State Attorney General Jeff Landry has announced a drug prescription takeback box is now available 24 hours a day at the Baton Rouge Police Department. Landry also addressed the drug problem taxing the state and says statistics show the problem may be related to recent Medicaid expansion.
Cut 6 (10) “Medicaid expansion.”

State Education Superintendent John White released school performance scores and this is the last year public schools will be graded on a curve. White says 272 schools statewide received D or F grades for three straight years or saw high school graduation rates less than 67-percent. He says all improvements starts with an awareness of where there have been successes and challenges.
Cut 11 (10) “education”

 
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they believe the incident could be a hit and run and they are asking to public to come forward with any information. He says Tumas lived with his parents in the senior citizen area of Pelican Point in Gonzales.
Cut 5 (09) “about it.”
Wiley does say they are not ruling out any scenario.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old woman and her ex-boyfriend were found dead in Central this morning. EBRSO Spokesperson Casey Hicks says Alyssa Kanouse was found dead inside a silver sedan, and 31-year-old Larry Warino Jr. was found dead in a white one.
Cut 13 (05) “suicide”
Hicks says it’s believed Warino shot Kanouse before turning the gun on himself.

During an announcement about a program to combat the opioid epidemic, Attorney General Jeff Landry blamed Louisiana’s problem on Medicaid expansion. He says once approved, it opened the door for many more opioids to become available..:
Cut 7 (09) “for free”
The governor’s office responded and said 14,000 people have already taken advantage of substance abuse treatment under Medicaid expansion.

State Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for last year. He says the percentage of students scoring Mastery and above on ELA and math tests has increased 13 percent since 2013, which is extremely important…:
Cut 10 (09) “ever before”
This is the last year public schools with be graded on the state’s curve transition policy.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is urging the community to come forward with any info into the mysterious death of a Gonzales man.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says this morning’s deadly shooting in Central was the result of a domestic murder suicide. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks…:
CUT 26 (06) “on himself”
The victim is identified as 24-year-old Alyssa Kanouse. The ex-boyfriend as 31-year-old Larry Warino Jr of Lafayette.

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a new program aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic in Louisiana. He says there will now be a 24/7 prescription drug takeback box located at Baton Rouge Police headquarters, with the ultimate goal of having one in every parish…:
CUT 25 (10) “per hundred people”
The locations of all Drug Take Back Boxes in Louisiana may be found online at EndTheEpidemicLA.org.

Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education John White released the annual school performance scores for the 2016-2017 year. White says the scores have remained steady for the third consecutive year, with Louisiana fourth graders are showing the most improvement in reading and math…:
Cut 9 (06) “progress”
This is the last year public schools with be graded on the state’s curve transition policy.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more information in the mysterious death of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found on a street in his subdivision. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says they aren’t ruling out hit and run, but foul play could still be a factor. Wiley says there was a lot about Tumas that nobody knew like when he stopped working for the state:
Cut 4 (11) “schedules”
He says autopsy results revealed that in addition to the localized brain damage, Tumas had significant injuries through his entire body.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and the Baton Rouge Police Department announced a new tool they hope will help to curb opioid abuse. There is a new drug prescription take-back box that was installed at BRPD headquarters where people can bring unused medication. Landry said the goal is to have a box in every parish in Louisiana. For a full list of current boxes, visit endtheepidemicla.org.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the case of 44-year-old Brian Tumas who was found dead on the street where he lived. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says Tumas suffered significant trauma, was transported to a local hospital and died about 12 hours later…:
Cut 3 (11) “his body”
But he says exactly what happened remains a mystery. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman believes the warm fall has led to more people driving:
Cut 10 (08) “and Texas”
The current average in Louisiana is $2.26.

Performance scores for public schools will be released today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says this will be the last year that schools will be graded on a curve…
cut 13 (10) “…letter grades”
Erwin says starting with this school year, schools are being asked to produce more students who are achieving above basic to receive a higher score.

The state department of education has launched a new website today to help parents decide what public schools in there area is best for their child. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says parents can compare schools and child care centers and do customizable searches…
cut 6 (11) “…those options”
The website is Louisiana-schools-dot-net.

Gas prices are about 20 cents higher than they were a year ago, because of higher demand. But Kelley Ray reports the price at the pump may come down soon…
voicer 3 (30) “….I”m Kelley Ray”

In St. Tammany Parish, the Pearl River Police Department is asking parents to check their child’s trick or treat candy after a needle was found in a piece of candy that was given out on Halloween. Pearl River police say they are taking this incident very seriously and investigating what they are calling a horrific act.

The state has launched a new website to help parents decide the best public school for their kids. Director of Family and Education Communications Annie Morrison says this online tool will be helpful for families in providing a more comprehensive look at Louisiana schools, which wasn’t available with the previous report cards…:
Cut 5 (10) “and attendance“
The website is Louisiana-schools-dot-com.

You may have noticed a bump in gas prices lately. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says October consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006, likely due to a warmer fall and hurricane response. He says while the statewide average stands at $2.26, many of us are paying less:
Cut 12 (06) “last year”
The current statewide average is up 4 cents from the prior week.

The Governor’s Mansion in Louisiana is getting a new website. First Lady Donna Edwards will launch the new online portal this afternoon which she says will showcase the beauty of the mansion and fun activities for visitors.

Former LSU star shortstop and Astros World Champion Alex Bregman says he’ll be back in Baton Rouge for the LSU/Arkansas game on Saturday. Houston’s third baseman held an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit Monday.

Louisiana Tech now has a new Tech XXII mascot. Vice President for Student Advancement Jim King says they are excited to finally introduce the beloved bulldog to students. King says Tech is well taken care of by the university’s pre-vet club and has been adopted by a local Ruston family…:
Cut 7 (07) “the campus”
He says everyone agreed to keep the tradition of having a live bulldog mascot.

The Louisiana Department of Education has launched a website to help families select the best K-12 public schools for their children…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman in Shreveport has started a petition online at change.org which aims to remove a billboard for a strip club along I-20 which she calls lewd and suggestive. Stephanie Giddens believes children should not be exposed to the Larry Flynt Hustler Club ad, which she says pushes the envelope, and she’s even asked Governor John Bel Edwards to get involved.

Today the state Department of Education will release the final report cards for schools that grade on a curve. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says from here on we could see a dip in school scores as a result, but feels this is good in the long run. He says students will just have move up to higher proficiency levels..:
Cut 15 (12) “did before”
The new grades will be released at 11am.

October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006, which is why we’ve seen an increase in the price at the pup. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.26, up 4 cents from the prior week. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says this might effect the holiday driving season…:
Cut 11 (06) “than that”
He attributes the bump in demand to a warmer fall and hurricane recovery.

The Energy Information Administration says October gasoline consumption was the highest in month-to-month numbers since 2006…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Today the Louisiana Department of Education will release the 2016-2017 annual school performance scores – the last report graded on a curve. President for the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin says this will make the grades more accurate…:
Cut 14 (08) “taxpayers want”

There was some talk that LSU might begin starting freshman quarterback Myles Brennan, instead of Danny Etling who had some missed opportunities in the loss to Alabama. But Coach Ed Orgeron says that’s not happening. The Tigers have traditionally played poorly after a loss to the the Crimson Tide, but Coach O doesn’t expect that with this team…:
Cut 18 (14) “playing at home”
LSU plays Arkansas with an 11am kickoff in Tiger Stadium Saturday.

Louisiana Tech has a new bulldog mascot, Tech XXII. Vice President for Student Advancement Jim King says everyone agreed on getting another live mascot…:
CUT 9 (10) “to continue”
King says Tech XXII will likely attend anywhere from 40 to 50 events, with the occasional trip to campus just to visit students.