Changes to teacher’s tenure protections has led to more educators leaving the classroom, according to a new report from Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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The National Retail Federation finds 48-percent of consumers plan to put their tax refunds into savings rather than spend it. Emelie Gunn has more…
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A study out of Tulane finds 17-hundred public school teachers have left their jobs in Louisiana because of a tougher tenure law that took effect two years ago. That’s a three-percent loss of the state’s teacher workforce. Co-author of the report is Nathan Barrett…
In 2012, the legislature passed a law that made student achievement a major part of the formula to earn tenure. Barrett says many of the educators that left were close to retirement, and teachers leaving under-performing schools rose by 27-percent.
Barrett says poorly-performing schools typically have students with troubled backgrounds, meaning teachers chance poor tests schools leading to bad teacher evaluations. Barrett says whether or not you agree with tenure protections, it’s something many teachers appreciate.
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A survey from the National Retail Federation finds many consumers plan to put their tax refunds into savings rather than spend. Denham Springs financial planner Matt Kennedy says we’ve seen this trend over the past eight years ever since the 2008 stock market crash.
The survey says of 66-percent of those getting a refund, only 21-percent plan to spend it on everyday expenses. Kennedy says surprisingly, millennials are the ones saving more than the baby boomers. He says younger people saw their parents suffer in the 2008 economic downturn and don’t want to risk it in the stock market.
48-percent of Americans plan to put their money into savings, second only to last year’s record high of 49-percent. Kennedy says a big reason consumers are saving is for debt reduction. He says this is especially true in Louisiana after last August’s historic flooding.
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Demarcus Cousins, aka Boogie, was officially introduced today as one of the newest members of the New Orleans Pelicans. The All-Star comes to The Big Easy from Sacramento and practiced with the Pels for the first time today. Cousins says he’s excited about the opportunity to hit the court with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis…:
Cousins will suit up with the Pelicans for the first time tomorrow night against Houston in the Smoothie King Center. Pels Coach Alvin Gentry is confident Cousins will be a huge addition to the team, as he and Davis’ style of play is very complimentary of each other…:
The Kings dealt Cousins and forward Omri Casspi to New Orleans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and 1st and 2nd round draft picks this summer. Some say while Davis and Cousins are among the top 10 in the league when it comes to ball skills, they have polar opposite personalities and attitude. Gentry is optimistic:
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Help is still available for domestic abuse survivors in St. Martin and Iberia Parishes even though the domestic violence service provider in that area is closing its shelter and ceasing services. That’s according to the interim director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski…
Wineski says they have a statewide hotline that will connect survivors in these parishes to neighboring programs. That number is 1-888-411-1333. She says these programs provide vital support to domestic abuse victims.
Cut 13 (08) “housing assistance“
The Safety Net for Abused Persons for the greater New Iberia area closed because of financial struggles. Wineski says they are working closely with stakeholders to get plans in place for a new permanent facility. She says last year LCADV provided over 90-thousand shelter nights to domestic violence victims around the state, which is why it’s imperative services are available to survivors in these parishes.