State wildlife agent Tyler Wheeler of Monroe, who was shot five times during a traffic stop last month, will be released from a Shreveport hospital today. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The Governor’s Office says Representative Lance Harris’ budget cutting plan would close hospitals, the release of inmates, and a historic cut to public schools. Jeff Palermo has more…
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President Donald Trump says he wants to conduct a major investigation into voter fraud, but Secretary of State Tom Schedler says that’s not necessary in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves more than $1.5 million in funding for teaching residencies. Department of Education Assistant Superintendent of Talent, Hannah Dietsch (HAHN-ah), says beginning in 2018 teacher candidates will be required to complete one year residencies, similar to doctors. She says $1 million of the investment will go to Louisiana universities that will offer the programs.
Dietsch says the nearly $600-thousand in additional funds will go towards stipends for program participants. She says part of the funds will provide $2,000 stipends to 233 teaching residents.
The money comes from existing state and federal funds. Dietsch says teaching mentors in 18 partnering school systems will also get a check. She says 288 mentor teachers hosting the yearlong residencies will each receive a $1,000 stipend as well.
Cut 6 (08) “preparation programs”
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The state wildlife agent who was shot five times, is scheduled to be released from a Shreveport hospital Thursday. 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler of Monroe was shot in the temple, jaw, shoulder, arm and back while questioning a motorist last month in Morehouse Parish. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says Wheeler is expected to make a full recovery.
Wheeler’s father, Darren, says doctors are pleased with Tyler’s motor skills, memory and overall condition. Einck says once discharged, Tyler Wheeler will go to a rehab facility in Mississippi.
Two Monroe residents remain in jail on charges of attempted first degree murder of a police officer and accessory after the fact in relation to Wheeler’s shooting. Einck says doctors have been calling Wheeler the miracle patient for his speedy recovery.
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The Governor’s Office says a Republican lawmaker’s plan to close a $304 million dollar deficit would cripple public-private-hospitals, lead to the release of 45-hundred inmates and make a historic cut to public schools. Communications Director Richard Carbo says Lance Harris of Alexandria’s proposal would devastate state agencies.
Cut 10 (10) “would be impacted”
Harris released his proposal last week as an example of how the state can close a large midyear deficit without tapping tap into the rainy day fund. But Carbo says it is imperative rainy day dollars are used to ease some of the pain of the cuts.
Harris has also said the governor can make the necessary cuts without the need of a special session. But Carbo says without a special session, spending cuts will be focused primarily on health care, higher education and the Department of Corrections.
But Harris stands by his suggestions. He says LDH’s budget has grown nearly 24% in just one year. He says the Department of Health’s spending is getting out of control and the governor can make cuts to that agency without the legislature getting involved.
Harris believes the budget can be cut without cutting waivers for the developmentally disabled or reducing funding for hospitals.
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Walker Police are working to identify a female body that was found under an I-12 bridge. Captain John Sharp says employees of Gravity Draining District Five of Livingston Parish were working to clear debris under the bridge when they made the gruesome discovery.
Sharp says the woman appears to have been dead for at least a week. He says at this point they have a lot of unanswered questions.
The Livingston Parish Coroner will schedule and conduct an autopsy to determine a cause of death. Sharp says given the circumstances, they are treating the investigation as a homicide. He says their priority is trying to identify who the woman is because it’s likely someone is looking for her.
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Louisiana Tech begins a difficult road trip tonight in Birmingham as they visit the UAB Blazers, the defending regular season champs in Conference USA. The Bulldogs bring a season-high four-game winning streak into tonight’s contest and Head Coach Eric Konkol credits tough defense for his team’s recent winning ways
The Bulldogs are led by Erik McCree, who is averaging 17 points a game. Konkol says the senior from Orlando is doing a little bit of everything for the Dunkin Dogs…
Tech enters the game 6-1 in CUSA and in second place in the league standings. UAB is 5-2 and Konkol says handling the Blazers pressure will be a key…