A big discussion on public school funding took place in yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes A and B graded school systems should be awarded with additional state funding. He believes that philosophy will incentivize average to below average performing school systems…
Cut 14 (12) “…get something done”
But Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says a lack of effort is not why Louisiana has “D” and “F” graded schools…
Cut 15 (06) “…we are.”
The teacher pay raise proposal and funding for public school discussion will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder announces he’s running for Secretary of State this fall as he looks to replace fellow Republican Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. The Secretary of State’s main job is overseeing elections and Schexnayder commends Ardoin’s work for the office’s top ten rating for election integrity…
cut 5 (09) “….do better”
PSC member Mike Francis and grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair are the other candidates.

In February of 2022, a six-year-old girl in Slidell was struck and killed while crossing the parking lot at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Slidell Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation that would require certain safety protocols when students are picked up or dropped off from elementary school…
cut 9 (08) “…entire communities”
One of the components of Owen’s bill is requiring students under the age of ten be accompanied by a school employees in the pick-up-drop off area.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is hoping to earn the title of Secretary Schexnayder by running for Secretary of State. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

At the state capitol yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would increase the pay of first responders by 12-hundred dollars a year.

Also former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims has died at the age of 54, while the Pelicans lost last night to Oklahoma City to end their season.

After six-year-old Emma Bell Savoie (Sah-voy) was killed by a car in her school’s parking lot in Slidell last year, Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation to keep other students from the same fate. It’s called the “Safe Path to School Bill,” and it requires elementary schools to have safety protocols when students are dropped off and picked up.
Cut 7 (08) “…from school.”
The legislation will be heard in the House Education Committee.

LSU Health Sciences Shreveport is involved in a study that found topical CBD can help with pain management for former elite athletes and the only side effect reported was dry skin for 50-percent of the participants…
cut 11 (13) “…pain scores”
Doctor Kevin Murnane hopes CBD can be an option to control pain, instead of opioids.

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A Louisiana Federation of Teachers survey indicates 97-percent of teachers are not paid enough to raise a family. LFT spokesperson Heather Cushman says recent pay raises from the legislature have only gone to pay higher insurance premiums and the higher cost of living.

Cut 14 (09)  “…behind again.”

Louisiana teachers have not been at the Southern regional average since 2007 resulting in more than 1,200 vacant teaching positions across the state.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee expressed concerns over proposed teacher pay raises and funding for low-performing schools. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says a proposed two-thousand-dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196 million dollars a year and what happens when state revenues decline???

AM Cut 13 (07) “..to put that in.” 

Colonel Lamar Davis expressed concern to lawmakers over the growing number of state troopers leaving the department. He says troopers are choosing to retire much sooner than they did in the past and there are just under 900 troopers in Louisiana.

PM Cut 6 (06)  “…is pay.” 

Davis says troopers in Texas are paid almost twice as much and the pay in Tennessee and Mississippi surpasses Louisiana.

On the heels of Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder has thrown his hat in the ring. The Gonzales Republican is term-limited in the legislature and says he wants to continue his twelve years of public service.

AM Cut 4 (06)  “…right direction.”

Schexnayder believes Ardoin and his staff should be commended for their work and the office’s top ten rating when it comes to election integrity.

97 percent of educators statewide say they do not make enough according to a survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking to upgrade charges against 20-year-old Cecilia Lee of Ville Platte after the death of her 85-year-old grandmother. Lee was charged with attempted first-degree murder before the death. Authorities say Lee allegedly beat her grandmother with a wooden back scratcher and picture frame.

After John Mack, who’s facing numerous child sexual abuse charges was released on bond in Livingston Parish, Baton Rouge State Senator Regina Barrow is taking action. She says Mack allegedly harassed victims in the past and she fears he will again. She’s filed legislation to create an advocacy program for victims within the Department of Children and Family Services.

Cut 4 (13)  “…aware what’s happening.” 

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims died at the age of 54. Sims was a four-year standout for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. He played with former LSU greats Shaquille O Neal and Chris Jackson. Former coach Dale Brown says the LSU basketball family is extremely saddened.

Cut 9 (07) “…heard about Wayne.”

Sources say Sims collapsed at work yesterday and died from natural causes this morning.

A state lawmaker voices her concerns after a Livingston Parish man – accused of sexually abusing young girls – was released this week on bail. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder says he’s running for Secretary of State. The Gonzales Republican is term-limited in the legislature and says he wants to continue his 12 years of public service. On Monday, incumbent Kyle Ardoin announced he will not seek re-election. PSC Commissioner Mike Francis and businessman Brandon Trosclair have also announced their candidacy for the office.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col Lamar Davis says the department has just under 900 troopers and the number continues to decline. Davis says low pay is a common reason given for resignations. He told lawmakers the department needs to improve the recruitment and retention of officers.

Cut 8 (11)  “…their hearts.” 

Davis says they are doing more community outreach in an effort to build trust and also recruit potential cadets.

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims has died at the age of 54. Sims was a four-year standout from 1987 to 1991. LSU went to the NCAA tournament each year when Sims played for the Tigers and former coach Dale Brown says he’s crushed to hear about Sims’ passing…

Cut 10 (08) “…loved guy.” 

97 percent of educators statewide say they do not make not enough according to a survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder announced today he will run for Secretary of State this fall. Schexnayder’s announcement comes one day after current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said he will not run for re-election. PSC member Mike Francis and businessman Brandon Trosclair are also running.

Baton Rouge Senator and chair of the Select Committee on Women and Children Regina Barrow is concerned an accused rapist in Livingston Parish was released on bond this week. John Mack has been in custody since February 22nd after he was arrested on numerous charges including first-degree rape. Barrow says Mack allegedly harassed two of his victims before his arrest…
cut 5 (13) “…as the family”
Defense attorney John McClendon argued for his release because he’s elderly and has been in jail since his arrest.

Former LSU basketball standout Wayne Sims has died unexpectedly at the age of 54. His former coach Dale Brown is saddened by Sims’ death…
cut 11 (11) “….own right right”
Wayne Sims’ son, Wayde Sims, also played at LSU but was killed prior to his junior season in a shooting near the Southern University campus.

A Livingston parish man facing numerous child sexual abuse charges has been released on bond, and some are up in arms over it. One is Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow, who chairs the Select Committee on Women and Children. She finds it troubling that John Mack, who’s been awaiting trial on the charges for over a year, was released this week on a $250-thousand bond.

Cut 3 (08) “…that’s happening.”

Mack’s family is very well-connected in Livingston Parish and southern Louisiana. Barrow worries that may affect how closely he is monitored while awaiting trial.

Colonel Lamar Davis expressed concern to lawmakers over troopers who are choosing to retire much sooner than they did in the past.  Davis says in order to prevent staff shortages – continuous training is needed to attract new candidates.

Cut 7 (10)  “…with now.” 

Troopers in Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi are paid nearly twice the salary of Louisiana troopers. There are currently under 900 troopers in Louisiana.

97 percent of teachers and 98 percent of staff say the pay is too low according to a recent study by The Louisiana Federation of Teachers. LFT Spokesperson Heather Cushman says many teachers work a second job to stay afloat.

Cut 13 (12) “…one job.”

Louisiana teachers have not been at the Southern regional average since 2007 resulting in more than 1,200 vacant teaching positions across the state.

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims died at the age of 54. Sims was a four-year standout for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. He played with former LSU greats Shaquille O Neal and Chris Jackson. Former coach Dale Brown says the LSU basketball family is saddened by Sims’ unexpected death….

Cut 9 (07) “…heard about Wayne.”

Sources say Sims collapsed at work yesterday and died from natural causes this morning.

A recent survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers shows 97 percent of teachers and 98 percent of staff said they are not paid enough to raise a family. LFT Spokesperson Heather Cushman says state lawmakers are considering a pay raise for educators.

Cut 12 (11) “…this crisis.” 

The statewide average teacher salary is $52, 472, nearly $3,000 less than the Southern regional average.

Colonel Lamar Davis expressed concern to lawmakers over the growing number of state troopers leaving the department. He says troopers are choosing to retire much sooner than they did in the past and there are just under 900 troopers in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (06)  “…is pay.” 

Davis says troopers in Texas are paid almost twice as much and the pay in Tennessee and Mississippi surpasses Louisiana.

A state lawmaker voices her concerns after a Livingston Parish man – accused of sexually abusing young girls – was released this week on bail. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The abortion debate is far from over in Louisiana with legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban this session. Governor Edwards, who’s pro-life supports exceptions.

But Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Sarah Zagorski disagrees, she feels such exceptions would be a step back for pro-life advocates.

Cut 8 (11) “…move forward.”

But Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Erenberg says most Louisianans support adding exceptions and because it’s an election year how lawmakers vote could impact their re-election campaigns.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or incest.”

House Bills 346 and 549 are the two bills that would ensure abortion care for survivors of rape and incest.

In a surprising move, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced he’s NOT running for another term; leaving many wondering why. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he, while he doesn’t KNOW what motivated Ardoin’s decision, but he thinks Ardoin may have been discouraged by Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis’ decision to run…:

Cut 13 (07) “…for Kyle Ardoin.” 

Also considering running for that office, term-limited House Speaker Clay Schexnayder.

Abbeville Representative Mike Huval is trying once again to ban handheld cell phone use while driving. Huval has sponsored the legislation over the last eight years. Suzanne Salter, who lost her daughter to a distracted driver, is hopeful legislators who didn’t agree with the bill before will this time.

Cut 6 (06)  “…this year.”

Opponents have raised concerns it could lead to an overreach by law enforcement and potential profiling of drivers.