Time is running out for homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 to complete a survey to find out if they are eligible for rebuilding grant dollars. Teiko Foxx reports an outreach session takes place today in Lake Charles at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. …
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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With qualifying for the fall elections just 4 weeks away, could we see some declared candidates for Governor decide NOT to run? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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According to research by the Public Affairs Research Council, the average teacher salary in Louisiana is just over $52,000, well below the national average. Brooke Thorington has more with PAR president Steven Procopio.
Cut 3 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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As an August 1 deadline approaches, Restore Louisiana holds an outreach event in Lake Charles today to help homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 apply for federal rebuilding grant dollars. The event is at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. State Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says many hurricane victims have not completed a survey to see if they are eligible
Cut 4 (12) “…their homes.”
Restore LA provides grant funding to homeowners who suffered damages from Hurricanes Laura and Delta and the May 2021 severe storms. The money can pay for repairs, reconstruction, and/or reimbursement for repairs already completed. Forbes says the survey is easy to complete and takes little time…
Cut 5 (12) “…application started.”
Louisiana’s total allocation is $3.1 billion for the 2020-2021 disaster events. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $250 thousand in assistance and homes will be built to meet fortified standards. Forbes says they have helped thousands of homeowners but the goal is to help every homeowner who could use the financial aid
Cut 6 (12) “…Lake Charles.”
Since its launch in February 2022, the program has offered more than $208 million in grant awards to over 2,590 homeowners affected by 2020-21 disaster events. Homeowners who are unable to attend the event can complete the survey at restore.la.gov.
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State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is reminding parents to be sure their children are up to date on their immunizations before school begins. Childhood vaccination rates, in Louisiana, typically exceed the national average, but Kanter says those numbers have been trending downwards the last few years, from 97 percent to 94 percent.
Cut 7 (11) “…that we are.”
Kanter says a 95% immunization rate equates to herd immunity.
He credits the state’s above-average vaccination rate to awareness, broad insurance coverage, and access to immunizations.
Kanter says immunization rates for children have also dropped nationally. The interruption of the pandemic in general is one reason and…
Cut 8 (11) “…concerning here.’”
For example, to prevent a measles outbreak, Kanter says the community needs to have at least a 95 percent vaccination rate. Some children are unable to be vaccinated due to allergies, their age, or they are immune compromised.
Cut 9 (11) “…threshold.”
Kanter says despite Louisiana having one of the broadest vaccine exemption laws in the country, the childhood immunization rates remain above the national average.
For guidance, Kanter urges parents to speak with their child’s pediatrician about vaccinations. For more information visit Immunizations-dot-LA-gov.
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Qualifying for the fall elections in just one month from now, and the field of announced candidates for governor is fairly big. At last count nine people say they’ll run, but will they still feel that way in 30 days? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says he anticipates someone will drop out before then…:
Cut 10 (11) “…happens every cycle.”
The six Republicans declared are A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, former LABI head Stephen Waguespack, State Senator Sharon Hewitt, state Rep. Richard Nelson and Crowley businessman Xan (ZAN) John. Hunter Lundy is the lone independent, and there are two democrats declared; former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and central Louisiana educator Daniel Cole. Stockley expects no more democrats will get in, because the state Democratic Party’s plan is to unite all support behind Wilson…:
Cut 11 (07) “…chance of an upset.”
Stockley says he would not be surprised to see some of the six GOP hopefuls back out before qualifying starts next month. He says it’s likely that state Republicans also want to focus the conservative vote down…:
Cut 12 (10) “…to reconsider.”
Qualifying is August 8th thru the 10th at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge.
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According to research from the Public Affairs Research Council, the average teacher salary in Louisiana is $52,472, more than $12,000 below the national average. PAR President Steven Procopio says teacher salaries in Louisiana are also below the southern regional average.
Cut 13 (08) “…than ours.”
As for how long Louisiana can get away with subpar teacher pay remains to be seen. Procopio says the million dollar question is what is it that we have to pay to get and keep quality teachers.
Cut 14 (09) “…teacher pay.”
Procopio says there’s also an equity issue when it comes to teacher salary in Louisiana. He says typically educators in larger cities make more than those in smaller towns, and in some cases, those in rural areas make just over half the state average.
Cut 15 (05) “…quality education.”
During the legislative session, lawmakers gave teachers in Louisiana a one-time $2,000 pay increase for the upcoming school year.