LSU Ag center experts say Louisiana sweet potato farmers have had their worst year in more than 30 years. They tell us farmers all over the state suffered losses. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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Alexandria attorney Mike Small believes his client Master Trooper Kory York will be found not guilty of the criminal charges he faces for his role in the fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Experts say 2022 has been the worst year for Louisiana sweet potato production in more than 30 years. LSU Ag Center sweet potato specialist Myrl Sistrunk blames inconsistent weather…

Cut 3 (09) “..the state. ” 

He says farmers in the northeastern part of the state were hit the hardest, but the 2022 crop was expensive to plant all over the state, due to increased fuel, labor, and pesticide costs. He says production is down as much as 60-percent.

Cut 4 (10)  “…for the state” 

Sistrunk says this year has been a blow to farmers who had been banking on a bumper crop to help offset the cost of production. He says unlike farmers who grow soy, corn, and other crops that get government subsidies, sweet potato farmers do not have that kind of safety net. But he says the ones he has spoken with are trying to hang on.

Cut 5 (08) “…works out”

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The attorney representing Kory York believes the now suspended Master Trooper will be found not guilty of the charges he faces as a result of the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who was beaten by officers before he died. Mike Small spoke with us today…

Cut 6 (12)  “…the indictment”

York is one of the five law enforcement officers facing charges. His charges are the most serious, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. Small says it’s significant federal prosecutors investigated the case for two and half years and determined criminal charges were not warranted

Cut 7 (08)  “…subject of the investigation”

Small says there will be no plea bargaining as he believes York did not commit any crimes…

Cut 8 (11)  “…in Union Parish.“

Body camera video of the arrest shows York dragging Greene by his ankle shackles and putting his foot on his back for push him down and leaving him face down in the dirt for nearly ten minutes.

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Governor Edwards held his End of the Year Press Conference today highlighting accomplishments of 2022. Among the topics were the state’s budget surplus and record unemployment. Edwards also reflected where the state was a year ago with COVID at the beginning of the Omicron surge.

Cut 9 (11) “…much better.” 

Even with a reduction in COVID cases compared to a year ago, Edwards pointed out that the healthcare system is still stressed because they are responding to a “tridemic.”

Cut 10 (12) “… boosters.” 

Instead of giving daily COVID numbers Monday through Friday, the health department transitioned to weekly updates in October. But Edwards pointed out, even though it wasn’t the first topic of discussion that COVID remains an issue.

Cut 11 (12)  “…protect ourselves.”

Last Wednesday the state reported 4,700 cases of COVID and a seven-day average of 256 hospitalizations.

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The National Weather Service says the coldest weather of the season so far is expected in Louisiana by late in the day Thursday, bringing temperatures as low as ten degrees north of I-20 Friday morning. Forecaster Brandon Thorne says strong northwesterly winds, with gusts up to 30-40 mph, will accompany the front.

Cut 12 (08) “…even Saturday.”  

Thorne says the southern part of the state will experience a hard freeze with wind chill effects in the single digits.

Cut 13 (08) “…high accumulations.”  

Thorne says it’s time to begin preparing.

Cut 14 (09)   “… cold weather”

Data from Tulane University shows Louisiana small businesses and startups planning more hiring and leasing office space. Brooke Thorington reports on the post-pandemic economic news…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. Brooke Thorington has more on what he’s expected to highlight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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It’s Christmas week and it’s just not Santa that’s coming to the Bayou State from the North Pole this week. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary for family support at D-C-F-S, Monica Brown, says it’s the largest increase in 40 years and veterans benefits will also go up next year…

Cut 4 (08)  “…going to be great.”

But 34 percent of SNAP recipients who receive Social Security or Veterans Benefits face an average reduction of 47-dollars in monthly benefits because their income will increase as a result of the cost of living adjustment. The reduction will occur when the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID ends. Brown says about 14-hundred SNAP recipients will no longer be eligible for SNAP benefits….

 Cut 5 (10) “…an effect.”

Brown says households facing a reduction in benefits or the closure of a case will have another option.

Cut 6 (11)  “…SNAP benefits” 

For more information about SNAP, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

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A new survey from Tulane University shows the traditional office environment is making a bit of a post-pandemic comeback; especially among smaller businesses. The survey asked over 150 startups and small businesses across a 10-parish region about staffing and plans to lease office space. Emily Egan, with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business, says nearly 70-percent plan to add employees and the number planning to lease space rose by 6-percent…:

Cut 7 (12) “…the primary office.”

Egan says more than 50-percent of respondents to the survey indicated some staff will continue to work remotely, but 38-percent feel having an office is a good idea…:

Cut 8 (05)  “…interact in person.”

Egan says the survey showed startups having better success with raising capital in 2022, and higher average gross revenues (up from $1.5-million to $2.3-million). She says these companies plan to add staff in the coming New Year, and that’s a good indicator of a healing economy…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…doing this report.”

Read the entire report at “GNOstartupreport.com”

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Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Edwards to tout the budget surplus that’s allowed him to make critical investments, like on roads and bridges and teacher pay raises.

Cut 10 (09) “…historic low.” 

Edwards will also face the media for the first time since criminal charges were handed down against five law enforcement officers in the Ronald Greene fatal arrest. Cross believes the governor will tread lightly on the topic. Cross says the real question is what did Edwards know and when did he know it.

Cut 11 (07)  “…on this.”

Cross expects Edwards to avoid discussing what led to the resignation of Secretary Marketa Garner Walters at the Department of Children and Family Services. As for what to expect in his last year in office Cross says Edwards will do what he can to leave his mark despite having lame-duck status.

Cut 12 (08) “… somewhat less.”

Cross says he feels Edwards’ will be judged favorably when his term ends especially on how he responded to hurricanes and the pandemic.

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A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week.

Cut 13 (10) “…below normal.”

Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…

Cut 14 (07)  “…in New Orleans.”

So if you’re going out of town be sure to have your pipes and plants prepped ahead of time.

This cold air will not bring us a White Christmas but Keim says you might want to ask to Santa for flannel pajamas.

Cut 15 (10)  “…below normal.”

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Two weeks from today LSU will play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and Coach Brian Kelly says Jayden Daniels will be ready after failing to finish the SEC Championship game because of an ankle injury…

Cut  16 (26)  “..through that progression.” 

Purdue will play without its top three offensive stars in the bowl game. Quarterback Aidan O’ Connell, receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham. UCLA transfer Austin Burton will start for the short-handed Boilermakers. Kelly says Burton started a game in September…

Cut 17 (21) “…and playing” 

Bowl practices give teams a chance to play some young guys who didn’t play during the regular season. Kelly says several guys have stood out…

Cut 18 (28) “…few more guys” 

 Kelly also mentioned freshman quarterback Walker Howard performed well in red zone drills on Saturday.

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It’s been a disappointing Saints season, but at least they’ve beaten the Falcons twice. New Orleans took care of the Dirty Birds on Sunday as they held on for a 21-18 win over Atlanta. The Saints entered the game with slim playoff hopes, but Coach Dennis Allen expected his team would play hard….

Cut 19 (25) “…did it again here today”

Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill also threw a 68-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed.  New Orleans defense gave up 231 rushing yards but, Allen says coming away with the victory was the important thing….

Cut 20 (17)     …..what we did today”