A new report from WalletHub shows financial problems loom large in Louisiana. Sean Richardson reports.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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As LSU gets ready to take on Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, their fans are blowing out the competition in the Jello Shot Challenge across the street. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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ULM discontinued its women’s tennis program as it works to balance its athletic budget. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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A new report from WalletHub shows financial hardships loom large in this state. Its first quarter report shows Louisiana with the second highest percentage of delinquent accounts, with 13-percent of tradelines and nearly 12-percent of loan balances delinquent. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says this signals risks to credit scores and financial stability.
Cut 4 (11) “…to be damaged.”
Lupo says it’s a statewide issue, but he says with investments from Meta and restrictions being lifted in the petroleum industry, the economic forecast looks promising.
Cut 5 (05) “…which is key.”
Delinquency can trigger fees, higher interest rates, and credit damage; but hardship programs and a 30-day grace period may offer relief. Lupo says the best course of action is to reach out to your lender and make a payment to become current on your account.
Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”
The only state with a higher percentage of delinquent accounts, according to the report, is Mississippi.
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As LSU gets set to do battle with Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, there’s no doubt as to who’s running away with the title in the Jello Shot Challenge at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina across the street. Of the eight teams represented, Rocco’s has sold more than three times the number of LSU Jello Shots than the second place team. Manager Pat McAvoy says LSU has been bolstered by a few heavy hitters, including Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves.
Cut 7 (10) “…we did that.”
There seems to be a few people taking aim at Graves, including Baton Rouge injury lawyer Gordon McKernan, who’s buying 888 Jello Shots every day LSU remains in the tournament – yes, there’s a reason for that number; and, no, we’re not saying what that reason is (he can take it up with our sales department). McAvoy says that friendly rivalry is boosting LSU’s – and Rocco’s – numbers.
Cut 8 (14) “…Todd did it.”
One dollar of every Jello Shot sold in the Jello Shot Challenge goes to the local food bank in each school’s local area, and 50 cents of each Jello Shot sold goes to the Food Bank of Omaha. For that reason, McAvoy says Graves, McKernan and Morrison are more than happy to part ways with their money, even if the Jello Shots they buy end up unconsumed.
Cut 9 (15) “…they cared about.”
McAvoy says since they started the Jello Shot Challenge, they have raised more than 350-thousand dollars for food banks across the country.
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A milestone for East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, as it has successfully completed its first heart transplant. It was performed on a woman in her early 60s by Dr. Jamil Borgi (BORE-jee) and Dr. Sasha Vukelic (voo-KELL-itch). Dr. Vukelic says the patient is recovering well at home.
Cut 10 (13) “…it becomes stable.”
Dr. Vukelic says while the procedure took about two hours, recovery time is considerably longer.
Cut 11 (11) “…around two months.”
The surgery was done through a partnership with the Tulane Transplant Institute and LCMC Health. Vukelic says a new heart will add several years to a patient’s life.
Cut 12 (10) “…is 14 years.”
With this initial heart transplant under its belt, that will create additional opportunities for additional cardiovascular care in a state that ranks among the highest for heart disease.
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ULM announced its women’s tennis program would be discontinued due to increased operating and infrastructure costs. The Warhawks now sponsor the NCAA minimum 16 sports as required for an FBS program. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says this was an unfortunate fiscal necessity.
Cut 13 (09) “…and expenditures.”
The program consisted of eight scholarship athletes, a head coach and an assistant coach. Hartwell says ULM will honor the undergraduate scholarships awarded to its tennis student athletes if they choose to stay in Monroe. As the students graduate or transfer, he says the scholarships will be reallocated to other women’s sports.
Cut 14 (09) “…ratio is.”
Hartwell says the cut was not motivated by the upcoming introduction of revenue sharing to college athletics. He says ULM will continue to offer its athletes N-I-L opportunities and has investigated individual-supported revenue sharing options.
Cut 15 (08) “…revenue share.”
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LSU will face Coastal Carolina in a best-of-three championship series for the College World Series title. The Chanticleers have won 26-straight and have only lost one three-game series all year. A Cinderella to some, LSU coach Jay Johnson knows not to underestimate this Coastal program.
Cut 16 (20) “…program traits.”
Unlike Coastal Carolina’s dominant run, the Tigers have overcome adversity on their path to the championship series. After surviving a scare from Little Rock in the Baton Rouge Regional and dominating West Virginia in Super Regional, LSU has trailed in the last two games they’ve played in Omaha, but they’re still undefeated at Charles Schwab. Johnson says this team is built for anything.
Cut 17 (15) “…on Saturday.”
LSU will have both of their ace pitchers, Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, available for the series — a luxury the 2023 championship team didn’t enjoy due to their path through the loser’s bracket. Johnson says avoiding a winner-take-all rematch with Arkansas was crucial.
Cut 18 (16) “…got me now. (laughter)”
Game one is set for 6:00 tomorrow night.