When gas prices soared to record highs, several placed blame on the Biden Administration for limiting oil and gas leases. But Louisiana’s Commissioner of Conservation Richard Ieyoub says last year the department issued more than 500 permits and they project that number will exceed 800 this year.

Cut 6 (11) “…comes up.” 

Conservation is considered the chief regulator of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.

LSU’S one point five-billion-dollar fundraising campaign has surpassed its goal—and done so three years early. The Fierce for the Future Foundation President Rob Stuart says four hundred million dollars has been raised since President William Tate arrived. Direct donations flowed into every LSU campus in the system, and there’s more for scholarships.

Cut 4  (09) “…are important.”

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation do not support President Biden’s plan to cancel or in some cases reduce the student loan debt for millions of Americans. Senator Bill Cassidy calls it a spit in the face of Louisiana families who are struggling to get by.

Cut 9 (13)  “…they make.”

But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans says the President is bringing long-needed relief to student loan borrowers and allows them to seek more opportunities in the future.

LSU’S one point five billion dollar fundraising campaign has surpassed its goal—and done so three years early. The Fierce for the Future campaign received donations for every LSU campus. LSU Foundation President Rob Stuart says donations to the previous campaign were split evenly between academics and athletics. But this time two-thirds of the money went to academics.
Cut 3 (10) “…academic side”
Stuart says four hundred million dollars has been raised in the year since President William F. Tate IV arrived.

The Board of Regents has revised its admission standards allowing students who passed college courses in high school to be admitted into a university, even if they don’t have the required GPA or ACT score. Deputy Higher Ed Commissioner Tristan Denly says the policy change supports the state’s Master Plan goal of doubling the number of credentials awarded annually by 2030…
cut 8 (10) “…secondary attainment”

Twelve families who lived on the Isle de Jean Charles island have moved into new homes in Terrebonne Parish as part of a 48-million dollar federal resettlement plan, because the Island is washing away into the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 11 (10) “…climate change”
Pat Forbes with the State Office of Community Development says they expect another two dozen families to re-locate to the new neighborhood by the end of the year.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the state’s first accountability plan for kindergarten through second grade. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s a literacy focused-plan and students will begin taking a literacy indicator during the 2024-25 school year. He says they have several ideas on how to ensure students can read at grade level once they reach the third grade…
cut 14 (12) “….the school”

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner predicts the state will lose about 24-hundred jobs over the next 12 months as a result of a downturn in the economy. Wagner says a rise in interest rates is helping to stem the tide of inflation, but it’s also causing other problems…
cut 6 (11) “…slowing down”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves the state’s first accountability plan to measure success in kindergarten through second grade. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the state has lacked a strong measure on how K-through-second graders are performing, especially when it comes to reading…
Cut 13 (08)“…learners.”
Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, students in grades K-through-second will take a literacy indictor that measures early literacy skills.

The Board of Regents has revised its admission standards allowing students who passed college courses in high school to be admitted into a university, even if they don’t have the required GPA or ACT score. Deputy Higher Ed Commissioner Tristan Denley says the boards has also made it easier for students to transfer from community and technical colleges to four-year university with a technical associate’s degree….
cut 9 (09) “…..their education”

The first set of Isle de Jean Charles residents who were living on an island that was vanishing as a result of rising sea levels has relocated to The New Isle resettlement community near Schriever in Terrebonne Parish. Pat Forbes with the Office of Community Development says 12 of the 37 families who’ve agreed to relocate moved into their new homes Wednesday.
Cut 10 (09) “…together.”
Nearly 100 residents will relocate to New Isle by the end of the year.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette economist Doctor Gary Wagner predicts the state could lose 24-hundred jobs over the next 12 months because of a downturn in the economy. Wagner says we are already starting to see a slow down in the number of new jobs in the state…
cut 5 (11) “…three months”
Wagner says the root problem is a rise in interest rates.

Twelve families who lived on the Isle de Jean Charles island have moved into new homes in Terrebonne Parish as part of a 48-million dollar federal resettlement plan, because the Island is washing away into the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 11 (10) “…climate change”
Pat Forbes with the State Office of Community Development says they expect another two dozen families to re-locate to the new neighborhood by the end of the year.

The board that governs Louisiana public higher education has created another way for high school students to get into college…
Cut 2 (28) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the state’s first ever accountability plan for grades K-through-second. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says a major focus of the accountability plan is a student’s reading ability…
cut 15 (12) “….literacy levels”

Is Louisiana actually IN an economic downturn? Kevin Gallagher reports an economist predicts thousands of jobs lost over the next year…:
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The state Department of Health confirms one human case of the potentially fatal West Nile disease in the Acadiana region; the first one in that area since 2018. So far this year, 14 cases the Neuroinvasive viral disease have turned up statewide. Two people have died. LDH says do what you can to avoid mosquito bites.

Twelve Isle de Jean Charles families who lived on a sinking island are in new homes today in Terrebonne Parish as part of the first federally funded resettlement plan. Pat Forbes with the state Office of Community Development says the residents are excited about their new homes, but also sad they had to re-locate…
cut 12 (10) “…..leaving the island”
Since 1955 the island, which is located about 40 miles south of the new site, has experienced a 98-percent land loss and continues to be at risk.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the state’s first accountability plan for kindergarten through second grade. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s a literacy focused-plan and students will begin taking a literacy indicator during the 2024-25 school year. He says they have several ideas on how to ensure students can read at grade level once they reach the third grade…
cut 14 (12) “….the school”

Louisiana adopts the state’s first accountability plan to measure progress in K through second grade. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to Education Data Initiative, over 650-thousand Louisiana residents are carrying a combined 22-billion dollars in student loan debt. For those with incomes less than 125-thousand or household incomes of less than 250-thousand they could see their student loan debt eliminated or at least reduced under President Biden’s student loan relief plan.

Louisiana high school students who want to attend college but don’t quite meet the current requirements now have another way to get in. The Board of Regents decided that if a student’s GPA or ACT score is not high enough they can still meet admission standards if they pass college-level courses in high school. Higher Education Deputy Commissioner Tristan Denley says getting more kids to college is a priority…
Cut 7 (10) “…likely to succeed.
The change takes effect in the Fall of 2023.

The first set of Isle de Jean Charles residents who were living on an island that was vanishing as a result of rising sea levels has relocated to The New Isle resettlement community near Schriever in Terrebonne Parish. Pat Forbes with the Office of Community Development says 12 of the 37 families who’ve agreed to relocate moved into their new homes Wednesday.
Cut 10 (09) “…together.”
Nearly 100 residents will relocate to New Isle by the end of the year.

A U.L.-Lafayette economist says the state could lose thousands of jobs in the coming months, amid an economic downturn. Dr. Gary Wagner says inflation is the reason. As interest rates rise to combat inflation, businesses see costs increase and the need for budget and payroll cuts in the months to come…:
Cut 4 (10) “…my best estimate.”

Beginning next year, a new accountability plan to measure success in kindergarten through second grade will go into effect. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says there’s already an accountability system that measures children in early childcare centers and then again for third graders, but there’s been a void in K through second grade.
Cut 13 (08)“…learners.”

The board that governs Louisiana public higher education has created another way for high school students to get into college.
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Nearly four inches of rain fell in Monroe yesterday and more rain is in the forecast today. A large portion of south and central Louisiana and several parishes along the Mississippi River are under a flash flood watch until seven tonight.

State Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes at the Department of Children and Family Services, despite the state agency announcing changes in policy and a push to increase staff. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre had posted what his medical emergency was on social media. Webre had a heart attack Sunday and his statement says he experienced what is commonly referred to as the “widow maker,” an asymptomatic and often fatal heart attack.

ULM’s College of Pharmacy has received a 2.5 million dollar grant to train first responders on how to administer opioid reversal medications and refer them to treatment. Associate professor of clinical practice, Doctor Alexis Horace says her team will provide education in Ouachita, Orleans, and surrounding rural parishes…

Cut 12 (09) “….that are in need.”  
The widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina Edwards is engaged. Former Louisiana House speaker and Senate President John Alario popped the question outside Ruth’s Chris Friday night on Edwards’ 44^th birthday. On Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana this morning she said Alario opted to propose in the car before dinner because it was raining.

Cut 5  (06) “…endearing.”

A wedding date has not been set.

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police…:

CUT 03(06)      “…that subject.”

The man shot is identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes. The investigation is ongoing.

A New Orleans state lawmaker calls for Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters to resign, after two high profile cases wherein the agency failed to protect kids. A Baton Rouge toddler died of a fentanyl overdose; his third in several months. Representative Jason Hughes says he’s tired of excuses…:

CUT 08  (10)        “…administration.”

In another case, a foster father was found to be sexually assaulting kids under his care.

A grand jury indicts a Baton Rouge cop for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Southern University student over a year ago. 34-year-old Officer Done Steele has been on administrative leave all this time. Detectives say Steele texted the victim sexually explicit messages after the encounter.

Governor Edwin Edwards’ widow announces her engagement to another major Louisiana political figure. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

State Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes at the Department of Children and Family Services, despite the state agency announcing changes in policy and a push to increase staff…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

The state Department of Health confirms one human case of the potentially fatal West Nile disease in the Acadiana region; the first one in that area since 2018. So far this year, 14 cases the Neuroinvasive viral disease have turned up statewide. Two people have died. LDH says do what you can to avoid mosquito bites.

U.L.-Monroe receives a $2.5-million grant to train first responders on rescuing opioid overdose victims. Associate Professor of clinical practice Dr. Alexis Horace says the goal is to help people get long-term treatment in addition to treating the overdose on the spot…:

CUT 11(12)      “…guide them into care”

Dr. Horace says her goal is to educate four thousand first responders in Louisiana by 2026.

Trina Edwards, the widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards is engaged to former Senate President John Alario. On Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” program, she talked of Alario’s awkward proposal…:

CUT 07(08)      “…so sweet.”

She says no date for the wedding has been set, as yet. Trina Edwards is 44. Alario is 78.