Governor Edwards’ office announces help for homeowners set behind on mortgage payments because of the pandemic. Kevin Gallagher has that…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Louisiana has a combined $1.5 billion budget surplus from the last and current fiscal year with a $771 million increase in the next year’s projected revenue. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”
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It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and show off your best moves and help Louisiana Public Broadcasting Save Mardi Gras. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The Governor’s Office announces a federally funded program to help homeowners who were set behind on their mortgage due to the pandemic. Louisiana Office of Community Development spokesperson Gina Campo says the state has received nearly $147-million to give out…:
Cut 4 (11) “…housing instability.”
The Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund is bankrolled by the $10-Billion American Rescue Plan Act, of which Louisiana gets $147-million. Homeowners whose ability to pay their mortgage were hobbled by the COVID pandemic and lockdown must meet certain financial criteria to qualify for up to $25-thousand in mortgage assistance…:
Cut 5 (07) “…servicer or lender.”
Campo says about 3000 people have already applied, and applications will be processed with all due haste. She says one can easily get started online…:
Cut 6 (14) “…go ahead and sign up!”
URL: LAcovidhousing.com
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The Revenue Estimating Conference has officially recognized Louisiana has an additional $840 million dollars in revenues for the current year budget and an additional $765 million in the next year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne described the state’s fiscal situation as stable and bright…
Cut 7 (13) “…surrounding the pandemic.”
Now that the REC has recognized an official forecast for next year, Dardenne can begin to craft a proposed budget to present to lawmakers ahead of the regular legislative session. He says having an extra 765-million dollars to spend will allow the state to fund major priorities…
Cut 8 (11) “…passed last year”
The state will also have another 450-million dollar in surplus money to spend from the last fiscal year. Legislative leaders are expected to propose the money goes towards infrastructure projects and Dardenne says the governor has his own priorities…
Cut 9 (06) “…campuses primarily”
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The most recent survey of small business owners indicates that 22-percent of mom and pop shops say inflation is the biggest issue they are facing, and the influx in prices has reached levels not seen since the early 80s. State NFIB Director Dawn McVea says inflation is increasing the cost of doing business.
Cut 10 (09) “…to the consumers.”
McVea says continued COVID woes and inflation are unfortunately causing more than 20-percent of small businesses are having to pass those costs along to consumers.
Cut 11 (10) “…inflation impact.”
The continued labor shortage is an issue for about half of small businesses. McVea says to combat the problem approximately 32-percent of mom and pop businesses say they will continue to raise wages to attract workers.
Cut 12 (07) “…top concerns.”
On a positive note, McVea says owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months, increased slightly by three points to a net negative 35-percent.
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Louisiana Public Broadcasting is on a mission to “Save Mardi Gras 2022.” The launch of LPB’s social media campaign is encouraging folks to get vaccinated in an effort to save carnival season. LPB Executive Producer Linda Midgett says all you have to do is watch their video, record yourself dancing and upload it to social media.
Cut 13 (11) “…do the dance.”
In addition to learning a fun dance, Midgett says LPB will most likely choose some of the best submissions, make a complication and air them. They’ll also be featured on their social media pages.
Cut 14 (08) “…fun video.”
And it’s not just Mardi Gras LPB is trying to save by increasing vaccination rates. After the pandemic forced a majority of events and festivals to be canceled, Midgett says Louisianans are eager to celebrate together again.
Cut 15 (10) “…around us.”
For more information visit LPB.org/SaveMardiGras
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Former LSU running back Kevin Faulk got teary-eyed talking about his election to the College Football Hall of Fame when he met with reporters in Baton Rouge. Faulk admits being inducted into the Hall of Fame means so much more after the death of his youngest daughter in September and then losing his job as running backs coach in December…
Cut 16 (12) “…like I said”
Faulk remains LSU’s all-time leading rusher and he still holds the record for All-purpose yards. After his standout career at LSU, Faulk went on to win three Super Bowls for the New England Patriots. Faulk says for a kid out of Carencro to accomplish all of that is amazing…
Cut 17 (22) “ …right direction”
Faulk served on the LSU coaching staff from 2018 to 2021. He annually hosts a free youth football camp and he’s founded the Kevin Faulk Foundation to support youth. He says after a difficult few months, he plans to spend more time with his family….
Cut 18 (14) “ ..for them”
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The 12th ranked LSU men’s basketball team will try to win a game on the road at Florida tonight without senior point guard Xavier Pinson, who has an injured knee. That means sophomore guard Eric Gaines will have to step up and Coach Will Wade says he’s also counting on freshman Justice Williams…
Cut 19 (19)_“…in him”
The six-foot-four Williams has only played in three games this season because of a foot injury. In LSU’s only other true road game, the Tigers suffered a 15-point loss at Auburn. They turned it over 17 times and Wade says they can’t do that again…
Cut 20 (18) “..extremely hard”