The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry says they’re mostly happy with what the legislature has sent to the Governor’s desk this year. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Food banks are also feeling the pinch with record inflation and gas prices. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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New details in the triple homicide that took the lives of three Bastrop teens. David Grubb has the story…
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The state’s largest business lobby says lawmakers passed some very good bills for the state’s business environment. Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI) CEO Stephen Waguespack says they’re happy with two bills passed to establish Education Savings Accounts for students will special needs and kids who’re struggling with reading skills. Waguespack says our state ranks 48th in education and less than half of our students can read at grade level, and a solution is the ESA’s…:
Cut 4 (13) “…or other services.”
Waguespack says he hopes the Governor will sign those bills.
Other bills passed will promote better literacy outcomes for K-12 students. Waguespack is also happy the legislature made good use of billions in federal dollars to address road and bridge needs. He says there is always a temptation for lawmakers to use big windfalls of one-time money on recurring expenditures…:
Cut 5 (09) “…unemployment trust funds.”
LABI applauds investments in workforce development, bills to create more transparency and modernization of the state’s courts and judicial system. Waguespack says LABI regrets that one bill they deemed critical FAILED passage…:
Cut 6 (11) “…failed at the ballot.”
Waguespack says centralized sales tax collection agencies are the norm nationwide, and it’s the only system that is fair to small businesses.
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As the country continues to face record inflation, food banks continue to meet unprecedented demand. Natasha Curley with Second Harvest in Louisiana says demand has been nonstop since COVID. With three devastating hurricanes and now the economy, demand has only increased.
In addition to national partners, Curley says there are many individuals who continue to donate and they are extremely grateful for their assistance.
Curley says in the summer months there’s an added stress for food banks as kids who normally receive free, or reduced-cost meals are no longer in school,
And while gas prices continue to rise, Curley says it’s only added another strain for non-profits.
If you need food assistance, you can call 2-1-1 to direct you to the closest food bank.
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More details are now available regarding the triple homicide in Bastrop that took the lives of three teens on Wednesday night. After receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls about shots fired, Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s deputies mobilized. Chief Deputy Jeremy Mardis says a retired reserve deputy was the first to reach the scene.
Cut 10 (12) “…laying in the street.”
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third died from his injuries at Morehouse General Hospital. Authorities were able to locate a fourth victim who escaped unharmed. Mardis says that the young man laid out the horrible sequence of events for law enforcement…
Based on witness statements and surveillance video from the area, sheriffs identified 18-year-old Errigan Rainwater and Jaquarius Givens as suspects. Under questioning, both admitted to firing the fatal shots into the victims. A third suspect, 38-year-old John Rabun, was also arrested. Mardis says the Bastrop community has been rocked by the tragedy.
Cut 12 (10) “…shock and outrage.”
Rainwater and Givens have been charged with three counts of First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder. Rabun was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly removing shell casings from the crime scene.
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Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement in response to the federal civil investigation of the Louisiana State Police. Edwards says he along with LSP Superintendent Col Lamar Davis will cooperate fully with the investigation. Kristen Clarke, US Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division says they are grateful for their cooperation.
US Attorney General Ronald Gathe for the Middle District of Louisiana says the federal civil investigation is imperative to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
Clarke says they will perform ride-alongs with officers as part of the investigation and they are also seeking input from the public concerning civil rights violations. She says cooperation from LSP leaders will assist in their thorough investigation.
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Opelousas native and LSU standout Devery Henderson was announced as one of three members of the 2022 class to be inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. Henderson played eight seasons in New Orleans, leading the NFL in yards per reception in 2006 and 2008. His best season came as a member of the 2009 Super Bowl champions when he caught 50 passes for 804 yards.
Cut 16 (18) “…it all worked out.”
Joining Henderson is former special teams ace “Fast Freddie” McAfee. Drafted in 1991, McAfee spent 10 of his 16 NFL seasons wearing the Black and Gold, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2002. Today, McAfee serves as the team’s VP of Player Engagement.
Longtime assistant trainer Kevin Mangum will be inducted as well. He received the Joe Gemelli Award for his outstanding contributions to the team. The induction ceremony will take place this October.
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The Saints were back on the practice field today as they prepare to wrap up their third and final set of OTAs tomorrow. One player who has not been practicing is wideout Michael Thomas, who was last seen sprinting at the team’s facility on social media Wednesday. Thomas will likely miss minicamp as well as he recovers from ankle surgery. Coach Dennis Allen gave an update on his progress…
Cut 18 (19) “ …process play out.”
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It was a return to form in Lafayette as the Ragin’ Cajuns made it back to the NCAA baseball tournament for the first time since 2016 this season. UL had been an annual participant for two decades before this extended absence. Coach Matt Deggs says that the foundation has been laid to bring back the glory days.
Cut 19 (17) _“…a championship program.”
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