The state Department of Education announced Louisiana students are showing improvement after receiving the results of the 2016 LEAP assessments. Superintendent of Education John White says this year students improved in English and math with 38-percent achieving mastery compared to 33 percent in 2015…:
CUT 9 (07) “expectations”
But he says there are still big learning gaps along racial and income lines which is a problem.

The Department of Transportation announces that a new on-ramp will be built in place of the Washington Street exit on Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards says alleviating congestion on I-10 is critically important for shipping commerce across the country…:
cut 12 (09) “the country”
$20-$25 million of savings brought on by the grants will be used.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for allegedly murdering a woman then disposing of her body. They say 41-year-old Joey Mixon confessed to the crime and let detectives to the victims body which had been so badly burned…:
CUT 4 (11) “the scene”
Mixon is charged with second degree murder.

A former assistant administrator for the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home is facing charges amid allegations he was stealing from an infirm resident. 51-year-old Thomas Shoemaker is charged with exploitation of the infirmed and theft of the assets of an aged person or disabled person. The victim suffered from several ailments including dementia. Shoemaker is accused of, among other things, using the victims ATM card without permission.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University continues to predict a near average Atlantic hurricane season. Researcher Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they’re expecting to see 10 named storms and four more hurricanes. But he says given how quiet the last three years have been, this season will seem a lot more active than usual…:
CUT 6 (10) “the storms”
He says there is a 29-percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall on the Gulf Coast.

The body of the pilot of the helicopter that crashed into the Atchafalaya Basin Wednesday has been located. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says several agencies worked this morning to locate the aircraft and the pilot. The wreckage site is in the Grand Lake area. The pilot was the only person on board. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The state Department of Education announced Louisiana students are showing improvement as the results of the 2016 LEAP assessments indicate 38 percent mastered math and English, compared to 33 percent in 2015. Superintendent John White says this is good news but unfortunately some groups are doing significantly better than others that cut across lines of race and income:
CUT 10 (11) “our state”

Louisiana leaders held a news conference Thursday morning to provide information related to a federal grant for transportation infrastructure. Gov. John Bel Edwards said $20-$25 million of savings brought on by the grants will be used to create a new I-10 off-ramp at the Washington Street exit in Baton Rouge.

Authorities are working to determine the identity of a woman who was murdered and burned beyond recognition near Bogalusa. Washington Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Haley says they received a call early Wednesday morning about a murder at the residence of 41-year-old Joey Mixon…:
CUT 3 (10) “her body”
Mixon is charged with one count of second degree murder.

The state Department of Education announced today that students in Louisiana are starting to reach higher levels of proficiency on state tests. This year 38 percent of students mastered math and English, compared to 33 percent in 2015. Superintendent John White says the trend indicates that students, teachers, and schools are adjusting to higher expectations implemented through a four-year transition period.

A helicopter that crashed into the Atchafalaya Basin has been found, according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, but officials are still searching for the pilot. They say the aircraft, which was privately owned, was initially flying from Gonzales to New Orleans, but had to reroute due to a patch of bad weather.

The workforce training program in Louisiana has been named the best in the nation by the corporate site selection website, Business Facilities. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says FastStart has helped over 150 companies in Louisiana and provided training for more than 23-thousand employees in the past 8 years…:
CUT 13 (09) “our state”
He says the program draws companies to Louisiana and then finds them qualified workers to fill positions once the facilities open.

The civilian helicopter that crashed into the Atchafalaya Basin yesterday has been found, according to Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal. Authorities say they’re still searching for the pilot. Ackal says the helicopter was privately owned. The pilot was initially flying from Gonzales to New Orleans but rerouted to Patterson after hitting stormy weather.

Attorney Lance Unglesby denies allegations that Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa bribed Gonzales city council candidate, Wayne Lawson, to drop out of the race. Jeff Palermo has more on the case…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

 
The state’s annual sales tax holiday is this Friday and Saturday. Shoppers will only have to pay 3-percent sales tax on purchases rather that 5-percent. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson also wants to remind parents to save their receipts on back-to-school items because they are tax deductible…
Cut 6 (11) “refund”

International travel to Louisiana has increased 36-percent over the last year according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Nungesser says New Orleans saw a 37% increase and this is the third year in a row of double digit growth in international visitors. He credits Louisiana’s great food and culture and its people for the big increase in tourists from outside of the United States.
Cut 15 (11) “hospitality industry”

Louisiana is seeing a huge spike in the number of international visitors. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says 36% more people from other countries visited The Bayou State over the prior year. He wants to continue to see this rise and credits the efforts of Louisianians putting their best foot forward…:
CUT 16 (09) “our state”
Nungesser says New Orleans saw a 37% increase during the same time period and this is the third consecutive year of double digit growth in international visitors.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for allegedly murdering a woman then disposing of her body. They say 41-year-old Joey Mixon confessed to the crime and let detectives to the victims body which had been so badly burned, identification was not possible. The investigation is ongoing as to possible motive. Mixon is charged with second degree murder.

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa is being accused of trying to pay off a city council candidate so he would withdraw from the race. His attorney, Lance Unglesby, says his client was simply trying to help Wayne Lawson through a hard time…:
CUT 8 (09) “his life”
Ascension Parish District Attorney Ricky Babin says the fact that these allegations were made is very troubling and they take cases like this very seriously…:
Cut 10 (09) “a community”
He says his office is working with the Attorney General’s office to put the facts together.

A man in Baton Rouge is facing charges amid allegations he ordered his pit bulls to attack workers who came to his home to cut electricity because he’d not paid his bill. It’s reported that 47-year-old Michael Barcia then instructed the dogs to attack two responding sheriff’s deputies. He faces charges of aggravated assault and public intimidation.

Louisiana saw a 36% increase in international travel to the state, according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Halen Doughy has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s back to school time and parents can enjoy a break on state sales taxes tomorrow and Saturday. It’s down to three percent for the sales tax holiday. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says some purchases aren’t eligible…:
CUT 5 (09) “rentals”

Louisiana’s FastStart workforce training program has been ranked the best in the nation for the seventh year in a row by the corporate site selection website, Business Facilities. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says what really drives the program’s success is the workforce in Louisiana…:
cut 11 (10) “work space”

Attorney Lance Unglesby says Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa did not bribe Gonzales city council candidate, Wayne Lawson, in an effort to get him out of the race. Ascension Parish District Attorney Ricky Babin decided to open the investigation after audio was released of a private conversation between Lawson and Matassa. Babin says his office is working with the Attorney General’s office to put the facts together…:
Cut 9 (09) “the originals”

This weekend is the state’s annual sales tax holiday, dropping state sales taxes from 5 to 3  cents on Friday and Saturday…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces that international travel to Louisiana has increased 36% over the past year. He says that puts Louisiana second only to Michigan for annual growth. He says international tourism has huge benefits for the state…:
cut 14 (08) “one city”

The workforce training program in Louisiana, FastStart, is ranked the best in the nation for the 7th year in a row by the corporate site selection website, Business Facilities. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the program draws companies to Louisiana and then finds them qualified workers to fill positions once the facilities open…:
cut 12 (10) “company needs”
FastStart has helped over 150 companies in Louisiana and provided training for more than 23-thousand employees in the past 8 years.

Attorney Lance Unglesby says Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa did not bribe Gonzales city council candidate, Wayne Lawson, in an effort to get him out of the race. Unglesby says Matassa was actually offering Lawson a loan to get him out of financial trouble…:
CUT 7 (10) “his sister”
Allegations surfaced earlier this week when an audio recording was released that purportedly has Matassa and a business partner offering Lawson 12-hundred dollars. .