The U.S. Department of Education is letting schools know they are required to allow transgender restrooms or risk losing federal funds. Emelie Gunn has more…
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A Louisiana teen graduates from high school and a community college on the same day. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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A 17-year-old girl from northwest Louisiana participates in two graduation ceremonies today. Azariya McClendon will get her Associates Degree from Bossier Parish Community College this afternoon, then this evening she’ll get her diploma from Ringgold High School. McClendon says she has big academic aspirations after her double graduation.
McClendon says she was able to make this tremendous accomplishment with the help of her high school counselor Timothy Williams, and the support of her family. She says it was hard at times because she was always busy.
McClendon was also involved in Beta, a club called Elegant Ladies in Today’s Educational Society, and the student advisory council for the LHSAA. McClendon is the first student in her parish to earn two diplomas at the same time. She says she was able to do so through the Accelerated Curriculum of Excellence program at her school.
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The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to public schools informing them they are required to allow transgendered students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Alto Congressman Ralph Abraham says this is another example of President Obama’s executive overreach. He says this is a form of extortion.
Abraham says the state should make the decision regarding transgender bathrooms and this is an issue that should not be a federal mandate. He says we’re all about protecting people in this country so let’s protect the most vulnerable population, the young children.
Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is a really big step forward in terms of policies in public schools and universities. He says transgender kids are at a huge risk of many mental health issues.
Patterson says no one wants to lose out on education money by not complying with this mandate because it would hurt all students. He says this doesn’t mean it’s okay for a man to go into bathrooms with little girls.
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A Pineville man has been arrested after he allegedly went door to door soliciting money he claimed was for a sick child with cancer. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says residents reported the suspicious activity and there was also an outcry on social media. He says authorities began investigating 48-year-old Charles Lowery, acting on the complaints…:
Carnline says they eventually located Lowery and his van and learned the suspect was a convicted sex offender…:
Carnline says they were also able to charge Lowery with two counts of cheating and swindling, because the story he was telling residents was not true…:
cut 12 (09) “cancer treatment”
Carnline says it’s a shame someone is exploiting people’s kindness and generosity.
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Another spirited debate broke out on the House floor over funding for TOPS versus hospitals that provide care for the poor. On Thursday night, legislators shifted 72-million dollars from the scholarship program to the safety net hospitals. On Friday, Monroe Representative Jay Morris tried to move some of that money back to TOPS, but he faced opposition from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith…
Morris’ amendment to move 36-million dollars back to TOPS failed on a 42-57 vote. Several House republicans sought to fully fund TOPS, at the same time, they said the health care budget was bloated. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White, who has a public-private hospital in her district, fought against Morris’ amendment…
Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin also spoke out against Morris’ amendment. Shadoin says he understands the importance of TOPS funding, but health care for young individuals, who can’t afford to go to a private hospital is more important…
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