The Louisiana Board of Regents is removing a major roadblock on the path to graduation. David Grubb has the story.
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Within hours after the tornado hit the community of Arabi, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana was collecting donations. Brooke Thorington has more
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The National Weather Service says the tornado that tore through St. Bernard Parish Tuesday MAY be the strongest to ever hit the Greater New Orleans area. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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The Louisiana Board of Regents has set a goal of 60 percent of working adults with a degree or credential of some type by 2030. To help get there, Dr. Tristan Denly says Louisiana colleges and universities will be removing what has been a significant barrier for many in completing their coursework…remedial studies.
Cut 4 (12) “…not to work.”
Denly said that just 11 percent of students in remedial math achieved passing marks during the 2020-21 academic year. This new approach gives students more time on task and helps them earn actual credits towards graduation, rather than the shorter, non-credited, remedial courses.
Cut 5 (11) “…credit-bearing class.”
With the extra classwork and additional support in place, Denly said that students participating in the co-requisite program earned a passing rate of more than 55 percent. He hopes that once the program is fully in-place across the state, it will not only help current students but also attract adult learners to come back to campus as well.
Cut 6 (13) “…continue their studies.”
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At least 150 homes were significantly damaged in the suburb of Arabi, Tuesday when at least an EF3 tornado ravaged the area. Michael Williamson, CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana says they are collecting basic needs items and distributing them to those in need.
Cut 7 (10) “…and supplies.”
The National Weather Service says the Arabi tornado was the strongest in history to strike the New Orleans area. Williamson says within hours of the tornado they launched a link on their website at UnitedWaySELA-dot org to collect donations and received a tremendous outpouring from all over. There you can find a list of supplies to drop off at their New Orleans office or make a monetary donation.
Cut 8 (12) “…business partners.”
Williamson says the tornado only made things worse for an area of the state that is already hurting. He says a recent study by the United Way indicated as much as 60-percent of the households in the area were already struggling with basic needs like…
Cut 9 (12) “…already there.”
Williamson says 100-percent of the proceeds collected from the fund will go towards aiding those affected by Tuesday’s storms.
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In its preliminary report on the tornado that struck St. Bernard Parish this week, the National Weather Service says it MAY have been a record breaker. NWS New Orleans forecaster Lauren Nash says preliminary damage assessment indicates the twister WAS a very stronger EF-3…:
Cut 10 (14) “…two of those houses..”
The Enhanced Fujita Scale ranks twisters with winds of 136-to-168 miles per hour as EF-3. Nash says the Arabi tornado had max winds at 160. Nash says the NWS is tasked with going into tornado-ravaged locations, to evaluate the strength, speed, width and duration of each tornado…:
Cut 11 (10) “…tracked through Arabi.”
The NWS report is preliminary, and Nash says there is still satellite data and drone footage to be considered in their final report. However, she expects the basic data – EF-3 strength with winds at 160 – will not change. She says it COULD be the strangest twister to hit the New Orleans area, but she cannot yet confirm it…:
Cut 12 (08) “…stronger than that.”
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A bill to force those guilty of vehicular homicide of a parent to pay restitution advances from House Criminal Justice. Bill author Lafayette Representative Johnathan Goudeau says the offender would make payments to the victim’s minor child until the age of 18 or 21 if enrolled in college.
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Valerie Sanders testified in favor of the bill after her son was killed by a drunk driver and left behind two small children to be raised by her son’s widow.
Cut 14 (10) “…financial responsibility.”
Typically, when one is incarcerated, they are unable to make restitution due to the lack of income. Payments would be due once they are released from prison and if they are on probation the payments are handled through their probation officer.
Alexis Yeboah-Kodie (Yah-bow-ah) staff attorney with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana says she has many concerns about the bill including the implementation and collection of payments.
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Kodie also pointed out there are already means to gain support through wrongful death actions and minors who lose a parent are also eligible to receive social security benefits.
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After a tough extra-inning loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night, the 21st ranked LSU Tigers are at 8th ranked Florida tonight to begin a three-game series. In the loss to the Bulldogs, starting pitcher Will Hellmers gave up four runs in one inning, Eric Reyzelman walked three hitters without getting an out and Ty Floyd was also wild and suffered the loss. Senior relief pitcher Trent Vietmeier expects the pitching staff to bounce back
Cut 16 (17) “..next weekend.”
LSU is 15 and 6, but they’ve lost three of their last four. Vietmeier says they are close to playing their best baseball
Cut 17 (14) “ …this weekend.”