Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James Le Blanc announced today that Darrel Vannoy will transition into the top position at Angola and work with outgoing Warden Burl Cain. Cain announced his resignation Wednesday amid questions regarding business dealings with inmates being raised by the Advocate newspaper. Vannoy is the current warden at Dixon Correctional Institute and a 40 year corrections employee.

Down two spots from last year, Louisiana ranks least healthy in the nation by the United Health Foundation. The report cites high smoking and obesity rates among residents as the cause. United Health Foundation’s Rhonda Randall says it may be up to you, as an individual, to spur your family and friends to make healthy lifestyle changes…:
CUT 8 (07) “do the same”
She says Louisiana ranks 50th in the country for children living in poverty which also contributes to the ranking as they tend to eat less healthy foods.

Counselors were on hand at Dutchtown High today to help students cope with the death of 14-year-old student Brennan Rube who was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle in Ascension Parish last night. State Police say the driver, 26-year-old Joshua Ashford of Gonzales, is charged with negligent homicide. Trooper Bryan Lee..:
CUT 11 (08) “that crash”
Officials say Ashford’s bail was set at $25,000 and he bonded out Wednesday night.

President Barack Obama signs a major new education bill that will give states more control over school accountability and student testing. State Superintendent of Education John White says this legislation will allow the state to determine its own standards. He says a large committee made up of Louisiana education leaders is already looking at proposed changes to Common Core…:
CUT 4 (09) “high expectations”
The bill replaces the 2002 No Child Left Behind education law.