An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents have mixed feelings about public schools in the state. Don Molino has more…
______________________________________
Elmer’s Chocolate, the Ponchatoula-based candy manufacturer, is enjoying another successful Easter. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
______________________________________
International Paper has made a $500-thousand donation to the Red Cross for flood relief. Emelie Gunn has more…
______________________________________
A bill to allow blaze pink to be worn while hunting in addition to hunter’s orange has been passed by the Natural Resources Committee. Author of the legislation, Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White, says Wisconsin already passed this law and it’s been successful. Cole Garrett with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they don’t have any issues with adding blaze pink.
White says the pink color can be worn by both men and women. She hopes with the addition of pink more women across Louisiana will get outside and hunt to see what our great state has to offer.
Oil City Rep. Jim Morris was also in full support of the legislation.
Cut 6 (06) “favorable” _________________________________________________________
An LSU survey finds Louisiana residents are becoming more skeptical of Common Core. Dr. Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s public policy lab, says support for the academic standards in English and Math fell from 39-percent to 34-percent over the past year. Henderson says this is likely due to political tension surrounding the issue.
The survey also asked about standardized tests and Henderson says nearly half of the respondents say there is too much emphasis on testing in public schools.
Forty-six percent of Louisiana residents think there’s too much testing, compared to 64-percent of the nation as a whole. Henderson says he was also surprised to see the public’s concerns about Louisiana public schools differ from the concerns of legislators.
Cut 9 (12) “currently reflecting”
Henderson says the biggest education topics among lawmakers are charter schools, vouchers, and how to use standardized tests to evaluate teachers, as well as policy concerns from the Jindal administration.
______________________________________
Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate says they’ve had another successful year producing the popular Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash Easter candies. Elmer’s CEO Rob Nelson says the company produces about 12 million Gold Brick Eggs each year. He says in the past, production continued all the way through Good Friday, but fortunately technology allows them to produce more ahead of time now.
Nelson says Elmer’s Easter candies are wildly popular throughout the Gulf South. He says that is probably because an abundance of people here practice Easter and keep family traditions.
Nelson says their Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs are the best sellers. He says Emler’s is getting ready for a big company expansion, but that will not affect their Easter candy.
cut 12 (08) “our hands”_________________________________________________________
International Paper has donated $500-thousand to the Red Cross in response to the recent flooding in Louisiana. Red Cross spokesperson Nancy Malone says they are incredibly grateful for the company’s generosity. She says the Red Cross is continuing to work with families in need as they move into recovery.
Malone says their health services workers are helping people with lost medications, eyeglasses, medical equipment and minor first aid needs. She says the estimated damage is between four and seven million dollars, but it could easily surpass that.
International Paper has 9 facilities in Louisiana, employing 2-thousand people throughout the state. Malone says other companies, including Entergy, have also stepped up to donate. She asks that people who are in a position to help to consider making a donation.
The paper company also donated more than 50-thousand boxed to local food banks and churches to help with distribution of relief items, like comfort kits and cleaning supplies.
_____________________________________
The 13th ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against second ranked Texas A&M. The Aggies are 19-and-2 and they have the highest team batting average in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri is eager to see how his club performs
Junior left-hander Jared Poche will get the start on the hill for the Tigers. Poche knows the Aggies have the potential to score a bunch of runs…
The Aggies have won 18 straight games at home. Mainieri says Blue Bell Park is a terrific venue for college baseball…