Economist Doctor Loren Scott is predicting the state will add almost 75-thousand jobs over the next two years with solid job growth expected for the Baton Rouge area, Lake Charles and Monroe because of ongoing construction projects like a Hyundai Plant in Ascension Parish, an LNG terminal in southwest Louisiana and the Meta Data plant in Richland Parish. But Scott says in New Orleans, job growth is stagnant…

Cut 5 (09) “….before Katrina”

But the Saints are staying in New Orleans through at least 2035 because of a new lease agreement. Saints Owner Gayle Benson says the deal is an example of the special partnership between the state and the NFL franchise…

Cut 13 (13) “…of the way”

How will the ongoing federal government shutdown affect consumer spending? Andrew Greenstein has some insight.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says it will no longer accept cash payments effective November first. L-D-R says the policy is part of an ongoing initiative to improve the efficiency of their payment processes and it’s already in effect at the department’s regional offices in Alexandria, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport.

With a forecast of almost 75-thousand new jobs in the next two years, one economist says Louisiana is poised to cross the two-million jobs barrier.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

DMR Technologies announces it will build a drone manufacturing facility in Lafayette. The company says it will create 521 jobs over the next ten years. This site will serve as DMR’s primary domestic production hub…integrating advanced flight control printing, rotor manufacturing and assembly.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has laid out its plan on how it will address a 25-million-dollar budget deficit. Interim President Jamie Hebert says the school has implemented 10-percent operational spending cuts and a five-percent cut to academic affairs.

Cut 10 (12) “…offices on campus.”

Hebert believes they can make these spending cuts and not diminish the student learning experience.

The Saints and the state have agreed on a lease Superdome agreement that runs through 2035.  Because the negotiations took longer than expected, the Saints missed a key deadline in order to bid on hosting a Super Bowl in 2031. But Saints owner Gayle Benson believes it’s not too late to get involved in the bidding.

Cut 15 (08) “…am not deterred.”

The winless Saints will host the Giants this Sunday.

A new Superdome lease agreement between the state and the Saints has been signed….

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is facing allegations of insider trading. The news website NOTUS, reports Fields bought a large amount of Oracle stock days before President Trump signed an executive order that gave the technology giant a leading role in TikTok’s pending U-S spinoff from a Chinese company. Fields denies he had any inside knowledge.

We head into the weekend with no signs that the federal government will be re-opened anytime soon. The government shutdown means federal workers will be without a paycheck until Congress can agree on a funding bill. Kris Linsey-Hall, associate professor of marketing at LSU, says the shutdown comes as consumers are already losing confidence…

Cut 8 (10) “….today was financially”

U-L Lafayette is tightening its belt to counter a 25-million dollar budget deficit. Interim president Jason Herbert says the university has implemented ten-percent operational spending cuts and other cost-saving measures…

Cut 11 (10) “…current revenue stream”

Hebert says they hope to reach fiscal stability by May.

One economist says Louisiana is expected to add almost 75-thousand jobs in the next two years, surpassing the two-million mark for total jobs in the state.  Dr. Loren Scott says much of South Louisiana is expected to see a good portion of those new jobs, fueled by the industrial construction boom.

Cut 4 (11) “…now beginning construction.”

Scott says the Monroe area will also see an increase in jobs because of the Meta Data center in Richland Parish and he says there are rumors of a data center ending up in northwest Louisiana.

The Saints are not going anywhere. The NFL team has signed a new lease agreement with the state that locks in the Superdome as their home stadium through at least 2035. The lease agreement also contains language that would deter a future owner from relocating the team. Governor Jeff Landry praises the deal.

Cut 14 (10) “…of New Orleans.”

How will the ongoing federal government shutdown affect consumer spending? Andrew Greenstein has some insight.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana ranks as the worst state in the U-S News and World Report’s ranking of the best states. The Bayou State nailed down the last spot, because of its high crime rate, poor economy, infrastructure and it ranks 49^th for natural environment. Utah is ranked number one, followed by New Hampshire.

With a forecast of almost 75-thousand new jobs in the next two years, one economist says Louisiana is poised to cross the two-million jobs barrier. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Illuminator reports that the LSU Board of Supervisors may hire a new LSU president at its October 24 meeting. Piper Huchinson is reporting that the timeline has been moved up, and the firm hired to assist in finding a new president could deliver names to the search committee next week.

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How will the federal government shutdown affect consumer spending? Kris Lindsey-Hall, an associate professor of marketing at LSU, says those who stand to lose their income, whether temporarily or permanently, will have a very rough go for the time being.

Cut 7 (12) “…to do that.”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is reducing spending to counter a 25-percent budget deficit that’s grown because of a decline in enrollment of full-time undergraduate students. But interim president Jamie Hebert says the goal with these cost cutting initiatives is not to diminish the student learning experience, and they believe they can achieve that.

Cut 12 (10) “…to conduct research.”

Hebert says they hope to reach fiscal stability by May 2026.

One economist says Louisiana will soon reach a jobs milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Acadiana is getting hundreds of new jobs as DMR Technologies announces it will build a drone manufacturing facility in Lafayette. The company says it will create 521 jobs over the next ten years. This site will serve as DMR’s primary domestic production hub, integrating advanced flight control printing, rotor manufacturing and assembly.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is calling on building owners, businesses and residents to turn off unnecessary lighting from 11 p-m to 6 a-m to help an estimated 500 million migratory birds pass through Louisiana safely. LWF member Charles Williams says by turning off or dimming non-essential lights during peak migration hours, the public can help birds navigate safely.

Cut 12 (11) “…by saving birds.”

We’re looking at higher rain chances this weekend, but mainly for southeast Louisiana as tropical moisture could bring much needed rainfall to that part of the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the whole state could really use some rain…

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of the state.”

Keim says a tropical disturbance that’s expected to make its way into the Gulf will help boost rain chances for southeast Louisiana.

One economist says Louisiana will soon reach a jobs milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Illuminator says the LSU Board of Supervisors could hire a new LSU president at its October 24^th meeting. Piper Huchinson is reporting the timeline has been moved up and the firm hired to assist in finding a new president could be delivered to the search committee next week.

Congress’s inability to approve a government funding bill has resulted in the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program. Louisiana Commissioner Tim Temple says this means the N-F-I-P cannot issue new or renew existing flood insurance policies…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people.”

NFIP policies currently in effect will continue until the end of the current one-year policy term.

There are two months left in this hurricane season and the National Hurricane Center has identified an area of low pressure near the Bahamas that has a low potential of developing into a tropical depression in the Gulf. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this tropical disturbance is helping to bump up the rain chances for southeast Louisiana early next week…

Cut 10 (12) “…anybody’s guess.”

One economist is predicting that Louisiana will achieve a significant employment milestone within the next two years. Dr. Loren Scott says it won’t be long before Louisiana breaks through the two-million jobs mark.

Cut 6 (11) “…employment in Louisiana.”

Scott predicts the state will add more than 74-thousand jobs over the next two years with the Baton Rouge and Lake Charles areas leading the job growth.

There’s still two months left in the hurricane season and because Congress failed to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program before the government shutdown, new NFIP flood insurance policies can not be purchased or renewed. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the NFIP can still pay claims, but that will stop once available funds run out…

Cut 4 (10) “…hurricane season.”

Two Alexandria Police Officers have been fired and State Police has charged them with malfeasance in office because of multiple use of force incidents that took place last July. Details of what they did are not known at this time. Austin Butler and Dylan Tritle were booked in the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. Butler also faces one count of simple battery.

The College Football National Championship game is returning to New Orleans in January of 2028. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 29 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”