LRN AM Newscall October 11

Inflation remains the top problem for small business owners nationwide resulting in less optimism for future business conditions. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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After hearing from potential candidates last night, the US House begins what could be another lengthy process of choosing the next Speaker.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Thanks to a disturbance in the Gulf south Louisiana will have rain today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Small business optimism nationwide dips in September as inflation remains the single greatest problem in operating a business. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says sales growth has slowed, leaving owners with limited options for financial relief.

Cut 4 (11) “…to operate.”

Optimism fell by half a point in September to 90.8 marking the 21st consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98.

McVea says the national survey 29 percent of owners report weaker sales have had a significant impact on their business. She says it also found that 43 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill.

Cut 5 (12) “…just frustrating.”

Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months deteriorated by six points from August to a negative 43 percent. McVea says owners are pessimistic about future conditions.

Cut 6 (10) “…the year.”

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Congressional members are scheduled to vote their next Speaker of the House today. Among the contenders are Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan expects it will be a close race for the two Republicans….

Cut 7 (09) “…the Democrats.”

When former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was elected in January it took fifteen rounds of voting and several concessions to far-right party members. Hogan believes the election process for the next speaker could be just as contentious.

Cut 8 (10) “…anytime soon.” 

Former President Trump has endorsed Jordan and the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to voice their support for Scalise is Congresswoman Julia Letlow. With little backing from Scalise’s own state, Hogan says it’s indicative of the deep division within the Republican party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…on top.”

As for other Republican members of Congress, Hogan says they are digging in their heels on issues they feel strongly about. As for Trump’s endorsement of Jordan, Hogan says many Republican congressional members are fearful it could be used against them among voters if they support Scalise instead.

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Something you haven’t had to do in a while is grab your umbrella, and you’ll need to today because rain is in the forecast for south Louisiana. Thanks to a disturbance in the gulf, State Climatologist Barry Keim says rain will last most of the day and perhaps spill into Thursday…

Cut 10 (09) “…the state.”

Keim says southwest Louisiana could see some precipitation but as you move north of Baton Rouge and Alexandria, you’re less likely to have any rainfall.

Cut 11 (12) “…the weekend.”

For the Saturday, Keim says weatherwise it will be, believe it or not, an improvement to what Louisiana experienced last weekend…

Cut 12 (11) “…absolutely glorious.” 

And on Sunday things will be slightly cooler with lows in the 40s in northern parishes and in the 50s for southern parishes with high temperatures in the 70s.

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Constitutional amendment three on Saturday’s ballot asks voters if they want to require state lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson authored the amendment and says the state spends over a billion dollars every year just in interest on this debt…

Cut 13 (09) “… other things.”

Currently, lawmakers must use at least 10 percent of any state budget surplus to pay down a portion of the retirement debt.

Opponents of the amendment say state surplus dollars help fund road and bridge work, coastal restoration, and other infrastructure needs. But Nelson says it’s time the state takes a serious approach towards paying off retirement debt…

Cut 14 (08) “…pet project.”

The Council for a Better Louisiana is in support of Amendment Three. Nelson says the goal is to pay down debt to have more money in the future…

Cut 15 (07) “…moving forward.”

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ULM is coming off a humbling 48-point loss to South Alabama at home last Saturday as they get ready to go on the road to play Texas State. Coach Terry Bowden says they can’t let the defeat to the Jaguars to define their season…

Cut 16 (17) “…will respond.”

The Warhawks are 2-3 overall, 0-2 in the Sun Belt. Bowden knows his team is capable of playing better than what they showed last Saturday

Cut 17 (16) “…this week.”

ULM at Texas State at 6 PM.

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LSU has one of the best offenses in college football, but it’s not just Jayden Daniels and the passing game. Logan Diggs has established himself as one of the top running backs in the SEC. Diggs has rushed for over 100 yards in the last two games and Coach Brian Kelly says he’s been a complete back…

Cut 18 (24) “…at that.”

LSU ranks among the Top ten nationally in six statistical categories at the halfway point of the season. Kelly hopes the defense can help the Tigers play complementary football…

Cut 19 (19) “…charge here.”