8:30AM LRN Newscast May 21

Advocates are at the Capitol today pushing lawmakers to pony up for more early childhood education funding. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 300 Cleco customers are still without power in Ville Platte as the Evangeline Parish city continues to recover from Sunday’s EF-1 tornado. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine…

Cut 30 (10)” …roofs”

She says nearly 100 homes and businesses were damaged by the twister.

Independent and conservative Gary Landrieu has entered the governor’s race. A relative of former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu admits his politics differs significantly from the Democratic Party. He’s hoping he can use name recognition to his advantage…

Cut 9 (09) “…personality.″

Landrieu was booked with aggravated battery in 2012 after allegedly grabbing a woman by the hair, and dragging her several feet alongside his car as he drove away.

A report from United Healthcare Foundation shows those in hospice care has increased in the state. United Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall says hospice care is up 20-percent in the last five years and the workforce has shown an increase in the amount of home health workers to meet the demand.

Cut 5 (11) “…terrific to see.”

The report also indicated an increase in physical activity among those 65 and older in the state.