7:30 LRN Newscast January 9

The Louisiana Association of United Ways estimates that in 2016 48-percent of Louisiana households could not afford basic needs an increase from 42-percent in 2014. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says many of these families have working adults…
cut 6 (07) “…necessities”
The Parishes with the highest percentage of what is known as ALICE households are clustered in the 5th Congressional District.

Congressman Garret Graves says legal action is coming to force the federal government to make available Louisiana RESTORE grant dollars to families who also received S-B-A loans after the 2016 floods. Graves says the agencies had 45 days to write policy for the money to be distributed, but departments, like HUD, have ignored the Congressional mandate approved in October.
Cut 10 (09) “…follow the law.”
There’s likely to be no movement on this issue during the government shutdown.

South Louisiana Methanol announces plans to pursue a $2.2 billion dollar methanol complex in St. James Parish…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New details have emerged on the duck hunting accident in Mississippi that resulted in the amputation of former LSU offensive lineman Matt Branch’s leg. The Clarion Ledger reports Branch left his loaded shotgun in the bed of his pickup truck and a dog jumped onto the truck bed, accidentally pulling the trigger. Branch was shot in the left thigh and is expected to recover. He played for the Tigers from 2008 to 2011.