Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves describes the scene as the U-S House attempts to elect a new speaker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Louisiana’s average ACT composite score has increased for the first time in seven years. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”  

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Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has received the House GOP nomination to be the next Speaker of the House, but it’s far from a done deal the full U-S House will elect him. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there are conservatives who are not backing Scalise…

Cut 3 (12) “…Steve Scalise”

217 votes are needed to be elected speaker of the House, but because Republicans have a slim majority over Democrats, Scalise needs near-unanimous support from the GOP. Graves says it may take time before Scalise gets the support he needs from fellow Republicans…

Cut 4 (09) “…way to go”

Graves says some Republicans are backing Ohio’s Jim Jordan, others are upset Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House. He says others have drawn a line in the sand and will not back Scalise

Cut 5 (11) “ …moderate Republican”  

Until a speaker is elected, the House can not perform any official duties.

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A Northwestern State football player was found dead during the overnight hours with several gunshot wounds at an apartment complex on University Parkway. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says 21-year-old Ronald Caldwell’s body was found between two buildings at the complex where he lived…

Cut 6 (08) “…Mr. Caldwell.”

Greely says Caldwell died at the scene. This Saturday’s game between Northwestern State and Nicholls has been canceled.

Police received a call around 1 a.m. this morning of several gunshots in the area. The Junior Safety from Texas lived at the complex and investigators are interviewing his roommates and others. Anyone with information is urged to call Natchitoches Crimestoppers.

Cut 7 (07) “…for an arrest.” 

Caldwell had not played any games this season after a preseason injury. He started ten games last year and was a member of the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

The native of Manor, Texas was also honored as Northwestern’s Student-Athlete of the Month this month.

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Louisiana 2023 high school class ACT scores increased for the first time since 2016. The state’s average composite score of 18 point two was up from 18 point one last year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s encouraging to see the academic improvement

Cut 8 (11) “…the improvement.”

Nearly 32 percent of Louisiana’s students hit the reading benchmark, up from 31 percent last year. Twenty-two percent met the science benchmark, up from 21% the previous year. Brumley says the Louisiana Department of Education will work with schools to make sure students are ready for the ACT

Cut 9 (12) “…additional support.” 

Louisiana’s students also showed a slight improvement in English. Brumley says more work needs to be done…

Cut 10 (13) “…our state.”

Louisiana is one of nine states that saw an increase in average composite scores, but the state’s  composite score is among the lowest in the nation, with only six states recording lower average scores.

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After an unusual summer, with more than the average number of wildfires in Louisiana, the recent rains are a welcome relief. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the average number of wildfires is decreasing daily.

Cut 11 (12) “…the state.”

But Strain urges residents because some areas are the state are still dry to abide by their local burn ban.

Cut 12 (08) “…parish government.”  

Agricultural burning, however, Strain says is permitted…

Cut 13 (08) “…moving forward.”

Louisiana has spent 33-million dollars in fighting wildfires this year.

A new public charter school, The Academy of Collaborative Education, that will serve kindergarten through fifth-grade autistic students has been approved by BESE. Teiko Foxx has more

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The attacks on Israel has Americans deeply concerned. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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State Police says it’s made transformational changes after it came under fire for several cases of excessive force, including the high-profile fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Academy of Collaborative Education, a new public charter school for children on the Autism Spectrum, has received approval to accept students from BESE. The school will serve kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Monroe starting in July of 2024. ACE Director Joellen Freeman says ACE will be a tuition free public charter school.

Cut 4 (11) “…our own.”

The school offers student-centered learning with two classrooms per grade and a total of 96 students.

Maddie Cannon is also a co-Founder of ACE. She’s a parent of an autistic child and wants a school that would meet and exceed his unique learning needs…

Cut 5 (11) “…hopes for.”

Freeman says the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is high and ACE added therapeutic interventions and therapies that autistic students need.

Cut 6 (13) “…very innovative.”

ACE will open enrollment in November. To learn more about ACE, visit Aceforasd.org.

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At least 22 Americans are among those killed in the attacks on Israel. Barry Weinstein, Rabbi for Temple Sinai in Lake Charles has family living in Israel…

Cut 7 (09) “…from Gaza.”

Weinstein says the brutal attack is the worst he has seen in his lifetime and the enemies of the nation of Israel do not recognize the United Nations 1948 resolution creating the two states of Israel and Palestine.

Cut 8 (10) “…sovereign nation.” 

Weinstein says he is praying deeply for Israel’s safety.  Civilians young and old are among at least 1200 killed.

Cut 9 (09)  “…my lifetime.”

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State Police says the reforms its implementing as a result of the Ronald Greene case are transformational. LSP attempted to cover-up details of Greene’s death, who was beaten by troopers before he died. Colonel Lamar Davis says body camera video policies were among the first changes…

Cut 10 (11) “…when on duty.”

State Police hired the Bowman Group consulting firm to help them identify policies and procedures that needed to be changed to help restore the public’s trust. Ashley Burns from the Bowman Group says L-S-P has made with its use of force policies…

Cut 11 (10) “…deadly force authorized” 

Three officers face state charges for their role in Greene’s deadly arrest. Master Trooper Kory York faces the most significant charge, negligent homicide.

The FBI has investigated several cases of troopers’ beating black men during traffic stops. Burns says one of the new policies allows an easy way for the public to report a case of excessive force

Cut 12 (10) “..underway.” 

The Bowman Group also recommends that State Police needs to diversify its workforce even more, provide mental and physical wellness opportunities for its employees. Burns says identifying an employee who may be troubled is also very important in preventing a negative event.

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Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has received the House GOP’s nomination to be Speaker of the House, but a vote on the House floor to elect Scalise as the Speaker remains on hold. Scalise needs 217 votes from fellow Representatives in order to win…

Cut 13 (10) “… work to do.”

There are several House Republicans who still support Jim Jordan of Ohio as the next Speaker and will not back Scalise. As long as this division continues among Republicans, the House can not operate until a speaker is elected. Scalise is telling his colleagues its time to get back to work…

Cut 14 (11) “…take care of.”

Scalise says we need to make they’re sending a message to the world that the House is open and doing the people’s business…

Cut 15 (10) “…with Israel”

Julia Letlow and Clay Higgins are the only two members of Louisiana’s House delegation to come out in support of Scalise for speaker. The House is scheduled to convene again this morning at 11:00 central time.

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The Saints will head to Houston this weekend to take on the Texans on Sunday. Houston rookie quarterback CJ Stroud has played well and has yet to throw an interception. New Orleans Coach Dennis Allen is impressed with the rookie…

Cut 16 (19) “…on the move.”

Allen says most rookie quarterbacks have trouble processing information, he’s that’s not the case with Stroud…

Cut 17 (19) “…offensively”

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Former Lafayette Christian star Sage Ryan has become a swiss-army knife in LSU’s secondary. He’s played safety, nickel corner and last week started at cornerback in the win over Missouri. Ryan credits cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples for helping make this transition

Cut 18 (19) “…I like it.”

And it helps Ryan goes up against  two of the best receivers in the country in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr at practice

Cut 19 (19) “…in the nation” 

It appears they’ve settled on a role for linebacker Harold Perkins. The sophomore is being used as a strongside linebacker and they are also using him in coverage as a nickel back in some passing situations. Ryan is impressed with his Perkins’ versatility…

Cut 20 (20) “…draft stock.”