Joe Burrow’s Heisman acceptance speech inspires an outpouring of support for his hometown’s food pantry. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
________________________________________
A twister outbreak results in widespread damage over various parishes and one death. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
____________________________________________
The Louisiana National Guard will have a new leader after Major General Glenn Curtis announces his retirement. Kevin Barnhart has more…
__________________________________________________
Drew Brees breaks Peyton Manning’s 539 career passing touchdown record as the Saints crushed the Colts in the Dome 34-7.
It was clear from the start that coach Sean Payton had a game plan to throw early and often with a chance to break the record in front of the home crowd. Brees broke the record on a pass to tight end Josh Hill…
Brees passed for four TDs and 307 yards.
Brees extended the record to 541 TDs, keeping him three ahead of Tom Brady who is hot on his heels, but Payton says there’s too much at stake to get distracted by records…
Brees also broke the single-game passing percentage record, going 29 of 30 through the air.
__________________________________________________
Monday’s tornado outbreak that spanned the state and into Mississippi is to blame for at least one fatality in Vernon Parish and widespread damage and utility outages. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says just in the initial review of the havoc, his area has a long path to recovery.
The deceased was in a mobile home at the time of the storm. The tornado started in the De Ridder area and cut a 63 mile path to Alexandria. Beauregard Parish GOHSEP Deputy Director Scott Greenmun…
Rapides Parish GOHSEP Director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion says they are doing what they can to make sure everyone has shelter following the storm.
Cut 8 (10) “…homes are uninhabitable.”
Governor Edwards says he’s praying for those that were in harm’s way.
Cut 9 (12) “…for that family.”
Early estimates indicate the total number of twisters is around 18.
__________________________________________________
LSU QB Joe Burrow’s Heisman acceptance speech has sparked a spirit of giving. Burrow referenced his upbringing in Athens, Ohio, an impoverished area where the poverty rate is almost two times the national average. Rob Szabo is with the Athens County Food Pantry and says the outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
Szabo says food insecurity is a huge issue in the area. The Athens County Food Pantry supports more than 5,000 households in the area each year.
A Facebook fundraising campaign has eclipsed a quarter million dollars (updates here) in the time since Burrow’s acceptance speech. Szabo says that will help with the extra need that comes with the holidays.
__________________________________________________
Major Glenn Curtis is stepping down as head of Louisiana’s National Guard, and will be replaced by Brigadier General Keith Wadell effective January 10th.
Curtis was first appointed to the position by Governor Jindal in 2011 and was reappointed by Governor Edwards four years ago. Edwards says Curtis has led the state’s forces through some remarkably turbulent times…
Curtis first joined the Guard in 1982.
Curtis’ second in command will step into the position after 25 years in the Guard. Curtis celebrated the soon-to-be top general…
Wadell is currently the assistant principal of Westlake High School in Calcasieu Parish, where he also coaches.
Governor Edwards says the appointment of Wadell will continue to make the Louisiana Guard one of the best in the nation both in wars abroad and at home.
______________________________________________
The Pelicans hope to snap a franchise record 12 game losing streak tonight against the Nets at the Smoothie King Center.
Injuries have piled up, but Locked on Pelicans podcast host Jake Madison says there are two major culprits for this season’s failure, starting with the second-worst defense in the league…
Offensively the team ranks 19th but has had reason to be optimistic about the future thanks to Lakers acquisition Brandon Ingram, who is averaging 25 points a game.
Coach Alvin Gentry is now firmly on the hot seat, but unlikely to be canned before Zion Williamson returns from the injury. That being said Madison says the team needs to seriously consider a change.
Gentry now has a career .400 record as head coach of the Pels, with four of his five seasons sporting losing records.
The disastrous start to the season could be detrimental to the long-term growth of key young players, but Madison says short-term it could be even worse…
__________________________________________________