Louisiana is the first of 49 states and six territories in the nation to have its broadband grant proposal approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Grambling State has hired Marrero native and former LSU assistant coach Mickey Joseph as its new head coach. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Louisiana is the first state to receive approval for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to residents. State Broadband Office Director Veneeth Iyengar says this will give the state first access to key resources to eliminate the digital divide…
Cut 3 (09) “…for Louisianans..”
The state can request access to more than 42 billion dollars from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Iyengar says ConnectLA was the first to be awarded grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He says the state’s plan stressed the importance of high-quality resilient infrastructure.
Cut 4 (12) “…of crisis.”
The Biden-Harris Administration “Internet for All” – Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a 65 billion dollar investment to closing the digital divide in communities throughout the U.S. Iyengar expects the process to be finished the process before next year. He says the funds will also expand broadband access to businesses that lack adequate internet.
Cut 5 (12) “ …that problem.”
The state hopes to wipe out the digital divide by 2029.
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On his last radio show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about his biggest regrets in office. The outgoing two-term governor says he has two, not raising the minimum wage and not closing the gender pay gap.
Cut 6 (11) “…so forth.”
Edwards says he’s well aware, however, that many individuals are paid more than the legal wage of $7.25 an hour in Louisiana. He presented legislation every year as governor to raise the state’s minimum wage.
Edwards says he’s also tried to close the gender pay gap in Louisiana so women who are doing the same job as men are paid equally.
Cut 7 (04) “…the country.”
He says just about every state has seen fit to do better than the Bayou State by raising their minimum wage above the federal requirement of $7.25 an hour.
Cut 8 (09) “…to accomplish.”
Governor Edwards is holding his end-of-the-year press conference today at 3 PM.
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Grambling State has named former LSU and Nebraska assistant Mickey Joseph as its new head football coach. Joseph replaces Hue Jackson who was fired after two seasons. Joseph is from Marrero and this will be his second stint with Grambling…
Cut 9 (09) “…very aggressive”
Joseph was also a wide receivers coach and special teams assistant at Grambling in 2014 and 2015. He’s also spent time as an assistant at Nicholls and Louisiana Tech, so he knows the state well and plans to bring in Louisiana’s best prep stars…
Cut 10 (12) “…these kids”
In 2022, Joseph served nine games as an interim head coach at Nebraska. He was cut loose by the university in December after he was arrested for felony assault by strangulation or suffocation against his wife. The charges were dropped last April.
Joseph says he plans to be active in the community…
Cut 11 (09) “…would say.”
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Big news from the Vatican today as Pope Francis has formally approved to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex married couples. Loyola Professor of Theology Tom Ryan says it’s not necessarily a blessing of the relationship, but the people in the relationship.
Cut 12 (12) “…permitted.”
In the letter, Ryan says Pope Francis is very clear that he doesn’t want the invitation to bless individuals in a same-sex marriage to be mistaken for the blessing of a marriage. He stresses that the church wants to avoid confusion.
Cut 13 (11) “…relationships.”
Ryan also points out that Pope Francis is a very pastoral Pope. In the document, Ryan says it ends with what the Pope wants to convey.
Cut 14 (10) “…always blessed.”
New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ-Catholics says the letter from Pope Francis “significantly advances” efforts to make their members feel welcomed in the church.
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LSU’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback has played his last college football game. In a video announcement, Jayden Daniels said he’s opting out of the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day…
Cut 15 (08) “…moving forward.”
Garrett Nussmeier will get the start at QB against the Badgers. By opting out of the bowl game, Daniels can now prepare for the NFL draft as he could be a top-five pick. Daniels says he’ll always have a special place in his heart for Baton Rouge…
Cut 16 (07) “…California bayou boy”