LRN PM Newscall October 12

Boaters had to fight off sharks off the coast of Empire before they were rescued Monday, and one fisherman says sharks are also hurting the industry. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Starting this year, third and fourth graders who perform below grade level on an end of the year literacy assessment will be provided 30 additional hours of focused literacy instruction during the summer. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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After boaters were rescued Monday after fending off sharks about 25 miles off the coast of Empire, Louisiana Oyster Task Force Chairman and fisherman Mitch Jurisich the Coast Guard arrived just in time because one man was holding onto an ice chest, and he bravely knew to go for the shark’s eyes.

Cut 3 (11) “…his finger.” 

Jurisich says sadly it’s not the first time those in the industry have encountered the feared beast. He says sharks have grown extremely aggressive and it’s also taking a bite out of their catch.

Cut 4 (10) “…just unreal.” 

Jurisich believes federal protections of sharks have only allowed them to grow in numbers and those protections need to be revised due to the threat it’s now having on individuals and the fishing industry. He says plenty of fishermen like him are frustrated that sharks are honing in on their catch.

Cut 5 (11) “…feed the sharks.” 

Besides man, Jurisich says the only known predator of sharks are whales and he says there aren’t too many of them in the gulf.

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Thirty-percent of small business owners nationwide say inflation is their single most important problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the federal government said the record-high inflation would only be temporary, but it’s stuck around for the whole year

Cut 6 (09)  “..my business.” 

McVea says the national survey also found that 46-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill and 32-percent report supply chain disruptions have had a significant impact on their business. She says it’s a battle for survival….

Cut 7 (06) “..what they love”

McVea says state government is reporting a surplus, while many private businesses are struggling to survive. She’s hopeful some tax changes can occur in next year’s legislative session

Cut 8 (08)  “.business friendly”

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The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a new policy that could result in 30 hours of focused literacy instruction in the summer for third and fourth graders who do not read at grade level. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says students who do not want to participate in the summer program have other options…

Cut 9 (10)  “…K-12 experience”

Brumley says another option is for the student to repeat the grade. He says the plan right now is for third and fourth grade students to take an end-of-year literacy assessment at the end of this school year and next…

Cut 10 (11) “…school year” 

Brumley says it’s only two-year program because these third and fourth graders had their foundational school years disrupted by the pandemic….

Cut 11 (08)  “..few years”

Brumley says this is another step the state is taking to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis.

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Baton Rouge police have arrested the son of a former NFL player in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that happened late Saturday night.  Lt. Don Coppola says the suspect is charged with felony hit-and-run driving.

Cut 12 (08) “…Louisiana”

Coppola says Brister turned himself in Wednesday morning and he faces up to ten years in prison if convicted. 21-year-old Walter Brister the IV of Mandeville is the son of former ULM  and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Bubby Brister.

Coppola says late Saturday night 44-year-old Jude Jarreau was trying to walk across Ben Hur Road in a neighborhood south of LSU with a friend, when a black Range Rover hit him and took off…

Cut 13 (05) “…at the scene” 

Coppola says the police received vital help from witnesses on the scene.

Cut 14 (05)  “…suspect vehicle” 

Jarreau was the father of two and described as an avid LSU fan. Funeral services are scheduled for him tomorrow in Donaldsonville. High profile criminal defense attorney John McLindon is representing Brister.