7:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana adopts the state’s first accountability plan to measure progress in K through second grade. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to Education Data Initiative, over 650-thousand Louisiana residents are carrying a combined 22-billion dollars in student loan debt. For those with incomes less than 125-thousand or household incomes of less than 250-thousand they could see their student loan debt eliminated or at least reduced under President Biden’s student loan relief plan.

Louisiana high school students who want to attend college but don’t quite meet the current requirements now have another way to get in. The Board of Regents decided that if a student’s GPA or ACT score is not high enough they can still meet admission standards if they pass college-level courses in high school. Higher Education Deputy Commissioner Tristan Denley says getting more kids to college is a priority…
Cut 7 (10) “…likely to succeed.
The change takes effect in the Fall of 2023.

The first set of Isle de Jean Charles residents who were living on an island that was vanishing as a result of rising sea levels has relocated to The New Isle resettlement community near Schriever in Terrebonne Parish. Pat Forbes with the Office of Community Development says 12 of the 37 families who’ve agreed to relocate moved into their new homes Wednesday.
Cut 10 (09) “…together.”
Nearly 100 residents will relocate to New Isle by the end of the year.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston says his right foot that he sprained a couple of weeks ago is feeling much better. Winston spoke to the media on Wednesday and talked about the relationship he’s been able to build with receiver Michael Thomas…
Cut 19 (24) “…as a man”
Thomas has not practiced all week and the same can be said for tight end Adam Trautman. Also, Coach Dennis Allen is not saying whether Winston will make his preseason debut on Friday night against the Chargers.

There are a couple of preseason games tonight, the Packers are at the Chiefs, while the Texans host the 49ers.

We are now ten days away from the season opener between LSU and Florida State in the Superdome. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly on what LSU’s offense will look like with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock calling plays…
cut 29 (15) :,,,big chunk plays”

Chandler Rogers will be ULM’s starting quarterback when the Warhawks face the Texas Longhorns on September 3rd. Rogers started seven games as a freshman last season, including six consecutive games during the middle of last season. He says that experience should help….
cut 17 (15) “….going great”

6:30 LRN Newscast

A U.L.-Lafayette economist says the state could lose thousands of jobs in the coming months, amid an economic downturn. Dr. Gary Wagner says inflation is the reason. As interest rates rise to combat inflation, businesses see costs increase and the need for budget and payroll cuts in the months to come…:
Cut 4 (10) “…my best estimate.”

Beginning next year, a new accountability plan to measure success in kindergarten through second grade will go into effect. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says there’s already an accountability system that measures children in early childcare centers and then again for third graders, but there’s been a void in K through second grade.
Cut 13 (08)“…learners.”

The board that governs Louisiana public higher education has created another way for high school students to get into college.
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Nearly four inches of rain fell in Monroe yesterday and more rain is in the forecast today. A large portion of south and central Louisiana and several parishes along the Mississippi River are under a flash flood watch until seven tonight.

LRN AM Newscall August 25

Is Louisiana actually IN an economic downturn? Kevin Gallagher reports an economist predicts thousands of jobs lost over the next year…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

 The board that governs Louisiana public higher education has created another way for high school students to get into college. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby” 

________________________________________________

Louisiana adopts the state’s first accountability plan to measure progress in K through second grade. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

As state officials boast of record low unemployment and big job gains, a U.L.-Lafayette economist says the state could lose thousands of jobs in the coming months, amid an economic downturn. ULL’s Dr. Gary Wagner says inflation is the reason. As interest rates rise to combat inflation, businesses see costs increase and the need for budget and payroll cuts in the months to come…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…my best estimate.”

The state Workforce Commission recently posted big job gains and low unemployment figures from the early summer. Wagner doesn’t dispute that, but says the developing “economic malaise” in the state economy will surely impact employment…:

Cut 5 (11) “…last three months.”

Wagner says the root problem is the rise in interest rates, to help stem the tide of inflation. He says the cure, in this case, can be as bad as the sickness…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…all slowing down.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana high school students who want to attend college but don’t quite meet the current requirements now have another way to get in.

To graduate, all students must pass a list of basic classes.  Today the Board of Regents decided that if a student’s grades aren’t good enough or their test scores aren’t high enough they can still get into college if they pass college-level courses in high school. Tristan Denley is Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education.

Cut 7 (06) “…likely to succeed.”

Louisiana is the first state in the country to do this. The change takes effect in the Fall of 2023.

Right now not quite half of Louisiana adults have either a college degree or some kind of other formal training beyond high school. In a poor state, Denley says officials are rushing to increase that amount.

Cut 8 (10)  “…post-secondary attainment.”

Denley says The Regents have also made it easier for students to transfer from community and technical colleges to four-year universities with a technical associate’s degree.

Cut 9 (09)  “…their education.”

_______________________________________________

The first set of Isle de Jean Charles residents in Terrebonne Parish has relocated to The New Isle resettlement community near Schriever. Pat Forbes with the Office of Community Development says 12 of the 37 families who’ve agreed to relocate moved into their new homes Wednesday.

Cut 10 (09) “…together.”

Approximately 96 residents will relocate to New Isle by the end of the year. The community was forced to move due to rising sea levels and coastal land loss. Forbes says the resettlement is funded through a $48-million HUD grant.

Cut  11 (10)  “…climate change.” 

Forbes says while the residents are excited about moving into their new homes it’s also bittersweet leaving their former homes but the new houses are much safer and dryer.

Cut 12 (10) “…leaving the island.” 

Since 1955 the island, which is located about 40 miles south of the new site, has experienced a 98-percent land loss and continues to be at risk.

________________________________________________

Beginning next year, a new accountability plan to measure success in kindergarten through second grade will go into effect. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says there’s already an accountability system that measures children in early childcare centers and then again for third graders, but there’s been a void in K through second grade.

Cut 13 (06) “…learners.”

And while Brumley says LEAP scores indicate a three-percent increase in mastery rates in grades three through eight, the largest increase since 2016…

Cut 14 (11)  “…have missed.

Moving forward in kindergarten, first and second-grade students will receive an age and developmentally appropriate literacy screener at the beginning and end of the year. Brumley says they’ll look at their performance level and how it grew over the course of a year.

Cut 15 (12)  “…literacy levels.”

Brumley says the department will continue to focus on foundational literacy and a back-to-the-basics approach that includes phonics.

_________________________________________________

Chandler Rogers will be ULM’s starting quarterback when they visit Texas a week from Saturday. Rogers beat out Jiya Wright for the opportunity to lead the Warhawks…

Cut 16 (16)  “…very good things.”

Rogers started seven games as a freshman last season, including six consecutive games during the middle season. He says that experience should help….

Cut 17 (15) “..going great” 

Rogers completed 63-percent of his passes last season, which set a ULM single-season record. The Mansfield, Texas is looking to build on the success he had last season

Cut  18 (15)“…really the key”

_____________________________________________________________

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston says his right foot that he sprained a couple of weeks ago is feeling much better. Winston spoke to the media on Wednesday and talked about the relationship he’s been able to build with receiver Michael Thomas…

 Cut 19 (24) “…as a man”

It’s uncertain if Winston will play tomorrow night in the preseason finale against the Chargers. He wants to play, but the final decision rests with head coach Dennis Allen. Winston says he’s looking forward to showing he’s a better passer when it comes to throwing to receivers running intermediate routes…

Cut 20 (19) “ …intermediate accuracy” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

No decision made yet on starting quarterback for LSU. Coach Brian Kelly says he still needs a few days because the competition between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier is tight.

Meanwhile on the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive tackle Maason Smith is expected to have a big season. Kelly likes that Smith wants to get better…
Cut 20 (22) “ …stands out”

At Saints camp, wide receiver Michael Thomas and tight end Adam Trautman did not practice today. They have not practiced at all this week, while running back Dwayne Washington, offensive tackle James Hurst, cornerback Mashon Lattimore and linebackers Pete Werner and Chase Hansen returned to practice.

ULM Coach Terry Bowden has named sophomore Chandler Rogers as his starting quarterback for the Warhawks season opener at Texas. Rogers beat out junior Jiya Wright for the starting nod. Rogers started seven games last season and led ULM to wins over Liberty and South Alabama. Bowden says Chandler has earned the opportunity…
cut 29 (24) “….into this season”
The Warhawks are picked to finish last in the Sun Belt West Division.

Hall of Fame Quarterback Len Dawson died today at the age of 87. He led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 1970 when K-C beat the Vikings 23-7 at old Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

LRN PM Newscall August 24

Governor Edwin Edwards’ widow announces her engagement to another major Louisiana political figure. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

State Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes at the Department of Children and Family Services, despite the state agency announcing changes in policy and a push to increase staff. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police

Cut 3 (06) “…that subject” 

Brennan says the subject has been identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes.

Cut 4  (09) “…this incident.”

He says further information will be released as it becomes available.

____________________________________________

The widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina Edwards is engaged. Former Louisiana House speaker and Senate President John Alario popped the question outside Ruth’s Chris Friday night on Edwards’ 44th birthday. On Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana this morning she said Alario opted to propose in the car before dinner because it was raining.

Cut 5  (06) “…endearing.”

Edwin Edwards, who was 51 years older than his third wife, passed away last summer at the age of 93, and the couple shared one child Eli.

Trina Edwards says she met 78- year old Alario years ago during a dedication ceremony after the death of his wife in 2006. Trina says they crossed paths several times but didn’t begin dating until after the death of Edwin.

Cut 6 (08) “…our time yet.” 

As for when the two will get married, Trina Edwards says they haven’t set a date yet but most likely it will be next year. Even though she’d dropped several hints that she wanted to get married, she says Alario was still apprehensive.

Cut 7 (08) “…so sweet.” 

Trina Edwards says she has a good relationship with Alario’s children and he does with her children as well.

____________________________________________

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes with the Department of Children and Family Services after the state agency admitted they failed to follow up properly after receiving three reports of a child subjected to substance abuse. That two-year-old child died in June of a drug overdose. Hughes says he’s tired of excuses…

Cut 8 (10) “…administration.”

DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters  says reports of small children consuming or ingesting a controlled dangerous substance will warrant an immediate trip to the home and they are also increasing staff.

But Hughes says not only does Walters need to go, but so does the Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare and the Assistant Secretary of Family Support…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the agency.”

Hughes also says DCFS has failed to complete a technology upgrade to its reporting system that was approved in 2019. He says there’s also the case of a foster father arrested for allegedly sexually abusing three different children and he says morale is low in the department

Cut 10 (07) “..starts at the top” 

DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they deeply regret the death of two-year-old Mitchell Robinson and the agency is taking steps to lessen the likelihood of similar tragedies.

____________________________________________

Fighters in the ongoing war against opioid addiction have just received another weapon. The ULM College of Pharmacy has a 2.5 million dollar grant to train first responders on getting people suffering overdoses into treatment. Associate Professor of clinical practice Dr. Alexis Horace says the goal is to help people get long-term treatment in addition to treating the overdose on the spot.

Cut 11 (12)  “..into care.”

Dr. Horace says her team will lead education programs for first responders and community members in Ouachita Parish, Orleans Parish and surrounding rural parishes

Cut 12 (09) “….that are in need.”  

Dr. Horace says one important hurdle to overcome for the training to be effective is the stigma some first responders have towards those who overdose and the distrust some drug users have of first responders.

Cut 13 (09) “to first responders.” 

Dr. Horace says her goal is to educate four thousand first responders in Louisiana by 2026 and to increase the program’s collaboration with local treatment and recovery centers by eighty percent.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwin Edwards’ widow announces her engagement to another major Louisiana political figure. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana ranks 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in life expectancy. That’s according to the latest CDC data which says Louisiana’s life expectancy in 2020 was 73 years, a decline of almost three years from 2019. Health officials say the pandemic and an increase in drug overdose deaths is leading to a lower life expectancy.

ULM’s College of Pharmacy has received a 2.5 million dollar grant that will result in the training of first responders so they know how to administer opioid reversal medications and also how to refer people who use opioids to treatment and recovery centers. Associate professor of clinical practice, Doctor Alexis Horace says her team will lead education programs for first responders and community members in Ouachita Parish, Orleans Parish and surrounding rural parishes…
cut 12 (10) “…in need”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police…
cut 3 (06) “….that subject”
The subject has been identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes, who died at at the scene. No officers were injured.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Brian Kelly is not ready to make a decision on a starting quarterback. Kelly says Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier are neck-and-neck…
Cut 18 (14)“…pretty close”
Kelly knows they’ll have to make a decision in the next few days with the season opener right around the corner on September fourth against Florida State. Kelly also says Garrett Dellinger will be the Tigers starting center and the coach says redshirt freshman walk-on Damian Ramos has taken the elad to be the team’s field goal kicker. Graduate transfer Jay Bramblett will handle punting duties.

ULM Coach Terry Bowden has named Chandler Rogers as the Warhawks starting quarterback for the team’s season opener at Texas. Rogers beat out junior Jiya Wright for the job. Rogers started seven games ast a freshman last season and threw for 13-hundred yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was still not at practice Tuesday, but quarterback Jameis Winston and defensive end Marcus Davenport took part in team drills. Davenport is coming back after offseason shoulder surgery and having a part of his left pinkie amputated. Coach Dennis Allen says he’s pleased with Davenport’s progress, but there’s still more work…
Cut 16 (18) “…drills today.”
Quarterback Jameis Winston is also now participating in full-team drills. Still no word if he’ll play in the preseason finale against the Chargers on Friday night.

Hall of Fame Quarterback Len Dawson died today at the age of 87. He led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 1970 when K-C beat the Vikings 23-7 at old Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

10:30 LRN Newscast

According to the latest CDC data, Louisiana’s life expectancy fell by nearly three years to 73 years old in 2020. Doctor Ben Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans says the COVID pandemic and an increase in drug overdoses has led to a lower life expectancy. Springgate recommends the state invest more dollars into drug prevention treatment…
cut 9 (06) “….intensive care unit”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police…
cut 3 (06) “….that subject”
The subject has been identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes, who died at at the scene. No officers were injured.

As the state heads into the heart of hurricane season, the state-run last-resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens, has doubled its number of properties covered in just two years. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Citizens was covering 50-thousand before Hurricane Laura in 2020, But after Laura and Delta – followed by Ida last year – another 50-thousand have had no choice but to go with Citizens. He says that’s about 100-thousand policies…:
Cut 13 (11) “…last spring.”
Donelon says state law requires Citizens’ policyholders will be covered if there is a disaster. If necessary, assessments will be added to ALL property policies in the state, as they were after Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Still no announcement from LSU Coach Brian Kelly on who will be the Tigers starting quarterback against Florida State September fourth. Kelly says the competition between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier remains tight.

8:30 LRN Newscast

The will not move about two dozen youth inmates from a facility in Jefferson Parish to Angola until at least September 15th. A federal judge has scheduled a two-day trial beginning on September sixth to determine if the plan the violates the constitutional rights of the inmates involved. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says today’s youth offender has become increasingly more violent…
cut 5 (07) “…there is”
The Edwards administration is expected to release a plan on how they would keep the juvenile inmates separate from the adult prisoners at Angola.

As we continue to move closer to the heart of the hurricane season, the number of Louisiana Citizen Insurance policies is up to 100-thousand policies. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they have re-insurance for only 50-thousand policies..
cut 14 (07) “….a hundred thousand policies”
Citizens has 150-million dollars ready to assist in claims.

New CDC data says Louisiana’s life expectancy dropped by three years to 73-years-old between 2019 and 2020 and the state ranks 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. L-S-P says Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police were fired upon by a subject at the residence. Officials say a Harbor Police officer fired back and fatally shot 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes of Cut Off. No law enforcement were injured during the shooting.