Three Louisiana teachers received a $25 thousand dollar award for their outstanding educator skills. Whitney Thomas reports.
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The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. Kevin Gallagher reports on the must-attend event for movers, shakers and candidates for office…:
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The Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating the 14th Amendment by holding inmates beyond their release date. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Three south Louisiana teachers are $25 thousand dollars richer for receiving the Milken Educator Award which goes to about 40 elementary educators across the country every year. The three recipients are Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic, Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan, and Lafayette Parish teacher Corrie Campbell. Frederick won the award for her innovative teaching skills with first graders.
Duncan was honored for teaching her fifth graders to challenge themselves beyond expectations, and now they’re dreaming of careers beyond their imaginations.
Campbell’s award recognized her ability to do whatever it takes to give her third graders the best learning environment as possible.
All teachers who received the award were completely surprised by the huge honor. Students were able to attend the award ceremony as well.
(For photos and videos visit www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/elise-fredric)
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The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. The event has become a staple for political folk who want to “see-and-be-seen,” network and fund raise. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is in the nation’s capital, and says un-official events started Wednesday, but the Big Show begins this evening…:
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In addition, he says, there is any number of unofficial receptions, luncheons, and cocktail parties…where deals can be made. Alford says the events all lead to the big celebration, which brings the sights and sounds of a Mardi Gras parade indoors…:
Cut 8 (09) “…classic Carnival style.”
Lobbyists, lawmakers, and candidates all rub elbows in full formal attire; bringing a bit of Louisiana to the capital city. Alford says a great many people running for office this fall will be in attendance, and it’s not just to “Let the Good Times Roll”…:
Alford says if a person intended to announce a run for office this fall, this would be the place and time do it.
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The Department of Justice says it’s a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment when the Louisiana Department of Corrections holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) agrees and says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.
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The DOJ says there’s an obligation to incarcerated persons and taxpayers not to keep someone confined longer than they should be. Blouin says the extra days are costly.
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The ruling says for more than a decade the DOC has been on notice for its over-detention problem and has failed to correct it. Blouin is optimistic the DOC will finally receive adequate funding to modernize its computer system.
The DOC released a statement they are reviewing the DOJ report and cannot provide a response until the report is reviewed.
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Authorities arrested a 15-year-old female who allegedly called in bomb threats into a restaurant in Opelousas and five schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Eddie Thibodaux says they got involved yesterday when a bomb threat was made towards Northwest High School. He says the school was evacuated and the search failed to find any devices, and students were allowed to return to class.
The final bomb threat was for the Washington Career Center. McAlister’s restaurant in Opelousas also received a bomb threat on Tuesday night.
Thibodeaux says the searches stretched their resources and it wasn’t until after 2 o’clock yesterday that every school was cleared. Multiple agencies responded and Thibodeaux says some kids might think it’s a fun prank the consequences are not amusing.
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Thibodeaux says when they have to respond to pranks it diverts their attention away from real emergencies. He urges parents to explain to their children it’s not something to take lightly.
The minor is charged with three counts of terrorizing in Opelousas and three additional charges are expected from the parish.
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UL-Lafayette men’s basketball returns to the Cajundome tonight and they look to extend their winning streak to seven games as they host the Troy Trojans. Coach Bob Marlin’s team is coming off a 60-51 at Texas State and he says Troy presents his team another tough challenge…
Troy leads the Sun Belt in field goal percentage defense, three-point shooting defense and scoring defense, allowing 62 points a game. Marlin’s team is one of three in the Sun Belt tied for first place with a six-and-two league record…
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Tip off is at 7 PM.
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Louisiana Tech is at UAB tonight. The Bulldogs are 11-9 overall, 4-and-5 in Conference USA as they’ve reached the halfway point of the 20-game league schedule. Tech is in a four-way tie for fifth in the league standings. Coach Talvin Hester says he’s looking for his team to be more consistent…
Tech lost to UAB earlier this month in Ruston 81-74. Hester says they need to rebound better this time, after giving up 21 offensive rebounds to the Blazers in the first meeting…