State lawmakers have until July 16^th to decide on whether to hold an override veto session. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some legislators are concerned that if they do not vote to cancel the session, the governor could retaliate by withholding funding for local construction projects…

Cut 3 (09)  “…bond commission agenda”

Governor Edwards vetoed legislation pushed by Attorney General Jeff Landry that would have expanded state drug courts using funds obtained from opioid settlements. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says the veto of his bill came as a real surprise given there wasn’t a single vote against it as it sailed through the Legislature.

Cut 9 (08) “…seamlessly.”

In his veto statement, Edwards said the bill was too vague about how the Attorney General was allowed to spend funds.

There’s a movement to give family caregivers a tax credit of up to five thousand dollars with the Credit for Caring Act. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says 80-percent of those caring for family members are paying out-of-pocket expenses of more than seven thousand annually.

Cut 7 (11) “…own home”

Botcher says the highest-burden of expenses is falling on younger caregivers and those who are Hispanic or Black.

It was just over a decade ago that Mary Jeannette Duhon, the estranged wife of Joe Constance was murdered in her home in Calcasieu Parish. Retired Lake Charles Police Chief and now lead investigator Don Dixon says 54-year-old Constance has been on the run ever since for the murder of Duhon.

Cut 13 (08) “…get away.”

They are asking anyone with information to come forward.

There’s an effort underway to give family caregivers a tax credit to help offset expenses. AARP says caregivers spend on average just over seven thousand out of pocket annually. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says it’s a bipartisan effort known as the Credit for Caring Act.

Cut 6 (11) “…facing.”

Botcher says caregivers assisting those with dementia or mental health issues spend more than eight thousand annually.

Continental Structural Plastics announces a 13-million dollar expansion to its Webster Parish-based manufacturing facility. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says CSP has been around for 50-years as a major player in the automotive market.
Cut 10 (08) “..out there”

A surge in retirements is further adding to the nation’s labor shortage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Store owners in the Mall of Louisiana are breathing much easier this morning upon news Cara, the 12-foot Burmese python has been located. Cara went missing early Monday morning from her enclosure at the Blue Zoo exhibit in Baton Rouge. Cara is who was found early this morning, is undergoing a medical check by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. The albino reptile received national notoriety for her escape this week.

The FBI has ordered a new review of Ronald Greene’s autopsy along with the graphic body camera footage of his arrest. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says while they are encouraged by the review, the family and the community want to see action.

Cut 6 (11) “…to Ronald.”

The family was initially told Greene died as a result of a crash outside of Monroe, but an autopsy later contradicted that story.

Based on research from the Pew Research Center, an unusually high number of older Americans have retired over the past year further exacerbating the nation’s labor shortage just as the economy is reopening. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says even deliveries are behind schedule due to a lack of labor in the supply chain.

Cut 7 (07) “…problem.”

It was a decade ago when Mary Jeannette Duhon, the estranged wife of Joe Constance (Const-aunce) was murdered in her home in Calcasieu Parish. Retired Lake Charles Police Chief and now lead investigator Don Dixon says, Constance fled, and they believe he’s had assistance eluding authorities ever since. Dixon is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Cut 14 (09) “..charges.”

Continental Structural Plastics announces a 13-million-dollar expansion to its Webster Parish-based manufacturing facility. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the expansion will help maintain 170 jobs in rural northern Webster Parish and add 33 new jobs to the facility.

Cut 11 (07) “..benefits”

Construction of the new facility is also expected to create about 200 temporary construction jobs.

The F-B-I wants to take another look at Ronald Greene’s death. He’s the Black motorist who died while in State Police Custody following a police chase in north Louisiana in 2019. An attorney for the Greene family, Lee Merritt, says the feds are looking at the autopsy again in response to the body camera video that was released that shows Troopers stunning and punching him…
cut 5 (10) “…make sure”
None of the troopers involved have yet to be criminally charged.

Calcasieu Parish authorities are renewing their efforts to find Joe Constance, he’s wanted for the 2011 murder of his estranged wife Mary Jeanette Duhon in her Lake Charles home. Don Dixon is the lead investigator…
cut 15 (07) “…four years”
The local D-A is offering immunity to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to them finding Constance.

Based on analysis from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate for Americans over 55 is down from over 40-percent pre-pandemic to about 38-percent. Matt Doyle reports the surge in retirements is adding to the nation’s labor shortage…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

The search is over for the missing 12-foot python at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Cara was found alive and well this morning in a crawl space area after escaping her enclosure early Tuesday morning.

The FBI wants to take another look at the autopsy of Black motorist Ronald Greene, who died in State Police custody in 2019 following a police chase in north Louisiana…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The number of people hospitalized in Louisiana as a result of COVID-19 has reached 348. That’s the highest number in two months. The state health department reported 1,229 new cases yesterday, but only two deaths. The state’s death toll from COVID-19 has reached 10,765.

A Webster Parish plant that makes plastics for the automotive industry has announced a 13-million dollar expansion. Continental Structural Plastics has been around for 50 years and will add 33 jobs to its 170-person workforce. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company is glad to lay down some even deeper roots in northwest Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “…facility”

The Pew Research Center has found that there was an increase in older Americans retiring during the Pandemic. LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott says this is adding to the labor shortage. He says this is bad news for businesses that could see their labor costs increase, but there is a clear group of winners…
cut 9 (08) “….happened”

There are reports that say an unusually high number of older Americans have retired as a result of the Pandemic. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says this just adds to a labor crunch on an already stretched thin workforce. He says businesses will adjust by doing one of two things…
cut 8 (12) “…machines for people”

Continental Structural Plastics announces a 13-million dollar expansion to its Webster Parish-based manufacturing facility, adding 22,000 square feet to their already three-building complex. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says CSP has been around for 50-years as a major player in the automotive market.
Cut 10 (08) “..out there”
Pierson says the expansion will help maintain 170 jobs in rural northern Webster Parish and result in 33 new jobs.

Authorities are willing to grant immunity for anyone that comes forward with information about a man wanted for more than a decade on first-degree murder charges. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The search for Cara, the 12-foot python, that went missing from her aquarium in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge has been found alive and well. The snake went missing early Monday morning and was found early this morning in a crawl space after an exhaustive search.

The federal investigation into the death of black motorist Ronald Greene who died shortly after his arrest by state police in 2019, has prompted investigators to look at other incidents involving LSP. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt…
Cut 4 (11) “…spinoff investigations.”
The F-B-I is taking a new look at Greene’s autopsy to consider evidence that was not provided after his death, including body camera video that showed state troopers stunning and punching him.

Authorities in Calcasieu Parish are offering immunity to anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of Joe Constance and info on the people who may have helped him escape the area after allegedly killing his estranged wife Mary Jeannette Duhon in her Lake Charles home on June 5, 2011…
cut 13 (08) “….get away”
That’s retired Lake Charles Police Chief and now lead investigator Don Dixon.

According to the Pew Research Center, an unusually high number of older Americans have retired over the past year further exacerbating the nation’s labor shortage. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says because of this companies are having trouble finding people to work and deliveries are behind schedule due to a lack of labor in the supply chain.
Cut 7 (07) “…problem.”
Scott expects companies will try to lure retirees back with increasingly generous compensation or accelerate automation in many industries.

The search for Cara is over. The 12-foot non-venomous python that left her enclosure early Monday morning in the Mall of Louisiana aquarium was found in a crawl space and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will give the snake a wellness check.

The FBI is reviewing the death of black motorist Ronald Greene, who died shortly after his 2019 arrest by state police. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

A surge in retirements is further adding to the nation’s labor shortage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_________________________________________

Authorities are willing to grant immunity for anyone that comes forward with information about a man that’s eluded authorities for more than a decade for first-degree murder. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

The federal investigation into the death of black motorist Ronald Greene who died shortly after his arrest by state police in 2019, has prompted investigators to look at other incidents involving LSP. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt…

Cut 4 (11) “…spinoff investigations.”

This week the FBI ordered a new review of Greene’s autopsy, which includes graphic body camera footage of state troopers using a stun gun, repeatedly, punching and then dragging Greene after a high-speed chase. Merritt says it shows the Department of Justice is taking the matter seriously.

Cut 5  (10) “…make sure.”

Merritt says while they are encouraged by the review, the family along with the community wants to see action.

Cut 6 (11) “…to Ronald.”

The family of Greene was initially told he died as a result of a crash outside of Monroe but an autopsy later contradicted that story and indicate Greene died from injuries consistent with multiple impact sites from a blunt object.

On Tuesday the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus called for a federal investigation of State Police.

_______________________________

An unusually high number of older Americans have retired over the past year further exacerbating the nation’s labor shortage just as the economy is reopening.

LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says because of this companies are having trouble finding people to work and deliveries are behind schedule due to a lack of labor in the supply chain.

Cut 7 (07) “…problem.”

Scott says this retirement-based labor crunch will likely result in one of two things…

Cut 8 (12) “…machines for people.”

Scott says this is bad news for businesses who could see their labor costs increase but that means there is one clear group of winners in this story.

Cut 9 (08) “…happened”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics June US Jobs Report showed average hourly earnings were up .3% over the month and 3.6% over the year.

________________________

Continental Structural Plastics announces a 13.3 million dollar expansion to their Webster Parish-based manufacturing facility, adding 22,000 square feet to their already three-building complex.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says CSP has been around for 50-years as a major player in the automotive market.

Cut 10 (08) “..out there”

Pierson says the expansion will help maintain 170 jobs in rural northern Webster Parish and result in the company adding 33 new jobs to the facility.

Cut 11 (07) “..benefits”

Construction of the new facility is also expected to create about 200 new temporary construction jobs.

Pierson says the company has had a lot of success in the area and is glad to lay down some even deeper roots in northwest Louisiana…

Cut 12 (11) “…facility.” 

As a result of the expansion, CSP will be eligible for an up to 600,000 dollar performance grant and will also be utilizing the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

__________________________________

It was just over a decade ago with Mary Jeannette Duhon, the estranged wife of Joe Constance (Const-aunce) was murdered in her home in Calcasieu Parish. Retired Lake Charles Police Chief and now lead investigator Don Dixon says, 54-year-old Constance has been on the run ever since for the alleged murder of Duhon.

Cut 13 (08) “…get away.”

Dixon says Duhon was murdered in front of her daughter and other witnesses who were in the home on June 5, 2011. He says Constance then fled and they believe he’s had assistance eluding authorities ever since. Dixon is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Cut 14 (11) “…violations.”

Constance is described as a white male, 6’2” with brown/gray hair and brown eyes. Dixon says it is time to bring the family justice and arrest Constance for first-degree murder.

Cut 15 (07)“…four years ago.”

Constance’s abandoned truck was found approximately 30 minutes after the shooting and a federal arrest warrant was issued in 2014 for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.