LRN PM Newscall August 9

A new national survey of small business owners says inflation is still the number one worry facing them. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the Louisiana Department of Health says more mothers are learning the practice through their WIC program. Brooke Thorington explains.

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A new survey of small business owners shows they’re not optimistic about business conditions right now. More than a third say inflation is their biggest concern. National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn McVea says half of their members have job openings they can’t fill and a bit more than half are having to raise prices.

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She says the national Inflation Reduction Act, which gives the IRS billions more dollars for audits and enforcement, worries small business owners.

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McVea says what business owners need the most is certainty to know how to spend their money. But historic inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions means uncertainty is climbing again. This means small business owners are reluctant to spend money unless they have to

Cut 5  (:06) “…on right now.”

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The shortage of infant formula put the practice of breastfeeding in the spotlight. Kristen Hill who’s a peer counselor with the Louisiana Department of Health says when they promoted their breastfeeding program more WIC mothers signed up for guidance.

Cut 6   (07) “…they love it.” 

The use of breastfeeding peer counselors at WIC clinics increased 30 percent from August of last year.

Hill says breastfeeding isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when you don’t have a support system and/or proper instruction. If done incorrectly it can be harmful.

Cut 7 (11) “…walk them through it.” 

Hill says even mothers with their second child are learning the benefits of breastfeeding. She says some of her clients are the first in their family to ever breastfeed and they just need proper guidance and support.

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In addition to learning breastfeeding techniques for those mothers who return to work, they are also educated on how to pump breast milk. August is National Breastfeeding Month.

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Charges have been upgraded for a Baton Rouge man after preliminary autopsy results indicate his two-year son died as a result of injuries sustained in a beating. BRPD’s Lt. Don Coppola says 25-year-old-Anderson King Jr. was initially facing 2nd-degree cruelty to a juvenile, but now it’s first-degree murder.

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On Sunday, Coppola says, officers responded to a local hospital regarding an assault that involved a two-year-old child. King was arrested Monday.

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King is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and Coppola says the investigation is ongoing.

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Saints quarterback Jameis Winston did not practice today, but the injury to his foot is not serious, Head Coach Dennis Allen says he’s day-to-day with a sprained foot…

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Winston will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans.

At LSU,  Junior defensive end B-J Ojulari (O-juh-lar-e) has been chosen to wear number 18, which goes to the player that’s not only a stand out on the field, but also does great work in the community and is a leader for the university. Ojulari says having great character is important for him…

Cut 13 (12) “…little bit”