Educators are keeping their finger on the pulse of sports betting in Louisiana after Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to dedicating any revenue from the additional gaming to better preparing children for kindergarten.  Edwards says if the state really wants to make a difference in the lives of children, more needs to be done about early childhood education.

Cut 3 (08) “…kindergarten any longer.”

Louisiana Republican operative Scott Wilfong, on Talk Louisiana, said the party is taking a hard look in 2019 at throwing their weight behind just one candidate before the October open primary. Louisiana operates a “jungle” primary, and GOP state leaders have requested closed primaries where each party sends their winning candidate to a general election, but Wilfong says that’s yet to materialize.

Cut 7 (11) “one candidate”

The only two Republicans in the race so far are Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, and Congressman Ralph Abraham.

An Acadian restauranteur and chef has died following a plane crash while on a hunting trip in California.  Lionel Robin is fondly remembered in his community and his food crawfish etouffee was once featured on the Food Network. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says Robin was a happy guy and his crawfish etouffee was so popular, he canned the dish and it was distributed around the country.

Cut 11 (11) “…food was fantastic.”

Louisiana’s House Republican delegation supports President Trump’s effort to secure billions of dollars for wall at the U-S Mexico border. Congressman Steve Scalise says Democrats are refusing to negotiate a deal for border security.

Cut 13 (12) “…the table”

Governor Edwards says the barrier could be upgraded, but this debate shouldn’t result in a government shutdown.

Louisiana’s House Republican delegation supports President Trump’s effort to secure billions of dollars for wall at the U-S Mexico border. Mr. Trump calls it a security crisis, however top congressional Democrats say the president is providing misinformation. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says Democrats are in denial…
cut 12 (12) “…southern border”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would support legislation that would legalize sports betting at the state’s casinos. Edwards says the extra gaming revenue could go towards early childhood programs…
cut 5 (12) “…to have”
Legalizing Sports betting is expected to be one of the major bills in the regular sessing that begins in April.

A State GOP operative says the party is seriously considering backing just one candidate in the governor’s race for the October primary…
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

The story of how former LSU offensive lineman Matt Branch lost his left leg in a hunting accident in Mississippi is making national headlines. Branch’s friend says a dog trying to sit near a loaded shotgun on a pickup truck bed, pulled the trigger and a bullet struck Branch in his left hip. Branch, who played for the Tigers from 2008 to 2011, is expected to recover.

Educators are keeping their finger on the pulse of sports betting in Louisiana after Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to dedicating any revenue from the additional gaming to better preparing children for kindergarten. While he expects the gains to be modest, Edwards says the sports betting is also an important aspect in making sure the state doesn’t see a decline in gaming revenue.

Cut 4 (11) “…our best interest.″

Edwards says the legislature has commissioned a study on sports betting to inform their decision moving forward.

An Acadian restauranteur and chef has died following a plane crash while on a hunting trip in California.  Lionel Robin is fondly remembered in his community and his food crawfish etouffee was once featured on the Food Network.   Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says he has known Robin is whole life.

Cut 9 (08) “…would help them.″

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke with the press in an effort to answer questions of how the food stamps program will be impacted by the government shutdown.  In an effort to extinguish as much confusion and anxiety as possible, Perdue says soon the department will be reaching out to states to instruct them to request early issuance of February SNAP benefits. Perdue says SNAP benefits should be okay through February, which he says he’s hopeful should give ample time to resolve the issues with the government shutdown.

Cut 14 (11) “…able to sign.”

Educators are keeping their finger on the pulse of sports betting in Louisiana after Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to dedicating any revenue from the additional gaming to better preparing children for kindergarten.  Edwards says if the state really wants to make a difference in the lives of children, more needs to be done about early childhood education.

Cut 3 (08) “…kindergarten any longer.”

Edwards’s cautions says any revenue gains from sports betting would be modest.

After a 2015 GOP gubernatorial blood bath that saw the ascendance of The South’s only Democratic governor, Louisiana Republican operative Scott Wilfong, on Talk Louisiana, said the party is taking a hard look in 2019 at throwing their weight behind just one candidate before the October open primary. Wilfong says the party will be discussing that question, and soon.

Cut 6, 6 seconds, ultimately

Congressman Garret Graves supports pending legal action against several federal agencies for refusing to distribute RESTORE funds to families who fall into the “duplication of benefits” loophole after the 2016 floods. Graves blames the delay on a group that’s opposed the regulatory change from the beginning, because he says they erroneously fear it would result in flood victims getting paid by both the SBA and HUD.

Cut 12 (10)   “…entire process.”

Flood victims who received Small Business Administration loans after the 2016 floods were not eligible to receive RESTORE grants for flood damage. But in October, Congress approved legislation to allow it.

BP has announced plans to go forward with a one-point-three billion dollar expansion in production in the Gulf of Mexico after seismic imaging discovered an additional one-point-four billion barrels of oil under the sea.

The United Way ALICE report shows in 2016, 48 percent of all households in the state did not make enough to meet their basic needs, up six percent from 2014. The report shows a single adult needs to make 19,548 dollars a year to pay the bills, and the average family needs 54,000.  Lead researcher Stephanie Hoopes says with 66 percent of all jobs paying under 20 dollars an hour, it’s clear in this economy the recent economic growth isn’t benefiting most workers.

Cut 5 (10) “…necesities.”

Those requirements break down to a full time, single worker needing 9.77 an hour, and two working parents combining for 27 dollars an hour.

South Louisiana Methanol announces plans to pursue a $2.2 billion dollar project in St. James Parish, and construction could begin later this year.  Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says access to the river make the location desirable.

Cut 7 (10) “…in our state.”

Congressman Garret Graves supports pending legal action against several federal agencies for refusing to distribute RESTORE funds to families who fall into the “duplication of benefits” loophole after the 2016 floods, but legal challenges can sometimes take ages to come to a conclusion, so Graves says they’ve consulted legal experts, and found a way to get a much faster resolution.

Cut 11 (10) “…through the court.”

The suit could potentially free up almost a quarter billion dollars in grants for 2016 flood victims.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue says despite the government shutdown, the SNAP program will be fine, atleast through March. Perdue says the motto at the USDA is to “Do Right and Feed Everyone” and he believes this is the best plan of action during the shutdown.

Cut 15 (08) “…do right part.”

Perdue says soon the department will be reaching out to states to instruct them to request early issuance of February SNAP benefits.

A United Way Report shows 48 percent of Louisiana households do not make enough money to reliably meet their basic expenses…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Despite the partial government shutdown, the U-S-D-A says it has found a way to make sure food stamp recipients will receive their benefits through February. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue…
cut 14 (11) “…able to sign”
Nearly one in five people in Louisiana receive food stamps.

The partial federal government shutdown is in its 19th day. Congressional leaders meet with President Donald Trump later today. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says Democrats continue to refuse to negoitate on government funding for a Southern border wall…
cut 20 (14) “…secure border”
Democratic leaders say open the government back up and let border security negotiations continue.

South Louisiana Methanol announces plans to purse a two-point-two billion dollar new methanol complex in St. James Parish along the Mississippi River. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says construction could begin later year and once completed, it will mean 75 new jobs…
cut 8 (11) “….projects come online”
This is the third large project near the Port of South Louisiana.

The United Way ALICE report shows in 2016, 48 percent of all households in the state did not make enough money to pay basic needs, up six-percent from 2014. Louisiana United Way President Sarah Berthelot says 29-percent earn above the poverty level, but it’s still not enough…
Cut 4 (09) “…smartphone.”
The report shows a single adult needs to make 19,548 dollars a year to pay the bills, and the average family needs 54,000.

The U-S-D-A announces there will not be an interruption in food stamps, even though there is a partial government shutdown. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters during a conference call that they’ve come up with a plan to make sure food stamp recipients will continue to receive their benefits through February…
cut 13 (11) “…at the time”
Nearly one in five people in Louisiana receives food stamps.

A Louisiana Congressman supports pending legal action against federal agencies who refuse to administer 2016 flood grant money to SBA loan recipients, despite legislation passed in October…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

St. Martin Parish is mourning the loss of cajun chef and restaurateur Lionel Robin who died in a small plane crash in California. Robin and another man died when their private plane went down during a hunting trip. The 71-year-old Cecilia native owned and managed Robin’s Restaurant in Henderson for several decades and also served as the official hospitality chef for Tabasco Pepper Sauce.

The Louisiana Association of United Ways estimates that in 2016 48-percent of Louisiana households could not afford basic needs an increase from 42-percent in 2014. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says many of these families have working adults…
cut 6 (07) “…necessities”
The Parishes with the highest percentage of what is known as ALICE households are clustered in the 5th Congressional District.

Congressman Garret Graves says legal action is coming to force the federal government to make available Louisiana RESTORE grant dollars to families who also received S-B-A loans after the 2016 floods. Graves says the agencies had 45 days to write policy for the money to be distributed, but departments, like HUD, have ignored the Congressional mandate approved in October.
Cut 10 (09) “…follow the law.”
There’s likely to be no movement on this issue during the government shutdown.

South Louisiana Methanol announces plans to pursue a $2.2 billion dollar methanol complex in St. James Parish…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New details have emerged on the duck hunting accident in Mississippi that resulted in the amputation of former LSU offensive lineman Matt Branch’s leg. The Clarion Ledger reports Branch left his loaded shotgun in the bed of his pickup truck and a dog jumped onto the truck bed, accidentally pulling the trigger. Branch was shot in the left thigh and is expected to recover. He played for the Tigers from 2008 to 2011.

President Donald Trump made his case last night for Congress to fund a US-Mexico border wall that he says is needed to address a growing humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise blames Democrats for failing to negotiate on this issue…
cut 30 (06) “….counter offer”
Democrats, like Louisiana’s Cedric Richmond, point out that the President promised that Mexico would pay for the wall.

US Representative Garret Graves of Baton Rouge says he supports pending litigation that would force federal agencies to follow a law approved by Congress that would allow 2016 flood victims who received an SBA loan to also receive federal grant money through the Louisiana Restore program…
cut 12 (10) “….entire process”
Graves has urged state officials to go ahead pay the six-thousand families waiting on the money, but there is a risk that the federal government could one day ask for the money back.

A United Way Report shows 48 percent of Louisiana households do not make enough money to reliably meet their basic expenses…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

BP has announced plans to go forward with a one-point-three billion dollar expansion in production in the Gulf of Mexico after seismic imaging discovered an additional one-point-four billion barrels of oil under the sea.

A United Way Report shows 48 percent of Louisiana households do not make enough money to reliably meet their basic expenses…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________________________

A Baton Rouge Congressman supports pending legal action against federal agencies who are refusing to administer 2016 flood grant money to SBA loan recipients, despite a law passed in October…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

South Louisiana Methanol has announced its plans to pursue a $2.2 billion project is coming to St. James Parish.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_______________________________________

The United Way ALICE report shows in 2016, 48 percent of all households in the state did not make enough to meet their basic needs, up six percent from 2014. Louisiana United Way President Sarah Berthelot says 29 percent make above the poverty level, but still not enough to reliably pay the bills.

Cut 4 (09) “…smartphone.” 

Those “survival budget” minimum expenses only allow for 5.50 a day in food expenses, and 517 a month in rent. The minimum generally increases in urban areas.

The report shows a single adult needs to make 19,548 dollars a year to pay the bills, and the average family needs 54,000. Lead researcher Stephanie Hoopes says with 66 percent of all jobs paying under 20 dollars an hour, it’s clear this economy the recent economic growth isn’t benefiting most workers.

Cut 5 (10) “…necesities.”

Those requirements break down to a full time, single worker needing 9.77 an hour, and two working parents combining for 27 dollars an hour.

The report warns that pervasively low wages put nearly half of workers one financial surprise away from disaster. 400,000 Louisiana jobs pay below 10 dollars an hour, and Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says it’s clear nearly half of workers work too hard to be stuck in such a precarious position.

Cut 6 (07) “…necessities.”

The Parishes with the highest percentage of ALICE households are clustered in the 5^th Congressional District, specifically the Delta Parishes. East Carrol leads the state at 75 percent.

__________________________________

South Louisiana Methanol has announced its plans to pursue a $2.2 billion project is coming to St. James Parish.  Preliminary work began last year at a 1500 acre Mississippi River site.  Construction could begin later this year.  Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says access to the river make the location desirable.

Cut 7 (10) “…in our state.”

Pierson says the initially there will be thousands of construction jobs that go into the project, followed by 75 new direct jobs.

Cut 8 (11) “…projects come online.”

Pierson says the competition is fierce when it comes to winning projects like this over states like Texas and other locations, and that the state does invest money into making the location suitable for the project.

Cut 9 (07) “…bulkhead infrastructure improvements.″

_____________________________________________

Congressman Garret Graves supports pending legal action against several federal agencies for refusing to distribute RESTORE funds to families who fall into the “duplication of benefits” loophole after the 2016 floods. Graves says the agencies had 45 days to write policy for the money to be distributed, but departments, like HUD, have ignored the Congressional mandate passed in October.

Cut 10 (09)   “…follow the law.”

Flood victims who received Small Business Administration loans after the 2016 floods were not eligible to receive RESTORE grants for flood damage. But in October, Congress approved legislation to allow it.

Legal challenges can sometimes take ages to come to a conclusion, so Graves says they’ve consulted legal experts, and found a way to get a much faster resolution.

Cut 11 (10) “…through the court.”

The suit could potentially free up almost a quarter billion dollars in grants for 2016 flood victims.

Graves puts the blame on a group that’s opposed the regulatory change from the beginning, because he says they erroneously fear it would result in flood victims getting paid by both the SBA and HUD.

Cut 12 (10)   “…entire process.”

___________________________

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke with the press in an effort to answer questions of how the food stamps program will be impacted by the government shutdown.  In an effort to extinguish as much confusion and anxiety as possible, Perdue says soon the department will be reaching out to states to instruct them to request early issuance of February SNAP benefits.

Cut 13 (11) “…at that time.”

Perdue says SNAP benefits should be okay through March, which he says he’s hopeful should give ample time to resolve the issues with the government shutdown.

Cut 14 (11) “…able to sign.”

Perdue says the motto at the USDA is to “Do Right and Feed Everyone” and he believes this is the best plan of action during the government shutdown.

Cut 15 (08) “…do right part.”

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to redeem themselves after a blowout 48-7 loss to the Saints earlier this season, when the two teams meet Sunday in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson says their initial loss to the Saints was embarrassing, but the team’s progress is clear if you look at the win in Chicago…

Cut 16 (15)  “…yesterday”

Though the Black and Gold have been on a tear all season the final game of the season saw them fall to NFC South rival Carolina Panthers 33-14. But with the loss Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz is not underestimating the Saints saying to keep an advantage against MVP candidate Drew Brees he will have to pick and choose his battles with the defense…

 cut 17 (20)   “…one thing” 

The Bears have one of the fiercest defensive lines in the league and Eagles Offensive Coordinator Mike Groh says after putting Chicago to bed he feels prepared to protect against Black and Gold powerhouses like Cam Jordan…

Cut 18 (19)   “…make it” 

Kickoff is Sunday at 3:40 PM.

__________________________________________

Cut 19 (20)   “…halfcourt”

Cut 20 (18) “…every day”