Small businesses continue to deal with a labor shortage as they attempt to return to normal operations as the pandemic eases. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shop owners are increasing pay.
Cut 7 (10) “…are raising compensation.”

Today is the final day to apply for disaster food stamps if you live in one of 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida. Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard says their customer service center will take calls until 6 PM tonight and they have an option if you can’t reach a customer representative right away…
cut 6 (11) “….place is up”
Go to DCFS’s website for more information.

LSU-Shreveport offers classes in the ins and outs of the legal marijuana business. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After dealing with budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus from the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says some of the money will go into the Rainy Day Fund and towards other constitutional dedications, leaving lawmakers an additional 450-million dollars to spend in the 2022 legislative session.

Small businesses across the U.S. and Louisiana are slightly less optimistic about the future. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has decided the state should not hand out public school letter grades this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision needs federal approval, but Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley expects that will occur.

Today is the final day to apply for disaster food stamps for residents living in 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida. The Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve answered more than 250-thousand calls for D-SNAP and approved 130-thousand households for the benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard says It’s an income-eligible-based program and they look at your income from August 26th to September 24th…
cut 5 (10) “….DSNAP benefits”
Calls today are open for all last names in the 25 impacted parishes from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.

Saturday is the funeral for Master Trooper Adam Gaubert who was fatally shot in the line of duty last weekend. Trooper Kate Stegall says the public can show their support for Trooper Gaubert and his family by lining the procession route from the funeral home to St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge…
cut 12 (04) “…honor possible”
The man accused of killing Gaubert and 37-year-old Pamela Adair in a multi-parish shooting spree, Matthew Mire, is in jail and is being held without bond.

Today is the last day to call in for those in Ida impacted parishes to call in for DSNAP interviews. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Small businesses across the U.S. and Louisiana are slightly less optimistic these days about the future.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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LSU-Shreveport offers classes in the ins and outs of the legal marijuana business. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Today is the last day for interviews for Disaster Food Stamps. Since DSNAP was made available for those eligible in the 25-parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says they’d been overwhelmed with calls, but now due to extra staff and extended call hours, hold times have been greatly reduced.

Cut 4 (11) “…and this week.”

Since enrollment began Howard says they’ve answered more than 250-thousand calls and processed about 175-thousand cases. She says they averaged eight thousand calls daily.  Howard says it is an income-eligible-based program and they look at your income from August 26^th to September 24^th.

Cut 5 (10) “…DNSAP benefits.”

Calls today are open for all last names for those in the impacted parishes and call hours are from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Howard says you must preregister online before you call in and they appreciate everyone’s patience during the process and they are trying to make it as convenient as possible.

Cut 6 (11) “…place is up.”

For more information visit DCFS.louisiana.gov/DSNAP

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It continues to be a tough field to hoe as small businesses work to return to normal as the pandemic eases.  Dawn Shea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shop owners are gearing back up and hiking pay.

Cut 7 (10) “…are raising compensation.”

However, she says 51-percent of those businesses survey reported job openings that couldn’t be filled, a nearly five-decade high.

McVea says just because you have more people applying for jobs, doesn’t mean businesses are getting the right workers knocking on the door.

Cut 8 (11) “…for business owners.”

McVea says the amount of goods available for businesses to sell is also a problem these days.

Cut 9 (08)  “…is an issue.”

_________________________

Services will be held this weekend to honor the life of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday. His funeral will be held Saturday morning at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Trooper Kate Stegall says visitation will be Friday evening at Resthaven Funeral home and on Saturday morning before the 11 am service.

Cut 10 (07)  “…church.” 

47-year old Gaubert was a 19 year veteran of the agency and was one of the two fatalities in a multi-parish shooting spree last Saturday. Gaubert’s body wasn’t discovered in his vehicle until 15 hours after his shooting in Ascension Parish. Stegall says it’s been a difficult time for everyone who knew him.

Cut 11 (07) “…agency.”

Those attending services for Gaubert are asked to use a face mask and socially distance. Stegall says the public can show their support for Trooper Gaubert and his family by lining the procession route from the funeral home to the St. George Catholic.

Cut 12 (04) “…honor possible.”

The funeral will also be live-streamed Saturday on LSP’s Facebook page.

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LSU-Shreveport offers a third session of a course in Careers in the Legal Cannabis industry. Dr. Julie Lessiter is Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for LSUS. She says the class is a perfect way to acquaint oneself with the ins and outs of getting into the legal cannabis business…:

Cut 13 (13) “…what the barriers are.”

Medical marijuana in ingestible forms is currently legal at any of the 10 dispensaries across the state. New law taking effect next year will allow smokable medical cannabis. As more areas see legalization become reality, more and more are interested in learning about getting into the business. Lessiter says the course has been offered twice before by LSUS and can be taken no matter where you are…:

Cut 14 (11)  “…this class too.”

Lessiter says the Careers in Legal Cannabis course offers information on the science of legal marijuana, as well as the legalities and business practices. She says this is a “no credit” course and can be taken by anyone…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…from the community.”

(Classes start October 19^th. For information on the class or to sign up, contact LSU-Shreveport Continuing Education)

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There was a bright spot in LSU’s loss to Kentucky on Saturday. The Tigers running game finally got going as the junior running back Ty Davis-Price rushed for a career-best 147 yards and two touchdowns. Davis-Price credits the offensive line…

Cut  16 (17) “…they did”

There’s a lot of speculation about Coach Ed Orgeron’s job status. Center Liam Shanahan says they can’t control the talk that’s happening outside of the football operations’ building…

Cut 17 (19) “..for it” 

LSU will play the rest of the season without star-wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who suffered a season-ending injury. Shanahan hates to see such a key piece of their offense go down…

Cut 18 (26)”…those shoes.”

After dealing with years of budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state’s economy outperformed economists’ projections. He says when lawmakers gather for the 2022 session in March they’ll also have federal coronavirus relief dollars to spend. He says it’s an opportunity for the state to make some wise investments…

Cut  11 (07)  “…next year”  

Matthew Mire, the man accused of killing a state trooper, an Ascension Parish woman, and wounding three others Saturday in a multi-parish shooting spree, was denied bond today. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says Mire appeared in court via Zoom this afternoon and it was also revealed then that the suspect is on lockdown and under suicide watch.

Cut 13 (12) “…or others”

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  LSU Professor David Dismukes says winter heating bills in Louisiana are expected to be impacted negatively

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are skyrocketing.”

Long-awaited travel trailers for those who’ve been displaced by Ida are beginning to roll in the state.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Long-awaited travel trailers for those who’ve been displaced by Ida are beginning to roll into the state. Brooke Thorington has more from one of the biggest proponents for getting the program up and running…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says the mom of an infant girl killed last month has been arrested for her death. 21-year-old Kageionna (kay-gee-ON-uh) Butler is charged with Principal to 2^nd Degree murder. Little Zabria Guidry’s dad, Jake Guidry has already been charged. Webre says Butler first said she knew nothing about the crime, but was in fact covering for her man.

Matthew Mire, the man accused of killing a state trooper, an Ascension Parish woman, and wounding three others Saturday in a multi-parish shoot spree was denied bond today. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says he’s not surprised. Borghardt says a defendant has a constitutional right to a bond determination…:

CUT 12(12)      “…hold him without bond.”

Because the string of shootings took place in three separate parishes, Borghardt says prosecutors will most likely work together due to the seriousness of the crimes and he expects Mire will be assigned counsel that is prepared to handle a capital case. Mire is currently behind bars and on suicide watch.

The state has a project budget surplus of nearly a billion bucks for the fiscal year that ended in June. After years of deficits, why? Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:

CUT 09(10)      “…result in surpluses.”

Hurricane Ida victims in Terrebonne Parish are glad to hear that travel trailers are finally beginning to come into areas where so many homes were rendered uninhabitable by the storm. One vocal proponent of the state-run trailer program is Houma state Representative Tanner Magee. He says some of his constituents had been living in tents, or under improvised shelters, and are in desperate need…:

CUT 06(10)      “…overjoyed.”

The state is arranging the trailers and will be reimbursed by FEMA.

State fiscal experts say Louisiana has about a billion dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended in June. What to do with all that money? Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says some will need to replenish the Rainy Day Fund, but this is an opportunity to make some wise investments…:

CUT 11(07)      “…next year”

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  LSU Professor David Dismukes says winter heating bills in Louisiana are expected to be impacted negatively…:

CUT 03(06)      “…concerned about”

Dismukes is Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies.

The man accused of murdering Louisiana State Police Master Trooper Adam Gaubert has been released from medical care and is now under lock & key … AND suicide watch. 31-year-old Matthew Mire is being held without bond. He’s accused of murdering Gaubert and Pamela Adair, and wounding three others.

Caddo parish Sheriff Steve Prator says three teens face charges after a reported drug deal resulted in a shooting and a car crash. It’s reported the teens bought weed, but drove off without paying; leading to a car chase, gunshots and the crash. No one was seriously hurt.

Crude oil prices have hit a seven-year high of 80-bucks a barrel and that’s not a good thing in a number of ways for Louisiana.  Dave Brannen reports…:

CUT 01(33)      “…I’m Dave Brannen”

A Hammond woman was arrested over the weekend for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor. Tangipahoa parish deputies have charged 33-year-old Brandi Amond with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and other charges. Her bond is set at $150-thousand dollars.

It’s been nearly a month & a half since Hurricane Ida made landfall, but travel trailers are finally arriving to serve as temporary housing for victims whose homes were devastated by the storm. You may remember the state started its own pilot program for the trailers, when FEMA’s response time frustrated so many. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says there are two options for those in need of the temporary housing…:

CUT 08(11)      “…basic overview is.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ first term in office saw plenty of budget deficits, but now the state reports a surplus of nearly a billion dollars for the fiscal year that ended June 30^th. Louisiana’s Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says some of the money will go into the Rainy Day Fund and towards other constitutional dedications. He says state lawmakers will have the ability to spend 450-million dollars of it on one-time projects…:

CUT 10(13)      “…in the state.”

Long-awaited travel trailers for those who’ve been displaced by Ida are beginning to roll in the state. Brooke Thorington has more from one of the biggest proponents for getting the program up and running.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

After dealing with years of budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says some of the money will go into the Rainy Day Fund and towards other constitutional dedications. He says state lawmakers will have the ability to spend 450-million dollars of it on one-time projects…

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  Professor David Dismukes, Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, while you might think that rising oil prices might be a positive thing for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry, Dismukes says that’s not necessarily the case given the Biden administration’s negative thoughts on fossil fuels.

Cut 5 (08) “…wells right now.”

A report released today by Filterbuy shows that homeownership has been rising for years, varying by several factors including age, race and location.  The report shows that out of the 75 largest U.S. metropolitan areas with all of the data in for 2020, Baton Rouge had the 8^th highest home ownership rate. In 2016 that rate was 64.8 percent, and increased to 72.1 percent last year.

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  LSU Professor David Dismukes, Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says while the state is not that reliant on heating oil to keep homes and businesses warm during the winter, the price of crude still impacts the costs of other fuel options.

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are skyrocketing.”

After dealing with years of budget deficits during Governor Edwards’ first term in office, the state is reporting a billion-dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state’s economy outperformed economists’ projections

Cut 9 (10) “…surplus” 

Almost a month and a half after Ida made landfall in southeast Louisiana travel trailers are finally beginning to roll into the state to help those who have been displaced by the storm. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says more than five thousand requests for the trailers have been submitted to the state so far. The state is acting as the middleman in acquiring the trailers and will be reimbursed by FEMA. Magee says in the first sourcing request for trailers the state acquired roughly 700.

Cut 7 (12) “…up steam.”  

Time now for a check on commodity prices…..

With crude oil prices at their highest level in seven years, gas prices aren’t the only things fuel-related being impacted by the 80-dollar a barrel price.  LSU Professor David Dismukes says winter heating bills in Louisiana are expected to be impacted negatively.

Cut 3 (06) “….be concerned about.”

Dismukes, who is Executive Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the rising price of crude pushes the price of natural gas up and thus the cost of power generation in the state.

Almost a month and a half after Ida made landfall in southeast Louisiana travel trailers are finally beginning to roll into the state. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has been extremely vocal about the delay and says he’s relieved for those who are so desperately needing shelter.

Cut 6 (10) “…overjoyed.” 

Louisiana State Police are stunned by the killing of one of their own during a deadly chaotic shooting rampage carried out by a suspect now in custody. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

Alexandria Police have arrested a 35-year old woman and a 17-year old male from Texas in connection with the shooting death of 40-year old Lakelia Purvis of Alexandria. The shooting happened around 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Both suspects are charged with second-degree murder and are in custody.