The Social Security Act is moving forward in the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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It’s a Christmas miracle…crawfish season has begun in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more.
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The Social Security Fairness Act will get a vote in the Senate, as the bill has been placed on the legislative calendar. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, who sponsored the House bill, says Senator Chuck Schumer will be bringing it up for a vote as a standalone bill, and that’s the last hurdle before heading to President Biden’s desk.
Cut 3 (09) “…through the Senate.”
And Graves says as long as it’s brought up for a vote, getting it through the Senate is a mere formality.
Cut 4 (11) “…the president’s desk.”
Graves says while he’s been given assurance that a vote will be held before the end of the session, the exact date of the vote is still to be determined.
Cut 5 (16) “…mid next week.”
The Social Security Fairness Act would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset, which have the effect of lowering Social Security benefits for public sector workers like teachers, police officers and firefighters. Graves says they’ve disproportionately affected Louisianians. The vote in the House was 327 to 75, with a majority of both Republicans and Democrats voting yes.
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It’s December, but crawfish season is already underway, even as holiday decorations remain. Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App, explains that while last year’s season was delayed three months due to a drought, it’s not unusual to see crawfish vendors operating around the holidays.
Cut 6 (08) “…early as Thanksgiving.”
King says the Crawfish App helps users find local vendors, sorted by the lowest price per pound, making it a convenient tool for seafood enthusiasts.
Cut 7 (12) “…not a huge supply.”
While the timing may seem unusual to some, King emphasizes that an early crawfish season is not out of the ordinary in Louisiana. This year, vendors are off to a strong start, with many offering live and boiled crawfish.
Cut 8 (14) “…crawfish for Christmas.”
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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking deer hunters to be on the lookout for deer exhibiting signs of chronic wasting disease. This, as a deer at a captive deer farm in Jeff Davis Parish tested positive for the disease last month.
Cut 9 (10) “…been detected there,”
Johnathan Bordelon, the deer program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says chronic wasting disease is 100-percent fatal and is highly transmissible.
Cut 10 (07) “…to other deer.”
Bordelon says deer which are infected with chronic wasting disease undergo changes in behavior.
Cut 11 (12) “…test the animals”
Therefore, Bordelon says if people encounter a deer exhibiting signs of chronic wasting disease, they should not take matters into their own hands. They should contact the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and let them handle it.
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Hank Tierney believed his coaching days ended in December 2021 after Ponchatoula’s loss in the Class 5A state final at the Superdome. Planning to retire, he instead became Shaw High School’s head coach by January. Now in his third season back at Shaw, Tierney leads the 11-2 Eagles to the E.D. White Division II state final.
Cut 12 (10) “…everyone involved.”
Under Tierney, Shaw’s program doubled its roster, claiming district titles, and producing talented athletes like RB Jasper Parker, who committed to Michigan.
Cut 13 (12) “…good player.”
A coaching legend with 330 wins across 37 seasons, Tierney’s career spans his first Shaw tenure from1982-2001, a state title in 1987. Tierney says a second state title would mean a lot to the school and the community.
Cut 14 (13) “…that will do.”