Education Week Magazine’s Quality Counts report ranks Louisiana 49th in academic achievement as the state does not compare well with others when it comes the performance of fourth and eighth graders in the areas of math and reading. But Holly Yetcick says with Education Week says Louisiana is making slight gains. She says the biggest improvement was seen with fourth graders and their reading ability…
cut 15 (10) “….pretty low”

The Attorney General’s office is not happy that the town of Springfield in Livingston Parish re-hired Jimmy Jones as its police chief after he pled guility to misdemeanor criminal mischief last year. Prosecutor David Caldwell calls it a dumb idea, but Town Attorney Brian Abels says the community has faith Jones will do a good job as police chief…
cut 12 (05) “…somehow envisioned”
Jones started work as the town’s police chief this week.

The Louisiana National Guard is mobilizing to assist, local, parish and state emergency officials in advance of flooding threats due to near record crests expected on the Mississippi River. Eric Gill has more…
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Eric Gill”

The man suspected of stabbing LSU tight end Dillon Gordon during a bar fight earlier this week has been arrested. Twenty-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaughn of Gonzales has been charged with aggravated second-degree battery.

And the voice of the Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, has been chosen as the master of ceremonies for Governor elect John Bel Edwards inauguration ceremonies.

The Morganza Spillway will be opened on Monday by the US Army Corps of Engineers in efforts to contain the rising waters of the Mississippi River. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says water will be diverted from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin…:
CUT 6 (08) “down the river”
But with the opening of the spillway, there is the potential risk of flooding from Butte La Rose down to Morgan City.

The suspect accused of stabbing an LSU football player during a bar fight Tuesday has been located and arrested. Baton Rouge Police Department Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 20-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaughn is charged with aggravated 2nd Degree Battery. He says Tiger tight end Dillon Gordon was stabbed multiple times…:
CUT 10 (07) “the scene”
Gordon was hospitalized but soon released.

Nobody hit the more than $500 million dollar Powerball jackpot last night, but there are two new Louisiana millionaires. A ticket at a New Roads gas station matched 5 for $1 million dollars and so did a ticket sold in New Iberia. The Louisiana Lottery says you can expect more winners this weekend as the estimated jackpot for Saturday tops $700 million dollars.

Louisiana’s public schools rank 49th in the nation in academic achievement. It’s the second year in a row Education Week Magazine found Louisiana barely gets a passing grade for classroom performance. Center director Holly Yetcick (Yet-ick) says their report looks at a variety of factors, including how schools are financed and Louisiana saw its score drop in that category..:
cut 14 (05) “this year”
She says Louisiana scored a 69 out of 100 for classroom performance.

And the Bronocos have announced that New Orleans native Peyton Manning will start at quarterback for them in the playoffs.

The National Guard has been mobilized to help out communities throughout the state who face the threat of Mississippi River flooding as near record crests are expected. 24 hour levee inspections will begin tomorrow in Concordia, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes. Col. Pete Schneider says The Guard stands ready to help the people of the Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (10) “for the state”

The US Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Morganza Spillway beginning Monday to divert water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafala Basin. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says how long it remains open will depend on how the Mississippi flows in the next week or two…:
CUT 8 (09) “ramping down”
Graves was the head of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority when the Morganza was last opened in 2011.

The new mayor of Springfield has reinstated former Police Chief Jimmy Jones after he pled guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief last year for trashing a woman’s DUI citation as a favor to the previous mayor. The town’s attorney Brian Abels says Springfield needed a police chief and the people of the town wanted him back in the position…:
Cut 11 (10) “law enforcement”

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for academic achievement in a report conducted by Education Week Magazine. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The man accused of stabbing LSU Football tight end Dillon Gordon at Reggie’s Bar in Tigerland early Tuesday morning has been arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says 20-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaughn was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison this morning and charged with aggravated 2nd Degree Battery…:
CUT 9 (08) “interview him”
McKneely says detectives believe the two got into an argument at the bar when Vaugn attacked Gordon and began stabbing him. Gordon was released from the hospital later that day.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards and Louisiana’s future First Lady, Donna Edwards, announce that legendary Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne will be the Master of Ceremonies for the Inaugural Celebration on Monday. Edwards will take the oath of office on the steps of the Louisiana Capitol at noon. About 11,000 invitations have gone out for the ceremony, and it is also open to the public. Events begin at 11:30.

For a second straight year, Louisiana’s public schools rank 49th in the nation in academic achievement. That’s according to Education Week Magazine, who has unveiled its Quality Counts report. Education Week Research Center director Holly Yetcick (Yet-ick) says Louisiana scored a 69 out of 100 for classroom performance, which is just above a passing grade:
cut 13 (02) “this year”
She says slight improvements were seen with fourth graders and their reading ability.

The US Army Corps of Engineers announces that the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will be opened on Monday for the first time since 2011. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says this will protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but it could cause flooding in the lower Atchafalaya Basin…:
CUT 7 (08) “from flooding”
The waters on the Mississippi River continue to rise. He says it will be open until about January 21st

In an effort to contend with the rising waters of the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers announces that the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will be opened on Monday. The spillway is expected to be fully operational on January 13. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says opening the Morganza diverts water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin…:
CUT 6 (08) “down the river”
He says the spillway will operate until approximately January 21st, depending on how the Mississippi flows in the next week or two.

The man accused of stabbing an LSU football player at a Baton Rouge bar early Tuesday has been apprehended by the Baton Rouge Police Department. BRPD arrested 20-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaugn on charges of aggravated second-degree battery for allegedly stabbing LSU tight end Dillon Gordon at Reggie’s bar near campus.

The National Guard has been mobilized to assist communities throughout the state who face possible threats of flooding. Record crests are expected along the Mississippi and Col Pete Schneider says The Guard is performing a number of operations…:
CUT 4 (09) “the spillways”
He says on Friday guardsmen will begin 24-hour levee inspections in Concordia, East Carroll, Madison, and Tensas Parishes.

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin had his 2014 corruption charges appeal rejected in federal court. Nagin argued the judge gave the jury faulty instructions when he was convicted on charges including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering. The 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals said they found no errors were made.

The Louisiana National Guard is mobilizing to assist local, parish, and state emergency officials in advance of flooding threats due to near record crests expected along the Mississippi River. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Lottery history has been made. There were no jackpot winners last night which means the Powerball grows to an estimated $700 million for Saturday, up already from $675 million. It’s the largest jackpot in US history. There are already some lucky Louisianians as two tickets sold in last night’s drawing hit the Match 5 for $1 million dollars. They are in New Roads and New Iberia.

The Corps of Engineers announces they will open the first Morganza gate on Monday and the spillway will be fully operational by January 13th until approximately January 21st, according to Congressman Garret Graves.

Sean Payton remains the head coach of the Saints, despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team. Payton spoke with reporters for about an hour talking about his love for the fans, the franchise and the city, despite all of its faults…:
Cut 14 (12) “it is home”

Louisiana ranks 49th in the US in public academic achievement for the second year in a row according to the 20th edition of Quality Counts, a study compiled by Education Week magazine. The report shows the Bayou State ranking 47th in both fourth-grade math proficiency and reading, 50th in eighth-grade math, and 48th in eighth grade reading.

The Louisiana National Guard is mobilizing to assist local, parish, and state emergency officials in advance of flooding threats due to near record crests expected along the Mississippi River. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Lottery history has been made. There were no jackpot winners last night which means the Powerball grows to an estimated $675 million for Saturday. It’s the largest jackpot in US history. There are already some lucky Louisianians as two tickets sold in last night’s drawing hit the Match 5 for $1 million dollars. They are in New Roads and New Iberia.

The Corps of Engineers announces they will open the first Morganza gate on Monday and the spillway will be fully operational by January 13th until approximately January 21st, according to Congressman Garret Graves.

Sean Payton remains the head coach of the Saints, despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team. Payton spoke with reporters for about an hour talking about his love for the fans, the franchise and the city, despite all of its faults…:
Cut 14 (12) “it is home”

Louisiana ranks 49th in the US in public academic achievement for the second year in a row according to the 20th edition of Quality Counts, a study compiled by Education Week magazine. The report shows the Bayou State ranking 47th in both fourth-grade math proficiency and reading, 50th in eighth-grade math, and 48th in eighth grade reading.

The Louisiana National Guard is mobilizing to assist local, parish, and state emergency officials in advance of flooding threats due to near record crests expected along the Mississippi River. LANG Col. Pete Schneider says they’re bringing on extra soldiers and airmen to aid efforts…:
CUT 3 (08) “for the flooding”
The guard has issued sand bags to West Feliciana and Avoyelles Parishes for the anticipated opening of the Morganza Spillway.

A suspect has been named in the Tuesday stabbing of an LSU football player at a Baton Rouge bar. BRPD says 20-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaughn of Gonzales is wanted on a second-degree battery warrant for allegedly stabbing LSU tight end Dillon Gordon multiple times during an altercation at an establishment near campus. Gordon was released from the hospital later that day. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Vaughn is urged to contact authorities.

According to a personal finance site, Ruston is one of the top 10 cities, out of about 2500 nationwide, with the least sustainable credit card debt. Michelle Southern reports..:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Former governor Mike Foster offers advice to Governor-elect John Bel Edwards who takes office on Monday. He says you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar…:
CUT 10 (08) “have them”
Foster was governor between 1996-2004.

A former Louisiana governor has a tip for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards before he officially takes office. Former Democratic governor Kathleen Blanco says every new governor is tested when they first enter office. She says it will be interesting to see how Edwards will handle those pressures with the legislature…

cut 8 (09) “unpredictable”

Blanco served as governor from 2004 – 2008. Edwards’ inauguration is Monday.

State officials say an effort to make quality child care more affordable for about 15,000 low-income Louisiana families will go into effect this month. The Child Care Assistance Program will help pay the cost of child care for children up to 4-years-old while their parents are at work, school, or in a job training program. The program will lower out-of-pocket expenses for most low-income families by 60-percent and will be financed through a federal grant.

Louisiana small businesses aren’t very confident about 2016. State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn Starns, says before owners start making decisions about expanding, building, or bringing on new staff, they want to see how Governor-elect John Bel Edwards plans to fix the state’s fiscal mess…

cut 12 (11) “of optimism”

She says things were more upbeat a couple of years ago.

According to the personal finance site, CardHub, Ruston is one of the top 10 cities out of about 2500 nationwide, with the least sustainable credit card debt. Several cities on the list are college towns, like Ruston. Louisiana Tech Finance Professor Dr. Bill McCumber says most students are without jobs and use plastic more to pay for things with the idea they’ll get full time employment once they graduate…

cut 5 (09) “to that income”

Small businesses in Louisiana aren’t too optimistic about 2016. Dawn Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says owners were more upbeat a couple of years ago, but now businesses have lower expectations. She says the sluggish oil and gas industry seems to be making consumers and potential business owners nervous and uncertain about the future of Louisiana’s economy…

cut 13 (11) “on Louisiana”

She also says business owners will be waiting to see how Governor-elect John Bel Edwards plans to fix the state’s fiscal mess.

There were no jackpot winners in last nights $500 million PowerBall drawing. The estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing climbs to an incredible $675 million, the largest lottery jackpot ever in the United States. The cash value for Saturday’s prize is just over $413 million.

According to a personal finance site, Ruston is one of the top 10 cities out of about 2500 nationwide, with the least sustainable credit card debt. CardHub determined that the average credit card debt for a Ruston resident is $5,323. Dr. Bill McCumber, finance professor at Louisiana Tech, says there are about 24,000 people in Ruston…

cut 4 (10) “adds up”

CardHub says it would take 173 months for that debt to be paid off, at a cost of $7,138.

Despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team, Sean Payton remains the head coach of the Saints. Payton spoke with reporters and said he can’t envision coaching for another club…

cut 15 (13) “do here”

Payton stated that New Orleans is home.