President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4^th.

After a series of meetings, the legislature’s task force on NIL deals for student-athletes is ready to draft some bills for the upcoming session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC as long as he’s at LSU.

Farmers in Louisiana are in for a financial shot in the arm very soon. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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After a series of meetings, the legislature’s task force on NIL deals for student-athletes is ready to draft some bills for the upcoming session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

Farmers are in position to get federal assistance because of President Trump’s 12-billion-dollar financial aid package for producers. LSU Ag Center economist Michael Deliberto says it’s needed as farmers suffered through a tough 2025.

Cut 3 (15) “…its third year.”

Deliberto says many of the losses farmers in Louisiana and across the country suffered were spurred by a slowdown amid tariffs imposed by the administration – and some of those losses are staggering.

Cut 4 (13) “…to 300 dollars.”

Deliberto says cotton, rice and soybean farmers have struggled the most this year. President Trump says the funding will come from tariff revenues. Deliberto says the money is intended to help farmers pay down some of their debt.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

Eleven-billion dollars is for row crop farmers, and the other one billion dollars will be available for specialty crops like sugarcane. The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

___________________________________________________

After a series of meetings that concluded Monday, a task force on NIL deals for student athletes is ready to prepare a series of bills for the upcoming legislative session. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young is on the task force and says one central theme that came out of the meetings was the fact that there seemed to be no structure for interactions with amateur athletes.

Cut 6 (12) “…the NIL space.”

Young says not only is that true for collegiate athletes, but that’s also true for high school athletes; and because most of them are minors, there needs to be stricter regulations in place for them.

Cut 7 (12) “…the college level.”

Young says the task force even found examples of athletes even younger than high school age being pursued for NIL deals, and he says the task force wants to put a stop to that altogether.

Cut 8 (14) “…nothing below that.”

Young says the task force also heard from college athletic directors throughout the state who have expressed concerns that the new NIL era is running them in the red financially.

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Powerball fever is once again gripping Louisiana and the nation. The jackpot for tonight’s drawing is a whopping 930-million dollars. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the jackpot has swelled to close to a billion dollars because the last jackpot was won back on September 6th.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in playing Powerball.”

Of course, you have a much better chance of landing a leading role in a major motion picture than you have of winning the jackpot, the odds of which are less than one in 292-million. Maher says even if you don’t win the big prize, there are several other prizes up for grabs, and some Louisianans have been big winners recently.

Cut 10 (09) “…Metairie area.”

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Sterlington is looking to win its fourth total and second straight high school football championship Friday, as the Panthers take on the Jena Giants. Head coach Lee Doty says this year’s team may be even better than last year’s dominant team.

Cut 11 (13) “…same thing now.”

The Panthers are 11-and-2, with their only losses coming to 5A Powerhouses Neville and Ouachita Parish, by a combined 16 points. Doty says he knew his team had a chance to be special when they hung in with the top-notch programs.

Cut 12 (13) “…our division.”

Sterlington boasts one of the top offenses in the entire state, averaging just over 46 points a game. A big reason to the team’s offensive success stems from the offensive line, and Doty says the coaching staff has done a great with the unit.

Cut 13 (10)  “…proud of them.”

Kickoff in New Orleans against Jena Friday is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Lawmakers are preparing a series of bills to regulate NIL deals for amateur athletes in Louisiana. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young says there needs to be extra stringent regulations in place for high school athletes, since most of them are minors.

Cut 7 (12) “…the college level.”

Speaking of high school athletes, Sterlington is looking to win its second straight high school football championship Friday as the Panthers take on the Jena Giants. Head coach Lee Doty says this year’s team may be even better than last year’s dominant team.

Cut 11 (13) “…same thing now.”

The Panthers are 11-and-2, with their only losses coming to 5A Powerhouses Neville and Ouachita Parish.

Farmers in Louisiana are in for a financial shot in the arm very soon. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Don Molino.”

Powerball fever is once again gripping Louisiana and the nation. The jackpot for tonight’s drawing is a whopping 930-million dollars. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the jackpot has swelled this high because the last jackpot was won back on September 6th.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in playing Powerball.”

Small businesses are a little more optimistic as 2025 comes to close. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

After a series of meetings that concluded Monday, a task force on NIL deals for student athletes is ready to prepare a series of bills for the upcoming legislative session. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young is on the task force and says one central theme that came out of the meetings was the fact that there seemed to be no structure for interactions with amateur athletes.

Cut 6 (12) “…’the NIL space.”

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

As we approach 2026, the National Federation of Independent Business says there’s more optimism among small businesses. NFIB State director, Leah Long, says optimism spikes with the passage of the when the Big Beautiful Bill made the 20% small business deduction permanent and she was glad to see the Louisiana legislature tackle insurance reform which will be a huge help for small businesses.

Cut 8 (09) “…your bottom line.”

Requirements for unemployment insurance benefits are changing. Beginning January 4^th, claimants must complete five work-search activities per week, up from three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says there are also new rules that if broken could cause a person to lose their unemployment benefits.

Cut 15 (09) “…lose your benefit.”

Farmers in Louisiana are in position to get federal assistance because of President Trump’s 12-billion-dollar financial aid package for producers. LSU Ag Center economist Michael Deliberto says it’s needed as farmers suffered through a tough 2025.

Cut 3 (15) “…its third year.”

Deliberto says Cotton, rice and soybean farmers have struggled the most this year. President Trump says the funding will come from tariff revenues.

Former Lafayette Christian Academy Star and LSU running back JuJuan Johnson has entered the transfer portal.

The Senate is expected to vote on Bill Cassidy’s health care insurance reform bill tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Healthcare will no longer be an insurer for Louisiana’s Medicaid program which means over 300,000 recipients may have to find a new primary care provider who is in-network with one of the other 5 Louisiana Medicaid insurers by January first. LDH reportedly made the decision to not renew United’s contract due to legal issues that involves the state’s requests for documents on how United manages prescription drug benefits.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4^th.

The Jena High School football team is heading to the Dome for the first time in school history. The Giants are the top seed in Division Two non-select and will face defending champion, Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30. Coach Jay Roark expects a big crowd from LaSalle Parish to cheer on the Giants.

Cut 12 (05) “…this weekend.”

The Prep Classic gets underway tomorrow with Mangham versus Haynesville.

A vote on a healthcare bill co-sponsored by Bill Cassidy is expected in the Senate today. He says under his plan, instead of insurance companies deciding how patients’ are treated, money would go to taxpayers’ health savings accounts and they would be in control of how money is spent on their health care.

Cut 6 (10) “…an Obamacare policy.”

Cassidy says his plan has the support of some Democrats. He needs seven to advance the bill.

There’s optimism among small businesses says State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long. She says positives in 2025 include making the 20% small business deduction permanent and the state’s action on insurance reform. In 2026, she would like to see state lawmakers continue to work on lawsuit abuse.

Cut 9 (09)  “…those employers too.”

Requirements for unemployment insurance benefits are increasing. Beginning January 4^th, claimants must complete five work-search activities per week, up from three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says there are also new rules that if broken could cause a person to lose their unemployment benefits.

Cut 15 (09) “…lose your benefit.”

The Jena High School football team is preparing for its first ever state championship game appearance. Jena is 13-and-0 and the top seed in Division Two non-select. Coach Jay Roark says he’s proud of how the defense improved throughout the season.

Cut 11 (12) “…and getting better.”

The Giants will face defending champion Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30.

A vote on the healthcare reform bill co-sponsored by Bill Cassidy is expected in the Senate today. Cassidy says the current Affordable Care Act grants insurance companies 20% of funds and allows the insurance companies to release 80% for what the insurance company believes the patient needs but under his plan, insurance companies would no longer get that money.

Cut 5 (07) “…health savings account.”

He says his plan has the support of some Democrats; whether it has the support of the seven Democrats needed to advance the bill remains to be seen.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up. So what are work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

As 2026 approaches, small businesses are a little more optimistic. Andre Champagne explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Jena High School football team will compete in their first ever state championship game this weekend. The Giants are the top seed in Division Two non-select and will face defending champion, Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30. Coach Jay Roark expects a big crowd from LaSalle Parish to cheer on the Giants.

Cut 12 (05) “…this weekend.”

Starting January 4th, to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, a claimant will need to complete at least five work-search activities each week — an increase from the current requirement of three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says the new rule is not intended to punish an unemployed individual.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to live on (2x).”

As we approach 2026, the National Federation of Independent Business says there’s more optimism among small businesses. NFIB State director, Leah Long, says optimism spikes with the passage of the when the Big Beautiful Bill made the 20% small business deduction permanent and she was glad to see the Louisiana legislature tackle insurance reform which will be a huge help for small businesses.

Cut 8 (09) “…your bottom line.”

The Senate is expected to vote on Bill Cassidy’s health care insurance reform bill today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Healthcare will no longer be an insurer for Louisiana’s Medicaid program which means over 300,000 recipients may have to find a new primary care provider who is in-network with one of the other 5 Louisiana Medicaid insurers by January first. LDH made the decision to not renew United’s contract due to some legal issues that according to Attorney General Liz Murrill involves the state’s requests for documents on how United manages prescription drug benefits.