According to research from the Public Affairs Research Council, the average public school teacher salary in Louisiana is $52,472, more than $12,000 below the national average. PAR President Steven Procopio says teacher salaries in Louisiana are also below the southern regional average.
Cut 13 (08) “…than ours.”
Since 2019, public school teachers have received 33-hundred dollars in salary hikes and for the upcoming school year, teachers will receive an additional two-thousand dollars.

Speaking of school, a new school year is about a month away and state health officials are encouraging parents to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned immunization rates for children are falling…
cut 8 (11) “…concerning here”

As an August 1 deadline approaches, Restore Louisiana holds an outreach event in Lake Charles today to help homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 apply for federal rebuilding grant dollars. The event is at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. State Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says many hurricane victims have not completed a survey to see if they are eligible
Cut 4 (12) “…their homes.”
Homeowners may be eligible for up to $250 thousand in assistance and homes will be built to meet fortified standards. For more information go to restore-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cities across the state and country have been plagued recently with the fad of drag racing and stunt gatherings. Spectators have been hurt as a result. Baton Rouge police cracked down on street racers over the weekend… impounding more than two dozen muscle cars and issuing about 30 citations. Getting their vehicles back is going to put a dent in the street racers’ wallets says BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely…:

Cut  14 (11)  “be tolerated….”

St. Tammany Parish Deputies have arrested 25-year-old Malik Morris of Memphis for allegedly burglarizing five restaurants in the Covington area. Spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says after a brief pursuit, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a neighborhood” 

Morris was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.

The tax break for parents who send their children to private schools will increase to $6,000 from the current $5,000. The current deduction costs the state about $22-millon annually and will increase to $24.2 million next year. Pineville Senator Jay Luneau questioned bill author Laurie Schlegel on how the increase will impact the state budget.

Cut 10 (10)  “…taxpayers.”

Governor Edwards has signed the legislation.

The Major League Baseball draft began with two LSU players from the National Championship team, pitcher Paul Skeens was the first by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and center fielder Dylan Crews was the second pick by Washington Nationals. Crews says as a kid he followed the Nats ever since the former number one overall pick was Bryce Harper…

Cut 5 (11)  “…as him.”

A Memphis, Tennessee man is under arrest in St. Tammany Parish; accused of multiple restaurant burglaries in the Covington area. St. Tammany Sheriff’s spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says officers tried to pull 25-year-old Malik Morris over, but he bailed out and was nabbed after a foot chase. She says Morris may also be linked to other burglaries in the parish…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…those agencies.”

Morris is behind bars.

The Governor signs into law a bill giving parents who pay private school tuition a larger state tax break; increasing from $5k per kid, per year…to $6-thousand. The bill was authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schegel…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…their taxes.”

That increase takes effect for the 2024 tax year.

A street racing sting by multiple Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies resulted in 26 vehicles impounded and a total of 30 citations over the weekend. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they did some detective work, learned where the street drivers were getting together next and took action…:

CUT 12(13)      “…in play.”

He says more such stings and possible arrests are coming.

Paul Skenes is the first LSU player to be selected number one in the Major League Baseball draft since Ben McDonald in 1989. The Pittsburgh Pirates used their top overall pick on Skenes, who features a 100-mile per hour fastball and a wipe-out slider…:

CUT 03(11)      “…this position.”

Fellow Tiger Dylan Crews was the 2^nd pick. He goes to the Washington Nationals.

Louisiana’s bigger cities, and some not-so-big ones, have been plagued recently with highly illegal and very dangerous street racing & stunt gatherings. Some people have been hurt as cars do burnouts and make smoking “donuts” on the pavement; often blocking big intersections. Baton Rouge lawmen cracked down on the street racers over the weekend. Impounding over two dozen muscle cars and issuing about 30 citations. Getting those vehicles back is going to put a sting in the street racers’ wallets. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…be tolerated.”

He says they will continue to bust the events up.

Shreveport Police say two people have been shot and wounded in a hostage situation at a home on Crooked Creek Drive this morning. An adult male and a teen (gender unknown) were taken to the hospital. The suspect reportedly set the home on fire. Police have been fired upon from inside. At last report the house was fully engulfed in flame. More as it develops.

A lightning strike last night led to a massive fire at an oil tank, located near I-49 in Cheneyville. Multiple fire crews battled the blaze all night. At last report the fire had burnt out. Residents evacuated last night from a half-mile radius were allowed to return home. No one is reported seriously hurt.

Legislation to increase the tax break for parents whose children attend private school has been signed by the governor. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Baton Rouge lawmen cracked down on street racers over the weekend; towing 26 vehicles and issuing about 30 citations. Participants in high-power muscle cars will take over a parking lot – or worse, an intersection – to do donuts, burnouts and other dangerous stunts. People have been hurt. Baton Rouge Police spokesman L’Jean McKneely says there will be legal consequences for the impromptu stunt rallies…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…cost you.”

Deputies in St. Tammany Parish arrest a Tennessee man for allegedly burglarizing restaurants in the Covington area. Sheriff’s spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says the chase started Saturday afternoon, when officers tried to pull over 25-year-old Malik Morris, who was driving a box truck…:

CUT 07  (11)        “…medical assistance.”

Beginning next year, private school parents will get a boost in their state tax break for tuition; from $5-thousand per kid, per year to $6-thousand. The average cost per kid of private school is a little over $7-thousand. In the legislative session, DeRidder Senator Mike Reese said he likes the bill’s intent, but questions its cost…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…them there.”

The tax break was created 15 years ago. This s the first time it has been increased for inflation.

Paul Skenes is the first LSU player to be selected number one in the Major League Baseball draft since Ben McDonald in 1989. The Pittsburgh Pirates used their top overall pick on Skenes and his 100-mile-an-hour fastball. Skenes is surprised and humbled…:

CUT 04(09)      “…in Pittsburgh.”

Skenes and teammate Dylan Crews are the first high school or college teammates to be selected 1 and 2 in the MLB draft.

The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 26-year-old Lorenzo Green for the alleged murder of his girlfriend 25-year-old Radayish King of St. Francisville. King was found dead in her vehicle near the intersection of Highways 61 and 421 Sunday morning.

LSU makes history as for the first time two players from the same school are the first two picks in the Major League Baseball draft.  Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A street racing sting by multiple law enforcement agencies in Baton Rouge resulted in 26 vehicles towed and a total of 30 citations over the weekend. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says they learned about a get-together the racers were planning…

Cut 12 (13) “…in play” 

The sting was conducted Friday night and early Saturday morning in response to an increased trend in street racing.

The tax break for parents who send their children to private schools will increase to $6,000 from the current $5,000. The current deduction costs the state about $22-millon annually and will increase to $24.2 million next year. Pineville Senator Jay Luneau questioned bill author Laurie Schlegel on how the increase will impact the state budget.

Cut 10 (10)  “…taxpayers.”

Governor Edwards has signed the legislation.

With the Governor’s veto of the bill banning “gender-affirming care” for minors, the chances of a veto override session have increased.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Police in the small town of Many, in Sabine Parish are investigating a Sunday afternoon fatal stabbing. Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooly says a man and woman, in their mid to late 20s were arguing when the man was stabbed. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, and the woman was arrested. Names and charges have not been released.

St. Tammany Parish Deputies have arrested 25-year-old Malik Morris of Memphis for allegedly burglarizing five restaurants in the Covington area. Spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says after a brief pursuit, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a neighborhood” 

Morris was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. The investigation is ongoing.

A $21 million broadband expansion project to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to thousands of households in Avoyelles Parish is underway. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Louisiana is leading the country in how quickly they are bringing broadband to every corner of the state…

Cut 14 (13)  “…get it.”
The project is expected to completed next summer.

Beginning next year parents who send their kids to private school will receive an increase of $5,000 to $6,000 tax break per child in Louisiana. The governor signed the legislation that Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel authored.

Cut 9 (09)  “…their taxes.”

The current deduction costs the state about $22-millon annually and that will increase to $24.2 million in 2024.

The Major League Baseball draft began with two LSU players from the National Championship team, pitcher Paul Skeens was the first by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and center fielder Dylan Crews was the second pick by Washington Nationals. Crews says as a kid he followed the Nats ever since the former number one overall pick was Bryce Harper…

Cut 5 (11)  “…as him.”

Will they or won’t they return for a veto override session is the looming question. Since Governor Edwards rejected a bill to ban transgender procedures on minors in Louisiana the probability has increased, they’ll return.  “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the transgender bill veto could also open a floodgate of override efforts…:

Cut 12 (11)    “…by the Governor.” 

Votes from lawmakers on their willingness to return for an override session are due Thursday.

And ground has been broken on a project that will result in high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet for 91-hundred households and 535 small businesses in Avoyelles Parish. Connect LA director Veneeth Iyengar says Swift Telecom is expected to complete the project next summer.

Cut 16 (13) “..our office.”

We’ll find out later this week if there will be an override veto session that would begin on July 18th. Among the most high-profile bills that Governor Edwards has vetoed is the ban on transgender medical procedures on children. State Representative Gabe Firment from Grant Parish says there’s public support for his legislation.
Cut 7 (11) “…this veto.”
A simple majority vote by either the House or Senate cancels the override veto session, but Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says Republican lawmakers seeking re-election are facing pressure to hold the veto session…
cut 13 (09) “….suffer the consequences”
Edwards vetoed over two dozen bills from the recently completed session.

Paul Skenes is the first LSU player to be selected number one in the Major League Baseball draft since Ben McDonald in 1989. The Pittsburgh Pirates used their top overall pick on Skenes, who features a 100-mile per hour fastball and a wipe out slider…
cut 3 (11) “…this position”
LSU’s Dylan Crews was the second overall pick, going to the Washington Nationals.

A $21 million broadband expansion project to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to thousands of households in Avoyelles Parish is underway. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Louisiana is leading the country in how quickly they are bring broadband to every corner of the state…
Cut 14 (13) “…get it.”
The project is expected to completed next summer.

Governor Edwards vetoed three anti-LGBTQ bills including a ban on transgender medical procedures on minors. The bill’s author, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment neighboring states have passed similar legislation and without it, Louisiana will be set apart.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on kids.”

New Orleans Democrat Aimee Freeman points out that legislation passed in Arkansas has already been challenged in the courts and she believes Firment’s bill violates the state constitution because it’s discriminatory.

Cut 10 (09) “…be trusted.”

Lawmakers must respond by Thursday if they wish to return to Baton Rouge for a veto session.

Officials broke ground for a $21 million broadband expansion to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish last Thursday. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Avoyelles is only one of several rural parishes selected to receive broadband …

Cut 15 (12)  “…most impact.”

The collective impact of the $176 million in federal funds plus the $1.4 billion will ensure that Louisianans in rural and low-income communities will have access to high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet.

Baton Rouge General has opened The Louisiana Center for Bariatrics in Baton Rouge. One of the surgeons, Dr. Karalyn Bentley, says in addition to weight loss surgery the center also specializes in non-surgical weight loss interventions, nutrition counseling, and support groups.

Cut 6 (10)  “…their family.”