Performance scores for public schools will be released today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says this will be the last year that schools will be graded on a curve…
cut 13 (10) “…letter grades”
Erwin says starting with this school year, schools are being asked to produce more students who are achieving above basic to receive a higher score.

The state department of education has launched a new website today to help parents decide what public schools in there area is best for their child. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says parents can compare schools and child care centers and do customizable searches…
cut 6 (11) “…those options”
The website is Louisiana-schools-dot-net.

Gas prices are about 20 cents higher than they were a year ago, because of higher demand. But Kelley Ray reports the price at the pump may come down soon…
voicer 3 (30) “….I”m Kelley Ray”

In St. Tammany Parish, the Pearl River Police Department is asking parents to check their child’s trick or treat candy after a needle was found in a piece of candy that was given out on Halloween. Pearl River police say they are taking this incident very seriously and investigating what they are calling a horrific act.

Many are in disbelief over the shooting rampage at a Texas church that killed 26 people. In 2010, a law was passed in Louisiana that allowed concealed handgun permit holders to bring a gun inside a church as long as the church leadership was fine with it. Former state representative Henry Burns wrote the law and says it also requires the individuals bringing a gun inside a church to receive eight hours of specialized training…
cut 10 (10) “…people participated”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron reitiered today that Danny Etling will remain the Tigers starting quarterback, despite a poor performance against Alabama. But Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran anticipates Coach O will give freshman Myles Brennan some snaps as well…
cut 7 (10) “…for now”

Early voting is underway for the November 18th election but Secretary of State Tom Schedler doesn’t expect a big turnout. Schedler blames the turbulence in Washington D.C. as the main driving force behind voter apathy….
Cut 4 (10) “on down.”
Early voting remains open until Saturday with the exception of Friday for the observance of Veteran’s Day.

Zeus Rescues in New Orleans is looking for homes for over 60 dogs and cats that were rescued from Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Zeus Director Michelle Ingram says the former owners of the pets sent background information to help the new owners get to know their adopted pet…
cut 13 (10) “…easy transition”

The first two days of early voting for the November 18 election shows numbers remain dismal with just under 26-thousand voters participating. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says even though they are getting the word out to encourage voters, not many took the advice…
Cut 3 (07) “voters behind.”
Early voting remains open until Saturday with the exception of Friday for the observance of Veteran’s Day.

The 97th cadet class has begun training at the State Police Training Academy in Baton Rouge. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 47 men and women started their intense training yesterday, while the 96th cadet class is entering its 11th week of training….
cut 15 (07) “….can be”
After graduation, troopers will participate in a 10-14 week field training program before beginning their new careers.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 Louisiana chefs are in New York City to prepare the Bayou State’s world-class food and give the Big Apple a taste of what we have to offer. Nungesser says they hope to woo people with our culture and encourage them to take their next vacation to Louisiana.
Cut 10 (08) “to do”
Chefs like Cory Bahr, Bonnie Breaux and Jay Ducote are joining the Lt. governor on this trip.

After the loss to Alabama, is it time to let true freshman Myles Brennan take over as LSU’s starting quarterback? Head Coach Ed Orgeron has said Danny Etling will remain the starter and Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says that’s the right calll…
cut 6 (09) “…quarterback play”
LSU’s final three regular season games are against Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas A-and-M.

The House GOP tax plan promises to lower taxes for most Americans and also simplify the tax code so that many individuals will be able to file their own taxes on a postcard. Brandon Legarde is a member of the Louisiana CPA Society and he imagines tax preparers will still be needed…
cut 6 (04) “…us busy”
There is some concern the House GOP tax proporsal will not pass the Senate.

47 men and women have reported to the State Police Training Academy to begin several weeks of grueling training to become a State Trooper. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says they’ll join the 96th cadet class, who is in its 11th week of training. Sandifer says they’ll soon add dozens of new troopers to the force….
cut 14 (11) “…much better”
And State Police is accepting applications for the next cadet class.

According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased four cents in the last week to $2.26. We are also paying about 30-cents more for gasoline than we did at this time last year.

State Farm is reminding drivers to be extra cautious of deer crossing the road, as it’s getting darker earlier. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Saints have won six in a row. They defeated Tampa Bay 30-10 yesterday. Up next is a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this Sunday.

There’s been a lot of talk, but how will the GOP tax reform plan affect you? Kelley Ray sheds some light…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Bastrop Police are seeking the public’s help in the death of a five-year-old girl. Authorities say the homicide occurred Saturday morning. And Ascension Parish authorities also need the community’s assistance to help solve the murder of a 44-year-old man, who was found lying in the street not far from his home in the affluent neighborhood of Pelican Point.

For the first time since 2005, two state police cadet classes are running simultaneously. The 97th cadet class, which includes 49 individuals, began training yesterday. And the 96th class is entering their 11th week of training. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says both classes are going through an intense training program…
Cut 13 (08) “those lines.”
And State Police is accepting applications for the next cadet class.

With the changing of the clocks this past weekend, more individuals will be driving home when the sun goes down. State Farm spokesperson Kip Diggs says be on the lookout for deer on rural roads and if you feel a collision with a deer is inevitable, do not swerve away. He says vehicles are deisgned to take an impact like this…
cut 8 (10) “…a ditch”

So what do local tax preparers have to say about how the GOP tax plan will affect our pocketbooks? Among the changes, the plan eliminates the ability to deduct state income tax, which is between two and six percent in Louisiana. Brandon Legarde with the Society of Louisiana CPA’s says that one change impacts everyone…
Cut 4 (08) “on that.”
Legarde says even with the promise of being able to file your taxes on a postcard, the simplicity of the tax code remains to be seen.

The 97th cadet class has begun training at the State Police Training Academy in Baton Rouge. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 47 men and women started their intense training yesterday, while the 96th cadet class is entering its 11th week of training….
cut 15 (07) “….can be”
After graduation, troopers will participate in a 10-14 week field training program before beginning their new careers.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 chefs are in New York City to promote Louisiana cuisine. Nungesser says during the three-day visit to the Big Apple the Louisiana chefs will be able to meet with writers, producers and editors who cover in food and travel….
cut 12 (10) “…their hometown”
The participating chefs are from Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and several places in between.

It will get dark earlier today, since we moved the clocks back one hour. State Farm spokesperson Kip Diggs says be on the look out for deer along rural roads on you way home today….
cut 7 (09) “…they have”
State Farm finds the odds Louisiana drivers will hit a deer is down at 1 in 332, lower than the national average.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 Louisiana chefs are in New York City to prepare the Bayou State’s world-class food and give the Big Apple a taste of what we have to offer. Nungesser says they hope to woo people with our culture and encourage them to take their next vacation to Louisiana.
Cut 10 (08) “to do”
Chefs like Cory Bahr, Bonnie Breaux and Jay Ducote are joining the Lt. governor on this trip.

Republicans in the U-S House say their tax plan will jump start the U-S economy by simpilifying the tax code and lower tax rates on individuals and businesses. Brandon Legard is with the Louisiana C-P-A Society and says his office is still trying to determine how all te tax breaks will benefit businesses…
cut 5 (09) “…the process”
The national small business lobbying group has already come out and said the tax reform plan will not help them.

A Sweet 16 party turned deadly in Kenner this weekend when authorities say 17-year-old Renee Holloway fatally shot 18-year-old Jontrell Wells after arguing about an ongoing neighborhood rivalry. Holloway is charged with second-degree murder.

The sun will likely be either going down or it will be dark for your ride home today, because we turned the clocks back one hour this week. State Farm spokesperson Kipp Diggs says also be on the look out for deer crossing the road in rural areas…
cut 9 (11) “…animal”