A Slidell physician has been found guilty of conspiring to illegally distribute 1.8 million doses of Schedule II controlled substances that included oxycodone and morphine. Prosecutors say 58-year-old Adrian Dexter Talbot, who owned and operated Medex Clinical Consultants, also defrauded health care benefit programs more than $5.4 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says patients at the clinic were getting controlled substances without ever seeing the doctor or having an exam. Sentencing is set for October 23^rd.

Democrat Congressman Troy Carter announces new EPA funding for New Orleans of $50-million through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program to support greenhouse gas reduction measures over the next five years.

Cut 9 (11) “…metropolitan area.”

Initiatives include constructing six miles of protected bikeways

Math LEAP scores for third and eighth grades declined in Louisiana. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says low math scores is an issue across the country. He says methods used to improve English scores, they’ll now use with math…

Cut 5 (10)  “…math as well.”

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey says because most childcare workers make around $15 an hour, it’s hard to retain them. Executive Director Libbie Sonnier says childcare breakdowns cost for Louisiana businesses is $762 million annually. She says not having certified workers puts children at a learning disadvantage and…

Cut 8 (10)  “…our economy.”

The state department of education released LEAP scores from the last school year and the results show progress has stalled after a couple of years of improvement.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Sheriff’s Office in Wilkinson County Mississippi believe they have found the body of missing Southern University student, Steven Harris. Harris went missing July 17^th and was supposed to be at a child custody hearing for his son in West Feliciana. His parents told authorities it was out of character for him not to be there for his son and to not communicate with them.

A survey of childcare workers by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says the majority make around $15 an hour or less. Executive Director Libbie Sonnier refers to certified early educators as brain architects because in the first four years of a child’s life 90-percent of their brain develops. She says they’ve received a grant to see study how to retrain these vital workers…

Cut 7 (11) “…heart of quality.”

She says they’re leaving for jobs at places like Target with better pay and benefits.

A Tulane University study is researching to see if estrogen can help women overcome cognitive issues later in life. Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says they are testing rodents and so far, it appears short-term estrogen use in middle age leads to improved brain health long after use.

Cut 13 (07)  “…benefits.”

State education officials say LEAP scores from the last school year show third through eighth graders improved their overall mastery rate by one percent in English. But Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says in an effort to increase outcomes, the state make high-dosage tutoring more available…

Cut 4 (10) “…relatively quickly.”

Brumley says he is pleased to see the overall mastery rate for students with disabilities improved in third through eighth graders for a third consecutive year.

A survey of 700 childcare workers by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says the majority make around $15 an hour or less, about $28,000 annually. Executive Director Libbie Sonnie (son-ye) says retaining credentialed workers is hard because of the low pay. Still, it’s so important for building a solid foundation for children.

Cut 6 (12) “…to benefits.”

Tulane University has received a grant to continue a study to see if estrogen use can protect women’s brain health later in life. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 28 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

And here’s a look at commodities

State education officials say LEAP scores from the past school year show third through eighth graders improved their overall mastery rate by one percent in English. But Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says math and science scores held steady after consecutive years of improvement…
cut 3 (11) “…those gains”
Brumley says in an effort to increase outcomes, the state is providing students with high-dosage tutoring.

A survey of 700 childcare workers by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says the majority make around $15 an hour or less, that’s about $28,000 annually. Executive Director Libbie Sonnier says it’s hard to retain those credentialed workers because of the low pay but it’s so important for building a solid foundation for the future of children.

Former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond is on the short list of those being considered to complete the Kamala Harris for president ticket. UNO Political Science professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond isn’t likely to get the nod, but could serve in her administration if Harris is elected…
Cut 12 (08) “…levers.”

The Boston Consulting Group is reviewing the State Department of Transportation to find ways to make it more efficient. This after Governor Landry issued an executive order to optimize operations and find additional revenue for the department. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says then he’ll meet with the Commissioner of Administration.
Cut 8 (09) “…responsibilities.”

Donahue says they’ll present a plan to the governor and the legislature next year on how to make the state agency run more efficiently.

A Louisiana pollster says the polls have yet to show much movement nationally since Vice President Kamala Harris became the likely Democratic Presidential nominee…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The USA Today reports Harris is vetting former Louisiana Congressman and state representative Cedric Richmond as a potential Vice President running mate. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond is a long shot to be chosen…
cut 11 (06) “….election”

The Boston Consulting Group has been hired by the Louisiana Legislature to find ways to make the state Department of Transportation more efficient. This is after Governor Landry ordered DOTD to optimize operations. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says once the review is complete, he’ll prepare a plan for the governor by January 15th.
Cut 7 (11) “…other states.”
Donahue says they hope the review will result in new revenue sources to adequately fund the department.

Tulane researchers are studying to see if estrogen use for middle age women can improve brain health later in life. Research already shows women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to men, so Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says they are investigating to see if the typical drop in estrogen due to menopause is a factor.
Cut 14 (11) “…to men.”

Have the polls changed much since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and Kamala Harris has began to campaign against Donald Trump as she looks to secure the Democratic nomination. Louisiana pollster John Couvillon says the the polls have not changed much and the ones to really watch are the swing states…
cut 6 (13) “…Minnesota or New Hampshire

The Landry Administration wants a more efficient Department of Transportation and the Legislature has hired the Boston Consulting Group to recommend best ways to optimize operations at the state agency.
cut 9 (11) “….the better”
DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says he’ll take the recommendations and present a plan to the Legislature next year.

Tulane University has received a grant to continue a study to see if estrogen use can protect women’s brain health later in life. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has broken ground on a new student-centered engineering building. The school says the 65-thousand square foot, state of the art facility will enhance education, research and career readiness.

McNeese has broken ground on a new 32-million dollar student union.

Not a big change in the polls this week since President Joe Biden Dropped out of the race but that could change, but there are lots of factors at play. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says Couvillon says not much will change with Harris’ V-P selection either. Usually, V-P nominees don’t help but could certainly hurt the ticket…

Cut 5 (10) “…to debate.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond is on the short list of those being considered to complete the Harris for president ticket. UNO Political Science professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond isn’t likely to get the nod though because Louisiana’s a red state that choosing Richmond probably won’t change, but…

Cut 12 (08) “…levers.”

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The Boston Consulting Group has been hired to review Louisiana’s Department of Transportation to find ways to make it more efficient. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

After a study in early 2002 linking Hormone replacement therapy in women to an increase in breast cancer the use of HRT dropped dramatically. But Tulane Researcher and Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says since there’s been more thorough research that indicates otherwise, depending on a woman’s overall health and they’re taking a closer look.

Cut 15 (08)  “…find out.”

With Vice President Kamala Harris stepping into the Presidential race after President Biden drops out, polls are not showing a big shift, at least not yet. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former Louisiana Congressman and state representative Cedric Richmond is being consididered as a potential running mate on the democratic ticket. We’re told Harris has requested vetting materials on the New Orleans native. But UNO Political Science professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond isn’t likely to get the nod.

Cut 11 (06) “…election.”

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Researchers at Tulane University are studying estrogen use in middle age to see if it can improve brain health for women later in life. Because women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to men, and Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says they are investigating to see if the typical drop in estrogen due to menopause is a factor.

Cut 14 (11)  “…to men.”

The Saints begin training camp today, and first order of business will be implementing first-year Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak’s new scheme. The former 49ers assistant coach helped lead one of the most effective motion-heavy offenses in the NFL last season and is expected to bring big changes to the black and gold offense. Saints GM Mickey Loomis on Kubiak.

Cut 16 (16) “…game of football.” 

Now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the Presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris has stepped in, the polls haven’t shifted much. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says the most recent Trump-Harris polls…

Cut 4 (09) “…for Donald Trump.”

Kamala Harris is looking at former Louisiana Congressman and state representative Cedric Richmond as a potential running mate. Richmond is one of several Democrats being considered in the race against Donald Trump and JD Vance. UNO Political Science professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond would be an interesting choice…

Cut 10 (10) “…experience.”

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The Boston Consulting Group is reviewing State Department Transportation to find ways to make it more efficient. This is after Governor Landry issued an executive order to optimize operations and find additional revenue for the department. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says then he’ll meet with the Commissioner of Administration and Revenue Secretary.

Cut 8 (09)  “…responsibilities.”

A Tulane University study is looking to find out if estrogen can help women overcome cognitive issues later in life. Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says they are using rodents to test the theory and so far, it appears that short-term estrogen use in middle age leads to improved brain health long after use.

Cut 13 (08)  “…brain health.”

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who resigned this morning, testified in front of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee yesterday telling members she was the right person to lead the agency despite the assassination attempt. Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is glad Cheatle changed her mind and decided to step down…

Cut 13 (12) “…resignation.” 

House Speaker Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced a bipartisan House Task Force consisting of seven Republicans and six Democrats to investigate the assassination attempt and get answers to the American public.

Cut 4 (11) “…ever happening again.”

A Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana survey indicates that one in five Louisianans receive food stamps also known as SNAP. Of those recipients about 45 percent are children Invest in Louisiana executive director Jan Moller says it shouldn’t be a surprise but should be alarming.

Cut 6 (12) “…month to month.”
The average SNAP benefit amount per household, which is based on household size and monthly income, is $373 a month since July 2023.

Jimmy Genovese (Gen-o-vez) was introduced today as the 21st president of Northwestern State. Genovese was the lone finalist for the job to replace Doctor Marcus Jones. Genovese left the Supreme Court as a judge to lead his alma mater and he’s amazed at the support he’s received

Cut 9 (08) “…sleeping at night.”