69 people have died in 51 home fires in the state so far this year. Those 51 fires are 15 more than what the state had at the same time last year. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says it’s important that residents have smoke alarms in their homes so they have a fighting chance to survive.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in your house.”

He says Operation Save-A-Life provides free smoke alarms and installations for residents who don’t have a smoke alarm.

AARP says almost a million Louisianans provide in home care to older loved and Director of Advocacy for AARP Louisiana, Andrew Muhl, says it’s a huge burden on the family caregivers, in both time and money.

Cut 11 (11) “…a loved one.”

AARP says 80-percent of family caregivers spend their own money to pay for their aging loved ones’ needs, averaging more than seven-thousand dollars a year while the state puts a disproportionate amount of money towards nursing homes instead of in-home care.

The 119th State Fair of Louisiana begins today in Shreveport and will run through November 16th. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The fund was established in 2017 as a dollar-for-dollar match to local communities which raise money for early childhood education. It was seeded with a one-time appropriation of 40-million dollars, with dedicated revenue streams added on later. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the fund is not keeping up with local contributions.

Cut 3 (09) “…keep it going.”

As Louisiana weather starts to get colder, Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to practice safe home heating habits to prevent their homes from catching fire.

Cut 12 (15) “…leave those unattended.”

69 people have died in 51 home fires in the state so far this year.

Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund that matches local communities’ contributions for early childhood education is in danger of being depleted by 2030 unless the state adds more funds. Chief Policy Officer, Barry Erwin says it could mean fewer kids would be served.

Cut 5 (15) “…have right now.”

Data released by AARP this week shows that almost a million people in Louisiana care for aging loved ones at home with no assistance from the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport kicks off today. Marketing manager, Russell Adams, says in addition to 30 live bands and a brand new Ferris wheel, there will be food choices from all over the country.

Cut 7 (12) “…all over.”

The 119th State Fair of Louisiana begins today in Shreveport and will run through November 16th. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Data released by AARP this week shows that almost a million people in Louisiana care for aging loved ones at home with no assistance from the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The fund was established in 2017 as a dollar-for-dollar match to local communities which raise money for early childhood education. It was seeded with a one-time appropriation of 40-million dollars, with dedicated revenue streams added on later. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the fund is not keeping up with local contributions.

Cut 3 (09) “…keep it going.”

Erwin says as a result, unless the state finds a way to put more money into the Early Childhood Education Fund, it will eventually run dry.

Cut 4 (10) “…keep it sustainable.”

Erwin says if that happens, fewer kids would be able to be served.

Cut 5 (15) “…have right now.”

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The 119th State Fair of Louisiana begins today in Shreveport and will run through November 16th. Marketing Manager Russell Adams says one of this year’s new additions includes a brand new Ferris wheel.

Cut 6 (12) “…something to see.”

There would be no state fair without the endless food choices. Adams says food vendors from all over the country are in Shreveport for the next couple of weeks.

Cut 7 (08) “…from all over.”

Adams says this year’s state fair will also feature over 30 live bands, featuring some notable Louisiana artists.

Cut 8 (13) “…rap and blues.”

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Data released by AARP this week shows that almost one-million people in Louisiana provide unpaid and unsupported care to older loved ones at home. That accounts for almost 30-percent of the state’s adult population. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says even though the vast majority of seniors who need assistance would prefer to live out their elder years at home, the state puts a disproportionate amount of money towards nursing homes instead of in-home care.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in-home care.”

Muhl says as a result, scores of seniors and the loved ones who care for them end up going it alone without any state assistance.

Cut 10 (10) “…a nursing home.”

Muhl says that puts a huge burden on the family caregivers, both in terms of money and time.

Cut 11 (11) “…a loved one.”

AARP says 80-percent of family caregivers spend their own money to pay for their aging loved ones’ needs, averaging more than seven-thousand dollars a year, and more than half juggle full-time or part-time jobs and take on debt.

___________________________________________________

As Louisiana weather starts to get colder, Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to practice safe home heating habits in order to prevent their homes from catching on fire.

Cut 12 (15) “…leave those unattended.”

69 people have died in 51 home fires in the state so far this year. Those 51 fires are 15 more than what the state had at the same time last year. Pastorick says it’s important that residents have smoke alarms in their homes so that they have a fighting chance to survive a house fire.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in your house.”

Pastorick says residents who may not have smoke alarms can take advantage of Operation Save-A-Life, which is a free program offering smoke alarms and installations across the state.

Cut 14 (10) “…it for free.”

Police in Monroe quickly make an arrest in connection with a triple murder that has shaken the community. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 25 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The Fund that was granted 40 million dollars in seed money matches local contributions. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says if contributions keep growing…

Cut 4 (06) “…keep it sustainable.”

Almost a million people in Louisiana provide unpaid and unsupported care to older loved ones at home. That’s according to recent data from AARP. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says the majority of seniors who need assistance prefer to live in their own home, but the state puts a disproportionate amount of money towards nursing homes leaving scores of seniors and the loved ones without any state assistance.

Cut 10 (10) “…a nursing home.”

The 119^th Louisiana State Fair begins today in Shreveport and will run all the way until November 16^th. Russell Adams, the marketing manager of the Louisiana State Fair, says there’s a new addition this year.

Cut 6 (10) “…to see.”

And he says Food vendors from all over the country are there.

A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The fund was established in 2017 as a dollar-for-dollar match to local communities which raise money for early childhood education. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the fund is not keeping up with local contributions.

Cut 3 (09) “…keep it going.”

Data released by AARP this week shows that almost one-million people in Louisiana provide unpaid and unsupported care to older loved ones at home. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says the state puts a disproportionate amount of money towards nursing homes instead of in-home care.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in-home care.”

The 119th Louisiana State Fair begins today in Shreveport and will run through November 16th. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

LSU started two freshmen on the offensive side of the ball in the 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. Interim head coach Frank Wilson says there will be more opportunities for the younger players during the rest of the season, especially for offensive lineman Carius Curne and running back Harlem Berry.

Cut 19 (19) “…running back perspective.”

Wilson also confirmed that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will remain as the starting quarterback, but he did not rule out more reps for backup Michael Van Buren.

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped to 0-and-4 after losing to the Denver Nuggets by a score of 122-88. Rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears led scoring for New Orleans with 21 points. The Pelicans travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Friday at 9:30 p.m.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed that rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (“shuck”) will be the starter for the rest of the season, barring an injury. Moore says Spencer Rattler will serve as the backup moving forward.

Cut 16 (17) “…handle it awesome.”

The Saints and Rams kickoff on Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

Governor Jeff Landry tells reporters at the State Capitol that LSU athletics director Scott Woodward will not be the one who selects the Tigers’ new football coaches. Landry says Woodward is responsible for hiring coaches who led to the biggest contract buyouts in college football history.

Cut 7 (09) “…doing that again.”

An arrest in a triple murder in Monroe.

Cut 23 (05) “…more to come.”

Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan announces the arrest of 24-year-old Travis Payton in connection with the deaths of 27-year-old Jamal Bosley, 25-year-old Jaborris Simpson and a two-year-old girl. Chief Zordan says this was not Payton’s first offense.

Cut 24 (03) “…and three convictions.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says Payton had only served three years of a 15-year sentence for his most recent conviction.

Cut 25 (05) “…be behind bars.”

Governor Landry says disabled people, children and the elderly who rely on SNAP will continue to receive their benefits, despite the federal government shutdown. But Landry says that won’t extent to everyone who receives SNAP benefits.

Cut 5 (10) “…of those jobs.”

Governor Landry says LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will not hire the Tigers next head football coach. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Could Brian Kelly’s successor be his predecessor? On ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike yesterday, Ed Orgeron said if LSU called, he’d be in Baton Rouge in an instant.

Cut 14 (07) “…be there today.” (laughs)

The City of Monroe says the murders of three people, including a two-year-old girl, underscore the need for criminal justice reform. 24-year-old Travis Payton is under arrest in connection with the killings. Investigators say that Payton had 11 prior arrests and three prior convictions and should have been serving a prison sentence when he killed those three people. Mayor Friday Ellis says tragedies like this are a big reason why violent criminals cannot be let out of prison.

Cut 12 (10) “…bad people away.”

Governor Jeff Landry says LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will not be the one who selects the Tigers’ new football coaches. Landry says Woodward is responsible for hiring coaches who led to the biggest contract buyouts in college football history.

Cut 7 (09) “…doing that again.”

The disabled, children and the elderly will continue to receive SNAP benefits in November, despite the federal government shutdown. Jeff Palermo on how the state will fund the program.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Food pantries and restaurant chains are also pitching in to help food insecure families during the shutdown. In central Louisiana, for example, Beauregard Community Action Association opened its food pantry to meet soaring demand. And Chicken Salad Chick is offering free meals to kids affected by the shutdown.

It took Monroe Police only eight hours to make an arrest in connection with the killings of three people, including a two-year-old girl. 24-year-old Travis Payton is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and criminal conspiracy. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan (rhymes with Jordan) says this is not Payton’s first rodeo – he had 11 prior arrests and three prior convictions, and he should not have even been on the streets.

Cut 11 (08) “…commit this crime.”

Governor Landry says because of legislation approved in the special session, disabled people, children and the elderly who rely on cash assistance through the SNAP program will continue to receive their benefits, despite the federal government shutdown. Landry says there’s a reason Louisiana is able to do this.

Cut 4 (11) “…compassion and reason.”

Governor Landry, meanwhile, weighed in on reports that he was involved in the firing of LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. The governor says he was involved because of the fiscal effect on the state for firing a coach under a terrible contract.

Cut 9 (08)  “…effect of it.”

Landry says he’s confident LSU will hire a good football coach and the state will support him, but he believes there should be metrics in place on the next coach’s contract so taxpayers are not stuck paying huge buyouts.

Could LSU’s new coach be its old coach? On ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike yesterday, Brian Kelly’s predecessor Ed Orgeron said if LSU called, he’d be in Baton Rouge in an instant.

Cut 14 (07) “…be there today.” (laughs)

Orgeron coached the Tigers from 2016 until 2021, winning the 2019 national championship along the way.

Governor Jeff Landry says LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will not hire the Tigers next head football coach. Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

With New Orleans facing a $160 million budget shortfall, city leaders have announced they’re pausing overtime across all departments — including police, fire, and EMS — to help close the gap.  Councilmembers say they’re exploring long-term solutions —to help offset future public safety costs.

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Louisiana’s children, elderly, and those who are disabled will continue to receive SNAP benefits in November.  Governor Jeff Landry says that’s thanks to legislation approved in the special session.   But he adds Louisiana will not use state dollars on the 53-thousand able-bodied adults who receive SNAP. He encourages those individuals to take advantage of the 100-thousand jobs that are available in the state.

Cut 5 (10) “…of those jobs.”

For November, the funding for the SNAP will come from the Louisiana Department of Health, which administers the program. Landry says to free up the cash, they are closing SNAP offices.

Cut 6 (10) “…disabled and children.”

If the federal government shutdown continues into December, the state is prepared to dip into its rainy-day fund.