Since 2006 rural areas in Louisiana continue to lose nonfarm jobs and economist Dr. Loren Scott predicts the trend will continue among the 29 parishes outside the state’s nine metropolitan areas. He predicts 1,000 jobs will be lost next year and in 2024 17-hundred job losses.

Cut 3 (11) “…nationwide.” 

Scott says however there are rural areas that are seeing a boon in job in the timber sector.

A number of old, broken-down local bridges are getting some much-needed TLC, thanks to $270-million in federal Infrastructure coming to Louisiana. The state closed 25 bridges last year and closed 31 so far this year. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the money will be sent to parishes to address their most urgent needs…:

CUT 08 (07)     “…as well.”

After the President issued pardons for federal marijuana possession convictions, many ask will Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards follow suit? He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk, but it’s up to lawmakers to permanently address weed convictions…:

CUT 12(12)      “…this direction.”

For the first time in the Louisiana Lottery’s 31-year history, a $20 scratch-off game is available. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the new $20 100X features four top prizes of half a million dollars. He says other lotteries have had huge success with higher-priced scratch-off games with twenty, thirty, fifty, and even $100 tickets.

Cut 5 (10) “…of games.”

Those tickets go on sale today.

Will Governor John Bel Edwards take the President’s suggestion and pardon those convicted of simple possession of marijuana? Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(27)      “…Palermo.”

State police say a vehicle crash in New Iberia took the life of a five year old girl Saturday. Police say the child was trying walk across Westend Drive when she was struck by a 2007 Chevy Tahoe. She was taken to the hospital where she passed away. Driver impairment is not suspected.

Louisiana is getting $270 million federal money to repair local bridges. Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallet says nearly 750 of them need to be repaired or replaced.

Cut 9: (08) “deteriorate”

The money is coming from the infrastructure bill.

The Louisiana Lottery has new scratch off tickets with higher prices and new features.  They have symbols that multiply the stated amount by that much. The new games are called 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, and 100X They cost one, two, five, ten, and twenty dollars. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison  says the twenty dollar ticket features a big change.

Cut 6 prizes instead. :08

A number of old, broken down local bridges are getting some much-needed TLC, thanks to $270-million in federal Infrastructure law money coming Louisiana’s way. The state closed 25 dilapidated bridges last year, and shut down 31 so far this year. The detouring has been a nightmare for many. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the money will be sent to parishes to address their most urgent needs…:

CUT 08 (07)     “…as well.”

Nearly 750 Louisiana bridges are in need of repair or outright replacement.

After the President issued pardons for federal marijuana possession convictions, many ask will Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards follow suit? He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk, but it’s up to lawmakers to permanently address weed convictions…:

CUT 12(12)      “…this direction.”

A man wielding a machete attacked and injured two people Sunday in New Orleans’ French Quarter. A woman was cut on her hand and a man who tried to intervene was cut on the face and arm. The suspect got away. Two weeks ago, a different man stabbed two people on Bourbon Street.

Tennessee was the much better football team on Saturday as they trounced LSU 40-13. Jeff Palermo has a recap…:

CUT 3   (30)      “…Palermo.”

President Biden pardoned thousands of persons convicted of federal marijuana possession last week, and challenged state governors to follow suit. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked last Friday if he would follow the President’s lead. Edwards says many states are reforming marijuana laws; decriminalizing and even making it legal altogether. However, he says he does not have sole authority to write pardons. Louisiana has a process to follow…:

CUT 11(12)      “…and so forth.”

Edwards says marijuana convictions shouldn’t impede one’s access to employment, housing or education. He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk.

Lafayette Parish deputies report they confiscated a “potential explosive device” during a Sunday traffic stop near the Evangeline Thruway. Deputies stopped the vehicle for a suspected swapped license plate and found the device. The driver, 44-year-old Jade Merantel was arrested for multiple narcotics charges, traffic offenses, and manufacturing in possession of an explosive device.

There’s a new Louisiana Lottery $20 scratch-off ticket but a high price tag also brings about bigger prizes. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana has received $270 million in federal cash to repair local bridges. The money comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The Department of Transportation closed 25 of them last year and 31 so far this year. The money will go a long way toward getting routes closed – due to bridges out – reopened.

Will Governor Edwards take the President’s suggestion and pardon those convicted of simple possession of marijuana? Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(27)      “…Palermo.”

The low waters of the Mississippi River have revealed a more-than-100-year-old shipwreck on the Baton Rouge riverfront. The remains of the Brookhill, a freighter built in 1896 and sunk during a bad storm in 1915, are clearly evident…right where they have sat underwater for 107 years. Scientists will study the wreckage while they can.

Would you pay $20 for a scratch-off lottery ticket, if it carried a 100x multiplier of any cash you uncovered? The Louisiana Lottery hopes you will. It’s their first $20 scratcher in their 31 year history. Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says other states have had big success with the multiplier tickets…:

CUT 05(10)      “…of games.”

You can buy 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x and 100x tickets starting today at any Lottery retailer.

Despite a 40-13 beating at the hands of Tennessee Saturday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly isn’t discouraged. The Volunteers held the Tigers to just 55 yards rushing and sacked QB Jayden Daniels five times. Kelly says his staff need to coach the plays up better…:

CUT 13(13)      “…going to have.”

LSU is at Florida this Saturday. Kickoff 6pm.

President Biden pardoned thousands of persons convicted of federal marijuana possession last week, and challenged state governors to follow suit. It took no time for Governor John Bel Edwards to be asked the question, and he says Mr. Biden made the right call…:

CUT 10(09)      “…actually legal.”

Edwards says, however, that he does not have sole authority to grant state pardons. They must first be applied for then go through the state parole board before they are referred to him.

Louisiana has received $270 million in federal cash to repair local bridges. The money comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  DOTD closed 25 of them last year and 31 so far this year. Most are in rural areas. Spokesman Rodney Mallet says bridges that are too weak to carry full loads are already causing headaches…:

CUT 07(11)      “…and time.”

For the first time in the Louisiana Lottery’s 31-year history, a $20 scratch-off game is part of a multiplier-themed family of games. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the new option goes on sale today they‘re called 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, and 100X and they sell respectively for one, two, five, ten, and twenty dollars…:

CUT 04(10)      “…to win.”

The New Orleans Saints all-purpose player Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns and THREW for a fourth as the Saints broke their losing streak with a 39-32 win over Seattle yesterday. Hill says, statistically, it was big best NFL game ever..:

CUT 16(12)      “…when it came up.”

The Saints host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.

Louisiana’s winningest college basketball coach ever, Coach Mike McConathy, is considering running for public office. McConathy won 682 games in 39 years as coach at Northwestern State for 23 seasons and at Bossier Community College before that. He’s looking at the District 31 state Senate seat, which covers ten parishes in northwest and central Louisiana. McConathy says he has a good feel for the people and what they want & need…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…possibly can.”

Shreveport state Representative Alan Seabaugh – a fellow Republican – has already announced he will run for that Senate seat as well.

LSU fans may be a bit concerned that starting Left Tackle Will Campbell is out for today’s game against Tennessee. Campbell shared a picture of himself in a hospital bed on social media with the caption, “Appreciate all the prayers. I’ll be back.” We have no word on what’s wrong with him. Kickoff is at 11 in Tiger Stadium.

A 14-year-old student at East Ouachita Parish Middle School was taken into custody, after he allegedly distributed homemade treats – laced with some kind of drug – to classmates. At least three kids got sick and were taken to the hospital. They will be OK. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says the suspect was taken to Green Oaks Detention Center…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…being the school.”
The crime lab will determine exactly what was in the treats.

State Wildlife & Fisheries proposes reducing the limit on speckled trout from 25 to 15 per person, while increasing the max size by an inch and a half. Kevin Ford, host of the “Let’s Geaux Fishing” TV show, says many anglers can live with the reduced number, but the size limit is another matter…:

CUT 03  (09)        “…happen to it.”

Three kids at East Ouachita Middle School had to be taken to a hospital, after falling sick from homemade candy; laced with some kid of drug and given to them by a fellow student. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says deputies investigated and located a 14-year-old student still in possession of some of the cagey confections…:

CUT 12  (10)        “…similar narcotic.”

The crime lab will determine exactly WHAT was in the candy. The sick kids will all be OK.

Tropical Storm Julia has formed in the Caribbean Sea between the coasts of Colombia and Nicaragua. It’s maximum winds are at about 50 miles-an-hour and it’s moving quickly – about 18 miles-an-hour to the west. It should be near the Pacific coast of Guatemala by Monday. Will it turn north and head for the Gulf? At this time that is unclear.

The number of wildlife rehab centers in Louisiana has dwindled to only four, and they are feeling the pinch as their patient loads increase…:

CUT 02(33)      …Thorington.”

The family of a 17-year-old girl who was found dead Monday at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville is speaking out and wanting answers. The Avoyelles Parish coroner says Giah Barrere was not stabbed or shot, but that is all. Tunica Biloxi Tribal Police says they are investigating and once they have information, they will share it. Giah was known to have some mental health issues and problems with substance abuse.

You may be headed out to catch some fish this morning. You’ll probably want to know that Wildlife & Fisheries is proposing lowering your limit on speckled trout, in an effort to conserve the species…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Golsby”

Going to the LSU – Tennessee game this morning? Know that a film crew will also be there filming scenes for the upcoming feature, “The Mascot.” They’ll be getting crowd shots for the full-length feature to be released in 2023. So you might end up in a movie. Kickoff is at 11am

Louisiana’s all-time winningest college basketball coach, Mike McConathy, is considering a run for political office. The former Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College coach says he’s looking at running for the District 31 state senate seat, which covers ten parishes in northwest and central Louisiana…:

CUT 09(10)      “…to people.”

McConathy won 682 games in 39 seasons as a head coach. He retired as the head coach at Northwestern State earlier this year after 23 seasons.

With attorney General Jeff Landry’s early announcement that he will run for Governor in 2023, we now also have three candidates declared to run to replace Landry as the state’s top prosecutor. Current solicitor general Liz Murrill, Landry’s “First Officer” of sorts…Crowley state Representative John Stefanski, and John Belton, the District attorney for Louisiana’s 3^rd Judicial District, which covers Lincoln and Union Parishes. Belton has been handling the case of Ronald Greene, who died in 2019 while in State Police Custody.

A Ouachita Parish teen has been arrested for distributing homemade candy laced with narcotics, which made at least three middle school students sick. OPSO spokesman Glenn Springfield says deputies investigating located a 14-year-old who still had some of candy in his possession, he is now in Green Oaks Detention Center…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…being the school”

The candy will be analyzed by the state crime lab.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists are recommending catching limits for speckled trout fishing. Right now, the limit is 25 per person, with a 13-and-a-half-inch size limit.  Kevin Ford, host of Let’s Geaux Fishing with Kevin Ford says the 15-fish limit isn’t controversial, but the 12-inch size limit is.

Cut 3 (09) “..happen to it.” 

Ford believes the proposed changes will be approved and go into effect early next year.

Now that the state has only four centers accepting injured or orphaned wildlife, Director of Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Letitia Labbie (La-bay) says their patient load has tripled and they need funds because more wildlife means more food.

Cut 7 (08) “…recently.”

And that’s just owls, food expenses are close to $65,000 annually. To donate visit AcadianaWildlife-dot -org

When the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers take to the field Saturday at Death Valley, a film crew will also be there filming scenes for the upcoming feature, The Mascot. They’ll be getting crowd shots for the full-length feature to be released in 2023. So, you never know while you’re cheering in the stands Saturday your mug might end up on the silver screen with Mike The Tiger. Kickoff is 11:00 AM.