Louisiana takes a huge step towards launching broadband internet statewide. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customers service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says Louisiana is the first country to secure federal approval of broadband funds.
Cut 3 (08) “…our federal funds.”
Iyengar says the state awarded contracts to several companies, including several based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.
Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”
Iyengar says construction will begin very soon, and that people across the state should be connected by the end of summer.
Cut 5 (10) “…of this year.”
This funding is through the state’s GUMBO 2.0 program, which will connect about 140-thousand locations across the state by way of 20 internet service providers, most of which are based in Louisiana.
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Much of Louisiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow, starting Monday night and into Tuesday. National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says artic air will move in on Sunday and it will get very cold a couple of days later.
Cut 6 (05) “…Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
Cut 7 (11) “…bundled up.”
Slaughter says uncertainty remains regarding winter precipitation. It is still too early to determine the exact snow or ice accumulations and potential impacts.
Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”
Winter precipitation depends on surface low in the Gulf of Mexico. If it stays south of the state, Louisiana will remain dry, but the further north it moves, the great the chance we could see snow or a wintery mix.
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A pair of government advocacy groups are joining forces. The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana, or CABL, have announced that they’re merging to form Leaders for a Better Louisiana. Barry Erwin, who was the president of CABL, says this merger was a long time in the making.
Cut 9 (09) “…way, we hope.”
Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.
Cut 10 (12) “…state as well.”
Erwin says by joining forces, CABL and the Committee of 100 can do great things for the state under the new moniker of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.
Cut 11 (07) “…so to speak.”
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Louisiana U-S Representative Clay Higgins along with several other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline
Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”
Higgins called the SSA helpline during the hearing was on hold for an hour and a half without speaking to an employee.
Cut 13 (12) “…nobody (phone thrown down).”
Higgins anger was directed at Martin O’ Malley. The former Maryland governor resigned in November as Social Security Commissioner. He’s now seeking to be the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In testimony to the committee, O’Malley blamed Congress for reducing staffing levels to 50-year lows.
But Higgins says the Republican led Congress with help from the incoming Trump administration will attempt to reverse the current telework union agreement that runs through October 2029…
Cut 14 (10) “…watch us do it.”