LRN AM Newscall June 8

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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State education officials are working with local districts to help make our kids safer in class. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bill that would limit the release of mug shots will soon take effect. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Helping your child get a jump on their motor skills could be as easy as using an app on your smartphone. LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their children how to kick, jump, throw a ball and even play hopscotch. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-ann-yo) says far too often young children are lagging proper motor skills.

Cut 4 (06)  “…their age.”

Pennington studied 72 children, ages 3 to 5, over a 12-week period to see if the exercises on the app that parents used to interact with them improved their motor skills. Staiano says it made a difference.

Cut 5 (07) “…this app.”

Staiano says poor motor skills can lead to childhood obesity, so it’s important to teach children as early as possible.

Cut 6 (09)  “…further behind.”

Staiano says the use of the program helped children increase their motor skills by an average of 16-percent and the study is published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

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After being vetoed last year, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell will go into effect this fall. Mizell believes a trans female athlete winning a collegiate swimming competition helped garner more votes in favor of the bill.

Cut 7 (09) “…needed the bill.”

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bans trans female athletes from competing in women’s sports. And while some say the bill is discriminatory against trans athletes, Mizell without the legislation women are discriminated against in their own sports.

Cut 8 (10)  “…women’s sports.”

Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation which prompted a historic veto override session last year. After failing to override the veto Mizell tried for a second attempt and this year and when the legislation reached the governor’s desk he opted not to sign the bill and allow it to become law.

Mizell says the intent of her bill has always been to protect women’s sports not to exclude individuals.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for that”

The law goes into effect on August 1st.

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After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas…state education officials are discussing policy changes to help make Louisiana kids safer in class. State Education superintendent Cade Brumley says there have already been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. He says the safety of students is Job One, and an important step is for faculty and staff to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:

Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”

Brumley says more focus will be made on keeping school facilities physically secure as well…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…barriers in place.” 

Brumley says school kids are more “plugged in” to what’s going on than ever before, and school officials need to find ways to reach them, so they can know about potentially violent school incidents in time to take preventive action…:

Cut 12 (07) “…let somebody know.” 

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House Bill 729, authored by New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis makes its way to the governor’s desk. The bill will limit the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.

Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”

The federal government already does not release the mug shot photos of those arrested for federal crimes, and several states are either debating or implementing policies to limit the publication of mug shots. Duplessis says we need to think a bit more about due process and privacy.

Cut 14 (10)  “…broadcasters think twice.”

Duplessis’ bill originally proposed a wider scope for the ban but worked with the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and Louisiana Press Association to address their concerns for public safety and information. He says he will be watching to see how local law enforcement and news outlets do respond to the legislation.

Cut 15 (09)  “…I’m excited.”

 

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LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine met with the media Tuesday following the release of the listing of the state’s select and nonselect schools for the 2022-23 academic year. More than half of all schools are now listed as select and that number could still change pending appeals.

Cut 16 (17)  “…subject to change.”

Schools have until June 21 to submit a written appeal.

When asked about the size and shape of this fall’s high school football playoffs, Bonine says that the size of the brackets won’t be determined until late August or early September and that the association plans to use common sense in determining how many schools in each classification will qualify for the postseason.

Cut 17 (18) “ …on a bracket.” 

While there are still questions regarding how many teams will qualify for the playoffs and where they will go, Bonine says the association will explore every option it can to ensure the postseason is as fair as possible.

Cut 18 (10) “ …make it equitable.” 

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