The state Department of Education reports that a record number of nearly 25,000 high school seniors earned a score of 18 or higher on the ACT, allowing grads to attend college without having to take remedial courses. Education Superintendent John White says the number of African American students earning college-going scores has increased by more than 2,000 since 2012…

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Louisiana’s average composite score has increased by .2 from last year and is now at 19.4.

On a 4-2 vote, the Lake Charles City Council voted down a resolution requesting the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury remove the South’s Defenders Monument at the Calcasieu Courthouse. Opponents of Councilwoman Mary Morris’ measure say removing the monument will take away their heritage. But Morris says this monument represents the darkest time in African-American history…

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The resolution requested the monument be removed from the courthouse and placed in a museum.

The state Office of Group Benefits says the Louisiana state workers’ health insurance program is now taking applications for coverage for same-sex spouses and their dependents. They say same-sex couples married before June 26th have until August 11th to apply for coverage. Those married on or after June 26th must apply within 30 days after their marriage.

LSU Coach Les Miles expressed plenty of optimism about the upcoming season during his talk today at SEC Media Days in Hoover. Michelle Southern reports.

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