6:30 LRN Newscast August 20

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco will forever be remembered as Louisiana’s highest elected official when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in 2005. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Blanco’s impact on public education will be felt for a long time too. After Katrina crippled New Orleans, Blanco moved to seize control of then failing Crescent City schools under the state-run Recovery School District. Erwin says it was bold action that paid off long term…
Cut 11 (10) “…district.”
Erwin says that move improved education for thousands of students.

A soldier from Louisiana has died overseas. He’s been identified as 23-year-old Clayton Horne of Atlanta, Louisiana. He was also a Winn Parish Sheriff’s Deputy. The Army says Horne died as a result of wounds sustained by a noncombat-related incident in Saudi Arabia.

The Pelican Institute hosts a public forum at the Old State Capitol today aimed at getting a framework in place for a potential state constitutional convention. CEO Daniel Erspamer says interest is growing in reforming the state constitution, and more politicians have come on board to the idea. The only problem is folks don’t exactly know what that would entail…
Cut 4 (10) “…selected.”
Louisiana’s constitution is reportedly the 3rd longest in the nation.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received 16-million dollars in grant money to continue studying how to reduce muscle loss and fatigue of soldiers during combat operations. Researcher Doctor Jennifer Rood says their previous research found that supplemental testosterone may increase muscle mass and reduce weight loss, but they want to add an extra factor to their participants…
cut 8 (10) “…sleep deprivation”
Pennington is looking for 32 young men who will be paid 75-hundred dollars for 20 days to be involved in the study.