Twenty-five million dollars is the amount the family of Max Gruver is going after with the civil suit pertaining to the alleged hazing incident that resulted in Gruver’s death. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
_____________________________________________
Drag Queen Story Time is headed to the Lafayette Library to teach kids about accepting their LGBTQ classmates for who they are. Matt Doyle has more.
A family lawyer says the Twenty-five million dollars being sought by the Gruver family in the case related to his alleged hazing death is there to send a warning to other academic institutions about the need to taking hazing seriously. While one of the Gruver family’s attorneys Don Cazayoux says the no amount of money will bring back their loved one, the price tag is more about sending a message to all involved in the incident in hopes that it puts a stop to hazing culture.
Cazayoux says he understands that LSU and fraternities do not want to discourage students from having a good time, but emphasizes the goal is that incidents like the one that happened to Gruver are not repeated.
Cut 4 (12) “…the Greek system.”
Cazayoux says he’s glad the state adopted tougher hazing rules, but this lawsuit is there to make sure they follow through with enforcement.
The readings will be held from 2 to 3PM.
_______________________________________
The Tiger’s just barely squeaked in under the bar for the AP Top 25 preseason poll, coming in at… 25. They’re the 5th highest ranked SEC team in the poll, coming in behind Bama at 1, Georgia at 3, Auburn at 9, and Mississippi State at 18. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says it’s been a gradual fall from grace for LSU over the past few years.
Stuck in the brutal SEC that’s reigned over the college football landscape for over a decade, and saddled with one of the toughest schedules in the conference, the Tigers aren’t expected to challenge for a playoff spot this year. Moran says at this point, they aren’t even being picked to compete for the SEC title.
And it may not be long before the Tigers tumble out of the Top 25 altogether, or skyrocket up the rankings. They’re set to play number 8 Miami for the season opener September 2nd, and less than three weeks out and with a Qb situation that still isn’t settled, they certainly are not the favorites to win. But Moran says dropping out early isn’t the end of the world.
___________________________________________
In October the Lafayette Public Library will play host to a few drag queens who will be reading stories to kids about the importance of accepting classmates and their families who may come from non-traditional households. Its Drag Queen Story time, and it’s rolling into town October 6th. Delta Lambda Phi Vice President Brad Parfait says it’s entertaining and educational.
The event, aimed at kids 3 to 6-years-old, will be followed by a “miniature” drag show that organizers say will teach kids about why some people chose to do drag.
The event is being put on at the library by Delta Lambda Phi social fraternity, which is based out of UL Lafayette. Parfait says the organization has a majority LGBTQ membership, so they’ll be having a few of their own strut their stuff for the afternoon.
Parfait says many sexuality and gender non-normative members of Delta Lambda Phi experienced bullying and harassment growing up, so he’s looking forward to sharing a message of inclusion to the next generation.
_____________________________________________
Gov. John Bel Edwards praised a report showing that the number of residents who are uninsured has fallen to half of what it was in 2015 and more Louisianans are getting better access to care since Louisiana expanded Medicaid, according to the 2017 Louisiana Health Insurance Survey. Edwards says the report shows many benefits in the wake of the expansion.
Cut 12 (12) “…more people insured.”
Edwards says the report indicates more Louisianans are getting the care they need without delay.
Cut 13 (11) “…through the emergency room.”
Edwards says Louisiana has not seen the closure of rural hospitals, unlike other states who did not expand medicaid, which he says adds to the reassurance his decision was a good one.