Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy says he thinks a divided Congress will make it easier to act on issues that need bi-partisan cooperation. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”
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To help those who are displaced from last week’s deadly tornadoes, the Office of State Tourism is providing a little Christmas cheer. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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UL-Lafayette and Houston will face off in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport today. Independence Bowl Spokesperson Erik Evenson says the Shreveport-Bossier City area is excited for the game. Kace Kieschnick has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says his priorities in 2023 will include working in a divided Congress on issues that can receive bipartisan support. He says fixing Social Security is one such issue.
Cut 4 (07) “…cutting benefits.”
Cassidy says he will continue his efforts to make the National Flood Insurance Program more affordable.
And he says he wants to provide assistance for lower-income purchasers of flood insurance.
Cassidy says he will redouble his efforts to get more money for coastal protection. The RISE act could have brought nearly $2 billion to Louisiana over ten years but Congress refused to include it in the federal spending bill that was rushed through to avoid a government shutdown.
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The Office of State Tourism will bring some Christmas cheer to displaced residents who lost their homes last week when multiple tornadoes tore through areas of the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they worked with the governor’s office and moved travel trailers to state parks on the West Bank and in North Louisiana.
About 30 travel trailers are at Bayou Segnette State Park and 50 campers are at Lake D’Arbonne State Park.
The same trailers once housed individuals who were displaced by tornados in Ruston last year. Nungesser says because not every disaster qualifies for FEMA the state needs to be ready to step in and take care of its own.
Cut 8 (12) “…difficult times.”
Nungesser also asks that you remember these individuals during the holiday season.
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Governor John Bel Edwards briefly reflected on his time in office, for example, the moments he first got into office along with the struggles he has faced throughout his two terms. Edwards has one more year to complete as Louisiana’s Governor before his term is up.
Edwards says one of his biggest accomplishments was changing the state’s healthcare system.
Edwards says he came into office at a very chaotic time for Louisiana
Edwards says his ultimate objective is to leave the state in a better condition than he found it in.
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The state Office of Community Development wants homeowners impacted by the hurricanes of 2020 and 2021 to know they can apply for federal aid through the Restore Louisiana Homeowners Assistance Program. O.C.D. director Pat Forbes says this especially applies to folks in southwestern Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (08) “…we do have it now.”
Forbes says the federally funded recovery help is for homeowners who had catastrophic damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, Hurricane Ida in 2021 and even the 2022 May floods. He urges those affected, who have internet service, to apply online at “restore.la.gov”…:
Cut 14 (12) “…into the process.”
Forbes says folks with NO internet can all the Office of Community Development (866-735-2001) and someone will help you to apply. He says the money can be a big help in recovering one’s losses from the storms, and most applicants will be accepted…:
Cut 15 (12) “…your primary residence.”
He says not to let this opportunity slip by.
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UL-Lafayette will play in the Independence Bowl today against Houston. The Cajuns will travel up to Shreveport to face the 5-7 Cougars. ULL Coach Michael Desormeaux says this is a bowl game the program is excited about…
Defensive Lineman Zi’Yon Hill-Green is excited about the in-state bowl game and says he’ll have over 40 family members there to support the Cajuns. Forecasts for the game are in the 20s, but hill says the team isn’t worried about the weather…
Cut 17 (18) “…perfectly fine.”
The Independence Bowl will kickoff at 2:00
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The Saints travel to Cleveland Saturday in a Christmas Eve matchup against the Browns. The game will feature the first sub-zero temperatures the Black and Gold have faced all season. Worse than the cold, the season-long injury bug for the Saints continues as rookie wide receiver Chris Olave has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. The 5-9 Saints are still a game behind the Bucs in the NFC South and have been given only a 2% chance to make the playoffs, but quarterback Andy Dalton says the team will continue to fight the rest of the season…
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Cut 19 (27) “…take of business”