Former President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack recently announced his candidacy for Louisiana Governor today. He served as president of L-A-B-I since 2013 and resigned from his position earlier today. Waguespack also served as a former aide to Governor Bobby Jindal. The 49-year-old is the 5^th major Republican to enter the race, joining Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Richard Nelson, and Sharon Hewitt. Also running, Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent hunter Lundy.

 The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been plagued with staffing shortages at a time when child welfare cases continue to increase.  DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says welfare caseloads are up and households are being affected.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by that”

It has been nearly two weeks since Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system shut down due to a suspected cyberattack. WiFi usage has been restored to some parts of campus but students are still concerned about classwork and whether their personal information was compromised. S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says outgoing S-L-U President John Crain could have done more during this difficult time…

Cut 7 (10)  “…they’re doing” 

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says lawmakers are asked to set aside $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was two weeks ago, Southeastern Louisiana was hit with a suspected cybersecurity attack and much of their computer system network remains down. S-L-U Professor Dayne Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…
cut 8 (07) “…to use”

A woman and a seven-year-old child were killed yesterday in a crash involving a school bus in Jackson Parish. State Police Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, when 29-year-old Katelyn Granger slammed into the back of a school bus…:
Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.”
Granger died and so did seven-year-old Anna Rivers. Only minor injuries reported from the children on the bus.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking the state legislature to appropriate three million dollars to build new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says about half of the state’s parishes lack a facility to take in strays, missing and hurt animals….
cut 10 (09) “….huge problem”
Dorson they’ll make an official request when lawmakers convene the regular session next month.

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says she’s pleased because while’s it’s a difficult job people feel called to be part of the solution.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the past.” 

Ricks says they want to hire even more child welfare employees due to an increase in caseloads.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging lawmakers to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director, Jeff Dorson says they are asking for $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to shelters in eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

The session begins a month from tomorrow.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and passenger 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says at this time they don’t know why Granger failed to break before hitting a stopped bus on Highway 167.

Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”

It was two weeks ago that a suspected cybersecurity attack resulted in the shutdown of Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…

Cut 6 (08)  “..etcetera, etcetera” 

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still want and need more employees.

Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.” 

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says Granger’s vehicle rear-ended a stopped school bus on Highway 167 and the two died as a result.

Cut  4 (08)  “…when driving.” 

He says the seven-year-old girl was not properly restrained and that as the driver Granger was responsible for the child passengers’ safety.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says the lack of services compounds pet overpopulation issues across the state. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

BESE approves a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge jury awards over $ 6 million to the family of Max Gruver, the 18-year-old LSU freshman who died of alcohol poisoning shortly after a fraternity hazing incident in 2017. The jury found that Ryan Matthew Isto, one of the frat members, was two-percent at fault for Gruver’s death. The Gruvers previously settled civil cases with LSU and other frat members involved in the hazing death.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of a woman and young girl. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, and involved a Honda CRV driven by 29-year-old Katelyn Granger…:

Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.” 

 The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones during the upcoming legislative session. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says the funding is greatly needed.

Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”

BESE approved a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 23-24 school year. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says how schools use the additional funding to either attract, retain, or reward teachers is historic.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for our teachers.” 

A bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming harder to treat according to Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere. He says the majority of cases are among international travelers, homeless people, individuals with weakened immune systems, and gay men.

Cut 14 (09)  “…from CDC.”

Shigella causes prolonged diarrhea and stomach pain and most people infected will recover in 7 to 10 days.

Will LABI President Stephen Waguespack join in the race to be Louisiana’s next Governor? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Department of Children and Family Services informed lawmakers Wednesday that they’ve hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increased the staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire and their former sectary resigned last year after a number of high-profile child death cases. The Child Welfare Division has 55 vacancies left to fill.

BESE approved a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says allowing schools to direct additional funds as they see fit, could give select teachers a much-needed raise.

Cut 5 (08) “…moving forward.”

President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Stephen Waguespack is expected to announce his candidacy for governor as soon as today.  U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says Waguespack could be a strong contender in the race.

Cut 7 (08) “…on several levels.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Conference Center at Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi today. He says the new facility can welcome even more visitors to Northeast Louisiana and allows the area to host small conventions, corporate events, family reunions, and other events.

Cut 12 (12) “…year after year.”

The bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming harder to treat with traditional medicine according to the CDC. People infected may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere says the infection can be easily transmitted from person to person but the best prevention is good hygiene.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the time.”

The state Board of Elementary & Secondary Education approves a new funding formula for the next school year that would give $2,000 raises to certified teachers and $1,000 to non-certified instructors and support staff. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says the formula also gives schools the flexibility for additional pay to instructors needed in critical shortage areas like math, science, and special education…:

CUT 04(09)      “…the building.”

State lawmakers must approve BESE’s pay plan. The legislative session starts a month from now.

Is LABI head Stephen Waguespack about to announce he’ll run for governor? Insiders say an announcement could come as early as today that the former Chief of Staff under Governor Jindal will enter the campaign. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says Waguespack’s entry brings a new dynamic to the race, and he should have no problem with campaign fundraising…:

CUT 09(08)      “…Waguespack.”

The state’s head of culture, recreation and tourism, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, is in Delhi today to cut the ribbon on a new conference center at the Black Bear Golf Club. The facility is located near the Poverty Point World Heritage Site. Nungesser says the conference center allows the area to welcome a variety of events and will only increase tourism to northeast Louisiana…:

CUT 11(11)      “…golf course.”

A Baton Rouge jury awards over $6-million to the family of Max Gruver, the 18-year-old LSU freshman who died of alcohol poisoning shortly after a fraternity hazing incident in 2017. Gruver had a blood-alcohol level of .495 when he died.  The jury found that Ryan Matthew Isto, one of the frat members, was two-percent at fault for Gruver’s death. The Gruvers previously settled civil cases with LSU and other frat members involved in the hazing death.

A Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish, involving an SUV and a school bus, takes the life of a woman and child. The driver, Katelyn Granger was seatbelted, but died from her injuries. A seven year old girl, who was not restrained also died. State Police are investigating.