LEAP test results show progress among younger learners, but a slight decline in those closer to graduation. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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It is Fourth of July weekend, and the State Fire Marshal’s office is urging those who plan to light up the sky to do so safely. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The latest LEAP test results show that overall student proficiency among students in grades three through eight is up a percentage point, with 35-percent achieving Mastery or above. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, says the state has come a long way, but the job is not done yet. She notes that when students through high school are factored in, the results are flat.
Cut 3 (14) “…the last year.”
Bendily says while it’s important to get younger students off to a good start in their education, it’s also important not to neglect high school students. She says in some regards, it’s even more important for those students to be performing at grade level.
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Bendily says while the state has certainly come a long way in the last few years, the state still has a ways to go to get to where it needs to be.
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Tragedy in West Baton Rouge Parish as a little Port Allen girl drowns in a neighbor’s swimming pool. The sheriff’s office says three-year-old Jacie Lee walked out of the garage of her home at around four yesterday afternoon while her family was inside. Sergeant Landon Groger says following an intense search, a deputy found the nonverbal girl unresponsive in her neighbor’s pool.
Cut 6 (11) “…apparent drowning.”
The Sheriff’s Office considers the drowning an accident, and the incident remains under investigation. Groger urges parents to be aware of where their children are a all times.
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The loss has deeply affected the family and community, including responding deputies. Groger reminds everyone to be safe and have a designated person watching children this Fourth of July weekend.
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Fireworks will be popping tonight and tomorrow as America celebrates its 249th birthday. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says if you plan to shoot fireworks, make sure you are 200 feet away from buildings and vehicles, never let children handle fireworks, light one firework at a time and do not use fireworks impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Cut 9 (10) “…eleven deaths.”
Pastorick says there are more than 600 retail fireworks stands that are permitted statewide. He says Louisiana law requires all wholesale and retail fireworks sellers to be properly licensed by the State Fire Marshal’s office…
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Pastorick says suspicious or illegal sales can be reported to the state…
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Planning a 4th of July barbecue? Expect higher prices for some staples, with beef up seven-percent, ground beef up ten-percent and potatoes and pork n beans also costing more, according to Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain.
Cut 12 (11) “…over a year ago.”
Strain urges consumers to focus on local, in-season options like fresh corn, Creole tomatoes, and Louisiana watermelon, which are abundant. He says other meat prices have been up year over year.
Cut 13 (06) “…ham over 4-percent.”
Strain says the American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that an average cookout for ten people will cost about 70-dollars. Strain says for grocery prices to drop, more stability is needed in the market.
Cut 14 (10) “…input cost.”
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The U-S House gave final legislative passage today to President Trump’s sweeping tax cut and spending bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson says the One Big Beautiful Bill will permanently lower taxes for families and businesses, secures the border and unleashes American energy dominance…
Cut 15 (10) “…you vote today.”
The vote was 218 to 214, with two Republicans breaking party-lines to vote against the legislation. Every single Democrat in the House voted against the measure. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says Trump’s Big Ugly Bill will increase energy costs by 400-dollars per household, give tax breaks to the rich, rips away health coverage from 17 million Americans.
Johnson says the One Big Beautiful Bill will provide tax relief for the middle class and save every American from a tax increase…
Cut 16 (10) “…on the bill.”