The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance hosts its annual virtual Apprenticeship Expo for high school students and two-year postsecondary attendees from 9 am to 10:30 am today. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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 The Kentwood home Pop Star, Brittney Spears grew up in is now up for sale. Colleen Crain has more…

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A federal judge has ordered the Department of Corrections to remedy the unconstitutional medical care of inmates at Angola. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance host its third annual virtual apprenticeship expo for Louisiana high school students and post-secondary attendees today from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Employer Engagement Coordinator Tonya Evans says students will receive information about apprenticeship programs by speaking directly with employers.

Cut 4 (10) “…for them.”

Several school districts will be attending the virtual expo. Students will participate in breakout sessions to engage with employers in the healthcare, cyber security, and chemical industries.

Evans says students can obtain work experience, receive classroom instruction, and recognized credentials.

Cut 5 (11) “…for them.”

An estimated 90 percent of apprentices retain employment after completing a registered apprenticeship program with an average salary of $80 thousand. Director of Student Engagement LaVonya Malveaux hopes attendees learn that apprenticeship could be an optional career pathway to their future.

Cut 6 (12) “…very beneficial.”

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It’s described as a typical 3 bedroom ranch style home except… Pop Icon Brittney Spears grew up in this Kentwood home. Realtor, Yvonne Hulsey of Keller Williams Mandeville is selling the Spears family home and says the value of this home, listed for 1 point 2 million dollars, is not in the square footage or the 2 acres it sits on…

Cut 7 (05) “…it’s at.”

Spears’ father sold the family home to the current owner’s family in 2021 for $275,000

The Pop Star’s former home has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a dance studio. Hulsey says there’s been more interest from the media than actual buyers but the first showing is scheduled for Friday and Hulsey says it will take a special buyer to acquire this home…

Cut 8 (07) “…the price.” 

Some of the furnishings used by the Spears family is still in the home along with some graffiti fans might recognize as possibly referencing the time Brittney was part of the Mickey Mouse Club.  Hulsey says, it’s the history that gives the high value to this home and she has to show that to potential buyers…

Cut 9 (07)  “…my intent.”

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In an effort to help farmers after the prolonged drought, Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced the Drought Assistance Improvement Act. The legislation would cut the time in half that farmers can apply for assistance during dry conditions.

Cut 10 (12) “…back to work.”

Letlow is hopeful the legislation will move quickly through the House, especially now that Congressman Mike Johnson, whose district is also experiencing a drought, is the new Speaker of the House.

Cut 11 (10) “…one through.” 

After the oppressive August heat with little to no rainfall in Louisiana, it’s not just farmers who are affected. Letlow says the drought will impact every industry for years to come…

Cut 12 (10) “…rural communities.” 

The Drought Assistance Act will alter drought lengths in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, expand language in the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide documentation standards relating to the decrease of crawfish production.

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A federal judge ordered the Department of Corrections to rectify the unconstitutional medical care of inmates at Angola.  Attorney Samantha Bosalavage with The Promise of Justice Initiative says they along with Democracy Forward have been working on the case for almost a decade.

Cut 13 (07) “…punishment.”

Judge Shelly Dick of the U.S. Middle District of Louisiana issued the ruling on Monday. Bosalavage says the state is legally required to implement remedial plans for the medical care of inmates and the Americans with Disabilities Act deficiencies at the prison.

Cut 14 (07) “…very soon.”

Over the course of the litigation, Bosalavage says the eight named plaintiffs in the suit died due to inadequate medical care. And while the ruling directly those incarcerated at the state penitentiary…

Cut 15 (06) “…State of Louisiana.”

In a 60-person sample that was assessed for a remedy stage in June of 2022, Bosalavage says experts found many preventable deaths among inmates.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections issued a statement that they strongly disagree with the ruling, and they plan to appeal.

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The Saints are tied for the NFL lead with 18 takeaways and they are number one with 12 interceptions. Last season, they intercepted a franchise-low seven passes. Safety Marcus Maye was asked about the difference between this year and last year

Cut 16 (17) “…take advantage of it.”

The Saints are 5-and-4 and on a two-game winning streak. They are executing better in the red zone. In the first seven games, they converted just 38-percent of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns, the last two games, they are six for nine. Offensive lineman James Hurst says giving quarterback Derek Carr more time in the pocket has been a key…

Cut 17 (18) “..helpful.”

The Saints are struggling to run the ball, only averaging three-point-six yards a carry, fourth worst in the NFL. Hurst says they need to do a better job blocking…

Cut 18 (23) “… 15-yard gain.”

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Two programs heading in opposite directions will meet in Monroe at one PM on Saturday as the ULM Warhawks host the Troy Trojans. The Trojans have six straight and lead the Sun Belt West, while the Warhawks have lost seven in a row. Coach Terry Bowden is impressed with the Trojans…

Cut 19 (19) “…score a lot.” 

ULM is two and seven on the year, but Bowden says his players are still fighting…

Cut 20 (20) “…playing hard.” 

Centenary College in Shreveport has a major campaign drive underway to support new facilities and programs ahead of its 200^th anniversary in 2025. Teiko Foxx has more…

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One person is dead and eight motorists injured after several vehicles collided in another super fog event produced low visibilities in the New Orleans area. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Centenary College in Shreveport announces it’s raising $50 million dollars to improve the four-year liberal arts school ahead of its bicentennial anniversary in 2025. Centenary spokesperson Kate Pedrotty says 20 million dollars will fund new infrastructure and upgrades to the School of Health Sciences – Mickle Hall.

Cut 3 (13) “…enclosed pavilion.”

The renovations will also include new state-of-the-art laboratories.

Pedrotty says $10 million will support the transformation fund which will support new academic and co-curricular programs. She says the return of football will boost recruitment for the university.  

Cut 4 (12) “…very exciting.”

Pedrotty says the college has already raised $37 million of the $50 million campaign goal. She says the campaign will also support endowed scholarship expansion and is a major component of operational support.

Cut 5 (12) “ …to grow.”  

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Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow is co-authoring legislation to provide rural communities with grants to upgrade their police and fire departments. Letlow says it’s time to step up and help our first responders in small towns.

Cut 6 (11) “…50,000 residents.”

Letlow says if the BUILD Act passes every community in her district of 24 parishes would be eligible.

Cut 7 (07) “…their facilities.” 

Many rural facilities are still operating out of facilities built in the 1980s and with a small tax base Letlow says they are unable to adequately fund any upgrades.

Cut 8 (11) “….would provide.” 

The grants would be distributed through the Department of Justice and FEMA. $250 million will be allotted annually for the grant program over a three-year period.

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Smoke from a marsh fire in New Orleans East led to another deadly multiple vehicle wreck this morning on Interstate 10 near the Michoud exit.  Christopher Bannan, a meteorologist with National Weather Service says the smoke was mixed with fog which made for very low visibility…

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An adult male was pronounced dead in the wreck and at least eight people were injured. Officials say there were four crashes involving 13 vehicles.

Bannan says we could see identical conditions tonight and probably again tomorrow night…

Cut 10 (07) “….St. Tammany Parish” 

New Orleans Police officials say the marsh fire that’s creating the smoky conditions is on remote private property that’s difficult to access. There’s no fire hydrant service and the property is bounded by pipelines. Bannan says it’s been burning for weeks

Cut 11 (11) “…helping things.”

Seven motorists were killed on I-55 in St. John the Baptist Parish on October 23rd in a similar super fog event

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Cleco customers can receive rebates for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargers. Manager of Cleco’s EV Program Richard Biedenharn says the rebates are for both commercial and residential customers.

Cut 12 (09) “…great benefit.”  

The residential rebates are for Level 2 EV chargers.

Rebates for commercial customers range from $1,000 to $3,500.

Biedenharn said a Level 2 EV charger and any type of application that’s in a multifamily facility, workplace, or a publicly accessible charger is eligible for a $1,000 rebate.

Cut 13 (09) “…who use lifts.”

To apply or for more information, Biedenharn says to visit cleco.com/electrification

Cut  14 (05) “…work for you.”