LRN Newscast 16:30 January 30, 2015

Mitt Romney makes it official today: he is not running for president. So now the Republican field is just a little less crowded for Governor Bobby Jindal…
cut 11 (11) “to go”
That’s ULL Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

With Common Core testing scheduled for March, some families have decided on opting their kids out of taking the tests. BESE member Lottie Beebe says, according to the Department of Education, this will cause negative implications for schools and systems…
CUT 3 (09) “and school systems”
So in response today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to protect those parents and districts who opt out, suggesting alternate assessment tests be given.
—————————–
State Fire Marshal’s officials are investigating a Thursday night mobile home fire in Marksville that has left four dead. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

And a tragedy this morning in a Thibodaux shopping center parking lot as a two year-old was struck and killed by a Chevy truck just past 10 AM. The driver- whose name was not released – submitted to a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his system. That unfortunate accident is under investigation by the Thibodaux Police Department.