Louisiana is increasing the benefits amounts available through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; also known as TANF (TAN-if). More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
___________________________________
For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a float in this year’s Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
___________________________________
Governor Edwards says he’s confident the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight and current leadership at Louisiana State Police will resolve excessive force issues going forward. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
___________________________________
Inflation and unprecedented need caused by the pandemic has resulted in Louisiana increasing the cash benefit amounts available through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; also known as TANF (TAN-if). Lorrie Briggs is with the state Department of Children & Family Services, who administers the program…:
Cut 4 (08) “….beginning in January.”
Briggs says the additional funding is long overdue.
TANF provides money to help families meet basic needs, like food, shelter and clothing. It also provides cash assistance for persons who are in the process of learning a marketable job skill, and offers help to grandparents who find themselves raising their children’s children…:
Cut 5 (10) “…of their grandchildren.”
Briggs says the TANF benefit increases take effect with the beginning of the New Year and should make a tangible difference for the recipient…:
Cut 6 (08) “…three-parent household”
(Ms. Briggs MEANT to say “three-person household”)
__________________________________________________
It’s been a difficult year for State Police as the state agency is under scrutiny for several use of force incidents over the last few years, one of which led to a death in Union Parish in 2019. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s confident that Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis, who was appointed in October 2020, is leading the agency in the right direction.
A special Senate committee has held hearings this month on State Police policies regarding use of force. Edwards says he’s confident the panel will handle issues accordingly and that while most officers are a credit to their profession there are some that should not wear the badge.
Cut 8 (13) “…in that process.”
At the first two meetings, Edwards understands there are some topics where discussion is limited due to ongoing investigations of the agency for example the Ronald Greene case.
At last Monday’s meeting, Mona Hardin, the mother of Ronald Greene addressed members of the oversight. committee. Greene after May he was beaten and tased during an encounter with several white State Troopers in 2019.
_____________________________________________
The Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day will for the first time in its 133-year history feature a Louisiana float. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana will be the only state to have a float in the iconic parade and the Louisiana Tourism Float will feature a music ambassador from the Bayou State :
Cut 10 (08) “…Hot 8 Brass Band.”
The float will include representatives who have assisted during the COVID and hurricane crises and will be decorated to depict the spirit of the Bayou State, including moss-covered trees, powdered covered beignets and crawfish.
Nungesser says riders of the float will also include teachers, first responders, utility workers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers who gave so unselfishly to help others during the pandemic and the recent storms.
Cut 11 (08) “…to help Louisiana.”
Nungesser says the float will be decorated in true Louisiana style.
The 350-thousand-dollar float will be decorated with 34-thousand roses and handmade magnolias. They budgeted 200-thousand-dollars for travel and entertainment expenses.
_____________________________________________________
It’s been over two weeks since the first Omicron case of COVID-19 was detected in Louisiana and since then the state health department has identified over 100 cases in the Bayou State. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says the seriousness of the variant remains in question at this point.
Cut 13 (09) “…throughout our communities.”
The state health department reported 31 additional Omicron variant cases Friday and none of the new cases required hospitalization.
Baumgarten says if you’ve previously tested positive for COVID, but still not vaccinated, you are at risk to re-infection with the Omicron variant circulating…
She says they are waiting for final word from the CDC that the probable cases are confirmed or not.
Dr. Baumgarten says symptoms of Omicron have so far mirrored those of the previous variants, including Delta.
_______________________________________________________
The 16th ranked Ragin Cajuns completed the 2021 season with a 36-21 win over Marshall in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans on Saturday night in the Superdome. It was win number 13 for U-L Lafayette putting a cap on the most successful season in Cajuns football history. New head coach Michael Desormeaux…
In his final game in a Ragin Cajun uniform, Quarterback Levi Lewis threw for 270 yards and a touchdown. Lewis finishes his career 35-and-7 as a starting quarterback for U-L Lafayette and his first win in the Superdome…
Desormeaux was also a winner in his head coaching debut. He says the plan is to build on the success former head coach Billy Napier brought to the program…
________________________________________________
A stunning outcome on Sunday night as the Saints shutout Tampa Bay nine to zip to complete the season series sweep of the defending super bowl champs. New Orleans sacked Bucs quarterback Tom Brady four times, held him to 214 yards passing, also intercepted him once and forced a fumble in which the Black and Gold recovered. The Saints won despite 212 yards of offense. Acting Head Coach Dennis Allen…
That’s now seven straight regular season wins over Tampa Bay and improves the Saints record to 7-and-7, which is good enough for the final playoff spot in the NFC. New Orleans was able to pull off the upset, despite head coach Sean Payton watching from home after testing positive for COVID. Allen says it took a team effort to win…