Small business optimism has skyrocketed in December, according to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Emelie Gunn has more…
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WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Today is the start of the application period for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students at a poorly graded public school to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.
Duplessis says students already enrolled in the program do not need to reapply. She says every year, about 10-thousand families apply and students from all over Louisiana can apply.
One hundred twenty-three schools in 31 school districts around the state participate in the voucher program. And Duplessis says test scores have demonstrated voucher students are making academic strides.
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A survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds small business optimism increased substantially in December. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says optimism has been skyrocketing since the November election and the positive outlook is felt here in Louisiana too.
The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004. Starns says it’s because business owners are anticipating better economic conditions with Donald Trump in office and a Republican controlled Congress.
Starns says when small businesses are feeling good about the economy, they are more likely to increase business activity.
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WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the announcement that the Big Easy will host professional wrestling’s biggest event on Sunday, April 8th of next year. He says it’s just another huge occasion to laud the 300th year of the founding of New Orleans…:
Wrestlemania last came to New Orleans in 2014, and Edwards says over 75,000 fans came from around the world – which had an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city…:
Cut 10 (09) “1 billion dollars”
Edwards says this is the quickest that Wrestlemania has returned to a previous host city ever. Stephanie McMahon, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, was also on hand this morning for the announcement. She says the pitch to the organization was incredible; and in addition to the passion behind it — featured some of New Orleans’ most soulful attributes…:
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The federal government says 150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Christen Young, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says one key driver of affordability in the marketplace is financial assistance and 82-percent of Louisiana consumers signed up so far, have qualified for tax credits.
Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month. Senior Counselor to the Secretary at Health and Human Services, Avida Aron-Dine, says lawmakers have made claims that the Affordable Care Act is in a death spiral. But she says the facts show that’s absolutely not the case.
The report finds there are over 23-thousand new Louisiana consumers in the Marketplace, despite talk of repealing and replacing Obamacare. Aron-Dine says the data shows the Marketplace is poised for continued success, without policy interference. And she also expects we will not seek see huge spikes in premiums going forward.
cut 14 (10) “reinsurance program”
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