The state department of education released LEAP scores from the last school year and the results show progress has stalled after a couple of years of improvement. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Some say the value of a solid educational foundation is priceless but certified early childhood educators in Louisiana are getting $15 an hour or less. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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State education officials say LEAP scores from the last school year show third through eighth graders improved their overall mastery rate by one percent in English. But Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says math and science scores held steady after consecutive years of improvement

Cut 3 (11) “…those gains..”

Brumley says in an effort to increase outcomes, the state will make high-dosage tutoring more available…

Cut 4 (10) “…relatively quickly.”

Mastery rates declined in math for third and eighth grades. Brumley says falling math scores is an issue across the country. He says some of the methods used to improve English scores, they will now try in the area of math…

Cut 5 (10)  “…math as well.”

Brumley says he is pleased to see the overall mastery rate for students with disabilities improved in third through eighth graders for a third consecutive year.

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A survey of 700 childcare workers by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says the majority make around $15 an hour or less, about $28,000 annually. Executive Director Libbie Sonnier says retaining credentialed workers is hard because of the low pay. Still, it’s so important for building a solid foundation for children.

Cut 6 (12) “…to benefits.”

Sonnier refers to certified early childhood educators as brain architects because in the first four years of a child’s life 90-percent of their brain develops. She says they’ve received a grant to see how they can retrain these workers who are much more than babysitters…

Cut 7 (11) “…heart of quality.”

She says it’s a situation of pay now or pay later if Louisiana continues to lose these credentialed workers. Sonnier says childcare breakdowns cost Louisiana businesses $762 million annually and the state’s economy loses $1.3 billion annually. She says not only does it put children at a learning disadvantage…

Cut 8 (10)  “…our economy.”

The survey indicated public school pre-K teachers average $20 an hour in Louisiana. And according to the institute, a living household wage with two adults and two children is $23 an hour for each adult.

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Democrat Congressman Troy Carter announces new EPA funding for the City of New Orleans for $50-million through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program to support greenhouse gas reduction measures over the next five years.

Cut 9 (11) “…metropolitan area.”

Initiatives include constructing six miles of protected bikeways, a blue bike fleet expansion from 800 to 2,000 bikes, the planting of 75-hundred trees in underserved neighborhoods, an e-bike rebate program for low-to-moderate income residents, and subsidies for solar installations.

Cut 10 (07) “…safer environment.”

Carter says the initiative will significantly reduce the city’s carbon footprint, promote green job growth, and create a healthier environment.

Cut 11 (09) ” …cleaner community.”

This program was made possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act which Carter helped craft and voted for.

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The Saints held their first training camp practice today in Irvine, California, and running back Alvin Kamara participated, even though he’s looking for a new contract. There was speculation Kamara would not practice until he got a new deal, but the veteran says he did not want to get fined for missing practices

Cut 12 (05) “…be here.”

Kamara is hopeful he’ll sign a new contract before the regular season starts in September….

Cut  13 (05) “…I do.” 

Kamara turns 29-years-old tomorrow and this is his eighth season in the NFL. He’s under contract for next season, but the money is not guaranteed and he would like to retire as a Saint…

Cut  14 (06) “…means.”

Kamara rushed for a career 694 yards last season.

With Vice President Kamala Harris stepping into the Presidential race after President Biden drops out, polls are not showing a big shift quite yet. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Boston Consulting Group has been hired to review Louisiana’s Department of Transportation to find ways to make it more efficient. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Tulane University has received a grant to continue a study to see if estrogen use can protect women’s brain health later in life. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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After President Joe Biden dropped out of the Presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepped in, polls are not showing a big shift due to the substitution. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says the most recent Trump-Harris polls…

Cut 4 (09) “…for Donald Trump.”

270 elector voters are needed to be elected president.

Couvillon says not much will change with Harris’ V-P selection either. Usually, V-P nominees don’t help but could certainly hurt the ticket…

Cut 5 (10) “…to debate.”

Couvillon says because of the candidate’s polarization not much is expected to change with the electorate either and the Electoral College is where you can expect the most change…

Cut 6 (07) “…Minnesota or New Hampshire.”

Couvillon says by the end of the week, we should begin seeing more accurate polling data reflecting a Trump-Harris Presidential race.

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The Boston Consulting Group is reviewing State Department Transportation to find ways to make it more efficient. This is after Governor Landry ordered DOTD to optimize operations. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says once the review is complete, he’ll prepare a plan for the governor by January 15^th.

Cut 7 (11) “…other states.”

The legislature contracted BCG to conduct the review.

Also, under the executive order issued by the governor, Donahue will create an initiative called “Rebuild Louisiana,” meant to find additional revenue for the department. Donahue says then he’ll meet with the Commissioner of Administration and Revenue Secretary.

Cut 8 (09)  “…responsibilities.”

Donahue says the plan he submits will detail ways to rehabilitate the department, how to address current issues, and future infrastructure reform

Cut 9 (11) “…the better.”

The review is a collaboration between private industry, the legislature, and the governor’s office.

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Kamala Harris is looking at former Louisiana Congressman and state representative Cedric Richmond as a potential running mate. Richmond is one of several Democrats she’s looking at to run against Donald Trump and JD Vance. UNO Political Science professor Ed Chervenak says Richmond would be an interesting choice…

Cut 10 (10) “…experience.”

Harris has requested vetting materials on the New Orleans native, but Chervenak says Richmond won’t do enough for the Democratic ticket and will not likely be the V-P nominee.

Cut 11 (06) “…election.”

Richmond previously worked in the Biden Administration and Chervenak says he will likely work in the Harris administration if elected.

Cut 12 (08) “…levers.”

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A Tulane University study is researching to see if estrogen can help women overcome cognitive issues later in life. Professor of Brain Science Dr. Jill Daniel says they are using rodents to test the theory and so far, it appears that short-term estrogen use in middle age leads to improved brain health long after use.

Cut 13 (08)  “…brain health.”

Estrogen use, also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is usually given to women to treat menopausal systems like hot flashes on a short-term basis.

Because women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to men, and Daniel says they are investigating to see if the typical drop in estrogen due to menopause is a factor.

Cut 14 (11)  “…to men.”

After a study in early 2002 linking HRT to an increase in breast cancer the use of HRT dropped dramatically. But Daniel says since the initial study there’s been more thorough research that indicates otherwise, depending on a woman’s overall health.

Cut 15 (08)  “…find out.”

Daniel has been awarded a $2.69 million grant from the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health to continue the study.

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The Saints begin training camp today, and first order of business will be implementing first-year Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak’s new scheme. The former 49ers assistant coach helped lead one of the most effective motion-heavy offenses in the NFL last season and is expected to bring big changes to the black and gold offense. Saints GM Mickey Loomis says he’s been impressed with Kubiak…

Cut 16 (16) “…game of football.” 

Running back Alvin Kamara reported for camp and is expected to make his return to the practice field after leaving during the final practice of mandatory minicamp due to contract disputes. The 28-year-old still hasn’t gotten the extension he’s hoping for, but Head coach Dennis Allen says he’s looking forward to getting to work…

Cut 17 (16) “…been impressed.”

The Saints made a splash signing defensive end Chase Young to shore up the team’s questionable pass rush in free agency this year, but the 2020 second-overall pick is still sidelined with a neck injury. Loomis says they’re careful not to rush Young back on the field, but his determination to get back has been commendable…

Cut 18 (19)  “…where he’s at.”

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Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie spoke at Conference USA Kickoff yesterday. Cumbie’s Bulldogs finished with a disappointing 3-and-9 record in his third-straight season in Ruston with 4 of those losses by just one score. Cumbie says his team’s ready to change the narrative…

Cut 19 (20) “…work every day”

The Bulldogs will be led by redshirt junior quarterback Jack Turner. Turner made a lasting impression in his playing time last year when starter Hank Bachmeier was sidelined 3 games with a shoulder injury. Turner says he learned a lot from backing up the Boise St. transfer, but with Bachmeier leaving for Wake Forest, he’s ready to take the reigns…

Cut 20 (20) “…play the game.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton announces a Bipartisan Task Force will investigate the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A PAR survey says nearly one in five Louisianans receive food stamps. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned from the Secret Service after Speaker Mike Johnson continually called for her to step down after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Cut 3 (11) “…Republicans and Democrats.”

Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced a bipartisan House Task Force consisting of seven Republicans and 6 Democrats to investigate the assassination attempt and get answers to the American public.

Cut 4 (11) “…ever happening again.”

The task force will be empowered with all investigative authority of the House of Representatives including subpoena authority.

Cut 5 (07)  “…as an agency.”

The Task Force will make recommendations for reform to the relevant government agencies and recommend any necessary legislation to implement them.

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A Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana survey indicates nearly one in five Louisianans receive food stamps also known as SNAP. Of those recipients about 45 percent are children. Invest in Louisiana executive director Jan Moller says it shouldn’t be a surprise but should be disturbing.

Cut 6 (12) “…month to month.”

Based on household size and monthly income, the average SNAP benefit amount per household is $373 a month since July 2023.

Moller says even though nearly half of the households in Louisiana have trouble making ends meet, they don’t all necessarily qualify for assistance. He says SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is not meant to be a catchall, its purpose is to provide supplemental aid to help with food insecurity.

Cut 7 (11) “…sell food.”

During the legislative session when Governor Landry wanted to cut the Summer EBT program for school-aged children to receive meals when they were out of school, it was met with bipartisan resistance. Moller says the state only pays $3-million in administrative costs for the federally funded program.

Cut 8 (12)  “…go hungry.”

The decision was overturned and Louisiana did participate in the Summer EBT program.

PAR says compared to other southern states, Louisiana had the most SNAP recipients relative to total population last year.

Parishes with the highest number of SNAP recipients, in May of 2024 are East Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jefferson, Caddo, and Lafayette.

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Jimmy Genovese (Gen-o-vez) was introduced today as the 21st president of Northwestern State. Genovese was the lone finalist for the job to replace Doctor Marcus Jones. Genovese left the Supreme Court as a judge to lead his alma mater and he’s amazed at the support he’s received

Cut 9 (08) “…sleeping at night.”

Genovese has been an attorney or a judge during his adult life, but he believes he has the experience to run a university. The 74-year-old plans to sell Northwestern State as a great place to continue their education…

Cut 10 (10) “…on Broadway.”

Genovese says he left the as a Louisiana Supreme Court Judge to help out his alma mater, which has seen a reported 22-percent drop in enrollment over the past four years…

Cut 11 (13) ” …about that.”

Genovese says he plans to put more money towards marketing the university, faculty salaries and he would like to see Northwestern’s athletic teams be more competitive.  Northwestern State

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Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned today, one day after saying the agency failed in protecting former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s outrageous the public spotted the shooter before the Secret Service acted….

Cut 12 (10) “…did nothing.”

Cheatle testified in front of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee yesterday told members she was the right person to lead the Secret Service despite the assassination attempt. Cassidy is glad Cheatle changed her mind and decided to step down…

Cut  13 (12) “…resignation.”