A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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State Lawmakers go into special session Monday to forge a plan to ease property insurance costs for the thousands who had their coverage end after recent hurricanes. One House member says he has reservations…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the same report shows a five-percent increase in first-year teacher retention…
Brumley says the state department of education has worked to retain teachers by increasing teacher salaries and providing no cost counseling service for teachers
cut 4 (09) “…pay opportunities”
The average teacher salary has increased by 12-hundred dollars to 52-thousand dollars.
Brumley says the percentage of certified teachers also increased by two-percent to 69-percent. He says they want to see the percentage of certified teachers continue to grow…
Cut 5 (07) “…high quality teacher”
Overall teacher retention increased by two points to 86-percent, while first-year retention increased five points to 83-percent.
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State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s troubled by that being the sole item on the session agenda…:
Cut 6 (11) “…45-million dollars.”
Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs for property owners, nor discussion of possibly reforming state law as it applies to insurance adjusters. He says there may be better uses for that $45-million in surplus money…:
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a similar incentive fund put in place after Katrina & Rita succeeded in bringing 5 substantial new insurers to Louisiana to help de-populate Louisiana Citizens (which is considerable more costly than private market rates). Fontenot says no one asks the Commissioner for any deeper answers on those newcomers…:
Cut 8 (09) “…on those companies?”
Fontenot says discussion of reforming Louisiana Citizens, that state’s last-resort insurer, so it costs less…is also NOT on the table.
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A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from Texas
Wetherbee says the line of strong and severe storms will reach the Baton Rouge area around 7 PM and then New Orleans after 9 PM.
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Bogalusa Police offer some pushback on the mayor’s request for the National Guard to come get crime under control in the Washington Parish town. Mayor Tyrin Truong sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards asking for State Police and/or the Louisiana National Guard to intervene. Bogalusa P.D. detective Captain David Miller tells WWL radio in New Orleans the police are not against outside assistance…:
Cut 11 (08) “…National Guard is welcome.”
However, Miller feels having military troops patrol Bogalusa may not be a good idea. He says guardsmen and women are trained to be soldiers; not cops…and that could lead to unforeseen problems…:
Cut 12 (11) “…on a permanent basis.”
Currently Bogalusa (a city of just over 12-thousand) has 4 assigned cops per shift, plus investigators. He says hiring more cops would enable the city to engage in the “community policing” that Mayor Truong says he wants to see. Miller says, despite a recent pay increase, they still are having trouble hiring more new cops…:
Miller says Bogalusa Police and Mayor Truong have a good relationship and will work together to get rising crime in check.