Despite the federal government shutdown, SNAP recipients might still receive assistance to purchase food in November. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
____________________________________________
The nation’s first rare earth separation facility is coming to Southwest Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
____________________________________________
The Brian Kelly era at LSU is over. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (39) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
_________________________________________________
For those of you who collect Social Security, your benefits will increase 2.8-percent next year. That works out to an average of 56 dollars a month. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says these cost of living adjustments are good news for Louisiana seniors.
Cut 4 (10) “…income for retirees.”
Muhl says with the price of everything going up, every dollar helps, so this increase will come in very handy.
Muhl says lawmakers from both parties have pledged to protect Social Security, and they need to continue to do so.
Cut 6 (12) “…and grandkids tomorrow.”
This year’s increase evenly splits the difference of last year’s increase of 2.5-percent and the ten-year average of 3.1-percent.
_________________________________________________
Louisiana is taking steps to make sure those who rely on food stamps will still receive their SNAP benefits despite the federal government shutdown. The USDA funds SNAP, but because of the shutdown the federal agency is not allocating any SNAP funding for November. Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry says they are planning on using state dollars to make sure people do not go hungry…
The Louisiana Department of Health oversees the SNAP program in Louisiana. Henry says there’s likely 150-million dollars available in L-D-H’s budget that can cover the costs for November.
In an emergency declaration order, Governor Jeff Landry also suggested using money from the Rainy Day fund as a SNAP stopgap. Henry says they will look at that option if the government shutdown drags on…
There are 792-thousand Louisianians who rely on SNAP benefits to purchase food every month and the state receives 150-million dollars every month from the USDA to provide the food assistance. The Louisiana House passed a resolution on Friday urging the L-D-H to provide SNAP funding in November and Henry says the Louisiana Senate will take up the same resolution on Wednesday…
It’s unclear if the state will be reimbursed for covering SNAP costs in November. It’s also unknown when the federal government shutdown will end as negotiations are at a stalemate.
_________________________________________________
Aclara, a Canadian mining company, is investing 277-million dollars into building the nation’s first heavy rare-earth separation facility at the Port of Vinton. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Judd Bares says the facility will refine rare earth metals that will be used for electric vehicles, wind turbines, drones and robotics.
Cut 10 (15) “…powered magnets.”
By bringing Aclara to the Port of Vincent, Bares says the company will diversify what is done in Southwest Louisiana.
Aclara selected the Port of Vinton location after evaluating more than 100 potential U.S. sites for its proximity to key chemical suppliers, access to Gulf Coast logistics and availability of skilled industrial workers. Bares says bringing the company to Calcasieu Parish is a testament to the infrastructure of the parish.
Cut 12 (10) “…readily available.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2027.
_________________________________________________
The winningest active coach in NCAA Football did not win at a high enough level in Baton Rouge and Brian Kelly is out as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Kelly was fired on Sunday after an ugly 45-29 loss to Texas A&M. It was the third loss in four games for a team that had national championship aspirations. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Kelly was 34-14 in three-plus seasons with LSU.
In a statement, Athletics Director Scott Woodward said as a proud alum, current caretaker of the athletics programs, he will not compromise LSU’s pursuit of excellence and he will not lower the school’s standards.
LSU hired Kelly in December 2021 after 12 years at Notre Dame. He signed a ten-year contract and with six years remaining on his deal, his buyout is north of 50-million dollars.
LSU says the terms of the separation are still being finalized. Guilbeau says Kelly will fight for every penny he’s owed.
New Orleans native and longtime assistant coach Frank Wilson will serve as interim head coach. LSU will name a permanent successor to Kelly after the regular season. Guilbeau says Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is likely on top of LSU’s wish list.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Vanderbilt’s Cleark Lea, Georgia Tech’s Brent Key, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham are all possible candidates.
___________________________________________________
The Saints had another turnover-filled game as they lost to NFC South rival Tampa Bay 23-3 on Sunday. For the second week in a row, New Orleans turned it over four times. Starting quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched for rookie Tyler Shough (Shuck) after turning it over twice. Coach Kellen Moore says he was looking for a spark and was not signaling out Rattler….
The Saints’ next game is against the Rams in Los Angeles this Sunday. Moore says he’s not interested in flipping back and forth between quarterbacks, so he hopes to decide soon on who will start this Sunday in L-A…
_____________________________________________________
The Brian Kelly era at LSU is over. The last straw came Saturday night as the Tigers got blown out at home by Texas A&M, 49-25. A meaningless LSU touchdown in the final minute of the game amid chants of “Fire Kelly” in the student section made the final score appear less lopsided. During the postgame news conference on the night before he was fired, Head Coach Brian Kelly said he took full responsibility for the team’s performance — not only Saturday night but throughout the entire underachieving season.
LSU led at halftime, 18-14. But the Aggies outscored the Tigers 35-7 in the third quarter to seal LSU’s — and ultimately Kelly’s — fate. Kelly says he felt the fans’ pain.
Cut 19 (07) “…for four quarters.”
With their record now 5-and-3, a trip to the College Football Playoff is now out of the question for LSU. Associate head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson takes over as interim coach and will try to salvage the season and get the Tigers to a halfway decent bowl game. Linebacker West Weeks says despite the team now being unable to fulfill its preseason goal, he and his teammates will not quit.
Cut 20 (13) “…everybody else is.”