Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard defends his decision to employ Dennis Perkins, who is in jail on sex crime charges. Matt Doyle reports Ard had a combative press conference with reporters today about an incident that happened with another child in 2013…
Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”
__________________________________________
According to the nation’s report card, Louisiana has seen more improvement from eighth graders in the area of math than any other state. Kevin Barnhart has more
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
__________________________________________
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard speaks publicly for the first time, defending his decision to keep SWAT Commander Dennis Perkins on staff. Perkins and his wife are accused of sex crimes involving children.
WBRZ detailed a Baton Rouge cop’s 2013 allegation of improper conduct against his step-child by Perkins. Ard blames the officer for not putting the allegation in writing.
Cut 3 (10) “investigation.”
Ard says the “verbal investigation” unveiled no sexual misconduct and determined Perkins was just “tickling” the child.
Ard further defended his office’s decision to retain Perkins in light of the 2013 allegation…
Cut 4 (11) “…years ago”
The Sheriff says there are no reports of incidents or allegations against Perkins’ in his official file.
WBRZ also uncovered a 2011 restraining order filed against Perkins over allegedly using his LPSO vehicle to stalk someone. Ard says they had no record of it in administration.
Cut 5 (11) “by that”
WBRZ reports the restraining order was stamped received.
______________________
Four contractors are expected to submit bids by Friday with their plans on how to clear the site of the Hard Rock Hotel collapse. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says an exact timeline on demolition is unclear.
Cut 6 (10) “…every single day.”
McConnell says the responsibility of taking down the building is on the property owner, but the city has been hands-on with the analysis of the demolition plans.
Cut 7 (09) “…an active investigation.”
McConnell says public safety is the top priority in the handling of the site, but there is still a focus on how to recover the two dead bodies that remain inside the structure.
Cut 8 (10) “…about doing that.”
The building collapsed October 12th, killing three and injuring numerous others. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
_____________________________
LSU will likely be the number one team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll when they visit second-ranked Alabama on November ninth. But Coach Ed Orgeron says they are not paying attention to the current rankings
Cut 9 (11) “…towards that”
The hype is just starting to build on this potential number one versus number two match-up. Orgeron says they don’t want to give any bulletin board material for Alabama to feed on…
Cut 10 (08) “…ball is snapped.”
Orgeron says safety Grant Delpit will be available for the Alabama game, despite an ankle injury suffered in the win over Auburn.
Alabama Coach Nick Saban says Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be a game-time decision after undergoing surgery last week to correct a high ankle sprain. Saban says he’s well aware of the challenge LSU will present them
Cut 11 (12) “successful.”
Last year, Alabama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium. But Saban says the Tigers are completely different offense…
Cut 12 (11) “…at it”
______________________________________________________
The nation’s report card ranks Louisiana between 44th and 49th in math and reading assessments. However, the report shows the state has made more improvement than any other state in 8th grade math. State Superintendent of Education John White says the findings indicate the state is turning around.
Cut 13 (12) “…answer is yes.”
Eighth graders were ranked 48th for math. White says among the challenges to tackle in Louisiana is attracting STEM teachers to the education field.
Cut 14 (11) “…to the classroom.”
The state ranked 49th on the ACT, down from 45th last year. Louisiana is one of 15 states requiring all high school students to take the ACT and ranked 13th among those, only ahead of Mississippi and Nevada. White says those results are a letdown.
Cut 15 (11) “…better next year.”
The state composite ACT score was 18.8, down from 19.2 last year, compared to the national average of 20.7, which is also down just slightly from 20.8 last year. Results are based on a scale of 1-36.