The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require third graders to pass a reading test in April in order to to be promoted to the fourth grade. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…
cut 6 (12) “…be retained”
The legislation gives third graders three chances to pass the literacy test. Students diagnosed with dyslexia and kids still learning English could still be promoted to the fourth grade. Gonzales Senator Ed Price voted against the bill as he believes it’s an unfunded mandate…
cut 7 (07) “….fund it”
Senators still approved the bill on a 28-11 vote. Mississippi has a similar program and they’ve seen an increase in reading scores.

Legislation seeking to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a firearm without a permit is dead for the legislative session. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull it from consideration, because of amendments senators were proposing to put on the bill…
cut 15 (12) “….defer it”
That was McCormick speaking before Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry.

The EPA is providing nearly 500-thousand dollars in grant money that will be used to operate an air monitoring site in St. James Parish’s cancer alley. Congressman Troy Carter says they want to make sure the community is safe….
cut 4 (10) “…is safe”
Equipment at the site will produce near-real-time data on certain pollutants affecting air quality.