LRN PM Newscall July 14

With inflation reaching a 40-year high, is an economic breaking point coming for families? A top Louisiana economist says “yes.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Former New Orleans senator and Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman, Karen Carter Peterson, is expected to enter a guilty plea in federal court on allegations she used campaign and party dollars on gambling. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Inflation has surged again, with June figures showing a 9-percent increase over this time last year; reflecting a 40-year high. As prices rise higher, are we nearing some kind of breaking point? A top Louisiana economist says “yes.” In an interview with WWL Radio, LSU Professor Jim Richardson (retired) says he cannot say when, but something will have to give eventually…:

Cut 3 (07) “…will not be forever.” 

He says prices are rising faster than wages, and that can’t sustain. Should such an economic breaking point occur, Richardson says it probably will be felt worst by lower income earners…:

Cut 4  (15) “…for that to happen.”

Richardson says another economic recession is unavoidable, but can’t say how bad it might be. He feels inflation will eventually slow or even reverse, if enough consumers are forced, by increased cost of living, to significantly curtail spending…:

Cut 5  (08) “…right there.”

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The U-S Attorney’s Office has charged former state senator and chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Karen Carter Peterson, with wire fraud. Peterson is accused of using thousands of dollars in campaign and party funds for personal use, including gambling-related expenses. Peterson is expected to enter a guilty plea and legal analyst Tim Meche says that’s really her only option…

Cut 6 (06) ” …like that.” 

Peterson resigned from the Louisiana Senate in April and said she needs to focus on her recovery from a gambling addiction. The fraud charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years, but Meche says in recent years judges have taken into account that a gambling addiction is a disease…

Cut 7 (10) “…those situations.” 

Court records show the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance. Meche says when it comes down to sentencing, Judge Vance will have to determine if Peterson’s actions are a character flaw or wrong decisions were made based on a gambling addiction….

Cut 8 (12) “…incarceration.”

Peterson was the chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party from 2012 to 2020. She represented Orleans Parish in the Louisiana Legislature 1999 to 2022. Peterson issued a statement that says she made a full repayment of funds used as a result of her addiction and will continue to make amends. She also says she’s been fully cooperative with federal prosecutors.

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Like the rest of American, Louisiana has a shortage of professional truck drivers, and women are encouraged to take up a career on the road. Louisiana Motor Transport Association executive director Renee Amar says females make up a little over half the U.S. workforce, yet they are under-represented in trucking…:

Cut 9 (10) “..being female drivers.”

There are currently thousand of professional trucking jobs available in the U.S.  Amar says many do consider driving a truck a “man’s job”, but women can be just as skilled at the profession…:

Cut 10 (11) “…detail-oriented.” 

Amar says females only make up about 10-percent of professional truckers, but perhaps it’s time for that to change…:

Cut 11 (11)  “..jobs out there.”

She’d like to see a nationwide campaign to recruit women into truck driving. To know more, visit “lmta.la” on the Web.

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New Iberia’s Kayshon Boutte will wear number seven for the LSU Football Tigers. It’s tradition for the team’s most dynamic player to wear the jersey number seven. Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says there were concerns after Brian Kelly was hired as a head coach that the talented wide receiver may transfer to another school…

Cut 12 (09) “…the program”  

After catching 45 passes in his freshman season, Boutte played in six games last season and caught nine touchdown passes before suferring a season-ending ankle injury. Buckley says LSU is expecting a big season from the potential first round draft pick

Cut 13 (10) “…for them”