AM Newscall 01/27/2020

Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to plan a staycation instead.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Own Your Own Health challenge is underway, giving Louisianans a fun, competitive way to start living a healthier life. Matt Doyle has more.

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LSU brings back Bo Pelini as its defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo spoke with a former LSU all-american on what Pelini’s return means for the Tigers…

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Nicholls State University gets recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality as the top teacher prep program for early reading instruction, receiving an A+ rating.  Nicholls head of teacher education Dr. Alyson Theriot says students who struggle with reading will struggle with just about every other subject.

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Theriot says the reason for success is covering the five essential components of reading including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, as well as the ability to work with local school districts and mentor teachers.

Cut 5 (10) “…in the success.”

Theriot says feedback received from those that have gone through the program is further verification of the program’s effectiveness.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the field.”

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Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the state has been busy marketing itself to visitors from outside of Louisiana but also encourages residents to take a staycation in their home state. Nungesser says last year nearly nine million days of vacation went used in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

Nationally, 768 million vacation days went unused. Nungesser says the most effective remedy is better planning as 47% of planners used all of their vacation days. 23% of non-planners haven’t taken a vacation or trip in the last two years.

Nungesser says there is no shortage of different ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in different parts of the state.  Plus, there is festival season.

Cut 8 (09) “…new to do.”

Nungesser says if you are looking for one of a kind culture, Louisiana has a massive selection of attractions and details on many of them can be found at LouisianaStaycation.com.

Cut 9 (07) “…for everybody’s taste.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health kicks off the Own Your Own Health Challenge, a competition aimed at getting Louisianans more active, healthier, and ultimately lighter.

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Director Rudy Macklin says you can compete against others around the state and country to see who can win a steps challenge, or who can lose the most weight.

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OYOH has been going strong in Louisiana for nearly two decades in one form or another, and over 100,000 people have participated in it.

The competition comes with drawings for prizes every Friday, and even features a little regional competition…

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Macklin adds the service also allows for private organizations like churches or businesses to challenge each other.

Even if you don’t end up taking home any trophies in the competition, Macklin says it’s still a great way to introduce people to exercise.

Cut 12 (08) “…have it”

Visit O-Y-O-H-Dot-com to sign up.

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Bo Pelini is back as LSU’s defensive coordinator. In 2007 he helped the Tigers win a national championship and returns to Baton Rouge after heading coaching stops at Nebraska and Youngstown State. Safety Craig Steltz was an All-American on that 2007 team and it’s great to have Coach Bo back

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Pelini was defensive coordinator for the Tigers from 2005 to 2007. In each of his three years with the Tigers, Pelini’s defenses ranked number three in the nation in yards allowed. Steltz says Pelini was always one step ahead of opposing offenses…

Cut 14 (11) “…big time sack.”

Pelini is known as a fiery coach and some LSU fans wonder how he’ll mesh with Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff. Steltz expects Pelini will work well with Coach O…

Cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”