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.”

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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.” 

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The deadline to register for the first 100,000 dollar drawing in the shot at a million vaccine incentive campaign is Friday at midnight and as we get closer to that date scammers are increasingly trying to take advantage of it by reportedly calling residents pretending to be state workers collecting personal information to register them for the lotto. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana says if you get called, report it…

Cut 14 (08) “…the area.” 

Starting in August penalties for trying to win notoriety by sharing violent criminal acts on social media are going up from 500 dollars and up to six months in jail to 2,000 dollars or up to up to eight months in jail. That’s due to a recently signed bill authored by Jennings Representative Troy Romero who says his legislation was inspired by a tragic situation in Lake Charles where a 13-year-old filmed an attack on a 15-year-old.

Cut 8 (12) “…video.”

There’s a new personalized approach to help you lose weight, it’s free and made possible by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The FBI has taken the unusual step of ordering a second review of the autopsy of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died after being severely beaten by state police in 2019. This is part of an ongoing civil rights investigation into the incident and Federal prosecutors say expect a case to be brought by the end of the summer.

Those who unlawfully post videos of violent criminal acts to win notoriety online will face increased penalties come August. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.  

The 150-pound Burmese phyton that was reported missing Tuesday from an aquarium inside the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, was apparently missing for some 30 hours before it was reported to authorities. It’s believed the reptile went missing Monday morning at 2:00 am.

In just over three weeks, enhanced unemployment benefits will end in Louisiana. National Federation of Independent Businesses State Director Dawn McVae says they are starting to see an increase in job searches.

Cut 9 (09) “…to apply.”

Midnight Friday is the deadline to register for the first drawing in the state’s vaccine incentive lottery “Shot at a Million,” but there’s a new scam going on where you receive a random call under the guise, they will help you register. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana says there have been several reports of the scam using a local phone number that has nothing to do with the lottery.

Cut 13 (11) “…lottery.”

If you have received such a call you are encouraged to report to the Better Business Bureau website.

Penalties for sharing violent criminal acts on social media are going up from 500 dollars and up to six months in jail to 2,000 dollars or up to up to eight months in jail. This new law will take effect in August after Governor Edwards signed legislation by Jennings Representative Troy Romero. Romero says he wants to dissuade people from sharing these disturbing videos…

Cut 7 (10) “…of that”

The bill cleared both chambers of the Legislature unanimously.

Be on the lookout for scammers who are posing as state officials trying to steal your information under the guise of collecting signups for the state’s vaccine lottery incentive program shot at a million. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana…

Cut 12 (12) “…on that card.”

Louisiana will cease accepting enhanced federal unemployment benefits in just over three weeks. National Federation of Independent Businesses State Director Dawn McVae says as those benefits come to an end they seeing an uptick in the number of people applying for jobs, but says lower unemployment means jobs will start to get more competitive again…

Cut  11 (09) “….position.” 

For a listing of job openings, you can visit laworks.net

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is now offering a free online resource that is aimed at helping people drop the pounds. Research Scientist Dr. Casie Lindsly says if you go to PBRC.edu you can find a series of three to five minute courses covering weight loss basics on the underlying causes of obesity…

Cut 4 (11) “…treated.”

There’s a new personalized approach to help you lose weight, it’s free and made possible by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Those who unlawfully post videos of violent criminal acts to win notoriety online will face increased penalties come August. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.  

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There’s a new tool in the battle against weight loss and it’s a more user-friendly approach from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.  Research Scientist Dr. Casie Lindsly says the free flashcard classes are available on their website to promote successful weight loss.

Cut 3 (12)  “…community.”

The flashcard courses mark a first for Pennington Biomedical in their longstanding mission to find causes and treat chronic diseases. Lindsly says the courses cover underlying causes of obesity.

Cut 4 (11) “…treated.”

Lindsly says the average person can complete a course in three to five minutes. She says the courses are not only informative but entertaining as well.

Cut 5  (09) “…library.” 

Visit PBRC.edu for more information.

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Starting August 1^st the penalty for unlawfully posting videos of violent crimes to social media is going up from 500 dollars to 2,000 dollars.

Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his bill goes after those who seek to win notoriety or publicity by posting videos of people being hurt or killed during criminal acts.

Cut 6 (09) “..necessary.”

Romero says this law applies to people who were not active participants of the crime being filmed but were just bystanders.

Romero says we’re starting to see more and more of these kinds of violent videos online, and the more people see them the more others will think it is ok to share some of their own.

Cut 7 (10) “…of that”

Romero says this bill was inspired by a tragic situation in Lake Charles where a 13-year-old filmed an attack on a 15-year-old.

Cut 8 (12) “…video.”

The bill cleared both chambers of the Legislature unanimously.

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In just over three weeks, enhanced unemployment benefits will end in Louisiana. National Federation of Independent Businesses State Director Dawn McVae says they are starting to see an increase in job searches in what they anticipate will be a return to the workforce for many.

Cut 9 (09) “…to apply.”

According to the most recent survey among NFIB members, McVae says 34-percent say they have already increased wages in order to attract more employees.

Cut 10 (09) “…compensation.”

With the enhanced benefits coming to an end and drastically changing the amount of income recipients will receive, McVae says the sooner one searches for a job the better.

Cut  11 (09) “….position.” 

For a listing of job openings, you can visit laworks.net

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Midnight Friday is the deadline to register for the first drawing in the state’s vaccine incentive lottery “Shot at a Million,” but there’s a new scam going on where you receive a random call under the guise, they will help you register. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana says it’s a common ploy using a new campaign.

Cut 12 (12) “…on that card.”

Million says there have been several reports of the scam using a local phone number that has nothing to do with the lottery.

Cut 13 (11) “…lottery.”

If you’ve received a call from such a scam, Million says to visit their website so they can keep track and help warn others.

Cut 14 (08) “…the area.” 

To register for the actual lottery you can visit ShotAtAMillion.com

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Cut 15 (08) “…progress” 

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Cut 16 (09) “…soil saturation.” 

Starting August 1^st the penalty for unlawfully posting videos of violent crimes to social media is going up from 500 dollars to 2,000 dollars.

Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his bill goes after those who seek to win notoriety or publicity by posting videos of people being hurt or killed during criminal acts.

Cut 6 (09) “..necessary.”

The FBI has ordered a new look at the autopsy of Ronald Greene to consider evidence not provided after his 2019 death. Greene is the black man that died after a traffic arrest by Louisiana State Troopers. The FBI is reviewing the graphic body camera video of troopers stunning, punching and dragging Greene after a high-speed chase. This is part of a federal civil rights investigation. Federal prosecutors told the Greene family they plan to present the case to a grand jury by end of summer.

In just over three weeks, enhanced unemployment benefits will end in Louisiana. National Federation of Independent Businesses State Director Dawn McVae says 34-percent of their members say they have already increased wages in order to attract more employees.

Cut 10 (09) “…compensation.”

You can visit LA-Works.net for a listing of job openings across the state.

There’s a new tool in the battle against weight loss and it’s a more user-friendly approach from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.  Research Scientist Dr. Casie Lindsly says the average person can complete a course in three to five minutes. She says the courses are not only informative but entertaining as well.

Cut 5  (09) “…library.” 

Visit PBRC.edu for more information.

In just over three weeks, enhanced unemployment benefits will end in Louisiana. National Federation of Independent Businesses State Director Dawn McVae says they are starting to see an increase in job searches in what they anticipate will be a return to the workforce for many.

Cut 9 (09) “…to apply.”

But other reports note the country is seeing a significant increase in the number of retirements as the economy rebounds, clouding the outlook for businesses hoping to return to full staff.

There’s a new tool in the battle against weight loss and it’s a more user-friendly approach from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.  Research Scientist Dr. Casie Lindsly says the free flashcard classes are available on their website to promote successful weight loss.

Cut 3 (12)  “…community.”

Visit PBRC.edu for more information.

CLECO will begin working with local Councils on Aging to give away free LED lightbulbs and offer weatherization audits to seniors. CLECO Communications Strategist Fran Phoenix says many of their elderly customers are on a fixed income and saving some money on their bill would mean a lot to them.

Cut 7 (10) “…higher”

The bulbs will be distributed at Councils on Aging sites to elderly customers from July 12^th through August 6^th.

New LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson has made his first addition to his coaching staff. The Tigers are expected to hire Arizona State’s Jason Kelly as the next pitching coach according to D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. Kelly, spent the last three seasons with the Sun Devils as their pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He was also named the Assistant of the Year by D1 Baseball in 2018 when he was with the Washington Huskies.