AM Newscall 01.16.19

Postseason success for the Saints results in a victory for the local economy. Connor Ferrill has the Story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill.”

__________________________________

A Board of Regents report shows students who get into college with “academic exemptions” perform notably worse than students who do meet the minimum requirements for admission…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

The Louisiana Family Forum says they are seeking out the best examples of lasting love with the longest marriages in the state in time for Valentine’s Day.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

__________________________________

Postseason success for the Saints results in a victory for the local economy. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says even retailers that do not sell Saints merchandise benefit from the Black and Gold, especially if they keep winning in the playoffs…

Cut 4 (12) “…than that.” 

The Saints will host the Rams Sunday in the NFC Championship game. Cicero says it’s hard to say how many Rams fans will show up in the Crescent City, but there will be plenty of Who Dats in the French Quarter, C-B-D and Warehouse district this weekend…

Cut 5 (12) “…weekend.”

Cicero says if the Saints win Sunday and advance to the Super Bowl in Atlanta on February 3rd, he expects another big crowd for Super Bowl weekend in the Big Easy…

Cut 6 (06) “…the game.”

__________________________________

A Board of Regents report shows students allowed into higher education through “academic exemptions” had noticeably lower college GPA and graduation rates. The report was spurred by LSU’s admission that they had doubled the number of exemption students allowed into the institution. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says most of the exemptions were in one category.

Cut 7 (06) “…requirement.”

Students at LSU need a 25 on the ACT to get in, while statewide universities like UL-Lafayette require a 23, and regional schools like Southeastern call for a 20.

Only 32 percent of those with exemptions in 2010-2011 graduated in six years, compared to half of those without exemptions, and their GPA’s averaged 2.0 while nonexempt students averaged 2.7, But Reed notes student athletes with exemptions performed much closer to the average due to their support networks.

Cut 8 (09) “…successful.”

Only two thirds of students with exemptions returned to college after their first year, compared to 82 percent of those without. Reed says many of those exempt are first generation college students, who need more support from the state in their academic careers.

Cut 9 (11) “…successful.″

In 2001 the Board mandated LSU only allow four percent of their admissions to be exemptions.

__________________________________

Louisiana Family Forum is on the hunt for the longest married couples throughout the state.  For the last three years, a couple from Benton have locked in the title for being married the longest.  But that couple passed away in 2018, and another couple will be taking the distinction.  General council at LFF Kristie Cross says it’s an effort to encourage future generations on marriage.

Cut 10 (08) “…thick and thin.”

Cross says the organization will be on the lookout through early February in an effort to make an official recognition on Valentine’s Day.  Here’s how the top ten looks.

Cut 11 (11) “…and 74 years.”

Cross says upon finding the top couple, LFF will plan a celebration around the duo.

Cut 12 (11) “…go to them.”

___________________________

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing has been ranked the 10th best nursing school in the nation by Nursing Schools Almanac, and 4th among all public schools. The rankings surveyed 3,200 programs nationwide. Nursing Dean Demetrius Porche says they traditionally fare well in these rankings due to the wealth of programs available, and the success of their graduates.

Cut 13 (10) “…we have.”

Porche says the program is a vital piece of the Louisiana healthcare machine, and will grow even more important as the healthcare needs of the state increase over time.

Cut 14 (10) “…licensure.”

The Dean and Professor says it’s a proud moment for the venerable institution.

Cut 15 (11) “…within nursing”

____________________________

The Saints return to practice today to get ready for Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Rams. New Orleans running back Mark Ingram knows they are going up against a good team

Cut 16 (17)  “…good game”

The Rams feature one of the top running backs in the NFL in Todd Gurley. Linebacker A-J Klein says Gurley is a big, physical running back that’s hard to tackle…

 cut 17 (18)   “…match-ups.” 

There’s only a few Saints players still around from the 2009 Super Bowl team. Offensive Tackle Terron Armstead says he’s looking forward to playing his first NFC championship game and he doesn’t take this opportunity for granted…

Cut 18 (15)   to a win”