40% of households in Louisiana are considered in poverty and struggle to afford day-to-day needs, according to a new report by the Louisiana Association of United Ways. President and CEO Sarah Berthelot says more than 695,000 homes in the state, nicknamed ALICE, can’t afford the cost of living. She says 19% of Louisiana families live in poverty, according to the US level…:
CUT 6 (10) “basic cost of living”
She says they hope the report can serve as a vital tool for lawmakers, to help them confront the challenges they’ll face in the upcoming session.

Officials at the Port of Natchitoches says the massive contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden, will arrive on February 2nd. The container is 180 feet long and weighs more than 400,000 pounds.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has tapped former state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham to direct Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites. Barham will officially start his new job Monday. Barham says, despite the current budget crisis, taking care of state parks is very important…:
CUT 3 (10) “we’re excited”
Parks and historic sites have seen massive budget cuts in recent years, and Barham says he’ll work hard to maximize the funding he gets.

An Algiers man is under arrest accused of shooting and injuring of a 3-year-old boy. New Orleans cops say Lesean Rozumialski (Rozu-mi-al-ski) claimed he threw the gun onto a table when it went off and struck the child in the stomach. The child is recovering from his injuries at a hospital. Rozumialski is booked with cruelty to a juvenile and aggravated battery.