Just three years ago, Louisiana ranked near the bottom for the number of high school seniors who sought financial aid to attend college, now it leads the nation. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo“
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The Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge has an exhibit on editorial cartoons that’s up for public viewing through September 29th. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A new report shows the 2017 criminal justice reforms are beginning to save the state a good bit of money. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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Louisiana now leads the nation when it comes to student applications for federal aid to attend college. Louisiana had one of the lowest FAFSA completion rates in the nation in 2015, and Stephanie Markham with the Louisiana Department of Education says that led to a policy that required all graduating high schoolers to fill out the financial aid form, to show them what they were eligible for.
Cut 4 (06) “the table”
FAFSA allows high school seniors to get access to grants and loans to pursue higher education. Markham says the program is helping students from working class families get access to hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to help pay for school
Cut 5 (12) “before”
After 2015, BESE began recommending that districts set aside flexible schedules at schools to allow students and their parents to fill out the forms with the help of professionals and school officials familiar with the sometimes intimidating process. Markham says these meetings take the stress out of completing the paperwork.
Cut 6 (13) “12 minutes”
The report was written by the National College Access Network.
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The quick response from Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s resulted in the rescue of 20 people, many of which were small children, on the Vermilion River, when a boat they were riding on became stranded. Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. John Mowell, says there were several contributing factors that caused the incident.
Cut 7 (12) “…bank and rocks.”
With the deputies having a boat nearby, those stranded didn’t wait too long for responders to show up with a rescue vessel. Upon transferring passengers from the tour boat, Mowell says they were able to get the boat unstuck.
Cut 8 (08) “..to their headquarters.”
Mowell says everyone involved is thankful for a successful rescue effort.
Cut 9 (13) “…the way they did.”
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If you love political cartoons, you’ll need to check out the new exhibit at the Old State Capitol Museum called “Lines with Power and Purpose: Editorial Cartoons.” Director of State Museums, Mary Durusau, spoke on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and says the exhibit will feature original editorial cartoons from the nation’s best newspapers throughout the first half of the 20th century.
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Durusau says the exhibit will take a closer look at the political power of commentary.
Cut 11 (11) “over again”
Two time Pulitzer Prize winner, Walt Handelsman of the Advocate, will share his artistic experience on Wednesday evening, highlighting the exhibit. Durusau says it is an honor to have him speak at the Old State Capitol.
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The exhibit will run until September 29th.
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The state will save 12.2 million dollars as a result of the criminal justice reforms of 2017, that from a new report issued by the Department of Corrections. 70 percent of those savings will be reinvested into programs that will help inmates at parish prisons, increased the number of parole staff, new reception centers, and more. Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc:
Cut 13 (09) “already done”
PEW Charitable Trusts worked with the state to help create the criminal justice reforms.
The state has seen a noticeable drop in the number of inmates in the system since 2016, but LeBlanc says that’s not where most of the savings are actually coming from.
Cut 14 (09) “into prison”
The estimated savings are double that which PEW initially estimated when the reforms went into effect.
The Secretary singled out one initiative in particular, Compliance Credit, for having exceeded even the more optimistic projections for success. Compliance Credits allow those on parole to be able to complete certain activities and achievements to reduce the time remaining on their sentence. LeBlanc says this save the state money, by helping offenders get out of the system faster.