Bossier Parish Representative Dodie Horton has filed a bill to ban classroom discussion of sexual preference or gender identity. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A 13-year-old Prairieville student is facing charges after a camera disguised as an ink pen, was found in the girl’s locker room. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams earned state championship title rings this year in Rapides Parish but need help to cover the cost of getting them. Teiko Foxx has more.
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month and distracted drivers in Louisiana are involved in at least 5,000 crashes a year. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says driving is an activity that requires your full attention.
Using a cell phone, eating while driving, or talking to passengers are the most common distractors. In 2021, distracted drivers were involved in 5,030 accidents in which at least one person was injured or killed according to data from the Center for Analytics in Research and Transportation Safety at LSU. Lambert says 53 of the wrecks resulted in at least one fatality, the highest number of distracted-related fatal crashes in Louisiana since 2009.
Louisiana law prohibits the use of cell phones and sending text messages while driving and adult drivers could be fined up to $1,000. Lambert believes distracted driving is underreported and drivers should consider the possible consequences before picking up an electronic device.
On average, drivers in Louisiana use their cell phones 2.4 times each time they drive.
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A Bossier Parish lawmaker has, again this year, filed a bill to forbid classroom discussion of sexual preference or gender identity. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton’s HB 466 would also prohibit teachers and school employees from discussing their own orientation with kids. She says she knows of an educator in Shreveport who does this…:
Cut 7 (12) “…elementary students.”
Horton says her bill could be characterized as an anti-grooming measure. She filed a similar bill last year, but it failed to gain traction. She says the measure would prohibit classroom instruction of anything that deviates from state standards or curricula – especially topics of sexual identity and orientation. Horton says the bill codifies adherence to traditional learning…:
Horton’s bill would also bar the use of so-called “preferred pronouns” that do not match the gender the student was born. Exceptions would be made if parents make written requests of such, but can be refused if the teacher has a religious or moral issue with it. Horton says a child’s time in school should be spent learning…:
Cut 9 (10) “…subject at hand.”
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In Prairieville, a 13-year-old Galvez Middle School student is facing video voyeurism charges after a camera, disguised as an ink pen, was located in the girl’s locker room last week. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Donovan Jackson says they’ve contacted the parents of all of the students who were involved.
Jackson says it is important for children to understand the consequences of something like this, which can be severe. In addition to criminal charges, the young man could also face expulsion.
The camera was found last week by another student, who Jackson says took the device home but when he discovered it was a recording device instead, the school was notified. The school then alerted the authorities.
Where and how the 13-year-old student obtained the camera is also being investigated.
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Rapides Parish high school basketball teams won the state championship but were unable to clinch the rings due to a lack of funding. Northwood-Lena is the first school to win a title on both girls’ and boys’ teams in the same season. Coach Alan Tinsley says after paying for other team essentials during the year – there are no funds available to commemorate the achievement.
Cut 13 (10) “…championship rings.”
The estimated cost for rings for thirty-five players and coaches is approximately $14,000. Tinsley says the cost of the rings is incurred by the teams.
The team is asking community leaders and local businesses to chip in to help purchase the rings and currently working on a t-shirt fundraiser. Tinsley says it was a blessing to have churches to donate but there’s a need for more additional funding.
All donations can be made by contacting Northwood-Lena High School.
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The LSU women’s basketball team is back home celebrating its national championship win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Head Coach Kim Mulkey delivered on a promise of bringing the national championship to her home state. It only took her two seasons, but she credits the players who came to LSU and the fans…
Cut 16 (24) “…better and better.”
LSU held a welcome home celebration for the Lady Tigers yesterday afternoon and Mulkey is looking forward to a parade and another celebration in the PMAC tomorrow night…
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Jerry Arledge is stepping down as West Monroe High School’s head coach and has been named the school’s athletic director. Arledge has been with West Monroe for 31 seasons and was the defensive coordinator when the school won eight state titles from 1992 to 2012. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says it’s the end of an era.
Dietrich says when Arledge was named head coach his tenure was marked with great success but was eclipsed because a state championship eluded him.
A search for Arledge’s replacement is underway.
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