Many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About 40-percent of U.S. adults lack a rewards credit card, and 23-percent of rewards cardholders didn’t redeem rewards in the past year. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman says many people are missing out.

Cut 6 (10) “…real money here.”

Congress is now in an all-out game of Beat The Clock. If Congress does not reach a budget deal by midnight Eastern time tonight, the federal government will be shut down. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says he thought there was a bipartisan, bicameral deal – until one man who’s not even in Congress threw everything into turmoil.

Cut 13 (07)  “…vote for it.”

Time is running out to do your Christmas shopping. Will you get a good deal, or will you be paying a steep price for your procrastination? Andrew Greenstein has the answers.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Civil rights organizations are urging school districts not to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting January 1st as required by a new state law. Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, says Judge John DeGravelles (de-GRAVEL) was very clear in his ruling that the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools is unconstitutional.

Cut 7 (15) “…going to go.”

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, ruled that DeGravelles’ injunction only applies to the five districts named in the lawsuit – East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon. Attorney General Liz Murrill says despite DeGravelles’ ruling, the law is constitutional and will appeal all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Fewer Louisiana teachers are leaving the profession. The Louisiana Department of Education’s upcoming Teacher Exit Data Report shows a two-percent drop in the number of teachers exiting their positions, with 13-percent leaving in 2023-2024 compared to 15-percent the previous year. LDOE Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson (CHASS-on) says this marks the second consecutive year of decline.

Cut 10 (11) “…leaving the classroom.”

Speaking of jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state’s seasonally adjusted employment numbers continue to rise. The bureau says the state added four-thousand non-farm jobs last month and more than 20-thousand non-farm jobs in the last year. Leisure and hospitality is the sector that gained the most jobs. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is 4.3-percent, up two-tenths of a point from last month.

Civil rights groups are urging school districts across the state not to post the Ten Commandments starting January 1st. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State lawmakers are no longer looking at a 340-million dollar budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. The Revenue Estimating Conference believes the state will actually see a surplus because of changes to the state’s tax laws made during the special session.

More Louisiana teachers are choosing to remain in the profession. That’s according to an annual report from the Louisiana Department of Education that shows a two-percent decrease in the number of teachers exiting their current position. Deputy Superintendent of Education Jenna Chaisson says efforts to raise teachers salaries seem to be working…

Cut 11 (06) “….at the state level”

Chaisson says the state has also implemented a number of initiatives and policies designed to support teachers.

If you’ve waited until now to start your Christmas shopping, it could be hit or miss on whether you’re getting a good price on those gifts. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says whether prices will drop before Christmas depends on the item.

Cut 3 (11) “…a higher price.”

For example, Rice says Christmas lights may be on sale now, but they’ll be at a much bigger discount after Christmas.

If Plan A and Plan B don’t work, try a plan C. That’s what House Speaker Mike Johnson is saying that the House is going to do to avoid a shutdown. Johnson did not go into detail on what exactly that Plan C entails, only saying that Congress will vote on it this morning. Whatever plan it goes with, time is running out. Funding for the federal government runs out at midnight Eastern time tonight; and if there’s no deal, the federal government will be shut down.

More teachers in Louisiana are sticking with the profession. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Teacher Exit Data Report shows a two-percent drop in the number of teachers exiting their positions. LDOE Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson (CHASS-on) says one thing the state is doing to keep good teachers is offering different compensations for different jobs.

Cut 12 (16) “…some shortages”

Civil rights organizations have one word of advice for school districts in regards to posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms: Don’t. Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, is urging the state to follow its own advice on respecting the rule of law until the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments on the Ten Commandments law on January 23rd.

Cut 9 (13)  “…the school districts.”

A federal judge put the law on hold, saying that it’s unconstitutional. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the stay only applies to the five districts which sued the state.

Triple-A is expecting a record number of travelers this Christmas and New Year’s. Don Redman with Triple-A says if you’re flying out, get to the airport early.

Cut 5 (06) “…long security lines.”

Civil rights groups have sent a letter to public school districts warning them not to post the Ten Commandments in their classroom despite a law that will go into effect on January first requiring them to do so. A federal judge has ruled the law is unconstitutional, but Attorney General Liz Murrill argues that order only applies to five school districts that are named in the lawsuit. The five school districts are East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon.

The state has appealed the lower court’s ruling and a federal appeals court will hear arguments on January 23^rd. But ACLU of Louisiana executive director Alanah Odoms believes it’s clear the state’s Ten Commandments Law violates the separation of church and state…

Cut 8 (15) “….that it’s unconstitutional”

But Murrill says the Ten Commandments law is clearly constitutional.

A government shutdown is possible, if Congress can not come to an agreement on how to fund federal operations for at least the next three months. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says he thought there was a bipartisan, bicameral deal – until one man who’s not even in Congress threw everything into turmoil.

Cut 13 (07)  “…vote for it.”

But Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says that’s not the complete story.

Cut 14 (09) “…to pass it.”

Meanwhile a record 119-million Americans plan to travel between now and through the New Year’s holiday. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says travel this year has surpassed pre-pandemic numbers…

Cut 4 (11) “…set in 2019”

Civil rights organizations are urging school districts not to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting January 1st as required by a new state law. Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, says Judge John DeGravelles (de-GRAVEL) was very clear in his ruling that the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools is unconstitutional.

Cut 7 (15) “…going to go.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill has argued that Judge DeGravelles’ order only applies to the five school districts named in the lawsuit where the plantiffs’ children attend school. That would be East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon.

Two small earthquakes shook homes and businesses in northwest Louisiana yesterday. The largest quake was a 3.3 magnitude and the epicenters for both quakes were about 25 miles west of Shreveport. Scientists say the rumbling of the ground could be the result of fracking.

A record 119 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the year-end holidays. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Fewer Louisiana teachers are leaving the profession. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Teacher Exit Data Report shows 13-percent of teachers who taught last school year left the classroom, compared to 15-percent the previous year. Deputy Superintendent of Education Jenna Chaisson (CHASS-on) says this is the second consecutive year of decline.

Cut 10 (11) “…leaving the classroom.”

The Louisiana Department of Education’s Teacher Exit Data Report says fewer Louisiana teachers are leaving the profession.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

This is the last day of work for 2024 for many people. AAA is predicting a record 119-million people will travel 50 miles or more over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Spokesperson Don Redman says Sunday is expected to be a busy travel day…

Cut 6 (07) “…the better”

We are on the verge of a federal government shutdown unless Congress can come to an agreement on a plan to fund federal operations for the next few months. The deadline is midnight eastern time. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says if there’s a shutdown, everyone from all walks of life will pay a dear price…

Cut 15 (14) “….for crop losses”

Baton Rogue Republican Congressman Graves says the wrong people will pay the price for a government shutdown…

Cut 16 (09) “….doing its job”

A funding plan pushed by President elect Donald Trump failed to pass yesterday. It sought to increase spending and it would have added trillions more to the federal government’s debt. House Speaker Mike Johnson from Bossier Parish is trying to find agreement on a funding plan.

The CDC is continuing to monitor the first severe case of human bird flu in the U.S. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis with the CDC says the patient from southwest Louisiana likely had been exposed to dead birds on his property.

Cut 14 (10) “…the United States.”

Dr. Daskalakis says this is the first case linked to a non-commercial backyard flock.

The Louisiana National Guard is celebrating 30 years of its Youth Challenge Program. Lieutenant Colonel Kenny Paul says the Youth Challenge Program was among the first of its kind and one of the most successful.

Cut 6 (10) “…first initial ten.”

Paul says more than 28-thousand kids have graduated, many of whom have gone on to do great things.

Firefighters in Caddo and Bossier parishes now have access to free cancer screenings through a new health initiative. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

UL Lafayette athletics director Bryan Maggard has fired longtime men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin. The firing comes after the Cajuns won their Sun Belt opener last night. Despite that victory it’s been a tough season – U-L Lafayette is 3-and-9 overall. Marlin had been the Cajuns coach for 13 seasons, leading the program to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Assistant coach Derrick Zimmerman will serve as interim coach.

In the largest fentanyl bust in Livingston Parish history, four individuals were arrested, and over 100-thousand doses of fentanyl were seized following a multi-agency investigation. Sheriff Jason Ard says Tyrone Broadway was the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation and undercover agents made multiple purchases from his group, uncovering approximately 36-thousand pressed fentanyl pills.

Cut 9 (08)  “…very long time,”

The other three arrested are Eugene Skinner, Donald McCray, and Devonte Skinner.

A new state law requires firefighters to receive annual physical and cancer screenings at no cost and Willis Knighton will provide that service for firefighters in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. CEO Jaf Fielder ….

Cut 4 (07) “…our missing”

Fielder says firefighters are 14-percent more likely to develop cancer because of their job than any other occupation.

The CDC is continuing to monitor the first person in the U.S. with a severe case of bird flu. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana National Guard is celebrating 30 years of its Youth Challenge Program. Lieutenant Colonel Kenny Paul says the Louisiana Guard’s Youth Challenge Program was among the first of its kind and one of the most successful. He says more than 28 thousand kids have graduated and many have gone on to do great things.

Cut 8 (12) “…other state schools.”

The latest class of graduates, 118 of them, graduated in a ceremony last weekend.

In the largest fentanyl bust in Livingston Parish history, four individuals were arrested, and over 100-thousand doses of fentanyl were seized following a multi-agency investigation. Sheriff Jason Ard says Tyrone Broadway was the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation and undercover agents made multiple purchases from his group, uncovering approximately 36-thousand pressed fentanyl pills. Broadway, along with Eugene Skinner, Donald McCray, and Devonte Skinner, were arrested as a result of the investigation. Ard says he’s pleased these drug dealers are off the street.

Cut 11 (06) “…time in prison.”

The CDC is continuing to monitor the first severe case of human bird flu in the U.S. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis with the CDC says bird flu has been around for many years, including human cases outside the U.S. and there’s something unique about this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…their related products.” (First case linked to a non-commercial backyard flock)

Daskalakis says the CDC is monitoring the condition of the patient, who’s from southwest Louisiana.

Caddo and Bossier parish firefighters now have access to free cancer screenings through a new health initiative by Willis Knighton.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

People and some pets in Caddo Parish near the Texas border felt the earth move at least once this morning. The U.S. Geological Survey says they recorded a 3.3 magnitude earthquake around 6:00 this morning. The epicenter was about 25 miles from Shreveport in Harrison County, Texas and had a depth of about three miles. There have been no reports of damage or injuries but residents in the area report having upset pets, and seeing rattling cabinets, and a few pictures and wall hangings fall.