Louisiana Department of Education Education plans to increase student safety by funding a single point of entry for campuses across the state through a new 21-million-dollar grant program.  Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says more than 40 grants of half a million each will be awarded. He says a webinar on the application process for the one-time funding will be held for school principals today.

Cut 6 (05)  “…after that.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards talked about his efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage on his monthly radio show “Ask the Governor,” and how gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack opposed increasing living wages for Louisianans. Edwards thinks Waguespack will be silent on the topic over the next several months.

Cut 9 (06)  “…his campaign.”

Edwards is supporting former Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson in the governor’s race.

Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to streamline federal disaster recovery assistance for storms and hurricanes. Graves says the current federal disaster recovery processes take years to get the necessary funding to local governments trying to assist communities and businesses in need.

Cut 10 (10)  “…or spend the dollars.”

The Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act would create block grants under FEMA for “unmet needs.”

The second man convicted in the December 2021 attack on a newspaper delivery driver in Rosepine has been sentenced. 24-year-old, Dillion James was sentenced to eight years in prison  – the maximum sentence for his second-degree battery conviction. Vernon Parish District Attorney Terry Lambright .

Cut 13 (09) “…the wrong.” 

His brother Douglas James received a similar sentence in October.

Congressman Garret Graves introduces legislation aimed at clearing federal red tape and bureaucracy in hurricane recovery assistance…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

U-S Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s Lower Energy Costs Act is dead on arrival if it reaches the U-S Senate. Scalise says the bill will restore energy independence, but Schumer says the legislation will lock America into the most dirty, expensive and volatile sources of energy.

On his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor,” Governor John Bel Edwards talked about raising the state’s minimum wage and how Republican Stephen Waguespack who’s running to replace him, has thwarted his efforts.
Cut 7 (11) “…by Waguespack.”
Waguespack resigned from L-A-B-I last week to run for governor and is one of five main Republicans running for governor.

The only running 24-year-old Dillon James will do over the next seven years is at the jail yard as he was sentenced to eight years in prison, one of the years suspended, for beating up 67-year-old newspaper delivery man Woodie Banks, in December 2021. Vernon Parish District Attorney Terry Lambright says the assault took place at James’ grandfather’s home in Rosepine…
cut 14 (10) “….his eyes”

During the governor’s monthly call-in radio show, John Bel Edwards weighed in on the 2023 governor’s race. Edwards called the latest entry into the race, the former leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack, a good person, but they have profound policy disagreements. Edwards says L-A-B-I has been a staunch opponent of raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour….
cut 8 (07) “…about that”
Edwards is supporting Democrat Shawn Wilson in the race for governor.

24-year-old Dillon James has been sentenced to eight years in prison, one of the years has been suspended, for beating up a 67-year-old newspaper delivery person at his grandfather’s home in Rosepine. James brother, Douglas Paul James of DeRidder received a smiliar sentence last October. Vernon Parish D-A Terry Lambright…
cut 15 (10) “…of crime”

The owner of Fat Daddy’s Crawfish in Shreveport has been killed in a home invasion that took place in Natchitoches Parish. 71-year-old Mark Hailey was found inside his home unresponsive late Tuesday night. The coroner says he died from apparent blunt and sharp-force trauma. Authorities say Hailey’s truck was also stolen, but recovered the next morning.

As part of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Louisiana will issue $21 million in grants for schools to increase campus safety. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state Department of Education is making 21-million dollars in federal money available for schools to use towards hardening their perimeter so that there is a single point of entry on school campuses. Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says 42 grants of half a million dollars each will be awarded. He says some schools might only need minor adjustments others more substantial.
Cut 4 (10) “…an application.”
Brumley says the grants can be used to add fencing, locks, cameras, or install metal detectors.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-authoring legislation to expediate disaster recovery funding to impacted communities. Graves says the bill will improve the recovery process after hurricanes in both the short and long term. He expects federal lawmakers in coastal states to support the bill, but….
cut 11 (09) “…something that’s important”

On his monthly radio call-in show, Governor Edwards talked about minimum wage and a gubernatorial candidate who fought against it. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

As part of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Louisiana will issue $21 million in grants for schools to increase campus safety. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

On his monthly radio call-in show, Governor Edwards talked about minimum wage and a gubernatorial candidate who’s fought against it. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

Congressman Garret Graves introduces legislation aimed at clearing federal red tape and bureaucracy in hurricane recovery assistance…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________________

State Education is launching a grant program for schools to use towards funding a single point of entry for their campus to increase student safety. Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says 42 grants of half a million each will be awarded. He says some schools might only need minor adjustments others more substantial.

Cut 4 (10)  “…an application.”

Brumley says the grants can be used to add fencing, locks, cameras, or install metal detectors.

A single point of entry is considered best practice and Brumley says that’s a priority for the modern construction of schools.

Cut 5 (11) “…employees safe.”

A webinar to further explain the application process for the one-time funding will be held for school principals today.

Cut 6 (05)  “…after that.” 

The state received $21 million for the grants from the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.

_____________________________________________

On his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor,” Governor John Bel Edwards talked about raising the state’s minimum wage and how Republican Stephen Waguespack who’s running to replace him, has thwarted his efforts.

Cut 7 (11) “…by Waguespack.”

The state has been stagnant at $7.25 for more than a decade.

Cut 8 (07) “…about that.”

Edwards believes most Louisianans want to increase the minimum wage to help workers support their families. He thinks Waguespack will avoid the topic altogether on the campaign trail.

Cut 9 (06)  “…his campaign.”

The primary is October 14th.

_______________________________________________

District 6 Congressman Garret Graves introduces legislation aimed at streamlining federal disaster recovery assistance for storms and hurricanes. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Graves says current disaster recovery programs are bogged down in costly federal red tape that only an expert can negotiate, which leaves storm-ravaged local governments few options in trying to help residents…:

Cut 10 (10)  “…or spend the dollars.”

The Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act would create block grants under FEMA for “unmet needs,” and it empower local governments to decide where and when to best spend those dollars. Graves co-sponsors the bill with Congressman David Rouzer of North Carolina; a state that has seen its share of hurricanes and knows the problems with major storm recovery. Graves says getting support for the bill from fellow coastal states is not a concern, but…:

Cut 11 (09)  “… something that’s important.”

Graves says, if passed and signed by the President, the bill will help clear red tape and bureaucratic log jams that delay storm victims returning to their homes…:

Cut 12 (12)  “…out the door faster.”

______________________________________________

The second man convicted in the December 2021 attack on a newspaper delivery driver in Rosepine has been sentenced. 24-year-old, Dillion James was sentenced to eight years in prison  – the maximum sentence for his second-degree battery conviction. Vernon Parish District Attorney Terry Lambright .

Cut 13 (09) “…the wrong.” 

Because of a post-conviction motion filed by James’ defense, the sentencing was delayed until this week. James was sentenced by 30th Judicial District Judge Tony C. Bennett, who suspended one year of the eight-year sentence.

Cut 14 (10)  “…his eyes.”

James and his brother, Douglas Paul James, 33, of DeRidder, were found guilty of beating Woodie Blanks – after he delivered a newspaper to James’ grandfather’s home on Catfish Hut Road. Lambright says the safety of the residents in Vernon Parish is his priority.

Cut 15 (10)  “…of crime.”

James brother, Douglas Paul James of DeRidder, received a similar sentence last October.

____________________________________________

The 13th seeded Ragin Cajuns are 11.5 point underdogs heading into tonight’s NCAA first round matchup against Tennessee in Orlando. Coach Bob Marlin says he kept an eye on the Volunteers this season…

Cut  16 (14)  “..going to Orlando.” 

Marlin expects a battle in the paint…

Cut 17 (11) “…rebounding team.” 

The Cajuns are 26 and 7 on the season and won the Sun Belt Tournament to receive an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Senior Forward Terrence Lewis says they’ve prepared for this game like the 34 other games they’ve played this year…

Cut 18 (14) “…perfectly fine”

Tip-off tonight is at 8:40.

__________________________________________________

Cut 19 (18) “…in there”

Cut 20 (22)  “…of schedule” 

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (08) “…first in October.”

The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garett Graves who came in third before he announced he would not run.

The latest national survey of small businesses finds inflation and labor shortages continue to frustrate businesses. State Director of the NFIB Dawn McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…

Cut 14 (07)  “…work schedules.”
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian and Dallas-Fort Worth. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

The National Hurricane Center says it will give out seven-day forecasts, instead of the traditional five, starting with this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this update in forecasting will be beneficial…

Cut 4 (10)  “…be headed” 
The National Hurricane Center says they’ve been testing seven-day forecasts in recent years and now feel confident enough in them, to make them public.

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers football team will begin their next season with a Sunday night game against USC. that will be nationally televised. ABC Sports will carry the game; kickoff is at 6:30 Central on Sunday September 1^st. It will be the first game between LSU and USC since 1984, when the Tigers beat the Trojans, 23-3, in Los Angeles.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s federal infrastructure law for the study. Southern Rail’s chairman Knox Ross says last year the cities of Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport…and Vicksburg, Mississippi began the process of applying for federal-state partnership grants for this purpose…:

CUT 08(09)      “…those cities.”

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says keep in mind that even state-of-the-art forecast can be mistaken occasionally…:

CUT 05(09)      “…these hurricanes.”

What will it mean for you? Quite possibly more advance notice of an approaching storm.

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…:

CUT 12(09)      “…unrelenting inflation.”

McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can begin to recover.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana, connecting Dallas-Fort Worth and Meridian, Mississippi. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the application is the first step in determining the soundness of the concept…:

CUT 07(09)      “…train operation.”

Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport have applied for federal-state partnership grants for the study as well.

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s a great step forward for the Emergency Management Community…:

CUT 03(07)      “…their region.”

The changes take place May 15^th.

Deputies in St. James Parish say they had to fish a man out of the Mississippi River yesterday, after he crashed his car then set it on fire. The unnamed motorist was driving recklessly and fled when officers hit the lights & siren. He crashed in a cane field, got out, set his car aflame, then ran across the nearby levee and jumped into the river. He was rescued and taken into custody. His mental health will be evaluated.