Third through eighth grade students will begin taking the controversial tests tied to Common Core today. There are many people who oppose Common Core arguing that it’s too complex but State Department of Education Superintendent John White says it’s time that we stop teaching math with memorization…

cut 8 (10) “taught tricks”

The DOE says if a child chooses not to take the PARCC test, the score for that student in the accountability system is counted as a zero.

“Go the Full 40″ is a new initiative aimed at reducing c-section rates among Louisiana mothers from the state Department of Health and Hospitals. DHH Secretary Kathy Kleibert says they know going full term reduces medical problems for both the mother and child…

cut 11 (09) “complications”

Kleibert says she is very proud of the March of Dimes and health care partners for taking another step in making the well being of newborns a priority.

This month is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. But Tulane Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jordan Karlitz, says it is preventable with screening. He says a colonoscopy is recommended because it can identify pre-cancerous polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer…

cut 5 (07) “their screening”

Karlitz says many insurance plans, including Medicare, help with the expense of colorectal cancer screenings.

State Police say a two-vehicle crash in Rapides Parish has claimed the lives of a Texas couple. They say Ronnie Fillingim and Sharon Kay Fillingim, both 59 from Livingston, Texas, were riding their motorcycle when a car, driven by 62-year-old Larry Callahan of Calcasieu, made a left turn in the path of the motorcycle. The bike tried to stop, but couldn’t and hit the car. Both motorcyclists were ejected from the vehicle. They were taken to local hospitals where they were pronounced dead. Callahan was not injured and received a citation for improper turn.