U-S Senator Bill Cassidy announced today he will not run for governor next year. The Republican from Baton Rouge says he has important work in Congress he wants to accomplish. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says now we wait to see if fellow U-S Senator John Kennedy will get in…
cut 4 (08) “…or Democrat”

Louisiana is gaining back 3500 oil and gas jobs by mid-2023. That’s according to a new report from LSU’s Center for Energy Studies.
Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Good news for residents living in and around Avoyelles Parish as the Avoyelles Hospital announces plans for a 25-million dollar renovation that will result in an expansion of health care services….
cut 15 (12) “….brand new”
That’s the CEO at Avoyelles Hospital Tim Curry.

The Golden Band from Tigerland is the first marching band to ever receive a Grammy nomination. The band recorded the album Full Circle with alum Sean Ardoin last spring, and it’s received a nod as Best Regional Roots Music Album. LSU Band Director Dr. Kelvin Jones says it’s historic.
Cut 12 (11) “…like this.”
We’ll find out in February if they won.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced this morning he won’t be running for governor of Louisiana.  ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says he isn’t surprised

Cut 5 (09) “…divided government.” 

In his announcement, Cassidy pointed out he is the ranking Republican member in a powerful senate committee on health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Federal labor data released Friday shows Louisiana has again posted a new record low rate of unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Supervisor for Employment Statistics Mark Jones says the numbers are tremendous news…:

Cut 7 (09) “…the unemployment rate.”

Jones says there are over 14-thousand jobs posted on the LWC’s HIRE website (LAWorks.net).

He says we are recovering from the pandemic and employers are ready to hire capable workers.

There is a concern Twitter could go away soon after reports of mass resignations at the social media company recently purchased by billionaire Elon Musk. Haggai Davis the Third, co-host of the podcast Tech Gumbo, is not ready to predict the demise of Twitter but The hashtag R-I-P Twitter trending users are concerned it could shut down. Davis says the potential end of Twitter is forcing many users to contemplate the use of social media platforms…

Cut 11 (09)  “…journalism”

The SEC West champion LSU Tigers will host the UAB Blazers on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Bayou Bengals have their ticket punched to play Georgia in the SEC Title game in two weeks, but Coach Brian Kelly says that has no bearing on their game against the Blazers…

Cut 15 (09) “…UAB”

Louisiana is gaining back 3500 oil and gas jobs by mid-2023. That’s according to a new report from LSU’s Center for Energy Studies.
cut 1 (26) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The state Office of Juvenile Justice is asking judges’ to release certain low-risk offenders to parole, to make room for more incoming violent kids. A number of local DA’s signed off on the letter; saying they badly need the space in juvenile centers. The O-J-J says a factor in the space crunch is that repairs are not completed on a 36-bed dormitory at a Monroe facility damaged badly during a riot.

The Milken Center ranks Louisiana 49th in overall prosperity. Some areas of the state are more prosperous than others, like St. Tammany, Lafayette and St. Charles. Among the lowest ranking, East Carroll, West Carroll, Madison, Avoyelles, and Washington Parishes. Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, Farah Pandith, says Claiborne Parish deserves recognition for the most improved…
cut 12 (09) “….a really good story”

According to a study by Kindness.org Louisiana is among the top ten in generosity. The survey, conducted in partnership with Verizon and NextDoor, questioned 10-thousand people from all 50 states about kind acts they would do for their neighbors. Verizon spokesperson Andrew Testa…
Cut 7 (08) “…number six.”
He says the rankings are configurated by a kindness quotient and neighbors who say they will do things like return a lost item or forgive a neighbor’s debt, receive a higher ranking

Louisiana ranks 49th among states for its overall quality of life. Kevin Gallagher has more on that…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The F-B-I is reportedly looking at New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell for a series of clothing purchases made by a local salon owner who is the personal shopper and stylist for Cantrell. Fox 8 TV says the FBI has subpoenaed receipts and documents from high-end New Orleans fashion retailer Ballin’s Limited and some of the clothing purchases examined date back to 2017.

A new report from LSU’s Center for Energy Studies predicts Louisiana will regain thousands of jobs in the oil and gas industry by the middle of next year. Research professor Greg Upton says this year Louisiana has already gained 2500 jobs that involve extracting oil and gas from the ground.
Cut 4 (12) “…levels off.”
He says the state lost 8,700 upstream oil and gas sector energy jobs during the pandemic.

Kindness-dot-org ranks ranks Louisiana as the sixth kindness state in the country. Verizon and NextDoor questioned 10-thousand people across the U-S and asked if they would do things like return a lost item to a neighbor or forgive a neighbor’s debt. Verizon spokesperson Andrew Testa…
cut 8 (04) “…one to 50”
Among the top five are Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas and Utah.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell answered questions Wednesday about issues surrounding her leadership. FOX 8 investigative reporter Lee Zurik questioned if Cantrell’s use of city-owned French Quarter apartment and excessive travel was a detriment to her leadership.
Cut 9 (06) “…my opinion.
Zurik has been running a series of reports pertaining to Cantrell’s use of a city-owned apartment and has more than 600 hours of recordings of her entering and leaving the apartment.

Who’s running for governor in 2023 has made the headlines this week, but Governor John Bel Edwards still has 14 months left in office and he has some items on his to-do list. For example, continued strides with education.
Cut 21 (13) “…far too long.”
Edwards made the comments on his monthly call-in radio show.

Are you tired of the chilly temperatures? Well, a warm-up is not expected until next week. In fact, State Climatologist Barry Keim says Friday night into Saturday morning there will be a reinforcing cold front.
Cut 7 (06) “…into Thanksgiving.”
Most of the southern half of the state is under a freeze watch late tonight and into tomorrow morning. Temperatures could be in the upper 20s for central Lousiaina tomorrow morning.

Inflation has been at a 40-year high but your Thanksgiving dinner will not break the bank. According to the American Farm Bureau price survey Louisiana residents can expect to pay $13.62 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten. Farm Bureau of Louisiana spokesperson Avery Davidson…
Cut 14 (07) “…sweet potatoes.”
Davidson says the average price for a 16-pound turkey is nine dollars less than the national average.

Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator Robyn Thomas at the Louisiana Department of Health says the new 988 national suicide prevention and crisis hotline has seen a 50-percent increase in calls since it replaced a ten-digit number in July. Thomas says counselors can connect callers with additional resources if they are needed…
cut 28 (11) “….confidential”
And again that number is 9-8-8.

Who will run for governor next year is a big topic in Louisiana politics? Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt is a possible candidate. The chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee says she’s looking at her options…
cut 9 (07) “…in January”
A decision by Senator Bill Cassidy is expected by the end of the week.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s School of nursing has been named the Nursing School of the Year by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation. Ann Carruth is dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Cut 3 (06) “…graduation”
This is the fifth year the school has won the award. The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges that look at accreditation status, innovations in education and teaching, and nursing exam passing rates.

If you were hoping Louisiana would get a break from the chilly temps anytime soon, well you’re out of luck. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tonight will be the coldest of the current grip old man winter has on the Bayou State with temps hovering around freezing.
Cut 6 (12) “…next week.”
Most of southern half of the state is under a freeze watch late tonight into tomorrow morning.

In July, a new three digit mental health and suicide prevention hotline was introduced and according to Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator with the department of health Robyn Thomas says there’s been an increase in substance abuse calls, plus calls related to anxiety, depression, and especially financial concerns…..
cut 6 (12) “…financial assistance”
The suicide and crisis lifeline is 9-8-8.

Inflation has been at a 40-year high but your Thanksgiving dinner will not break the bank. According to the American Farm Bureau price survey Louisiana residents can expect to pay $13.62 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten. Farm Bureau of Louisiana spokesperson Avery Davidson…
Cut 14 (07) “…sweet potatoes.”

We are expecting an announcement this week from U-S Senator Bill Cassidy on whether he’ll run for governor in 2023. Fellow G-O-P U.S. Senator John Kennedy, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Treasurer John Schroder are also considering running for governor. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s also strongly considering…:
cut 8 (09) “….over Thanksgiving”
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt and Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson are also considering, while State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is a possible candidate on the Democrat side.

Governor Edwards has about 14 months left in office. Edwards says improving education is one of his top priorities. Next year will be a mostly fiscal legislative session and Edwards hopes lawmakers will remain focused on what’s best for the state not their own agenda in an election year…
cut 12 (11) “…their election”