There’s legislation this session to allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom to protect special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 
Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth are both listed in stable condition after falling from floats in two separate incidents.  They were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground.

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…
Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”
The session deciding the pay bump starts in two weeks.
The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible

Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″

Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring

Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth that were rushed to the hospital Sunday after falling from floats in two separate incidents were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground. The riders did not suffer serious injuries, and they were both listed in stable condition. Two people were killed in float related accidents last week.

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will work with regional steering communities to guide flood mitigation decisions and investments…

Cut 11 (08) “their communities”

The Edwards administration has indicated they would support a 500-dollar raise for teachers in an effort to get Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying teachers a good salary…
cut 5 (08) “…fund it”

A bill will be presented by Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil in the upcoming legislative session to add surveillance cameras in the classrooms to protect special needs students. If enacted parents can request school systems install cameras in the classrooms to monitor interactions. Foil believes cameras will clear up any questions parents have of what’s really going on in the classroom.

Cut 7 (12) “…bullying them.”

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand-dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39 after the council placed a recorder on a child and they were able to document ongoing abuse of an autistic student attending Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy in 2018.

Cut 6 (06) “…of safety.”

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says he expects the money will become available in the spring and they’ll start using the dollars to improve rain and river gauges and models for every watershed in the state

Cut 10 (11) “…flood risk”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says the puppies are in the care of Every Paw Animal Rescue in Evangeline Parish and they appear to be doing well.

Cut 14 (10) “…be adopted”

Federal officials have given the state approval to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be used to protect communities from flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The family of Joseph Sampson, who was tragically run over by a tandem float during the Endymion parade in New Orleans Saturday, has launched a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses. A description of the fundraiser says Sampson had no life insurance.  To date they have raised just over their goal three thousand dollars.

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39. A similar measure to protect nursing home patients passed in 2018 and Foil believes Senate Bill 39 to safeguard Special Need students will be enacted as well.

Cut 8 (08) “…protect them.”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. He faces 8 felony charges, one for each puppy, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says it is an act that is not taken lightly.

Cut 13 (10) “…somebody being charged.”

Legislation filed for the upcoming session would allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom of special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Edwards administration has indicated they would support a 500-dollar raise for teachers in an effort to get Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying teachers a good salary…
cut 5 (08) “…fund it”

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible
Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″
Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring.

A Breaux Bridge man faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Major Ginny Higgins credits the public’s help for nabbing 55-year-old Gary James Goulas.
Cut 12 (10) “… cruelty to animals.”
The charges, one for each puppy, are felony offenses.

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…
Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”
The session deciding the pay bump starts in two weeks.
Governor Edwards announces the creation of a “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea level rise. Edwards showcased his billion dollars a year coastal restoration plan last week, but officials admit it requires a slowing of sea-level rise to work longterm. Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says it’ll have to be a global effort, but…
Cut 14 (12) “…conversation”

There are two days left of parades and partying, but a somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Longtime St. Mary Parish lawmaker Butch Gautreaux has died. He was 72.

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…and stay there.”  

Mardi Gras safety will be a hot topic in New Orleans in the months ahead after a second person in three days was killed by a float. Some say banning tandem floats is not the answer to preventing further deaths during the rowdy street parades. Others say the city should put up more barricades keeping partygoers off the street. But Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…

Cut 6 (10) “…larger crowd”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is coordinating its fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. In the past potential adopters could choose from available horses after Carnival season, but with the program’s increased popularity, Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says they are seeing a new trend.

Cut 8 (11) “…few weeks.”

You can visit the Mardi Gras Horses Facebook page for more information.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be hacked in a report distributed to the National Association of Secretaries of State. While Louisiana appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target.

Cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks.”

Tandem floats have been banned from New Orleans Mardi Gras parades following the deaths of two parade-goers who were struck and killed by two floats pulled by one tractor. 58-year-old Joseph Sampson died Saturday after he fell underneath a tandem float during the Endymion parade. Krewe president Dan Kelly supports the Mayor’s decision to ban tandem floats, but he’s not sure that’s the long-term solution….
cut 5 (09) “…Mardi Gras”
Sampson’s family has started a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.

Governor John Bel Edwards has created the “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea-level rise….
cut 13 (10) “…related”
That’s Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliff.

A former Bossier City Police Officer has been arrested on murder and obstruction of justice charges. 43-year-old John Hardy was taken into custody over the weekend. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office has not released many details. But Hardy’s business partner has been missing since January 24th and human remains were discovered in a wooded area outside of Benton on Friday.

The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Adoption Program is underway to place extra horses with owners so they can avoid possible slaughter. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

A somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Longtime Louisiana lawmaker Butch Gautreaux has passed away at the age of 72. A cause of death has not been released. He represented St. Mary Parish in the state legislature from 1996 to 2012. He was also a businessman, former owner of a home appliance and electronics store in Morgan City.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency called Ingalls Information expects we’ll see ransomware attacks in an effort to disrupt the 2020 presidential election. Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says it appears state and local election systems are protected well, but hackers could target other state agencies with ransomware attacks around election time. He says OMV was recently impacted by a ransomware attack…
cut 12 (13) “….been place”

Governor Edwards has created the Climate Initatives Task Force as the state looks to play a greater role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state’s Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says….
cut 14 (12) “…conversation”
Scientists say greenhouse gas emissions is leading to a rise in sea levels.

Tandem floats have been banned in New Orleans after two people during a three-day span were struck and killed by tandem floats during Mardi Gras parades. Two people also had to be rushed to a hospital after they fell from a second-floor balcony on St. Charles Avenue yesterday.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be compromised by ransomware….
Voicer 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is setting up a Climate Initiatives Task Force that’s charged with developing a plan on how Louisiana industries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Discussing the impact of carbon emissions on the global climate can be controversial in an oil-rich state. but Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says the objective is not to attack a particular group.
Cut 15 (09) “…gonna do.”

For the fourth straight year, the Humane Society of Lousiana is running an adoption program for a few of the horses that walk in the Mardi Gras parades. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says 55 horses have been adopted over the last three years…
cut 9 (09) “…Mardi Gras horse”
Go to Facebook-dot-com, slash mardi-gras-horses to view the horses up for adoption.