A new national survey of small businesses shows “mom & pops” have little optimism amid the current inflation surge. National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn McVea says high prices & costs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions means uncertainty is climbing again, and that leads to reluctance to spend or invest in expansion…:

CUT 05(06)      “…right now.”

She also says recent federal investment in beefing up IRS enforcement worries small business owners.

A Baton Rouge man faces murder charges after his 2-year-old son died Sunday in a hospital, and the coroner ruled the death the result of a beating. BRPD Lt. Don Coppola says 25-year-old Alexander King Jr. was arrested Monday…:

CUT 10(08)      “…cruelty charge”

King is now charged with first-degree murder.

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the Louisiana Department of Health says more mothers are learning the practice through their Women, Infants & Children (or WIC) program…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

COVID. The state Department of Health reports 1505 new cases of COVID-19, with just over 600 hospitalized with symptoms statewide. They also report 30 more COVID-related deaths. LDH says about 60-percent of cases have had no COVID shots.