Governor Jeff Landry’s Education Policy Council provides its recommendations on improving public education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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To increase public awareness of police misconduct in the state, The ACLU of Louisiana has launched a comprehensive dashboard of police killings and violence. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor Landry’s K-12 Education Policy has released its recommendations for improving public education. Erin Bendily with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy served on that committee and she says one of their recommendations is to expand school choice…

Cut 3 (10) “….right now”  

Bendily says there are options to traditional public schools, including home schooling, charter schools and micro schools, which are smaller schools loosely structured with private schools.

Republicans in the Legislature the last couple of years have pushed for education savings accounts. Bendily says they are optimistic it will approved this year and that would allow families to use state dollars to pay for private schools or other learning expenses…

Cut 4 (10) “..home schooling options”

Bendily says K-12 education policy council also recommends bolstering teacher recruitment efforts and provide flexible state funding for teacher compensation to allow school systems to meet their greatest local workforce needs…

Cut 5 (10) “…that area”  

Bendily says the report also recommends that the state revamps its school rating system. She says schools should receive more credit for improving students’ scores on standardized tests, even if the overall score is below average.

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Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010 but Governor Jeff Landry will push for legislators to find new ways to carry out executions in next month’s special session. Landry says the session will focus on crime and highlight the suffering of victims’ families whose killers remain on death row.

Cut 6  (07) “…the criminals.” 

The state has had trouble obtaining the drugs to carry out executions.

Landry says other states including Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama have continued capital punishment despite a shortage of drugs by pharmaceutical  companies. He says death penalty cases can be lengthy and cost the state millions.

Cut 7 (12) “…to victims.” 

Alabama became the first state to use nitrogen gas as a new method to execute a death-row prisoner last week. Landry opposed granting clemency to more than 50 death row inmates last year.

Landry says there are families across the state that have suffered tremendously from the loss of a loved as a result of crime. He says the state has promised those families justice.

Cut 8 (08) “…our contracts.” 

The state currently has 59 people on death row.

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To increase public awareness of police misconduct in the state, The ACLU of Louisiana has launched a comprehensive dashboard of police killings and violence. ACLU Data Analyst Elijah Appelson says they created the dashboard to increase accessibility to the data and amplify the voices of individuals who are victims of police violence.

Cut 9 (09) “…the violence.”

A third reason for the dashboard is to ensure police accountability.

Appelson says as they compiled the data, they found three disturbing trends. Between January 2013 and January 2024, there have been 116 police killings over the 132-month period, almost one a month.

Cut 10 (09) “…white people.”

The data also indicated 76 percent of those police killings were for non-violent offenses. For example, traffic stops, domestic disturbances, and mental health checks.

Because there are no mandates for law enforcement to report misconduct, Appelson says policing data is difficult to come. The ACLU is hoping the public will gain a better understanding of the prevalence of police violence in Louisiana and that local agencies can do their own analysis with the data.

Cut 11 (09) “…their community.”

The ACLU also encourages those who’ve been victims of police violence to report such incidents on their website.

You can view the dashboard at LAaclu.org

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In Avoyelles Parish 36-year-old Joshua Nugent was killed Saturday after he barricaded himself in his Evergreen home. Sheriff’s deputies were called after Nugent allegedly made bomb threats to his neighbors and destroyed property.  Master Trooper Casey Wallace says State Police negotiators and SWAT also assisted.

Cut 12 (10)  “…that incident.”  

Wallace says they negotiated with Nugent for several hours.

Cut 13 (11) “…looking for.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

The Advocate is reporting Governor Jeff Landry wants to restart executions of death row inmates. Jeanne Burns has more…

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A daughter of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards is telling her story in the book The Life and Times of a Governor’s Daughter. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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LSU Tigers fans will get an in depth look into the lives of the college’s top NIL earners in a new docuseries set to be released later this year. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The Advocate newspaper reports Governor Jeff Landry will look to restart executions in Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s not a surprise since Landry has made it known that he wants to deter crime…

Cut 4 (11) “…across Louisiana.”

Louisiana has not executed anyone since Gerald Bordelon in 2010. Before Bordelon’s execution, the state’s last execution was in 2002. Pinsonat says Landry could support a death penalty bill in the upcoming special session on crime…

Cut 5 (07) “…on death row” 

Executions have stopped in Louisiana because former Governor John Bel Edwards opposed the death penalty. Also, the drugs needed to carry out an execution have been difficult to obtain. But Alabama just used nitrogen gas to execute a death-row prisoner. Pinsonat believes Landry was paying attention…

Cut 6 (08) “…to use.”

There are currently 59 people on death row.

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“The Life and Times of a Governor’s Daughter,” the autobiography of Victoria Edwards, tells the story of her life as Governor Edwin Edwards’ second oldest child and how their tumultuous relationship came full circle before his death. Now 71, the former model, actress, and high school teacher says she felt motivated to tell her story.

Cut 7 (11) “…the book.”

Looking back, Edwards says she finally understood why she had such a rocky relationship with her father one, because they were so much alike, and second because she was bipolar, a diagnosis she didn’t receive until her 40s. She says their relationship was mended before he passed away.

Cut 8 (10) “…on everything.” 

Being bipolar Edwards says her sister often reminds her that she doesn’t have a filter and that she needs to think before she speaks often. Edwards says while she can be brutally honest, she hopes readers have a better understanding of the unique life she’s led and that having a good relationship with Christ is what’s most important.

Cut 9 (11)  “…really matters.”

To purchase a copy of the book email thelifeandtimes70@gmail.com

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Prime Video announce a new docuseries, The Money Game, highlighting LSU athletics and NIL earners Angel Reese, Olivia Dunne, Flau’ Jae Johnson and Jayden Daniels set to be released later this year. LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says the project is produced by LSU Legend Shaquille Oneal.

Cut 10 (12) “…around NIL.”

LSU is home to three of the top 10 NIL earners in college sports who collectively have more than 20 million social media followers.

Worsham says production has been able to capture the full scope of the 2023 athletic year. He says the all-access pass will highlight surreal experiences of LSU’s top NIL players.

Cut 11 (13) “…they’re facing.” 

The project will provide a front row seat in the life of Angel Reese who was the 2023 Women’s Basketball Final Four Most Outstanding Player, gymnast Olivia Dunne, Flau’jae Johnson was named SEC Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Year, and Heisman winner and future NFL draft pick Jayden Daniels.

Worsham says NIL’s has created millionaire athletes at the college level. He says sports fans will be able to follow their journey and view new opportunities these reforms bring.

Cut 12 (11) “…Baton Rouge.” 

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The once crowded field of Republican presidential candidates is down to two. Former President Donald Trump has a commanding lead over former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow doesn’t believe Haley can overcome Trump’s lead…

Cut 13 (10)  “…to say the least.”

Sadow says many Americans would prefer the Democrat and Republican choices be candidates other than President Biden or former President Trump, but he says that fact isn’t likely to help an independent or third-party candidate…

Cut 14 (11) “…and the like.” 

Sadow says there are Republicans that would have supported other candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis but the Left’s intense dislike for Trump along with indictments and negative press have roused more support for the former president…

Cut 15 (11) …Trump does.“

A compilation of polls currently shows Former President Trump with a 4 point lead over President Biden.

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Full squad workouts are underway for college baseball teams and the LSU Tigers are looking to repeat as national champions. Coach Jay Johnson likes the mindset of his team as he does not see any complacency….

Cut 16 (25) “…really positive.” 

A lot of talented players from the 2023 national champion team have moved on, so several players will need to step up. One of those guys is first baseman Jared Jones. Jones was an All-SEC freshman performer last year and will take over first base full-time now that Tre Morgan is in the pros. Johnson is excited about what the Bear can do in his sophomore season…

Cut 17 (24) “…right now.” 

Johnson has brought in a talented freshman class. One of the headliners is Jake Brown from Sulphur High School. He was the Gatorade Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year as he was outstanding on the mound and at the plate. Johnson is impressed by Browns’s versatility…

Cut 18 (19)  “..the ball.” 

A proposed 10 billion dollar Liquefied natural gas export terminal project in Cameron Parish is in jeopardy as a result of a decision by the President. Jeff Palermo explains…

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The LSU Lady Tigers lost to top ranked South Carolina on Thursday night and a king cake was murdered before on national TV before the game. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The Biden Administration is placing a pause on pending liquefied natural gas export terminals, which puts in jeopardy the construction of the 10-billion dollar Calcasieu Pass 2 terminal project  in Cameron Parish. President Biden says they want to examine the impact LNG exports have on energy costs, energy security and the environment. Louisiana Bucket Brigade director Anne Rolfes applauds the decision

Cut 3 (12) “….took action”  

But Economist Loren Scott says this decision jeopardizes the state’s economic growth…

Cut 4 (12) “..pulled the trigger”

Scott says the U-S ships LNG to Europe so they don’t have to count on Russia for natural gas. He says if U-S limits what they supply to Europe, they’ll be forced to use coal fire power plants which will lead to even more pollution….

Cut 5 (07) “…worldwide” 

Rolfes says gas export terminals are also bad for the seafood industry…

Cut 6  (11) “…oysters.” 

Scott disagrees that LNG plants are harmful to the seafood industry.

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Boise Cascade, a leading manufacturer of building materials, announces plans to invest $75 million dollars to expand and modernize its Oakdale facility in Allen Parish. Vice President Mike Brown says the company expects to create 30 new direct jobs and…

Cut 7 (08) “…the other.” 

Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 77 indirect new jobs, for a total of 107 potential new jobs.

Brown says the expansion of the Oakdale facility will increase veneer production by 30 percent. He says upgrading machines and technology will also increase efficiency.

Cut 8 (11) “…new dryer.” 

Boise Cascade also has facilities in Florien and Alexandria. Mill capacity at the EWP mill near Alexandria is the largest in North America.

Brown says the facility will be able to produce up to 400 million square feet of dry veneer every year. He says the construction process will be split into stages and expects it to start later this year.

Cut 9 (13) “…new equipment.”

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Former Orleans Parish District Attorney Harry Connick Senior passed away Thursday. He was the longest-serving DA in New Orleans from 1973 to 2003.  But Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Connick had some ups and downs in his legal career and even faced federal charges himself.

Cut 10 (12) “…evidence.”

Ciolino says some of Connick’s cases went as high as the US Supreme Court and were overturned for violations of not turning over favorable evidence to the defense.

Cut 11 (08) “…handled.”

The Mobile native moved to New Orleans at the age of two, served in the Navy, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Loyola. Ciolino says today the DA’s office is much different today compared to when Connick was at the helm.

Cut 12 (10)  “…Jason Williams.”  

Funeral arrangements are pending. He is survived by his wife Londa Connick, son Harry Connick, Junior, and daughter Suzanna Connick Jamison. He was 97.

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Authorities say the bodies of 67 year old John Moss and his wife Christina Moss of the same age were found inside of a Leesville house fire as a result of a murder-suicide Thursday. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says deputies determined the fire was intentionally set and…

Cut 13 (07) “..structure fire.” 

Craft says the Moss’s were in court that morning as a result of divorce proceedings and shortly after noon the fire was reported. He says authorities believe John shot his wife before starting the fire and then turned the gun on himself.

Cut  14 (12) “…and determine.”

The investigation is ongoing.