High school principals voted Wednesday to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place, but not everyone is happy about it and this could result in another association forming. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year:
cut 4 (07) “damn game”
Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, anticipates the legislature getting involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…:
CUT 7 (06) “into that”
Some say if select schools leave the LHSAA, it would be a big blow to the group.

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says that’s not good. She says in addition to weight gain, drinking a lot of soda can also lead to other health risks…:
cut 14 (09) “dental care”

Patients now have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, as a result of legislation passed this year. But the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says if patients want insurance to cover their P-T treatment, they need to see a doctor first:
Cut 8 (09) “of pocket”
Parks Senator Fred Mills authored the new law…:
Cut 10 (09) “those surgeons”
The law went into effect as soon as the governor signed it.

A report compiled by the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office concerning the over heating death of their only K-9 unit will be sent to the DA for review. The dog was left in a vehicle and his handler, Deputy John Cummings, has resigned from the sheriff’s office.

A 31-year-old father and prep baseball coach is facing murder charges in the death of his 8 month old daughter, after mistakenly leaving her in a hot car Wednesday causing her death. Baton Rouge Police say Marvin Mercer of Zachary is charged with negligent homicide.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda every day, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The left lane of I-10 in Kenner was closed Wednesday after a portion of the roadway buckled. State Police said on its Facebook page that the road was not safe to drive on at the time, but repairs have been made and all lanes have reopened.

A 31-year-old baseball coach from Baton Rouge is under arrest amid allegations he left his baby in a hot vehicle for 2 hours by mistake causing her death. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer is charged with negligent homicide. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says there are things you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening again…:
Cut 16 (12) “in the backseat”
Marketa Walters with DCFS says over the past 10 years, Louisiana has had 24 heat related deaths, and 17 of those were under two years of age.

The LHSAA public/private school split is becoming even more heated as principals voted to continue dividing the schools in sports on Wednesday. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, says there will only be seven teams in the highest classification bracket for girls basketball and softball…:
Cut 6 (07) “really disappointing”
There’s been talk of another association forming as result.

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for the number of people who drink sugary drinks every day, only behind Mississippi. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says consuming a lot of sugar is linked to obesity, and the rate in Louisiana is over 7% higher than the national average…:
cut 12 (09) “are obese”
Guidroz says people who drink a lot of soda should try to wean themselves off of it slowly.

The LSU baseball team is looking at ways they have the best change to beat Coastal Carolina this weekend at The Box in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, with the winner of the best of three series heading to Omaha for the College World Series. The Chanticleers are 47-16 overall and 21-3 in the Big South Conference. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Saturday at 8pm. The game will air on ESPNU.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to take steps not to forget their young children in the backseat of a vehicle during these hot summer months. The warning is in response to Baton Rouge Police arresting a 31-year-old father whose 8-month-old daughter died after he accidentally left her in the car for two hours yesterday. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately we’ve seen similar cases over the years..:
Cut 15 (08) “of age”
The man arrested in Baton Rouge has been identified as Marvin Mercer and he’s been charged with negligent homicide.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement in response to the frosty way the House Ways and Means Committee his treated tax proposals. He says given the $600 million dollar deficit, voting against additional revenue means TOPS, higher ed, K-12 education and life saving health care are placed at risk. He says simple math shows the state needs additional revenue and putting politics over people is what got Louisiana into this mess to begin with.

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda every day, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________________

Playoff teams with poor records and another association forming are potential results of the LHSAA principals vote that keeps the expanded public-private school playoff split that was first approved in January. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year…

cut 4  (07)  “damn game”

There will be nine championships in football. Basketball, baseball and softball will go from 7 to 12 title games. Bonine says semifinal games will likely no longer take place in the cities that host the state basketball, baseball or softball tournaments…

Cut 5  (07)  “one night”

Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, says there will only be seven teams in the highest classification bracket for girls basketball and softball…

Cut 6 (07) “really disappointing”

Curtis anticipates the legislature will get involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…

CUT 7 (06)  “into that” 

___________________________________________________

As a result of legislation approved state lawmakers and signed by the governor, patients have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, but the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says if patients want insurance to cover their P-T treatment, they need to see a doctor first….

Cut 8  (09)  “of pocket” 

Carey says physical therapists cannot make medical diagnoses, which is why patients need to see a doctor. She says pain can be due to a number of conditions.

Cut 9 (12)  “need surgery”

Parks Senator Fred Mills authored the new law, which is already in place in other states, so that patients can visit physical therapist, before seeing a doctor…

Cut 10 (09) “those surgeons”

Mills says he thinks this new law strikes a good balance between patient safety and direct access.

cut 11 (06) “a practitioner”

_______________________________________________

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for the number of people who drink sugary drinks every day, only behind Mississippi. DHH dietician Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says consuming a lot of sugar is linked to obesity, and the obesity rate in Louisiana is over 7% higher than the national average.

cut 12 (09) “are obese”

The report shows 46% of Louisianans drink soda daily, and the state is one of only 7 in which more than 40% of residents drink cokes every day. Guidroz says people should not consume more than one sugary drink per day. She says one 12 ounce can of soda has 39 grams of sugar.

Cut 13 (08)  “a day”

Drinking a lot of soda is linked to lower income as well, according to the report, because sugary drinks are inexpensive and typically come with cheap fast food meals. Guidroz says in addition to weight gain, drinking a lot of soda can also lead to other health risks.

cut 14 (09)  “dental  care”

Guidroz says people who drink a lot of soda should try to wean themselves off of it slowly. She recommends drinking fruit infused water as an alternative.

________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to take steps not to forget their young children in the backseat of a vehicle during these hot summer months. The warning is in response to Baton Rouge Police arresting a 31-year-old father whose 8-month-old daughter died after he accidentally left her in the car for two hours yesterday. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately we’ve seen similar cases over the years.

Cut 15 (08) “of age”

Walters says with kids being out of school, parents are still adjusting to their new summer routines. She says there are things you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening again.

Cut 16  (12)  “in the backseat” 2x

The man arrested in Baton Rouge has been identified as Marvin Mercer and he’s been charged with negligent homicide. He’s also the head baseball coach at Madison Prep High School. Walters says there are easy habits that people can get into that will help them avoid this kind of tragedy.

Cut 17 (07)  “the backseat”

Signs will be required to be posted 500 feet ahead of intersections that have red light cameras beginning August 1, because of a bill signed into law by the governor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says this bill protects citizens’ right of due process, because if a motorist gets a ticket where a sign is not posted, they can get the ticket waived.

CUT 4 (07)  “no ticket”

The measure was approved with bipartisan support from both chambers. 

Governor Edwards’ tax proposals are not doing well two days in to the second special session. All revenue generating bills must start in the House Ways and Means Committee and LaPolitics.com publisher, Jeremy Alford says based on early action, he doesn’t see the legislature raising the $600 million needed to close the budget gap.

CUT 7 (12) “Means Committee”

Twenty-one percent of the Common Core English and math standards will change, as suggested by a 26-member review panel. BESE President Jim Garvey says that may not sound like much, but it’s about the same amount of changes that were made when they switched to Common Core initially.

cut 10 (06)  “the calssroom”

This puts to rest nearly a three year debate over whether the Common Core standards should be taught in public schools. 

People who would like to be field agents for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website, as they are looking for up to 23 cadets. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says the class of graduating agents will fill field office vacancies around the state. He says they’ll train on general enforcement work on the state’s many wildlife management areas…:

Cut 13 (07)  “as well”

Starting August 1st, signs will be required to be posted 500 feet ahead of intersections that have red light cameras, because of a bill signed into law by the governor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says this will benefit all citizens…:
CUT 5 (08) “our citizens”
He says if you get a ticket and there is no sign you don’t have to pay the ticket.

Governor John Bel Edwards and members of the legislature are supportive of changes to the Common Core academic standards suggested by a 26-member review panel. BESE President Jim Garvey says the panel was made up of people recommended by local school boards…:
CUT 9 (09) “good product”
Twenty-one percent of the English and math standards were changed by the panel.

Lawmakersa don’t seem to be warming up to Governor John Bel Edwards tax proposals. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says many bills are just being killed and he believes session fatigue may have something to do with it, as no legislature in the history of the state has met as long as these members have been in session.:
CUT 8 (12) “these hallways”
The committee passed the construction budget bill and a measure to tie up loose ends from the first special session, including taxes that should not have been placed on things like Girl Scout cookies and school lunches.

The LHSAA has voted to keep the expanded select/non-select school championship split, during a special meeting Wednesday. This means there will once gain be nine championships in football, five non-select and four select. And 12 each in boys and girls basketball.

Two days into the second special session, several of Governor Joh Bel Edwards tax proposals have hit a wall. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says proposals that would have raised income taxes on middle and upper class income earners received a frosty reception from the House Ways and Means Committee:
CUT 6 (09) “session agenda”

The governor signed a bill that would require signs to be posted before upcoming red light cameras. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Department of Health and Hospitals announces total new enrollment for expanded Medicaid reached more than 197,000 adults.For information on Medicaid expansion, the state’s website on the initiative is healthy.la.gov.

The LSU Tigers are heading to the Super Regionals after winning the Baton Rouge Regional by beating Rice 5-2. The Most Valuable Player of the Regional was Greg Deichmann, who had three hits on Tuesday, including a monster home run that put the Tigers up 3-2 in the seventh inning….
cut 19 (16) “…swing on it”
Deichmann’s blast went 417 feet.

Starting August 1st, signs will be required to be posted 500 feet ahead of intersections that have red light cameras, because of a bill signed into law by the governor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says it’s a great day for the citizens of Louisiana…:
CUT 3 (09) “for motorists”
The measure was approved with bipartisan support from both chambers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for new field agents, and they are taking applications for up to 23 cadets. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says the academy is starting in September…:
CUT 12 (08) “June 30th”
He says they’ll train to enforce the state’s recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the stat’s many wildlife management areas.

Governor John Bel Edwards is signing the Ban the Box bill into law today. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The rally possum was alive and well at The Box last night as the Tigers overcame a 2 run deficit and come back to beat Rice 5-2 to advance to the Super Regionals. Jared Poche pitched six shutout innings, and the Most Valuable Player of the Regional was Greg Deichmann, who had three hits on Tuesday, including a monster home run that put the Tigers up 3-2. The Tigers will now take on Coastal Carolina Saturday.