A House Bill aims to put convicted animal abusers on the map, or at least in a database similar to sex offenders. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.
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The Senate backs education funding that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
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A proposal to create a statewide animal abuser registry is scheduled to be heard in the House Ag committee today. The registry would be similar to the sex offender database. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the effort has his organization’s approval.
Cut 4 (10) “… convicted animal abusers.”
Amite Representative Robby Carter proposed the bill. Dorson says it would help a group like the Humane Society who often works cases with repeat offender and adds the bill bans animal ownership for anyone who appears on the registry in two different tiers.
Cut 5 (08) “…really important provisions.”
Dorson says similar registries are being built in other states.
Cut 6 (10) “…probably next session.”
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Louisiana set new highs for Class of 18’ class size, number of students receiving TOPS, and is now above the national average in African American graduation rate according to the Louisiana Department of Education.
White says it’s a record setting year, with the highest graduation rate in state history as 81.4 percent of students obtained a four-year-graduation rate.
Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”
40,124 students graduated in the 2018 class.
Superintendent of Education John White says it’s still far from perfect, but the 78 percent four-year-graduation rate for African Americans is worth celebrating…
Cut 8 (10) “…graduation.”
76 percent of economically disadvantaged students graduated in four years, along with 60 percent of disabled students, both a year-to-year increase.
Over 50 percent of the graduating class qualified for TOPS, and White says that comes out to 5,000 more kids getting the scholarship assistance than received it in 2012, giving Louisiana students access to vital higher education.
Cut 9 (11) “…family″
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A bill introduced by Belle Chase Republican Chris Leopold is on its way to the House floor that would allow grocery and liquor stores to deliver alcohol so long as the product arrives in a factory sealed bottle and the recipient does not live on a college campus. Drizly alcohol delivery spokesperson Alton Ashy…
Cut 10 (08) “…the entire transaction.”
The person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ATC to verify the recipient’s age. Ashy says that is one of many safe guards put into effect.
Cut 11 (09) “…at all times.”
The employee making the delivery would also have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served. Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.
Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”
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The Senate passes a 3.8 billion dollar funding formula for public education that includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, a 500 dollar support personnel pay raise, and a 39 million dollar block grant to school districts.
Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says it’s important this proposal passes, because it’s a statement of intent that Louisiana understands how important education is.
Cut 13 (12) “…do.”
The MFP has the support of the Governor and teachers’ unions.
The House passed a 1,200 dollar teacher pay raise, but is resisting the 39 million dollar education funding increase in favor of more money for early childhood education. In a likely preview of the upcoming disagreement between the House and Senate, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel voted against the proposal…
Cut 14 (11) “…at once”
Appel says Louisiana has the highest per pupil spending of any southern state.
New Orleans Senator JP Morrell hit back at that argument, saying there’s not reason why the Legislature cannot address both adequate funding for schools, higher teacher salaries, and early childhood education credits.
Cut 15 (10) “priority.”
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LSU hosts Auburn tonight to begin the final regular season series of the year. Coach Paul Mainieri is changing up his starting rotation again as Eric Walker will start tonight’s game
Cut 16 (20) “…right around the corner”
Mainieri hinted Walker would also pitch next Wednesday or Thursday in the SEC Tournament, if LSU can win on Tuesday in a single elimination game.
For LSU to secure a spot as an NCAA Regional host, the Tigers are shooting for a fifth place finish in the overall SEC standings. They are currently in 6th place. Mainieri says he’s not talking with his team about postseason scenarios…
cut 17 (14) “to be”
Starting left fielder Daniel Cabrera is heating up with the weather. He’s hit five home runs in his last nine games. Mainieri says the sophomore has changed his approach at the plate….