Amtrak’s new service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, has been far more successful than everyone had expected. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Northwest Louisiana has been experiencing a series of earthquakes over the past several days. Joe Gallinaro reports.
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As debate over funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program gets underway in the legislature, one poll indicates that the program is popular among Louisiana voters. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, says its first quarter Pelican Pulse Poll shows that 61-percent support the program.
Cut 3 (08) “…LA GATOR program.”
The LA Scholarship program provides state dollars to an eligible family to pay for nonpublic school tuition, or it can go towards tutoring, textbooks, dual enrollment courses and uniforms.
Bendily says the biggest benefit to the LA GATOR program is that it puts parents squarely in control of their children’s education.
Cut 4 (08) “…child’s unique needs.”
Currently, the LA GATOR program is funded at 44-million dollars and serves about 56-hundred students, mostly low-income families that were involved in the state’s previous voucher program.
Governor Landry wants to double the program’s funding to 88-million, but legislative leaders are concern about growing a program they might not be able to fully fund in the future. But Bendily says interest in the program is high as families want more choices on how to educate their children.
Cut 5 (11) “…government-run school.”
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Governor Landry used his State of the State address to push for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. Landry says the amendment would pay down debt within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana which would free up money for teacher pay raises…
Cut 6 (10) “…responsibly funded.”
If Amendment 3 passes, the permanent pay raise would be 22-hundred dollars for teachers 11-hundred dollars for support staff. These educators are receiving this money, but it’s considered a stipend and could go away.
Landry says passage of Amendment 3 would show our public school teachers that we support them…
Landry is encouraging lawmakers to educate the public about the importance of this legislation…
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People knew that Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, would be successful, but they probably underestimated how successful. Amtrak projected about 71-thousand riders on that line in its first year; it’s now exceeded 80-thousand – and it needed only half that time to do so! Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says there are many reasons why people are riding the Mardi Gras line in droves.
Ross says furthermore, riders give Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line rave reviews.
Cut 10 (10) “…and customer experience.”
Ross says the success of the Mardi Gras line can lead to further enhancements.
And plans are still in the works to extend the Mardi Gras line to Baton Rouge.
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As if last Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Red River Parish wasn’t enough, that was followed by several other earthquakes in the following days, including four within a ten-minute span early yesterday morning near Coushatta, ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.4. Dr. Justin Rubenstein with the U.S. Geological Survey says these additional earthquakes following an initial earthquake, sometimes referred to as aftershocks, are very common.
Cut 12 (08) “…change in stress.”
A magnitude 4.9 is at the upper edge of what is considered to be a light earthquake with minimal damage. Dr. Rubenstein says while there may be additional aftershocks, the chances of another earthquake of that same magnitude in the near term is fairly low.
Rubenstein says if you do find yourself in the middle of an earthquake, there are things you can do to protect yourself.