The state Democratic Party will be endorsing their candidates this weekend for the fall elections. Matt Doyle spoke with the party about their thoughts on the current crop of candidates running for office…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle ”
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Louisiana State Police is recruiting men and women who want to be part of their Historical 100th Cadet Class. Since the department’s inception in 1936, training and recruitment has evolved. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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The Superintendent of Education gets a 3 out of 4 rating from BESE for his performance last year. Kevin Barnhart spoke with John White about the honor…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin barnhart”
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The state Democratic Party will issue it’s official endorsements tomorrow night, hoping to find the right candidates to knock out a slew of GOP incumbents.
State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says this year they’re celebrating the fact that 43 of the 77 women running for the state legislature are Democrats.
Cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana.”
Only 15 percent of Louisiana legislators are women, the third-lowest rate in the nation.
10 Democrats are running for statewide office with two offices, Governor and Ag Commissioner, having multiple Dems in the race. Handwerk says they’ll issue endorsements for those, and other races Saturday at the State Central Committee Meeting.
Cut 5 (10) “…Republicans.”
The only statewide race without a Democrat is Insurance Commissioner.
There’s criticism that the party failed to find competitive candidates to take on any of the statewide GOP incumbents. Handwerk rejects that argument for two reasons…
Cut 6 (12) “…American.”
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The Louisiana State Police Academy is on the cusp of a milestone, they are prepping to recruit men and women for their 100th Cadet Class. Since LSP’s conception in 1936 the department has had several hiring freezes over the years and so it’s taken a bit longer to reach this mark. Sgt Melissa Matey says they are looking forward to the recruitment process.
Cut 7 (10) “…State Police.”
To reach potential troopers for the 100th cadet class Matey says the department is using modern recruitment methods like Facebook and they are not limiting the themselves to just the Bayou State.
Cut 8 (13) “…new applicants.”
Matey says the cadet academy is rigorous training. They prepare cadets for a variety of situations such a mass shootings. With a number of seasoned troopers retiring LSP is using technology to make the process easier for those applying.
Cut 9 (09) “…in the past”
Their Facebook page is Louisiana State Police recruiting. Matey says the department will provide recruitment updates on the 100th Cadet Class on the page and the class expected to begin in the next year.
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Superintendent of Education John White receives a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary Secondary Education for the seventh year in a row.
White says he’s proud to continue his work in Louisiana, and says the education system’s ability to get 5,000 more students TOPS than the year that he started is his proudest achievement.
Cut 10 (10) “…before.”
The state saw an 81.4 percent high school graduation rate last year, the first time the state has cracked 80%.
White says now that they’re seeing substantial increases in TOPS achievement, he wants to make sure that the education system develops a pipeline for the kids who won’t be going to college.
Cut 11 (11) “…first.”
White’s contract has been month to month since taking the job, but he says the potential for new board members could result in more long-term stability at the head position for K-12 education.
Cut 12 (06) “…is .”
White says he scored a 3 out of 4 on the review. BESE President Gary Jones says “John’s been pretty consistent, he’s not in the top category, but he’s next to the top.”
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The US Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $400 million nationally in grant funding to combat the opioid crisis with nearly $5 million coming to Louisiana. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux says the money funds two factors of their efforts.
Cut 13 (07) “…other is prevention.”
Billioux says while the state’s number opioid overdose deaths continues to grow, the rate of growth has slowed down.
Cut 14 (09) “…you can reverse.”
Billioux says much of the spending will lay infrastructure to continue with other health goals linked to drug use, including eliminating hepatitis C within the next five years.
Cut 15 (13) “…as other substances.”
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LSU football will hold its second scrimmage of fall camp tomorrow. Sophomore linebacker Damone Clark from Southern Lab High School was the leading tackler in last week’s preseason game and Coach Ed Orgeron says Clark is pushing Jacob Phillips and Patrick Queen for one of the starting inside linebacker spots
Cut 16 (12) “…linebacker”
Michael Divinity who started at outside linebacker last year will start at one of the inside spots. Orgeron says Phillips, Queen and Clark are competing for the other inside linebacker spot. Orgeron expected Phillips would take on a bigger role with Devin White’s departure
cut 17 (19) “…of plays.”
There’s a tight battle for starting nose tackle between true freshman Apu Ika and sophomore Tyler Shelvin. Orgeron says Shelvin has had a good preseason camp
Cut 18 (14) “…some snaps”