State Superintendent of Education John White has submitted his resignation letter, and Matt Doyle spoke with Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin about White’s legacy.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
________________________________________
Senator John Kennedy applauds the President’s decision not to retaliate militarily against Iran after the country fired rockets at two US bases in Iraq. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
____________________________________________
US Cancer deaths have declined since 1991 at about a rate of 1.5 percent annually, but recent data shows a sizable increase in that dip. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”
____________________________________________
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness activates the crisis team as a powerful storm system is taking shape in the southern plains and is set to impact much of Louisiana Friday night and into Saturday. National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Brad Bryant says the forecast models have been in agreement for several days of a severe weather outbreak.
Cut 4 (07) “…going to happen.”
The enhanced severe weather threat will cover southeast Louisiana during the day on Saturday, including the city of New Orleans. Bryant expects at the very least, a strong squall line of thunderstorms to move through.
Cut 5 (11) “…the squall line.”
Bryant says it is important to make a severe weather plan now.
Cut 6 (06) “…the last second.”
The National Weather Service says the potential threat with this storm system includes damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, isolated large hail is possible and rainfall totals of one to two inches of rain.
_________________________________________________
State Superintendent of Education John White announces he is stepping down from the post he’s held since 2012. White pushed for and oversaw some significant changes in Louisiana’s educational environment, and Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he’ll be most known for…
Cut 7 (11) “…schools.”
The resignation is effective March 11.
White’s support for charter schools and a bigger emphasis on standardized test scores in teacher evaluations made him unpopular with teachers’ unions. Erwin says that comes with the job…
Cut 8 (06) “…expect.”
The Superintendent’s support for Common Core also drew the ire of many Louisiana parent organizations.
Louisiana still ranks poorly in most educational metrics, and the job will not be easy for whoever takes it next, but Erwin believes White build the kind of foundation future superintendents will rely on.
Cut 9 (09) “…progress”
In his resignation letter, White called his eight years the “greatest blessing and privilege of my career and Louisiana is a better educated state than any point of its history. Improved standardized test scores and a record high graduation rate is evidence.
_____________________________
Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is supporting the President’s decision not to strike Iran after the country shot rocket at two US bases in Iraq following the assassination of an Iranian general. Senator John Kennedy says he’s glad we’re not looking at a full-scale war with Iran and hopes the Iranian pledge to halt further attacks holds up so that diplomacy can resume.
Cut 10 (12) “…him.”
12 to 20 rockets were fired at the two bases but resulted in no US or allied casualties.
The dramatic start to the year has prompted a House vote today that would limit the President’s ability to initiate further military action against Iran. Kennedy doubts it will last long in the Senate.
Cut 11 (11) “…Suleimani.”
The resolution was first introduced after Iranian General Qassem Suleimani was killed by a drone strike outside an airport in Iraq on January 3rd.
The rising tensions have reversed a years-long trend in reducing the US military presence in the Middle East. Kennedy says whether or not the troops can come home is dependent on how Iran proceeds.
Cut 12 (08) “…East”
There are roughly 5,000 American troops stationed in Iraq right now.
_____________________________
The US cancer death rate sees the biggest one-year decline in national cancer statistics dating back to 1930. That’s according to an American Cancer Socity report. Between 2016 and 2017, cancer deaths dropped by 2.2 percent. Director of the Stanley Scott Cancer Center at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Augusto Ochoa credits that drop in part to new treatments developed over the last decade or so.
Cut 13 (10) “…it takes time.”
Even patients diagnosed with cancer in late stages are living a few years, instead of months, because of advancements in treatments. Ochoa says the dedication to cancer research has played a big role in the dip.
Cut 14 (11) “…and clinical research”
Lung cancer accounts for about a quarter of all deaths and Ochoa credits the awareness of dangers connected to tobacco use for the decline as well.
Cut 15 (09) “…diagnose lung cancer.”
Cancer deaths have declined since 1991, but normally decrease at the rate of 1.5 percent. The overall cancer rate has fallen by nearly 30-percent since 1991.
______________________________________________
LSU fans are familiar with Clemson’s stars on offense, running back Travis Etienne and quarterback Trevor Lawerence. On defense, the defending national champs are led by Butkus Award Winner Isiah Simmons, who has 14 tackles for a loss. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says Simmons can do it all
Cut 16 (24) …the field”
Orgeron says winning the turnover battle will be a key on Monday…
Cut 17 (12) “best game”
LSU is going after its fourth national championship. They’ve won all of them in New Orleans, including its 1958 title when the Tigers completed an undefeated season by beating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. Orgeron says when New Orleans was awarded the 2020 national championship game, it was a goal to play in that game…
cut 18 (19) our best”