LRN AM Newscall Dec 1

Foodbanks are in need of aid as we begin moving into the Holidays. Matt Doyle has the story.

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 The Louisiana Workforce Commission is reviewing unemployment claims they believe to be fraudulent. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Most of Louisiana is enduring its first hard freeze of the winter this morning. Matt Doyle has the story.

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After close to three years Entergy Louisiana has now completed its purchase of the Washington Parish Energy Center, near Bogalusa. Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says the 361-megawatt natural gas-powered facility will deliver a cost-effective and low-carbon source of power to the company’s grid.

Cut 4 (09) “…those goals.”

The facility, constructed by the Calpine Corporation, was purchased for $261 million. Entergy signed an agreement to purchase the plant in April of 2017 and it was unanimously approved by the PSC.

Scardigli says customers will see a slight increase in their bill for the next year to finance the acquisition.

Cut 5 (10) “…the country.”

Entergy’s newest purchase in Washington Parish is a modern and low-carbon facility and Scardigli says it will add to the company’s clean energy portfolio.

Cut 6 (08) “…our customers.”

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Food banks across the country are being inundated with requests for aid and are seeking your help on this Giving Tuesday.

Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Jay Vise says families are struggling with federal benefits dried up and unemployment running out.

Cut 7 (09)  “…across Louisiana.”

Over the past few weeks, there have been a growing number of pictures from foodbanks in other states showing cars lined up as far as the eye can see. Vise says they’re seeing that here as well.

Cut 8 (10) “..heartbreaking.”

Vise says they’d love for the public to make any donations they can afford at this time but even more critically they could use some extra hands. He says they’ve worked hard to make it a COVID safe space.

Cut 9 (12) “…volunteers.

To contribute go to Second Harvest’s website and click donate now. A volunteer option is also available.

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If you’ve recently applied for unemployment in Louisiana, you might notice a delay in payments, that’s because the Louisiana Workforce Commission is reviewing approximately 32-thousand claims they believe to be fraudulent. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the timing could not be worse.

Cut 10 (12) “…unfortunate.”

Dejoie says the suspicious claims are being rigorously reviewed and unfortunately this is happening all over the country.

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Dejoie says not all accounts will see a delay in payments, those more likely to see a hold up are ones filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance without a previous claim, and accounts that have their payments sent to a debit card or a bank account not linked to their name.

Cut 12 (10) “…their name.”

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Most of the state is experiencing its first hard freeze of the winter this morning.

After a fairly warm November State Climatologist Barry Keim says this season’s first freeze is running a little behind schedule.

Cut 13 (11) “…Baton Rouge.”

The only areas not experiencing a freeze warning are the New Orleans Metro and southeastern coastal parishes. New Orleans generally does not experience its first freeze until December 13th.

Keim says most of the state won’t see highs over 60 degrees today and will be enduring brutal lows in the 30s and 40s. That’s a big change from last week where we had highs in the mid-70s.

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Keim says this cold, cold weather won’t be going away any time soon. Expect it to linger through the weekend.

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Pelicans All-Star Forward Brandon Ingram has officially re-signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported 158-million dollars. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin says at 23-years-old Ingram is just scratching the surface as a basketball player

Cut 16 (19) “..spoke to us.”

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After giving up 112 yards of offense to Denver on Sunday, the Saints now rank number one in the NFL in total defense. According to the NFL it’s the first time, the Saints have ranked number one in total defense since week 8 of the 2020 season. Coach Sean Payton on the improvement of the defense since the start of this year

cut 17 (16) “…red zone.”

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One season after winning the national title, the LSU football program looking at its worst season in over 20 years. Coach Ed Orgeron says no one wants to go through a season like this, but it will help build grit and character and will pay off later on…

cut 18 (26) “…young foundation.”

LSU’s best receiver Terrace Marshall has decided to opt-out for the rest of the season as he’ll get ready for the NFL draft. Orgeron expects freshman tight end Arik Gilbert to become a bigger part of the passing game

cut 19 (22) “…good receivers.”

LSU’s defense had its best game of the season in College Station. Orgeron says an even bigger test comes Saturday when they take on number one ranked Alabama…

cut 20 (19) “…explosive play.”