LRN AM Newscall June 9

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for overall child well-being according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Jeanne Burns on why Louisiana ranks so low.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Speed cameras are the governor’s signature away from being outlawed in the state — well, most of it, at least. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto a bill that would cap malpractice liability for nursing homes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for overall child well-being according to the Kids Count Data Book that’s put together by the Annie E Casey Foundation. Director of Data and Research at Agenda for Children, Tereasa Falgoust, says one of the main reasons for the poor ranking is that 20-percent of Louisiana children live in a high-poverty neighborhood ranking, compared to just eight percent nationwide…

Cut 4 (11) “…health care.”

Falgoust says a lot more work needs to be done to make communities safer. She says Louisiana’s child and teen death rate was ranked 49th out of 50 states as 30-percent of deaths to children and teens were due to homicide, double the national rate…

Cut 5 (14) “…the solution.”

Louisiana ranked 48th last year in this child well-being report. Falgoust says the state has dropped a spot in the rankings despite gains in education. She says Louisiana ranks 35th in education as reading scores have improved thanks to high-dosage tutoring…

Cut 6 (09) “…transformative.”

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A bill to largely ban speed cameras across the state – well, most of it, at least – is on Governor Landry’s desk. Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey says he’s happy that he got his bill across the finish line. 

Cut 7 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

There have been efforts in the past to ban speed cameras in the state. This version of the legislation, however, allows speed cameras to operate in school zones. Cathey says that’s a reasonable compromise.

Cut 8 (12) “…school zone’s operational.”

However, Cathey’s bill was thrown a curveball as the House passed – by one vote – an amendment that exempts Opelousas from this ban. The city says it does not have the resources within its police department for officers to run radar. Cathey says it’s a dangerous slippery slope.

Cut 9 (12)  “…across our state.”

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AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says it would effectively eliminate people’s ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice. Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”) says nursing homes in Louisiana rank among the nation’s worst. 

Cut 10 (12) “…them even worse.”

Muhl says oversight of the nursing home industry has been decreasing over the years.

Cut 11 (11) “…is held to.”

The bill’s author, Shreveport Republican Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes.

Cut 12 (14) “…or on site.”

AARP says the bill would have essentially gotten Bob Dean off the hook for his role in a situation, in which eight of his nursing home residents died when they were moved to a warehouse during Hurricane Ida. Pressly says Dean’s liability would not have been capped under his bill.

Cut 13 (10)  “…Medical Malpractice Act.”

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The LSU baseball team is headed to the College World Series for a 20th time. The Tigers swept the Super Regional series versus West Virginia, winning last night 12 to 5 over the Mountaineers for their 48th win on the season. Coach Jay Johnson says the players put in the work to punch their ticket to Omaha…

Cut 14 (09) “…with them.”

Johnson says this team was built around 12 returning players from last year’s team, plus an outstanding freshman class and key pick-ups out the transfer portal. He says it all came together to form a championship worthy team…

Cut 15 (13) “…tonight.”

Shortstop Stevan Milam was the offensive star of the super regional series. He hit a grand slam in game one and drove in four more runs on Sunday night. Milam struggled with the bat in SEC play, but he’s been a Monster at the plate in the NCAA Tournament….

Cut 16 (09) “…to LSU.”

LSU first baseman Jared Jones is one of two players who was on the 2023 national championship team. Jones understands what it will take to bring home an eighth national championship for the program…

Cut 17 (10)  “…get ready for Game 1.”

Game one will be Saturday against Arkansas, who swept its Super Regional series versus Tennessee.