LRN PM Newscall

A national survey conducted by the NFIB finds optimism among small businesses continues to improve. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Someone stole a valuable statue from an Ascension Parish historic antebellum estate over the weekend, and the owner would really like it back. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says improving business conditions is leading to more optimism among small business owners…

Cut 3 (13) “…their businesses.”

Long says small business owners are also optimistic legislation approved over the last year by the Louisiana Legislature will also help their businesses grow. She says the NFIB believes the tort reform legislation that seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits and hold down excessive litigation costs was a major highlight…

Cut 4 (10) “…business owners ”

Long says the national survey reflects what they are hearing from their members across Louisiana that sales are improving…

Cut 5 (09) “…for them.”

But Long says many businesses are still having a hard time finding workers with the right qualifications.

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Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic antebellum estate, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, discovered the 64-pound silver statue missing Sunday morning. Kelly doubts that it was an inside job.

Cut 6 (10) “…as 21 years.”

Kelly fears that given the statue’s value, the thief has likely melted it down by now. He says what’s just as upsetting as the theft of the statue are some of the reactions people are leaving on the mansion’s Facebook page.

Cut 7 (08) “…Abraham Lincoln here.”

Kelly says it’s important for them to know that he had stayed there on more than one occasion.

Cut 8 (11) “…later, once again.”

The statue is extremely rare — it was created by Gutzon Borglum, whose biggest claim to fame was carving the faces of four U.S. Presidents into the side of Mount Rushmore. Kelly says most guests say the Abraham Lincoln statue was their most favorite part of the tour of the mansion.

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Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in a primary election that will be held in April. Many are wondering if President Trump will make an endorsement. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says it’s possible Trump stays out of the race…

Cut 9 (10)  “…wouldn’t it.”

State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta are challenging Cassidy, who is seeking a third term.

Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach President Donald Trump. But Alford says Cassidy has been in President Trump’s corner since his return to White House……

Cut 10 (12) “…during Covid.”

The U-S Senate primary is not until April. Alford says if the primary was held today, he would expect Cassidy to come out on top…

Cut 11 (10) “…on a dime.”