AM LRN Newscall May 29

An annual LSU survey of public opinion shows MOST Louisianans feel the government is moving the state in the wrong direction. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…Kevin Gallagher.”

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Brooke Thorington talks with the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers about pay raises for educators in the final days of the legislative session.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The NCAA Baseball Tournament is set to get underway this weekend. Four Louisiana schools earned an opportunity to make a run to Omaha including preseason favorites LSU. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 3 (33)  “….Kace Kieschnick.”

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LSU’s annual public opinion research poll, the Louisiana Survey, finds a majority of Bayou State residents feel the state is moving in the wrong direction. Michael Henderson, with LSU’s Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs, leads the annual survey. He says polling numbers show a majority of residents are not happy…:

Cut 4 (07)  “…the wrong direction.’”

The yearly Louisiana Survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans across the state. Each year, they ask if respondents feel the state is moving in a good direction. Henderson says 61 percent answered “No, it is not”…:

Cut 5 (08)   “…in state government.”

Confidence in state government remains low. Less than 30 percent feel the Governor and lawmakers can solve problems.

Last week, we told you that CRIME was Louisianans’ top concern in the survey, and many feel state and local governments are not properly addressing the issue. Henderson says those negative feelings also are not partisan in nature. Liberals are just as frustrated with state government as conservatives…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…for different reasons.”

Henderson says one can expect to hear the Louisiana Survey’s negative results being used in many a campaign speech, as the fall elections grow nearer.

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The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins Thursday and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s an ideal time to review your property insurance policy’s roof coverage. Donelon says the deductible for named storms or hurricane damage is typically five percent of the insured value of your home.

Cut 7 (13) “…replaced.”

He says to be aware of what your deductible will be and be prepared to address if you have storm damage.

The other issue Donelon says that’s becoming more common is the age of your roof and how coverage is determined. Some insurers say if the roof is 10 years or younger you may qualify for replacement cost coverage. But if your roof is older some policies depreciate the roof’s value.

Cut 8 (11) “…at five years.”

Instead of waiting until there’s a storm in the Gulf, Donelon says to have a talk with your agent beforehand about what you are covered for…

Cut 9 (03)  “…coverage for.”

And have your agent calculate what your out-of-pocket expenses would be so you know before you are faced with damage.

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Lawmakers have yet to decide on the final figure for teacher pay raises. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Culver says it looks like legislators have settled on $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for support staff pay increases.

Cut 10 (11) “…finalized.” 

Culver says the original request of $3,000 for teachers and $1,500 for support staff would be extremely welcome news.

While neighboring states have increased teacher pay, Culver says this is the time of year when educators look at other opportunities, so timing is everything to keep more qualified teachers from leaving the Bayou State.

Cut 11 (10)  “…to them.”

Most teachers were unable to attend legislative committee meetings and voice their concerns in person to lawmakers, Culver says approximately 38,000 letters were sent to legislators on their behalf and…

Cut 12 (07)    “…the summer.” 

According to the Southern Regional Education Board, in 2021 the regional average is $55,676 and the average in Louisiana is $52,472.

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The LSU baseball team was named the fifth overall national seed for the NCAA tournament and will host a regional this weekend. The Tigers spent most of the season as the top team in the country before a late-season fall, but they’ll still hope to make their way to Omaha for the first time since 2017. Junior first baseman Tre Morgan says he doesn’t want a repeat of last year’s regional loss…

Cut 13 (15) “…we won.”  

The Tigers lost in the Hattiesburg regional last year in Coach Jay Johnson’s first season. After an offseason with the number one transfer and recruiting classes, he and his team received great expectations. Johnson says he’s proud of his squad even if the work isn’t done yet…

Cut 14 (15)  “…since 2017.”

As the fifth overall seed, LSU will host a regional and is one of eight teams who have the chance to have the home field all the way to the College World Series. Fifth-year Tiger Gavin Dugas just missed LSU’s 2017 run and says he’s excited to experience postseason baseball in Baton Rouge…

Cut 15 (13)  “…this weekend.”

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UL-Lafayette didn’t win their conference championship, but they earned one of the final four at-large bids to play their way into the NCAA baseball postseason. With 4 wins in 5 days in the Sun-Belt Tournament, including two over tenth-seeded Coastal Carolina, the Cajuns fought their way through what coach Matt Deggs called an uphill battle the final 6 weeks of the season…

Cut  16 (14)  “..haven’t done.” 

The Cajuns will attend the Miami regional along with Texas and Main. Deggs went to a Miami regional as an assistant coach with Texas A&M in 2010. He says it’s a great atmosphere and he and his team are honored to make the trip to Coral Gables…

Cut 17 (13) “…of resilience.” 

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The Nicholls baseball team earned a spot in the postseason after winning the Southland Conference Championship Sunday. They’ll visit the Tuscaloosa regional hosted by 16th-seeded Alabama who is one of the hottest teams in baseball. They’ll join at-large bids Boston College who many believe deserved to host a regional and Troy who finished third in the Sun Belt regular season standings. Colonels coach Mike Silva says he’s excited for his team’s opportunity…

Cut 18 (08) “…really special”

The Colonels will play NCAA Tournament baseball for the first time since 1998. With 5 hours between Nicholls and host site Tuscaloosa, Silva says that this will be a weekend Colonels fans will not want to miss…

Cut 19 (12) “…baseball program.” 

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Cut 20 (07)  “…cameo”