AM NEWSCALL
Governor Edwards and the Mayor of Lake Charles announce the creation of an $11.3 million housing program to help residents recover from the 2020 hurricanes and May flooding. Brooke Thorington has more.
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State lawmakers will have a special session in February for Redistricting. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
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A State Police investigation continues into the deadly shooting of an armed black male by three officers late Sunday night in the Jefferson Parish city of Metairie. More from Dave Brannen.
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Governor Edwards announces $11.3 million has been secured to help residents recover from the 2020 hurricanes along with flooding that severely damaged homes in Lake Charles. It’s a combination of funding from HUD Community Development Block Grants, the City of Lake Charles, the Louisiana Housing Corporation, and the National Housing Trust Fund.
The funding will be used for two programs the C-O-L-C Home Rehabilitation and Recovery Program and the City of Lake Charles Small Rental Rehabilitation Program. Edwards says the program is intended to address unmet housing needs.
The governor, who was in DC last week lobbying for more recovery funds for Louisiana, acknowledges the $595 million Congress recently appropriated for the 2020 storms. He says the majority of those funds are going to southwest Louisiana. Along with the $11.3 million announcement, Edwards says it is still not enough for the unmet housing needs.
Lake Charles Mayor Nick Hunter says the housing situation is dire and even with immediate funding, housing needs cannot be met overnight but says the funding they’ve finally secured should go a long way.
Funds will be capped at $50,000 per household and additional details about how to apply will be provided in the coming weeks by the City of Lake Charles.
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State Lawmakers plan to hold a three-week special session in February on Redistricting. Speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club, Crowley Representative John Stefanski says lawmakers are near completing a statewide “roadshow”, to hear what the public thinks about drawing new districts…:
Cut 7 (10) “…at that time as well.”
The law requires states to redraw their districts for Congress, state legislators, the Public Service Commission and the courts every ten years after the U.S. Census data is compiled. Stefanski says Louisiana’s population is growing at a very slow 2.74-percent, leading to some worry the state would lose another congressional district (as it did in 2011)…:
Cut 8 (13) “…about losing one.”
Lawmakers will meet shortly after Mardi Gras in early March for a Redistricting Session. He says all districts must fairly represent roughly the same number of people. Stefanski says it’s quite likely this time that the six congressional districts will need very little change…:
Cut 9 (13) “…to make ‘em work.”
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The Second Harvest Food Bank is continuing to seek assistance at stocking its shelves ahead of Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season. Spokesman Jay Vise in New Orleans says the need is great in keeping food available to those who need assistance.
Cut 10 (08) “…thankfully that’s changing.”
But he says the need is still very real. For those needing help, dial 2-1-1 for a location near you. To make a donation, send a check to Second Harvest Food Bank, 700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123.
Vice says Second Harvest is appreciative of any and all kinds of help it receives in meeting the food needs of the less fortunate…
Cut 11 (09) “…most people possible.”
When it comes to providing assistance to organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, Vise invites people to come and check out what they do and how their donations are helping.
As for food donations, Vise says protein-type commodities are viewed as the better of the food products sought. And even before Thanksgiving, Ochsner and Second Harvest have distributed over a three-day period 24-hundred hot meals and 50-thousand pounds of groceries to folks in several parishes in the Greater New Orleans and Acadiana areas.
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State police continue to investigate a deadly officer-involved shooting that left a man dead in Metairie late Sunday night. Trooper Kate Stegall says officers working at a traffic light repair operation were notified of a man walking down Airline Highway with a gun and a knife and subsequently approached him.
Cut 13 (09) “…did not comply.”
Stegall says the use of a taser proved ineffective and the subject then turned around and pointed a gun at the officers who then opened fire fatally wounding him. The black male victim had not been identified as of late Monday afternoon.
Trooper Stegall on what happened when the armed man refused to comply with orders to drop his weapon and whipped around and pointed it at the officers.
Trooper Stegall says State Police are looking for any assistance from the public pertaining to the shooting.
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Ed Orgeron is heading into his final regular-season game as head coach of the LSU Tigers. The players said after the win over ULM that they want to beat Texas A-and-M this Saturday for Coach O. But Orgeron doesn’t want the focus to be on him….
Orgeron took over as LSU’s interim head coach in 2016 and oversaw a national championship team in 2019. He was asked what he’ll remember from his time as head coach…
Cut 17 (16) “ been phenomenal”
LSU is 5-6 this year and injuries have been a major issue. But Orgeron says there’s a possibility two freshmen could return on defense, including defensive lineman Maason Smith..
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During their three-game losing streak, the Saints have only scored 13 points in the first half of those games. Coach Sean Payton was asked about the team’s recent slow starts…
The Saints host Buffalo on Thanksgiving night. Last Sunday, New Orleans allowed 242 yards rushing in a 40-29 loss to the Eagles. Payton doesn’t expect the Bills to use mostly read-option football to beat the Saints…