Have you seen the size of the jackpot for tonight’s megaMillion drawing? Kevin Gallagher reports someone could be a multi-millionaire tomorrow morning…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The FastStart incentive program at Louisiana Economic Development takes top honors for the 13th time. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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In to providing broadband access to rural areas of the state, now there’s a pilot program to teach individuals how to best use the internet. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The multi-state Mega Millions lottery jackpot has grown to a near-record amount for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says it is the 3rdlargest jackpot for Mega Millions and the 4th largest in U.S. lottery history…:
Cut 4 (07) “…that kind of money.”
A single Mega Million winner tonight will rake in $810 million before taxes. Annison says that the jackpot has been building since late April. He says, when winnings grow this high, there is always a big spike in ticket sales…:
Cut 5 (09) “…three-point-five-million.”
Annison says a winner could also select a lump sum of $470-million (minus taxes). He has good advice for anyone who plays the Lottery; no matter which game…:
Cut 6 (09) “…you can claim it.”
If there is NO winner in tonight’s drawing, the Mega Million jackpot could easily grow to over a billion dollars.
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Louisiana’s FastStart program at the Louisiana Economic Development office is the best in the nation according to the magazine Business Facilities. Executive Director of LED FastStart, Paul Helton says the program which assists businesses moving into or expanding in Louisiana, has quite a history of assisting with workforce development.
Louisiana’s workforce program has dominated the Business Facilities ranking for 13 years. Helton says the FastStart incentive program provides recruitment, training, and workforce pipeline services for businesses at no cost in exchange for creating jobs in the Bayou State.
Cut 8 (11) “…that company recruit.”
Helton says FastStart then also has job postings on their website and in some cases, they hold job fairs. And to ensure these companies have trained workers in the future, FastStart works with educational partners like the Louisiana Community and Technical College System also.
Business Facilities will reveal the state’s other 2022 Top 10 rankings later this week.
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In addition to the $130 million Louisiana is receiving to expand broadband access in its first phase from the American Rescue Plan, the state is also piloting a program to improve the state’s digital literacy rate. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says they hope to increase the digital literacy rate by 50 percent in five years.
Cut 10 (08) “…forward in Louisiana.”
Reed says they want to be sure that those who will soon have access to the internet know how to best use it safely and successfully The pilot will start in five parishes.
Reed says providing affordable access to close the digital divide is only part of the equation for broadband success.
Each pilot site will receive $20,000 to assess its community’s need for digital literacy and provide instructional opportunities over a 12-month period.
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With the next election for a Louisiana governor a little over a year away, many ask will U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy enter the race? Appearing on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana radio program, Cassidy’s wife, Dr. Laura Cassidy, says the senator is more focused on the job he has at the moment…:
Cut 13 (11) “…big things right now.”
Attorney General Jeff Landry, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and State Treasurer John Schroder have all voiced plans to run for governor. Senator Cassidy has expressed interest but remained non-committal. Dr. Cassidy says her spouse’s work in Congress takes priority, and any announcement he may make is still months off…:
Cut 14 (07) “…end of the year.”
Dr. Cassidy says it will be year’s end before Senator Cassidy announces his decision, and he’ll be weighing things heavily until then…:
Cut 15 (09) “… best fits the ability.”
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The Saints veterans report for training camp today and one of the big issues surrounding the team is health. New Orleans went through a rash of injuries last season including a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Jameis Winston. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the team also suffered through numerous injuries on the offensive and defensive lines…
A dark cloud hanging over the team is a potential suspension for running back Alvin Kamara, who is facing a felony battery charge in Las Vegas. Kamara’s next court hearing is August 1st and Detillier says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn’t hand down discipline until a legal judgment is made…
The Saints had one of the top defenses in the NFL last season, allowing 20 points a game, which was fourth best in the league. They were also really good against the run, holding teams to 94 yards on the ground. Detillier says the Black and Gold should be good on defense again this season…
Detillier says the Saints should also be improved at wide receiver, especially if Michael Thomas is healthy after missing all of last season because of ankle injuries…
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Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school”