Lottery contributions to the state treasury see a downturn due to a lack of big jackpots from multi-state games. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
____________________________
The death of a woman last night at a New Orleans parade has sparked some calls for a safety overhaul of carnival season, but a New Orleans Councilwoman says that may not be feasible…
___________________________
The Louisiana Lottery says the lack of massive Powerball and Mega Million jackpots recently results in fewer dollars for education. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says from July to December they transferred about $42-million dollars to the state treasury.
Chopin says there is currently a rare, eight-month drought of multistate games rising into major jackpot territory, which has had an impact on ticket sales. Chopin believes some players are waiting until those jackpots hit a certain level before participating.
Cut 4 (12) “…big large jackpots.”
Chopin says the lack of excitement around big multistate jackpots has offset the uptick in scratch-off ticket sales, which are up about 3.7 percent.
Cut 5 (12) “…doing really well.”
The Louisiana Lottery is required to transfer at least 35 percent of its revenue to the state, much of which is used toward education.
___________________________________________
The Board of Regents approves a new policy that could result in financial penalties for universities that do not comply with minimum admissions requirements for incoming students. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says a school will be flagged for review if they allow too many students in, who do not meet requirements like minimum GPA, or ACT.
Specific penalties were not laid out, rather the policy notes they will be implemented to the degree the Board “deems appropriate”, “In accordance with the degree, repetition, and/or nature of the violation” per the AP.
LSU’s adoption of holistic admissions under former President Alexander saw the school push far past the limit of only allowing in four percent of incoming high school students to not meet ACT and GPA criteria, and Reed says…
Alexander argued the policy is in place at 80 percent of other flagship universities and touted the results of freshmen classes admitted under it.
The changes provoked concern the Board was increasing enrollment standards. Reed says that misunderstanding was evident in an Advocate headline claiming standards were going up.
She says LSU still has a minimum 25 ACT and 3.0 high school GPA requirement for admission.
____________________________________________________
58-year-old Geraldine Carmouche was killed last night at a New Orleans parade after reportedly trying to pass between two floats, tripping, and being run over.
The incident has sparked some calls for new safety regulations to keep people away from floats, but New Orleans Councilwoman Kristian Palmer says it’s just not feasible.
The incident happened roughly around 9 PM last night at the Nyx Parade. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing Carmouche try to hop between the gap in a linked tandem float.
Nyx, an all-woman parade, is the largest in New Orleans with over 3,300 members and 88 floats. The incident occurred at float 21, and all floats behind that were routed back to the staging area.
The last time a person was killed by a float at a parade in New Orleans was 2008 as Endymion was entering the Superdome. Palmer says thankfully you almost never see this happen.
________________________
Summerfield High School Principal Brian Biggs is in the Claiborne Parish jail after being arrested this morning at his home for multiple sex crimes. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says the bond for 54-year-old Biggs is set at $1 million after being booked on a slew of charges.
Cut 12 (13) “… behavior with juveniles.”
Hardy says the investigation began after authorities were notified of concerned parents after they accused Biggs of acting inappropriately with their child on the internet.
Cut 13 (11) “…request inappropriate images.”
Hardy says the investigation continues and urges parents to have a talk with their kids about Biggs.
Cut 14 (07) “…Louisiana State Police”
Summerfield High famously produced NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone.
_______________