The increase in SNAP benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up for the reductions. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A Jefferson Parish couple’s pet nutria is set to be relocated to the Baton Rouge Zoo because of illegal ownership. Teiko Foxx has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.
The Pandemic SNAP benefits totaled more than $70 million monthly in Louisiana and Ricks says it’s not just families who will struggle, the decrease also directly impacts the state’s economy.
More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed some 953,000 people. Ricks says DCFS cannot replace the loss of those extra benefits.
More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed some 953,000 people.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are on the hunt to seize Neuty, a Jefferson Parish couple’s 22-pound pet nutria. State law says nutria are considered invasive species and are to be kept in the wild. LDWF Spokesperson Ed Pratt says there is no state license or permit that allows an individual to own a nutria.
News stories began circulating about the couple’s relationship with the rodent on Wednesday. Pratt says when the status was made public – the department decided to move forward to confiscate the animal.
LDWF biologists and Zoo officials believe because the animal has been habituated to humans, it would not be able to survive in the wild. Pratt says the agency appreciates the owner’s affection for Neuty but the rodent can no longer live with them.
If the state is able to get custody of Neuty, the nutria will become a part of an educational exhibit at the Baton Rouge Zoo.
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Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:
Cut 9 (09) “…a broken system.”
Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis. Trosclair says our elections system needs fixing, but Ardoin points out the Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana #6 of 50 states for election integrity. Trosclair says that’s true, but a closer look at the data from Heritage gives Louisiana a 75 out of 100 rating for overall election quality…:
Cut 10 (13) “…proof of citizenship.”
Trosclair says, if elected, he’d get rid of Louisiana’s Dominion voting machines. The company’s voting systems – used here in Louisiana – drew criticism after the 2020 Presidential election for security flaws and possible vote tampering. Trosclair says he’d end the deal with Dominion…:
Cut 11 (12) “…implement that statewide.”
No allegations made against Dominion machines has been substantiated with proof. S.O.S. Ardoin sys Louisiana’s voting systems are secure.
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Eleven-year-old Matthew Fortenberry was killed last night while sitting in a car in North Baton Rouge and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Spokesperson Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the suspect approached the car on foot where the victim was inside with family members and held them at gunpoint.
McNeely says the suspect had personal issues with one of the family members of the 11-year-old.
The suspect was located less than a mile from where the shooting took place suffering from gunshot injuries. McNeely says he was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.
Instead of being booked into a juvenile facility, the 17-year-old was taken to EBR Parish Prison because of the murder charges.
(Charges: First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, and Illegal discharge of a Firearm)