A partial government shutdown is now in effect, with a quarter of agencies losing funding and an estimated 800,000 federal workers receiving furloughs for the holiday season. The Preisdnet says it could be “for a very long time” as he, and a coalition of House Republicans, seeks 5.7 billion for the border wall. Senator Bill Cassidy says they had the votes for an extension to February 8th, but…
Those deemed essential, mostly law enforcement and TSA, will be required to work mandatory unpaid time, but historically back pay has been allotted by Congress after the shutdown.
Louisiana’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice has died. Former Chief Justice Pascal Calogero was 87. He was first elected to the state’s highest court in 1972, serving for nearly 36 years. Clancy DuBos, who once served as clerk for Calogero, says he had a tremendous impact on the judicial system.
Cut 6 (08) “…almost 45 years.”
For 18 years, he was chief justice, before retiring in 2008.
The holidays aren’t always cheery for everyone. Studies show depression increases during holiday seasons, and Office of Behavior Health Medical Director Dr. James Hussey says weight gain from winter celebrations, increased holiday workplace demands and deadlines, and social isolation can to spiraling in depression prone people.
He recommends volunteer work as a way to kick the holiday blues.
The National Retail Federation says they are seeing procrastination in holiday shopping and expect around 61% of holiday shoppers to wrap up with gift buying this week leading up to Christmas. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says it’s a big number that are getting looped into the last minute shopping.