BESE approved a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 23-24 school year. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says how schools use the additional funding to either attract, retain, or reward teachers is historic.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for our teachers.” 

A bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming harder to treat according to Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere. He says the majority of cases are among international travelers, homeless people, individuals with weakened immune systems, and gay men.

Cut 14 (09)  “…from CDC.”

Shigella causes prolonged diarrhea and stomach pain and most people infected will recover in 7 to 10 days.

Will LABI President Stephen Waguespack join in the race to be Louisiana’s next Governor? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Department of Children and Family Services informed lawmakers Wednesday that they’ve hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increased the staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire and their former sectary resigned last year after a number of high-profile child death cases. The Child Welfare Division has 55 vacancies left to fill.

BESE approves a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Will LABI President Stephen Waguespack join in the race to be Louisiana’s next Governor? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Bacterial infections are on the rise and are less responsive to medications. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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BESE approves a new funding formula for the ‘23-24 school year that would give $2,000 raises for certified teachers and $1,000 for non-certified and support staff. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says the formula also gives schools the flexibility for additional pay to instructors needed in critical shortage areas like math, science, and special ed.

Cut 4 (09)  “…the building.”

Brumley says it allows schools to direct funds where they are needed most to drive down vacancy numbers and increase teacher quality. $61 million has been allotted as a block grant for schools to use as they wish.

The across-the-board raise two-thousand-raise and block grant must have legislative approval first but Brumley says allowing schools to direct additional funds as they see fit, could give select teachers an additional bump in salary.

Cut 5 (08) “…moving forward.”

Governor Edwards is encouraging lawmakers to approve the two and one-thousand-dollar teacher pay increases and Brumley says while Louisiana will still be below the southern regional average every increase helps. Brumley says how schools use the additional funding to either attract, retain, or reward teachers is historic.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for our teachers.” 

The legislative session begins on April 10^th.

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There is speculation that Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) President & CEO Stephen Waguespack could announce a run for governor as soon as today. How will his entry affect a growing field of candidates? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says Waguespack could be a strong candidate…:

Cut 7 (08) “…on several levels.”

Waguespack has led LABI since 2013. Before that, the Republican served as Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel.  Cross says the Jindal Years Are looked at unfavorably by many Louisiana voters, and that could be used against Waguespack by opponents…:

Cut 8 (08) “…longtime staffer.”

Waguespack is anticipated to be planning an announcement today that he will seek the Governor’s Mansion. Cross feels Waguespack’s entry brings a new dynamic to the race, and he should have no problem with campaign fundraising…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…for Stephen Waguespack.”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Delhi today attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Conference Center at Black Bear Golf Club. He says the new facility allows the area to host small conventions, corporate events, family reunions, and weddings.

Cut 10 (05)  “…years to come.”

The facility is also located near Poverty Point World Heritage Site. Nungesser says the conference center allows the area to welcome a variety of events and will only increase tourism to northeast Louisiana.

Cut 11 (11)  “…golf course.”

And with more river cruises along the Mississippi River, Nungesser says the Conference Center can welcome even more visitors to Northeast Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…year after year.”

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A bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming more resistant to medicine and harder to treat according to the CDC. Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere (Van-cherry) says the infection can be easily transmitted from person to person.

Cut 13 (05) “…you sick.” 

The CDC reported an estimated 450 thousand cases are treated in the US every year. The majority of cases are among international travelers, homeless people, individuals with weakened immune systems, and gay men.

Cut 14 (09)  “…from CDC.”

People infected may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Vanchiere says the best prevention is good hygiene.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the time.”

Most people infected will recover within a week to 10 days.

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Spring football kicks off this morning for LSU as Coach Brian Kelly embarks on his second season as head coach.  Kelly rebuilt the program from top to bottom in 2022. Wilson Alexander, who covers the Tigers for the Advocate says this season LSU returns 26 players who started at least one game last year. That includes most of their offensive skill players…

Cut  16 (16)  “..step there” 

Quarterback Jayden Daniels is back for his second season with the Tigers. Alexander says Daniels is the starting Q-B, but backup Garrett Nussmeier will have the chance to compete…

Cut 17 (16) “…to arise” 

Defensively, junior linebacker Greg Penn is LSU’s top returning tackler and Freshman All-American linebacker Harold Perkins is also back. Mekhi Wingo is back to lead the defensive line along with Maason Smith. Alexander says there are a bunch of starting spots up for grabs in the secondary….

Cut 18 (19) “…Denver Harris.”

Spring football will conclude on April 22nd.

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Cut 19 (22) “…him around”

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Cut 20 (18)  “…this tournament.” 

A Chalmette church pastor is arrested for allegedly molesting a minor for a span of several years. Louisiana State Police Trooper Kate Stegall says they were first made aware of the accusations last November, and the investigation turned up numerous alleged assaults that happened from 2010 to 2013; starting when the victim was just 14…:

Cut 12 (12) “…Milton Martin the Third” 

Martin is a pastor at First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette.

This weekend, Louisiana returns to daylight saving time something Haughton Representative Dodie Horton wishes was year-round.  Horton is presenting a bill  that would make daylight saving time permanent in Louisiana, but it only goes into effect if Congress passes the “Sunshine Protection Act.”

Cut 6 (05)  “…full time.” 

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is expected to get in the governor’s race tomorrow. Congressman Garret Graves says even though he’s not a candidate he plans to be involved…

Cut 5 (07) “…best governor”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says the state scored a huge victory Tuesday in federal court challenging California’s ban on the importation and sale of alligator products. Landry says it would have devasted the industry. He thanked State Wildlife and Fisheries and members of the industry for helping them win the case.

Cut 11 (12)  “…and the world.”

Landry credits the state and industry for increasing the alligator population and removing it from the endangered species list.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says the state scored a huge victory Tuesday in federal court challenging California’s ban on the importation and sale of alligator products. Landry says the ban could have disrupted the supply chain and decimated the industry.

Cut 9 (11) “…yesterday we won.”

The gubernatorial race has several major candidates, Republicans Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt, and Richard Nelson. Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent Hunter Lundy are also contenders. Congressman Garret Graves, who announced he’s not running said it was not an easy decision to remain in Washington D.C.

Cut  4 (12)  “…the field.” 

Baton Rouge authorities do not suspect foul play in the death of a Georgia businessman. Nathan Millard was missing for nearly two weeks until his body was found Monday morning wrapped in plastic in a blighted part of north Baton Rouge. BRPD Captain Kevin Heinz says camera footage helped them trace Millard before he vanished. One of his stops was at a Greyhound bus station and a security guard offered him a ride…

Cut 15 (08)  “…own accord.”

Heinz says a pending toxicology report will determine if drug use led to his death.

We return to daylight saving time this weekend, but Haughton Representative Dodie Horton wishes it was year-round.  Horton passed a bill in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent in Louisiana, but it only goes into effect if Congress passes the “Sunshine Protection Act.”

Cut 7 (07)  “…year round.” 

This weekend, Louisiana returns to daylight saving time something Haughton Representative Dodie Horton wishes was year-round.  Horton passed a bill in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent in Louisiana, but it only goes into effect if Congress passes the “Sunshine Protection Act.”

Cut 6 (05)  “…full time.” 

Former District 4 Louisiana Congressman and Minden resident Dr. John Fleming says he will run for State Treasurer this fall. The Republican says because Green Energy investments are rarely profitable, if elected, he’d invest state money in the still-vital oil & gas industry, which he calls a proven profit maker…:

Cut 12 (08) “…carbon emissions.”

The primary election is on October 14^th.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says important issues on the national level keep him from running for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is expected to get in the governor’s race tomorrow. Congressman Garret Graves says even though he’s not a candidate he plans to be involved…

Cut 5 (07) “…best governor”

Former Minden Congressman John Fleming tosses his hat in the ring to be the next State Treasurer…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Baton Rouge authorities do not suspect foul play in the death of a Georgia man who went missing on February 23rd. Nathan Millard’s body was found Monday morning wrapped in plastic and carpet in a blighted part of north Baton Rouge…

Cut 13 (14) “…signs of foul play.” 
BRPD Captain Kevin Heinz says an autopsy found no external or internal injuries and they will know more when the toxicology report comes back.

A crash in Grant Parish killed a 16- and 9-year-old Monday. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says it happened when five juveniles attempted to tow a disabled Go-Cart with a tractor. He says another vehicle came over a hill and struck the tractor on Louisiana Highway 1240 near Brumley Road which also impacted teens on the Go-Cart. Wallace says the accident was unavoidable but remains under investigation.

Cut 9 (05)  “…a tragedy.”

Congressman Garret Graves says the Republican Party’s slim majority in the U-S House is a big reason why he decided not to run for governor. Graves, who was re-elected to a fifth term last year, has a lot of important issues to tackle on the federal level…

Cut 3 (07) “…not to run” 

Graves says he still doesn’t think Louisiana’s next governor is in the race yet. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is expected to get in the race again.

Baton Rouge police says they do not suspect foul play from the preliminary autopsy of Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing almost two weeks ago, His body was found Monday wrapped in plastic and carpet in a north Baton Rouge. BRPD Captain Kevin Heinz says they believed he died elsewhere, and his body was moved.

Cut 14 (07)  “…what happened.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says agriculture field burning is a real issue in her district as the smoke from the burning causes low visibility on roads and it’s a health issue…

Cut 5 (10) “…health impact.”

Amedee is looking at creating a task force to see what alternatives are out there besides field burning, which saves farmers millions every year.

A crash in Grant Parish killed a 9 and 16-year-old Monday evening. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says it happened when five juveniles were towing a disabled Go-Cart with a tractor, and another vehicle came over a hill and struck them on Louisiana Highway 1240 near Brumley Road. He says the accident was unavoidable.

Cut 8 (06) “…our roadways.”

He says the driver of the Chevy Equinox was not restrained and suffered minor injuries.

Agricultural field burning in Louisiana may be substituted by innovative resolutions in the near future. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Former Minden Congressman John Fleming tosses his hat in the ring to be the next State Treasurer…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Baton Rouge Police do not suspect foul play in the death of missing Georgia man, Nathan Millard who was found Monday after vanishing almost two weeks ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Field burnings in rural parts of Louisiana may become a thing of the past if a resolution to finding substitutes is passed in the upcoming legislative session. Low visibility causing automobile fatalities and health issues are major factors in creating a proposed group to offer alternatives to agricultural practice. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says appointing a task force to identify alternatives could be a positive move.

Cut 4 (09)  “…these things.”

Louisiana State University Ag Center Research and Extension data shows burning saves farmers about $120 million per year. Amedee says burning alternatives would be a positive impact on Louisianans with health issues.

Cut 5 (10) “…health impact.”

The objective is to find alternatives and implement solutions that will be beneficial for everyone.

Cut 6 (08)  “…should have.” 

The task force would include people in the farming, fire safety, medical and scientific industries.

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A crash in Grant Parish killed two juveniles Monday evening. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says it happened when five juveniles attempted to tow a disabled Go-Cart with a tractor. Wallace says another vehicle came over a hill and struck the tractor on Louisiana Highway 1240 near Brumley Road which also impacted teens on the Go-Cart.

Cut 7 (08) “…at the hospital.”

(A 16 and 9 year-old died in the crash)

Wallace says the accident was unavoidable and the driver of the Chevy Equinox, 50-year-old Wendy Ballard of Montgomery, who was not restrained received minor injuries in the crash.

Cut 8 (06) “…our roadways.”

Wallace worries similar accidents will happen now that the spring weather has arrived, and more teens are driving, Go-Carts, three-wheelers, etc. that have been in storage all winter and they aren’t necessarily operating order. He says the accident remains under investigation.

Cut 9 (05)  “…a tragedy.”

Routine toxicology samples were also obtained for analysis.

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Former District 4 Louisiana Congressman and Minden resident Dr. John Fleming says he will run for State Treasurer this fall. Fleming – a Republican – is a medical doctor and has launched and owned several companies. He says he is well-qualified for the job for that reason, and for his recent years working in the Donald Trump White House on the financial policy team…:

Cut 10 (11)  “…in this area.”

Fleming’s announcement makes three declared candidates so far. They are Republican Baton Rouge state Representative Scott McKnight and Democrat financial planner Dustin Granger, of Lake Charles. Fleming says, as Treasurer, he would make better investments of taxpayer dollars than opponents…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…politically correct.”

Fleming says Green Energy investments are rarely profitable.  Fleming says, if elected, he’d invest state money in the still-vital oil & gas industry, which he calls a proven profit maker…:

Cut 12 (08) “…carbon emissions.”

Fleming says his fiscal experience makes him best suited to head the State Treasury and the State Bond Commission. Qualifying for elections starts August 9^th. The primary election is on October 14^th.

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Baton Rouge authorities release a preliminary autopsy report on Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing two weeks ago, and body was found Monday wrapped in plastic and carpet in a blighted part of town. BRPD Captain Kevin Heinz says at this time it doesn’t appear Millard had any external or internal injuries.

Cut 13 (14) “…signs of foul play.” 

Final autopsy results are pending a toxicology report.

Police were limited as to what details they could disclose because it’s an active investigation. They believe Millard died elsewhere and Heinz says efforts are underway to locate the person or persons who moved Millard’s body to the 2900 block of Scenic Highway.

Cut 14 (07)  “…what happened.”

After leaving a downtown bar, detectives have traced Millard’s steps from camera footage and witness accounts. Heinz says Millard spoke with a security guard at the Greyhound bus station and she offered him a ride.

Cut 15 (08)  “…own accord.”

Heinz says the last camera footage they have of Millard is from 4:30 AM on February 23^rd. They are asking anyone who has any information about the case to call them or Crimestoppers.

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The LSU Tigers will face the Georgia Bulldogs in the opening round of the SEC Men’s basketball tournament tonight in Nashville. These two teams met on Valentine’s Day in Athens and it was Georgia who won by two points. Tigers Coach Matt McMahon says taking care of the basketball will be a key tonight…

Cut  16 (10)  “…on Wednesday.” 

The Tigers went two and 16 in the SEC in the regular season and they have the 14 and last seed in the SEC Tournament. McMahon says tonight is the start of a new season…

Cut 17 (17) “…on Wednesday.” 

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The LSU baseball team goes after its seventh straight win tonight as they host Lamar at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers are 11-and-1, while the Cardinals are ten and two. Coach Jay Johnson has a quick scouting report on the visitors from Beaumont, Texas…

Cut 18 (06) “…really, really well.”

LSU is getting great contributions from their freshman class. Paxton Kling is hitting .391 and is hit his first collegiate home run on Monday. Johnson says the 2022 High School Player of the Year in Pennsylvania decommitted from the Tigers after Paul Mainieri retired…

Cut 19 (22) “…him around”

Kling started in right field on Monday and went 3-for-3 at the plate.

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Cut 20 (18)  “…this tournament.” 

Baton Rouge authorities release a preliminary autopsy report on Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing two weeks ago, and whose body was found wrapped in plastic and carpet Monday in a blighted part of town. At a press conference today, BRPD Captain Kevin Hines says at this time it doesn’t appear that he had any external injuries.

Cut 24 foul play :16

Governor John Bel Edwards officially endorsed retired DOTD Secretary, Shawn Wilson for Governor today. “LAPolitics.com” publisher, Jeremy Alford says, although Wilson’s announcement has come a bit late, he already has an edge in the race…:

CUT 06          (11)    “…same about.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is not running for governor, but another potential Republican candidate emerges….:

CUT 01          (29)    “…Palermo.”

After losing in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship game last season, the Ragin Cajuns won the league’s tournament title last night as they defeated South Alabama 71 to 66. The win puts Bob Marlin’s team in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. U.L.-Lafayette will find out on Sunday who they will play in Round 1, and where.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is not running for governor, but another potential Republican emerges. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Gov Edwards has endorsed former DOTD Secretary and Democrat Shawn Wilson for governor. LA-Politics dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says while Republican Jeff Landry has $5-million in campaign funds, Wilson is behind on fundraising, however

Cut 8 (05)  “…the unexpected.” 

The primary is October 14^th.

Governor Edwards and business leaders continue their Asian trade mission. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary Don Pierson spoke to us from Tokyo this morning and says in addition to the state’s traditional overseas business relationships, they are nurturing new ones.

Cut 10 (12) “…our future.” 

The Louisiana delegation has also met with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel on their visit.

After losing in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship game last season, the Ragin Cajuns won in the league’s tournament title last night as they defeated South Alabama 71 to 66. The win puts Bob Marlin’s team in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. He says it’s a special group of players….

Cut 13 (04) “…great things” 

Lafayette will find out on Sunday who they will play and where in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.