edwards says it’s best to add a booster.
It has also been approved to mix and match doses if needed for example if your first two doses were Pfizer it’s ok to receive a Moderna booster.
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The newly established Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention receives a $1.5 million federal grant to improve outcomes for young victims of the crime. Executive Director of the office Dr. Dana Hunter says they will continue to work with key experts in the community and come together to combat human trafficking.
Louisiana is one of two states selected for the 2021 grant and two years ago received a $1.2 million award. Hunter says the multi-year grant will fund the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative and Accessibility Initiative.
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In addition to providing protection for victims, Hunter says the office will also use the grant to fund prosecution, build partnerships, and the prevention of trafficking. For example, educate more law enforcement, especially in rural areas to recognize the crime.
Noting that the I-20 I-10 corridor does increase the ability for out-of-state victims to easily enter Louisiana, Hunter says however the majority of child trafficking victims are homebred, meaning they are groomed and lured into the crime locally.
Hunter says that Louisiana has some of the toughest laws to combat human trafficking, but her office wants to revisit those laws and also educate municipalities and law enforcement about them.
To report a crime of human trafficking you can call the Louisiana State Police Fusion hotline at 1-800-434-8007 or local law enforcement.
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Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris has been named the new Chairman of the House Education Committee. Harris has been in the Legislature since 2012 and has served on key committees like Appropriations, Retirement, and the Joint Budget Committee. He says he looks forward to the challenges of chairing Education…:
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Harris says he’ll “hit the ground running” as Education Committee Chairman…:
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One big education issue Mr. Harris says he is ready to tackle is whether or not Louisiana schools should teach Critical Race Theory…:
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Harris feels the delicate matter can be debated professionally and calmly. He starts as Education Committee Chair right away.
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The Saints gave up 242 rushing yards and turned it over three times as they lost their third straight yesterday as Philadelphia pounded the Black and Gold 40-29. New Orleans Coach Sean Payton says they didn’t do the things needed in order to win in the NFL…
Saints Quarterback Trevor Siemien was intercepted twice. Darius Slay returned one of the interceptions 51 yards for a touchdown right before halftime to give the Eagles a 20-point lead. Siemien says they made too many mistakes…
Siemian and the Saints were missing four-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara and starting tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk are also hurt and missed the game. During the game, tight end Adam Trautman went down with a left leg injury. New Orleans doesn’t have much time to heal as they host the Bills on Thanksgiving night. Siemian says they have to rebound…
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The LSU Tigers ended their three-game losing streak with a 24-14 win over ULM. Quarterback Max Johnson returned as the starting quarterback and threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, but the offense still had trouble putting points on the board. Coach Ed Orgeron admits it was not a pretty win…
It’s the third straight game the defense held an opponent to fewer than 21 points. The regular season ends Saturday at home against Texas A-and-M. A win for the Tigers will make them bowl eligible, but Oregeron says that will not be the main motivation…