We’re getting reaction to the resignation of Randy Smith as sheriff of St. Tammany Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Louisiana lawmakers have approved Governor Landry’s plan to redirect public school budget funds to pay for teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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An East Baton Rouge pastor charged with second-degree battery explains why he went across the highway in front of his church to fight his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The Metropolitan Crime Commission is hailing the resignation of Randy Smith as St. Tammany Parish sheriff. President Rafael Goyeneche (goy-uh-NETCH-ee) says Smith did the honorable thing by stepping down as part of his plea deal stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant.
Cut 4 (11) “…self best interest.”
Smith pleaded guilty to felony battery and disturbing the peace by public intoxication. As part of the plea deal, he can reduce the felony battery conviction to a misdemeanor if he completes an 18-month treatment program that will address his alcohol issues. Goyeneche points out that Smith was not given preferential treatment.
Goyeneche says given the overwhelming evidence against him, Smith would have been merely delaying the inevitable had he not taken the plea deal. Plus, by stepping down, he may benefit the sheriff’s office in another way.
Cut 6 (11) “…of that millage.”
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State lawmakers have approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to reallocate 168-million dollars from the public school operations budget to fund stipends for teachers and school support workers. But a state judge has temporarily blocked the plan from taking effect. One of the plaintiffs in the case, former Central School Superintendent Michael Faulk, says Landry doesn’t have the power to reallocate the money.
Cut 7 (10) “…constitution is BESE.”
The failure of Constitutional Amendment Three in the May election left the state scrambling to find money to pay a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for school support workers.
Earlier this month, Landry issued an executive order redirecting 168-million dollars from the public school funding budget and using that money so teachers do not receive a pay cut. Legislators overwhelming voted for the plan virtually. But Faulk says state law requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to recommend the amount of funding that goes to public schools.
Cut 8 (12) “…last approved MFP.”
Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier released a joint statement saying, “the Legislature did not want to see a reduction in teacher pay this year.”
Louisiana teachers have received stipends for three years now in lieu of a raise. The budget redirection would cut state education spending by roughly five percent. Faulk says Governor Landry cannot force a budget cut this way.
The order would have gone into effect July 1st. A hearing in the case blocking it will be held Monday.
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An East Baton Rouge Parish pastor who is seen on video physical fighting the 20-year-old son of his neighbor defends his actions during a press conference in front of his church in Central. Reverend Tony Spell says he got into a fist fight with the young man because he threatened violence against his family.
Spell says he was threatened while changing the battery on one of the church’s school buses.
The family that allegedly threatened Spell deny the accusations. But Spell says he went across the four-lane highway in front of his church to protect his family.
Spell and his attorney say the family across the street has threatened the pastor and his family multiple times and they’ve reported those incidents to the Central Police Department.
Central Police Chief Roy Corcoran says Spell’s wife had only contacted his police department one time about her neighbors, claiming they were following her.
Video shows Spell punching the 20-year-old numerous times. Spell says he will protect his wife and grandchildren who were threatened to be raped and killed.
Cut 12 (09) “…shepherds his flock.”
The only person facing charges is Spell. He bonded out of jail on Tuesday after he was charged with second-degree battery.
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Tulane University is purchasing the former Charity Hospital building and renovating it into a national hub for bioscience discovery and medical advancements. University President Michael Fitts says they’re redeveloping a building that’s been dormant for more than 20 years.
Cut 13 (09) “..opening it up.”
Fitts says while the building was formerly a hospital, the repurposed building will actually not be a medical center.
Cut 14 (08) “…people to live.”
Tulane’s purchase of the building is expected to close this fall, and construction will start soon afterwards. Fitts says when it’s completed in 2029, it will also put scores of people to work.
Cut 15 (06) “…when it’s complete.”
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LSU is building momentum in its effort to flip Texas wide receiver commit Easton Royal. The Brother Martin product is the top receiver in the nation and committed to the Longhorns in November. Tigerbait-dot-com’s Preston Guy says the Tigers’ pursuit of Louisiana’s top prospect has ramped up since Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge.
Cut 16 (13) “…’til signing day.”
Royal took his final official visit to Texas this past weekend after trips to LSU and Florida. Guy says Kiffin will have to open up the LSU pocketbook if he wants to flip Royal.
Cut 17 (17) “…high school players.”
He believes LSU is starting to approach Texas’s NIL offer, and a flip is likely if the Tigers can remain competitive.
The Tigers have turned around their 2027 class, adding 10 commitments this month. They’ve climbed to 17th in 247Sports’ national rankings, but Guy says missing out on an in-state prospect like Royal would put a damper on Kiffin’s first class.
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The NCAA is introducing a new five-for-five eligibility model, granting athletes five years to play up to five seasons and effectively eliminating redshirts. That window starts either when the athlete initially enrolls in college or turns 19, whichever is first. Hunt Palmer of ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge says the new rule will be a positive for college athletics.
Cut 19 (17) “…to play basketball.”
For LSU, it means this may be the last time Will Wade can bring over older foreign professional basketball players. LSU has received commitments from five overseas pros, four of whom are 22 or older. Palmer says their eligibility clock would have already started under the new rule.
Cut 20 (14) “…those age requirements.”
Schools may apply either the old eligibility rules or the new age-based set to athletes currently enrolled or enrolling in college for the first time this fall, whichever is more beneficial to each individual. The five-for-five system will apply to all athletes enrolling in 2027 or later.