A Union Parish Grand Jury charged five law enforcement officers in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. The most serious charge is negligent homicide. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1(36)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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November marked the sixth straight month of record-breaking unemployment. And this month the state set a record for non-seasonally adjusted employment–which includes temporary jobs. Marsanne Golsby…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says all of the parks have added holiday features.

Cut 3 (08) “..Christmas pictures. ” 

There are 38 state parks, historic sites, and preservation areas. He says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. Oakley House at Audubon Historic site near St. Francisville is conducting ongoing guided tours and more.

Cut 4 (07)  “…going on.” 

Tomorrow there’s a Christmas celebration at Fort Jesup Historic Site at Many from 10 am to 3 pm, and a make-your-own ornament event at Fort St. John Baptiste Historic Site at Natchitoches from 1 to 3 pm.

Burris says the parks system is offering a special: four nights for the price of three through the end of the month. The promo code is kickoff2022. In addition, for those who want to give a non-traditional gift, the parks system is offering gift cards.

Cut 5 (08) “…hands on”

For more information on the events or to make reservations, go to lastateparks.com

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The mother of Ronald Greene made remarks Thursday evening after criminal charges were handed down against five law enforcement officers who were at the scene when her son was beaten and tased by cops before he died in May of 2019. Mona Hardin said she asked Governor John Bel Edwards to join them last night.

Cut 6 (14)  “…for itself.”

Hardin has repeatedly called on those responsible for Greene’s death to be held accountable. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the grand jury failed to charge the officers with murder or even manslaughter. Only one is charged with negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Cut 7 (12)  “…they’re convicted.”

In addition to criticizing the governor, Hardin also had harsh words for state leaders for allowing state police to continue their behavior and mistreatment of people of color.

Cut 8 (12)  “…clean up.“

One of the officers that were involved has since died but of the five officers who have been charged four face Malfeasance in Office and three face Obstruction of Justice. Meche feels the charges don’t match the crime.

Cut 9 (09) “…young man” 

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Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of the abandoned Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City to Foundation Gaming, a Mississippi-based company. Foundation’s marketing operator Les McMackin says they plan to open the Shreveport-Bossier City area’s first land-based Casino by December 2024 with a nearly $200 million renovation.

Cut 10 (12) “… again with that” 

The company plans to re-brand the 26-acre property with a new name which has yet to be revealed. McMackin says plans for the project feature new construction on a 47,000-square-foot casino, renovation of the 405-room hotel, at least three new restaurants, and….

Cut 11 (11)  “…and live.”

Foundation hopes to provide a fresh, customer-friendly experience in what they believe to be a great project for the market and the community. McMackin says the company needs to provide something new and different into the market

Cut 12 (09) “…property.”  

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New numbers released today from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Louisiana continues to add jobs.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth month in a row the state has either tied or set a record low.

Cut 13 (12) “…from there.”  

This month, Louisiana also set a new record low for non-seasonally adjusted unemployment, which reached 2.9%. That month-to-month jobs count, which includes seasonal and temporary work, set records in three categories—the unemployment rate, the number of employed, and the number of unemployed.  She says all of those mean good news for employers and those seeking jobs. Cates says jobs are being added in all corners of the state and in all parts of the economy.

Cut 14 (11)   “… be openings”

She says there are ten thousand openings on the workforce commission’s web page, and the state has programs to help employers and people looking for work.

Cut 15 (10) “…can qualify.”

She says job seekers who are looking to upgrade their skills can get free training on the Workforce Commission website.

Senator John Kennedy calls on FEMA to end their secrecy over dramatically increased flood insurance rates. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1(34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference says the state has an extra $925 million in the state’s current budget. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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It’s time to get those cards and packages in the mail so they’ll arrive before Christmas instead of after. Brooke Thorington has some tips.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Senator John Kennedy took the U.S. Senate floor Thursday to challenge FEMA to explain exactly how it determines National Flood Insurance rates; some of which are forcing people to cancel coverage or even leave their homes. Kennedy says the new Risk Rating 2.0 is causing flood coverage rates to increase so sharply, many homeowners simply cannot afford it anymore…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…and it’s falling.”

Kennedy says the problem doesn’t just affect Louisiana. He cites an Associated Press report stating an estimated 1 million fewer American households have flood insurance, thanks to Risk Rating 2.0. Kennedy says FEMA refuses to be transparent with how they set their flood rates…:

 Cut 5 (12) “…have to kill ya.”

Kennedy says it does no good for the federal government to offer flood insurance if people cannot afford it. He says FEMA’s refusal to be forthcoming with how rates are set is disturbing, and it’s putting stress on already-strained households…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…their rates go up!” 

Kennedy says Louisiana property owners deserve to know. He’s co-sponsoring a bill to require transparency of FEMA on flood insurance.

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A Union Parish Grand Jury has indicted five officers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Greene, a Black motorist. was beaten to death after a lengthy police chase that ended on a rural highway in Union Parish. Trooper Kory York faces the most significant charge, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance in office. Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, was in Baton Rouge when the indictments came down…

Cut 7 (12) “…accountable.”

Trooper John Cleary was charged with one count of obstruction of justice. Former State Troopers Dakota Demoss and Captain John Peters each face one count of obstruction of justice. Union Parish Deputy Chris Harpin faces three counts of malfeasance in office. Attorney Ron Haley urges district attorney John Belton to charge these individuals to the fullest extent of the law…

Cut 8 (09)  “…for Ron.”

Eugene Collins President of the Baton Rouge branch of the NAACP wishes the charges were more significant…

Cut 9 (11)  “…five troopers.”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference released surplus amounts for the current budget year and the next for Louisiana.  Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state has a surplus of $925 million for the current year budget that ends June 30^th

Cut 10 (10) “… that amount.” 

And the forecasted surplus for next year’s budget that begins July 1^st is $608 million.

Dardenne says the REC will give recommendations to the legislature on how the extra funds should be spent when the executive budget is presented in February. He says those recommendations will be consistent with what was done in the current year and use some of the recurring money for nonrecurring purposes.

Cut 11 (10)  “…growing the budget.”

Dardenne and Senate President Page Cortez both suggested using the funds to go towards infrastructure and teacher pay raises in next year’s budget.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has stated he will ask the REC for a portion of those funds in an effort to entice more property insurers to write policies in Louisiana. At least 10 insurers left the state and of those who remain, several of them are not writing any new policies in Louisiana. Dardenne says Donelon discuss a plan at the REC Thursday.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the state.”

Dardenne also says the state is expected to face a budget shortfall in 2025 because a .45-percent sales tax will expire.

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Saturday is the deadline for first-class mail and packages to be posted for Christmas arrival. USPS spokesperson David Walton has a few mailing tips you’ll need to keep in mind that will also help in getting your gifts to their intended recipients before Santa arrives. He says to use a sturdy box for packages so gifts arrive in one piece.

Cut 13 (11) “…return address.”

Walton says your local post office has an assortment of free boxes for you that you can use to send your packages priority mail.

And when it comes to letters or packages, Walton says to never guess a zip code.

Cut 14 (11)  “…location.”

You can visit USPS.com to look up a zip code under the “send” tab.

The website also has a tool called “Click and Ship.” Walton says it’s ideal for folks who want to avoid standing in line to mail a package. He says you can calculate shipping costs for your package and.…

Cut 15 (10)  “…free of charge.”

The deadline for Priority Mail is December 19th and the deadline for Priority Express is December 23rd.

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After the bye week. the Saints have only four weeks left to salvage what’s been a disappointing season. 4-9 and last in the NFC South, New Orleans has struggled on both sides of the ball. Their sloppy play has lost them game after game, from struggling to produce in the red zone to giving up two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes to lose a 13 point lead. Quarterback ANdy Dalton says the team knows they’ve missed opportunities to win…

Cut  16 (18)  “..several weeks.” 

The Saints will host the Falcons this week as rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder is set to make his first start of the season after starter Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury and left the team. Ridder was selected out of Cincinnati in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. Saints second-year linebacker Pete Werner is hoping to make his return from injury and played Ridder during his time at Ohio St. He says preparation for Atlanta shouldn’t change much no matter who’s at quarterback…

Cut 17 (18) “…the first time.” 

At 4-9, the Saints are set to have their first losing season since 2016, but that doesn’t mean their hopes for the season are completely over. With 4 games left, the Saints are just two games behind the division-leading Buccaneers, and Werner said the team’s mentality is to go 4-0 over these last four games. Dalton says it’s easy to point out the little mistakes that have cost the team over the season…

Cut 18 (18) “…change the outcome.” 

Kickoff against Atlanta is at noon Sunday