38,000 state employees will see a pay raise in the fiscal year that began Saturday, but not until 2018. A 2% pay hike was approved in this year’s legislative session. State civil service director Byron Decoteau says prison guards and probation officers are among the state workers that will see an even higher pay on January 2…:
Cut 8 (04) “modest increase”
Decoteau says raises help combat a high turnover rate in state government, which is more costly than the increases.

By third grade, public school students will be taught cursive writing under a 2016 approved law now in effect. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her bill did not outline how long teachers should spend on the matter. She says she wanted to leave that up to the school districts and the teachers…:
Cut 6 (10) “the curriculum”
She says the kids she’s spoken with are excited about learning how to write in cursive.

Louisiana farmers and ranchers impacted by the 2016 floods are eligible for recovery grants. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Ponchatoula Police Department say a 2 year old was found in a pool unresponsive Saturday, and is in critical condition. They said in a statement that the incident is tragic and being handled with great care. First responders were able to restore the child’s heartbeat, but the toddler is still fighting for life.