Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a new program aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic in Louisiana. He says there will now be a 24/7 prescription drug takeback box located at Baton Rouge Police headquarters, with the ultimate goal of having one in every parish…:
CUT 25 (10) “per hundred people”
The locations of all Drug Take Back Boxes in Louisiana may be found online at EndTheEpidemicLA.org.

Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for the 2016-2017 year. White says the scores have remained steady for the third consecutive year, with Louisiana fourth graders are showing the most improvement in reading and math…:
Cut 9 (06) “progress”
This is the last year public schools with be graded on the state’s curve transition policy.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more information in the mysterious death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found on a street in his subdivision. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they aren’t ruling out hit and run, but foul play could still be a factor. Wiley says there was a lot about Tumas that nobody knew like when he stopped working for the state:
Cut 4 (11) “schedules”
He says autopsy results revealed that in addition to the localized brain damage, Tumas had significant injuries through his entire body.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and the Baton Rouge Police Department announced a new tool they hope will help to curb opioid abuse. There is a new drug prescription take-back box that was installed at BRPD headquarters where people can bring unused medication. Landry said the goal is to have a box in every parish in Louisiana. For a full list of current boxes, visit endtheepidemicla.org.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the case of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says Tumas suffered significant trauma, was transported to a local hospital and died about 12 hours later…:
Cut 3 (11) “his body”
But he says exactly what happened remains a mystery. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman believes the warm fall has led to more people driving:
Cut 10 (08) “and Texas”
The current average in Louisiana is $2.26.

The state has launched a new website to help parents decide the best public school for their kids. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says this online tool will be helpful for families in providing a more comprehensive look at Louisiana schools, which wasn’t available with the previous report cards…:
Cut 5 (10) “and attendance“
The website is Louisiana-schools-dot-com.

You may have noticed a bump in gas prices lately. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says October consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006, likely due to a warmer fall and hurricane response. He says while the statewide average stands at $2.26, many of us are paying less:
Cut 12 (06) “last year”
The current statewide average is up 4 cents from the prior week.

The Governor’s Mansion in Louisiana is getting a new website. First Lady Donna Edwards will launch the new online portal this afternoon which she says will showcase the beauty of the mansion and fun activities for visitors.

Former LSU star shortstop and Astros World Champion Alex Bregman says he’ll be back in Baton Rouge for the LSU/Arkansas game on Saturday. Houston’s third baseman held an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit Monday.

Louisiana Tech now has a new Tech XXII mascot. Vice President for Student Advancement Jim King says they are excited to finally introduce the beloved bulldog to students. King says Tech is well taken care of by the university’s pre-vet club and has been adopted by a local Ruston family…:
Cut 7 (07) “the campus”
He says everyone agreed to keep the tradition of having a live bulldog mascot.

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman in Shreveport has started a petition online at change.org which aims to remove a billboard for a strip club along I-20 which she calls lewd and suggestive. Stephanie Giddens believes children should not be exposed to the Larry Flynt Hustler Club ad, which she says pushes the envelope, and she’s even asked Governor John Bel Edwards to get involved.

Today the state Department of Education will release the final report cards for schools that grade on a curve. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says from here on we could see a dip in school scores as a result, but feels this is good in the long run. He says students will just have move up to higher proficiency levels..:
Cut 15 (12) “did before”
The new grades will be released at 11am.

October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006, which is why we’ve seen an increase in the price at the pup. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.26, up 4 cents from the prior week. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says this might effect the holiday driving season…:
Cut 11 (06) “than that”
He attributes the bump in demand to a warmer fall and hurricane recovery.

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Today the Louisiana Department of Education will release the 2016-2017 annual school performance scores – the last report graded on a curve. President for the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says this will make the grades more accurate…:
Cut 14 (08) “taxpayers want”

There was some talk that LSU might begin starting freshman quarterback Myles Brennan, instead of Danny Etling who had some missed opportunities in the loss to Alabama. But Coach Ed Orgeron says that’s not happening. The Tigers have traditionally played poorly after a loss to the the Crimson Tide, but Coach O doesn’t expect that with this team…:
Cut 18 (14) “playing at home”
LSU plays Arkansas with an 11am kickoff in Tiger Stadium Saturday.

Louisiana Tech has a new bulldog mascot, Tech XXII. Vice President for Student Advancement Jim King says everyone agreed on getting another live mascot…:
CUT 9 (10) “to continue”
King says Tech XXII will likely attend anywhere from 40 to 50 events, with the occasional trip to campus just to visit students.

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman believes the warm fall has led to more people driving:
Cut 10 (08) “and Texas”
He says the increase in demand is what has lead to a slight bump in gas prices.

The state’s education department developed a website to help parents choose the best K-12 public school for their child. Louisiana-schools-dot-com, launches today. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says families can find information about all traditional public schools in the state, along with…:
Cut 4 (10) “public schools”
Facts on charter, magnet and scholarship schools are also available on the website.

Louisiana Tech has announced they have a new live mascot, Tech 22. Jeff Palermo has more on the new beloved bulldog…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana Tech has announced they have a new live mascot, Tech XXII. Jeff Palermo has more on the beloved bulldog….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006.  Will it lead to higher prices? Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3  (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”  

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The state’s education department developed a website to help parents decide the best K-12 public school for their child. The website, Louisiana-schools-dot-com (louisianaschools.com), launches today. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says families can find information about all traditional public schools in the state, along with…

Cut 4  (10) “public schools”

Facts on charter, magnet and scholarship schools are also available on the website. Morrison says this online tool will be helpful for parents in providing a more comprehensive look at Louisiana schools, which wasn’t available with the previous report card released each year.

Cut 5  (10)  “and attendance “

Morrison anticipates families will get a lot of use out of this. She says parents are also given the opportunity to make customizable searches on the new website.

Cut 6 (11) “those options”

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Louisiana Tech now has a new Tech XXII mascot after Tech XXI retired last fall. Vice President for Student Advancement Jim King says they are excited to finally introduce the beloved bulldog to students. King says Tech is well taken care of by the university’s pre-vet club and has been adopted by a local Ruston family.

Cut 7 (07)  “the campus”

King says Tech XXII will likely attend anywhere from 40 to 50 events, with the occasional trip to campus just to visit students. He says the pre-vet club handles all of the pup’s needs.

Cut 8 (11) “return him”

Back in 2012, a student worker let Tech XX outside and forgot to let him back in and he died from heat stroke. King says the new bulldog is an off spring of Tech XXI, which was retired from service more than 13 months ago. He says the students are excited to have a live mascot again.

Cut 9 (10)  “to continue”

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The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006, which is why there has been a slight increase in prices at the pump.  Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman believes the warm fall has led to more people driving increasing demand for gasoline…

Cut 10 (08)  “and Texas.”

The big holiday driving season is coming and one thing drivers want to know is if gas prices will come down.  Redman has a prediction…

Cut 11 (06) “than that.”

Redman says Louisiana prices are the sixth lowest in the nation with drivers paying an average of $2.26 a gallon, but still about 20 cents more a gallon than last year.  But he says some drivers in Louisiana are paying much below the state average…

Cut 12 (06) “last year.”

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The state Department of Education releases the 2016-2017 annual school performance scores today and this is the last time schools with be graded on a curve. President for the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says it’s time to go back to the system where grades really give a true reflection of the school’s performance. He says the grading scale hasn’t been as accurate over the last few years.

Cut 13 (10) “letter grades”

Erwin says after getting rid of a curve, we do sometimes see a dip in school performance with more receiving D’s and F’s. He expects it might take a year or two but schools will eventually score better as the bar is raised.

Cut 14 (08) “taxpayers want”

Erwin says with the new grading system, students are going to have move up to higher proficiency levels to keep the scores that they were getting before.

Cut 15 (11) “did before”

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LSU Football Head Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Danny Etling will remain the Tigers starting quarterback. Orgeron says despite some missed opportunities in the passing game against Alabama, Etling is the better option over freshman Myles Brennan to achieve a 10-win season

Cut 16  (20)  “our quarterback”

LSU will play Arkansas this Saturday after losing to Alabama by two touchdowns last weekend. But Orgeron says he doesn’t see a wide talent gap between the Tigers and Tide…

Cut 17 (14)  “see it”

In years past, LSU did not play well after the Alabama game. Orgeron expects his team will bounce back and give a great performance against Arkansas…

Cut 18 (14) “playing at home” 

In the wake of the tragic church shooting in Texas, Jeff Palermo spoke with former state representative Henry Burns who passed a law to allow concealed handgun permit holders to bring a gun into church for protection…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The first two days of early voting for the November 18 election shows numbers remain dismal with just under 26-thousand voters participating.  Secretary of State Tom Schedler says even though they are getting the word out to encourage voters, not many took the advice…

Cut 3 (07) “voters behind.”

Some 60 dogs and cats rescued from Hurricane Maria and relocated to Louisiana are looking for their new forever home.  Zeus’ Rescues in New Orleans is currently sheltering the animals.  They were surrendered after many lost their homes.  Director Michelle Ingram says some animals are having a hard time adjusting to their new circumstances at their shelter.  She says foster families are needed to help these animals…

Cut 14 (12)  “family member.”

There is some talk in LSU land that it may be time to replace starting quarterback Danny Etling.  LSU’s final three regular season games are against Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas A-and-M.  A strong finish for the Tigers could mean playing in a bowl game on New Year’s Day. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran anticipates head coach Ed Orgeron will give backup quarterback Myles Brennan some snaps with the season still on the line…

Cut 7 (10) “for now”

Reactions are coming in the aftermath of the largest church mass shooting in Texas history this past weekend near San Antonio which killed 26.  Seven years ago, former Shreveport area State Representative Henry Burns authored a bill which allows guns in places of worship, with church leadership approval.  But are there additional steps that churches need to take to ensure the safety of attendees?  Burns says installing metal detectors may be an extreme but necessary step…

Cut 11 (08) “in Texas.”

The first two days of early voting for the November 18 election shows numbers remain dismal with just under 26-thousand voters participating.  Secretary of State Tom Schedler says some are flat out refusing to go to the polls.  Schedler says in talking to some, they feel their ballot won’t make a difference…

Cut 5  (06)  “prevelant comment.”

Early voting remains open until Saturday with the exception of Friday for the observance of Veteran’s Day.

Some 60 dogs and cats rescued from Hurricane Maria and relocated to Louisiana are looking for their new forever home.  Zeus’ Rescues in New Orleans is currently sheltering the animals.  They were surrendered after many lost their homes.  Director Michelle Ingram says some storm victims realize they can’t take care of their furry family members anymore…

Cut 12 (10) “their pets.”

She says foster families are needed to help take care of these furry friends.

After the loss to Alabama, is it time to let true freshman Myles Brennan take over as LSU’s starting quarterback? Head Coach Ed Orgeron has said Danny Etling will remain the starter and Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says that’s the right call…

Cut 6 (09)  “quarterback play”

Kickoff this Saturday against Arkansas is at 11am at Tiger Stadium.