The absenteeism trend in Louisiana schools is heading in the wrong direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway this morning. Jeff Palermo reports.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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School absenteeism is trending in the wrong direction. For the second year in a row, the rate of chronic absenteeism – kids who are absent more than ten-percent of the time – has increased. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew to almost 25-percent, up nearly three percentage points from the year prior. BESE President Ronnie Morris says one factor that’s likely contributing to the problem is the fact that many students can’t read at grade level.
Cut 3 (10) “…what’s going on.”
Morris says another factor is kids skipping school for no valid reason, and that’s a huge problem across the state.
Cut 4 (06) “…a truancy problem.”
Morris says solutions include making school fun again, including opportunities for kids to do hands-on activities such as robotics and music. Another idea is to open up internship opportunities to high school kids.
Cut 5 (08) “…way after graduation.”
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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu. Commissioner Mike Strain says this is in Bossier Parish.
Cut 6 (11) “…not commercial flock.”
Strain says the long-term outbreak has been going on for almost three years.
Cut 7 (07) “…February of 2022.”
Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says the key for all poultry producers is biosecurity.
Cut 8 (14) “…your domestic birds.”
Strain says the infected birds have been euthanized and the facility has been cleaned up.
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A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as at least 40 vehicles are involved in crashes this morning. Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechau (DOO-fruh-show) says visibility dropped to nearly zero.
Cut 9 (07) “…on both bridges,”
Dufrechou says it did not start off as a foggy morning on the 24-mile stretch of roadway.
Cut 10 (12) “…people almost simultaneously.”
Dufrechou says crews were called to several separate incidents.
Cut 11 (16) “…nine separate crashes.”
No one went over the rail and into the water, and all stranded vehicles made it off the Causeway. There were no serious injuries.
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A two-year long investigation has resulted in two dozen people in Concordia and Rapides Parishes arrested for their alleged involvement in a nationwide drug trafficking network. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says 13 of the suspects face federal drug trafficking charges…
Brown’s office says Henry Jefferson Senior of Katy. Texas is the ring leader. But Brown says multiple people have arrested for possessing, distributing or manufacturing methamphetamine in Ferriday and Vidalia..
Concordia Sheriff David Hedrick says his deputies arrested 11 more suspects in the investigation. He says there is no safe haven for criminals in Concordia Parish…