The Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise will cost the state an estimated 40 million dollars extra per year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they would like to do more but extra funds were limited this year.
The pay raise is included in the Governor’s budget proposal and it will be debated in the April legislative session.
Last week’s winter storms delayed and disrupted blood supply to Louisiana hospitals and now healthcare officials are imploring Louisianans to take a trip to a local blood bank to help out. Governor Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment see if you’re able to move it up to today or this weekend.
As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.
Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.
Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.