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Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says the battle over work requirements for food stamp recipients continues to prevent the Farm Bill from passing this year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The American Farm Bureau reports the average cost for Thanksgiving dinner has gone down the past three years. The bureau conducted a survey of grocery stores across 37 states, Louisiana Farm Bureau Representative Avery Davidson says the average price nationwide to feed ten people is $48.90, but the Bayou State is one of the best in regards to cost…

Cut 4 (08) “…twenty two dollars″

Davidson says the turkeys at Louisiana grocery stores are cheaper here than in other parts of the country…

Cut 5 (12)  “cents” 

Davidson says you can beat the survey prices if you do your research…

Cut 6 (08) “…locally”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state has seen job gains for 13 consecutive months. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, non-farm employment increased by 19,400 since October 2017. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says education and health services saw the largest job gains over the last year, but other sectors of the economy are doing well…

Cut 7 (08) “…over the year.”

Dejoie also highlighted that the mining and logging sector saw 2,100 jobs added since October 2017.

Cut 8 (07) “…here in Louisiana.”

Dejoie says they also know workers are making more money too…

Cut 9 (06) “…the bottom line.”

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Work continues during the lame duck session of Congress on approving a new Farm Bill, but work requirements for food stamp recipients continue to be a major stumbling block. Republican Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish is pushing for work or educational requirements for able-bodied adults, but Democrats want to completely rewrite the bill.

Cut 10 (08)   “…the next congress.”

Abraham is hopeful a new farm bill can be passed before Congress adjourns for 2018…..

Cut 11 (09) “…congress take effect.”

Abraham says it’s time to play hard ball, and he’s ready to do that.

Cut 12 (11)   “…not for anybody.”

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19-year-old Stanley Celestine Junior will be one of the youngest school board members in the country when he begins his term in January. Celestine says he does a lot of work with non-profits and through that work he saw the Avoyelles Parish school system has significant issues that need to be addressed

Cut 13 (05) “…policy problems.”

The district just received a “C” grade from the state department of education. Over half of Avoyelles Parish schools received either a D or F grade. Celestine says one of the first things he wants to look at is the school system’s discipline policies

Cut 14 (11) “…of time”

Celestine received 65-percent of the vote in winning the election over fellow Democrat Carolyn Bonton. He’s pursuing a bachelor’s in sociology through an online program at McNeese State. Celestine says he also works in the mental health field and owns his own consulting company for non-profits

Cut 15 (12) “…one big job.”

Celestine says he’s not sure where his future will take him, but he wants to have an impact in children’s lives.

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The Saints are playing unbelievable football. They smoked the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles yesterday 48-7 for their ninth straight win. It’s the third straight game they’ve scored 40 points or more. Coach Sean Payton on the success of his offense…

Cut 16 (17) “…trying to improve”

The Saints have won nine in a row and they have a three-game lead over Carolina for first place in the NFC South. But Payton knows there’s still six games left and anything can happen…

Cut 17 (16) “(laughter)”

It was another MVP performance for Drew Brees. The future Hall of Famer threw for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Brees says he’s feeling good..

Cut 18 (14) “doing my job”