Louisiana voters will receive a new I Voted sticker during the fall elections. Matt Doyle spoke with the talent behind the new look.
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A Slidell couple is Guinness Book of World Record holders for the largest grapefruit ever harvested. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Louisiana Department of Education data shows 46 percent of the general population hit “Top Growth” on their 2019 LEAP scores, while only 43 percent of African American students did.
Superintendent of Education John White says historically disadvantaged students need to see higher test score growth than the general population to close the achievement gap.
Only 44 percent of economically disadvantaged, 45 percent of English learners, and 42 percent of disabled students hit “Top Growth” as well.
White says they’re trying to close the achievement gap by helping schools develop tailored plans. For example, if data shows a specific school’s 3rd graders aren’t hitting aren’t reading at grade level…
Despite the call to see higher growth rates in historically disadvantaged students than the general population, White says that doesn’t mean they’re neglecting other students.
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The Secretary of State’s office has unveiled a new I Voted sticker, which is a new take on the State Seal featuring a pelican with a crown on its head underneath the bold red font of I Voted.
Lafayette Artist Tony Bernard designed the striking piece. He says it’s derived from one of his paintings called “In Love With Louisiana”, and it features a reoccurring character of his…
The last “I Voted” sticker in 2016 featured George Rodrigue’s iconic Blue Dog. Bernard says when the Secretary of State called and asked him to design this year’s edition…
Louisiana voters were first given I Voted stickers in the 2016 presidential election.
Bernard says he’s tickled to know that his creation will hopefully help draw more people to the polls, and hopes to see turnout in the millions for the fall elections.
It cost the state 18,500 dollars to get enough stickers to take us through the October Primary and November Run-Off.
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Slidell is home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit. The grapefruit has the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and a weight of 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Growers Doug and Mary Beth Meyer credit the results to a bit of magic bestowed upon the tree from their grandchildren.
The Meyers say they have preserved the grapefruit in their freezer since harvesting the fruit in January. Now, they plan on writing a children’s book about their experience.
Cut 10 (09) “…experience with Guinness.”
The Meyers say they do not expect other fruits on the same tree to break the record again.
Cut 11 (11) “…very very delicious.”
The previous record was set in Rio de Janeiro nearly 13 years ago, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, with a circumference of 70 centimeters.
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State Police say a Florida man was killed in Monday afternoon’s chain-reaction crash on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 31-year-old Christopher McGee was one of three 18-wheelers involved in the pile-up…
McGee’s tractor-trailer caught on fire and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Gossen says three 18-wheelers and several passenger vehicles were involved in the fiery crash
Along with the one fatality, several people were hurt. The injuries range from minor to moderate and they were taken to local hospitals. The westbound lanes are closed as emergency crews continue the clean-up