12:30 Newscast

Louisiana has seen gains in child well-being, but those gains could be reversed if an undercount of children takes place with the upcoming census. KIDS COUNT manager at Agenda for Children Teresa Falgoust explains that over $2 billion are allocated to children’s programs based on census numbers, so accuracy is important.

Cut 10 (06) “…accurate census count.”

A 17-year-old suspect is in custody in Morehouse Parish following arson allegations. Marquarious Williams fled to McKinney, Texas after the incident and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his discovery was unexpected…

Cut 12 (08)   “…identified him”

 

 

Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three day summit.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will welcome the annual 2018 meeting of the National Lt. Governors Association with opening remarks.  Among the topics being discussed, Nungesser says he intends on bringing attention to the dangers of cheaper, imported seafood.

Cut 4  (10) “…across the country.”

 

Most state agencies survived the special session without a cut, but the Department of Corrections was not so lucky.  But it wasn’t all bad news. The legislature OK’d 24 million dollars in pay raises for corrections workers, bringing average pay from 12 dollars an hour to 14.  Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says they experienced a 52 percent turnover last year, and this will help draw in prospects to fill the hundreds of vacant positions.

Cut 15 (11) “for jobs”