BESE approves a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Will LABI President Stephen Waguespack join in the race to be Louisiana’s next Governor? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Bacterial infections are on the rise and are less responsive to medications. Teiko Foxx has more.
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BESE approves a new funding formula for the ‘23-24 school year that would give $2,000 raises for certified teachers and $1,000 for non-certified and support staff. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says the formula also gives schools the flexibility for additional pay to instructors needed in critical shortage areas like math, science, and special ed.
Brumley says it allows schools to direct funds where they are needed most to drive down vacancy numbers and increase teacher quality. $61 million has been allotted as a block grant for schools to use as they wish.
The across-the-board raise two-thousand-raise and block grant must have legislative approval first but Brumley says allowing schools to direct additional funds as they see fit, could give select teachers an additional bump in salary.
Governor Edwards is encouraging lawmakers to approve the two and one-thousand-dollar teacher pay increases and Brumley says while Louisiana will still be below the southern regional average every increase helps. Brumley says how schools use the additional funding to either attract, retain, or reward teachers is historic.
Cut 6 (07) “…for our teachers.”
The legislative session begins on April 10th.
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There is speculation that Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) President & CEO Stephen Waguespack could announce a run for governor as soon as today. How will his entry affect a growing field of candidates? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says Waguespack could be a strong candidate…:
Cut 7 (08) “…on several levels.”
Waguespack has led LABI since 2013. Before that, the Republican served as Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel. Cross says the Jindal Years Are looked at unfavorably by many Louisiana voters, and that could be used against Waguespack by opponents…:
Cut 8 (08) “…longtime staffer.”
Waguespack is anticipated to be planning an announcement today that he will seek the Governor’s Mansion. Cross feels Waguespack’s entry brings a new dynamic to the race, and he should have no problem with campaign fundraising…:
Cut 9 (08) “…for Stephen Waguespack.”
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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Delhi today attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Conference Center at Black Bear Golf Club. He says the new facility allows the area to host small conventions, corporate events, family reunions, and weddings.
The facility is also located near Poverty Point World Heritage Site. Nungesser says the conference center allows the area to welcome a variety of events and will only increase tourism to northeast Louisiana.
And with more river cruises along the Mississippi River, Nungesser says the Conference Center can welcome even more visitors to Northeast Louisiana.
Cut 12 (12) “…year after year.”
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A bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming more resistant to medicine and harder to treat according to the CDC. Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere (Van-cherry) says the infection can be easily transmitted from person to person.
The CDC reported an estimated 450 thousand cases are treated in the US every year. The majority of cases are among international travelers, homeless people, individuals with weakened immune systems, and gay men.
People infected may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Vanchiere says the best prevention is good hygiene.
Most people infected will recover within a week to 10 days.
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Spring football kicks off this morning for LSU as Coach Brian Kelly embarks on his second season as head coach. Kelly rebuilt the program from top to bottom in 2022. Wilson Alexander, who covers the Tigers for the Advocate says this season LSU returns 26 players who started at least one game last year. That includes most of their offensive skill players…
Quarterback Jayden Daniels is back for his second season with the Tigers. Alexander says Daniels is the starting Q-B, but backup Garrett Nussmeier will have the chance to compete…
Defensively, junior linebacker Greg Penn is LSU’s top returning tackler and Freshman All-American linebacker Harold Perkins is also back. Mekhi Wingo is back to lead the defensive line along with Maason Smith. Alexander says there are a bunch of starting spots up for grabs in the secondary….
Spring football will conclude on April 22nd.
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Cut 20 (18) “…this tournament.”