LRN PM Newscall

Experts says the record low Mississippi River levels are hurting the nation’s economy, from the upper Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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The Powerball Jackpot reaches one-billion dollars. Brooke Thorington has more on this historic jackpot.

Cut 2 (31)  “…Brooke Thorington”

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Experts say the record low Mississippi River levels, which have revealed some interesting finds, are taking a big toll on the economy. Clint Wilson is the director of the LSU Center for River Studies. He says the impact is being felt from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. For one thing, he says barges can’t carry full loads.

Cut 3 (09) “..to it” 

Wilson says this is having a tremendous impact on the nation’s agricultural community since more than 60 percent of US agricultural exports come down the river on barges. The river south of Baton Rouge is much deeper, but the lower barge traffic is hurting the businesses that service the ports.

Cut 4 (08) “…being impacted.” 

But even where the river is deeper, he says salt water intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico threatens New Orleans’ drinking water.

Wilson says there’s not much humans can do. He says the forecast is for a drier than usual winter.

Cut 5 (05) “..snow events.” 

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Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot has reached one billion dollars, that’s a billion with a B, and Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Dustin Annison says it has a cash value of $497-point-three million.

Cut 6 (09)  “…jackpot ever.”

And if it rolls over again, will it be the largest Powerball Jackpot in the game’s history? Annison says it still has a way to go.

Cut 7 (06) “…in 2016″

And since the Powerball Jackpot hit $ 700 million Annison says there’s definitely been an uptick in ticket sales.

Cut 8 (12)  “…one-billion-dollar-jackpot.”

You have until 9 PM to purchase your Powerball ticket for tonights drawing at 9:59 PM.

Annison says it only takes one to win and to sign the back of your ticket after you’ve purchased it.

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Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins posted a joke on Twitter about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband and then removed it last night. Authorities say Paul Pelosi suffered a skull fracture inside his San Francisco home when he was attacked by an intruder last week. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins has a history of controversial statements…

Cut 9 (09)  “…like this one.”

The tweet was a picture of Nancy Pelosi holding her hands to her face and over the picture Higgins wrote, “The moment you realize a nudist hippie male prostitute LSD guy was the reason your husband didn’t make it to your fundraiser.”

Cross says one of Higgins’ staffers likely deleted the post…

Cut 10 (09) “…the moment”

Higgins is facing a serious challenger from his own party on the November 8th ballot, Republican Holden Hoggatt.  Cross says Higgins is still a strong favorite to win re-election…

Cut 11 (09)  “..Congressional seat.”

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Apple has updated its latest operating system to 16.1 and Haggai Davis, Customer Success Manager at General Informatics says they never recommend someone go to a full upgrade for example from 15 to version 16, he advises waiting for the first update of a new version before you download it.

Cut 12 (06) “….worked out.” 

Davis says it’s always best to download after the newest version has been updated for added security.

So, what you can expect from version 16.1? Davis says you’ll see changes to your lock screen on your iPhone.

Cut 13 (12) “…to you now.” 

Before there were complaints of batteries draining much faster after an IOS update but Haggai says Apple has worked on version 16 so there’s better usage of battery life.

Cut 14 (11)  “…a lot of improvements.” 

Another feature with the update is the ability to use the Health application on your phone even if you don’t have an iWatch.  Davis is also the host of the podcast and radio program Tech Gumbo.