The State Department of Education has released the Common Core test results from the spring and Superintendent John White says the results are not surprising. The numbers indicate just 22-40 percent of Louisiana students show “mastery” in skills it says are needed. White says BESE will vote tomorrow on whether or not to use “cut scores” like other states:
CUT 14 (11) “us as adults”
He says detailed information from the tests will be released in November.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the case of a burned vehicle which was discovered in the woods near Highway 16 in Sun that had human remains inside. Positive identification of the person is pending DNA analysis. The vehicle was badly burned, but cops were able to determine it was a silver Mitsubishi. No arrests have been made in connection with this incident at this time.

With this fall Louisiana air comes the pollen and allergies. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor, Dr. Sanjay Kamboj (KAM-boje), says they are seeing an increase in the number of patients coming in for allergy related illnesses. He says pollen production peaks daily between 9 and 11AM so it’s important to avoid contact during that time…:
CUT 5 (11) “wear a mask”
He says warm temperatures and high humidity levels help increase pollen production.

The UL-Lafayette football program is being accused of a major rules violation by the NCAA. The allegations are connected to an academic eligibility issue regarding the ACT scores of several recruits over the past few years. The alleged wrongdoing seems to be centered around former assistant coach David Saunders. UL Lafayette has decided to vacate its victories from the 2011 season.

The controversial tests tied to Common Core that were administered in the fall have been graded and results were released today. The scores showed that on average, 37 percent of students are at what the state says is the needed skill level in English Language Arts, while nearly 30 percent show mastery skills in mathematics. State Department of Education Superintendent John White says detailed results will be released in November…:
CUT 13 (10) “individual skills”
BESE will vote tomorrow on whether or not Louisiana will adopt the same skill scoring levels as other states, called cut scores.

Legendary Chef Paul Prudhomme was laid to rest today in New Orleans. Members of the restaurant business, family and friends all got together at St. Louis Cathedral Monday for the funeral. After the mass, a procession and second line marched from Jackson Square to Prudhomme’s K-Paul’s restaurant.

According to a recent survey, less than half of African American voters in Louisiana were in favor of removing Confederate monuments. The Clarus Research Group poll was conducted for news organizations. Pollster Ron Faucheux says he expected a larger number of black voters to be in favor of taking the statues down. He says voters are more certain about the Confederate monuments issue than they are about the governor’s race…:
Cut 11 (09) “monuments issues”
The poll shows 31-percent of African-Americans oppose the removal of the monuments.

As LSU prepares to take on fellow top 10 holder Florida on Saturday in Tiger Stadium, we learned today that starting Gator QB Will Grier has been suspended indefinitely. Apparently he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance found in an over the counter supplement he got at GNC. The news comes ahead of a highly anticipated top 10 match-up between NO. 6 LSU and NO. 8 Florida.

A recent poll conducted for WWL-TV and The Advocate shows that only 46-percent of Louisiana African-American voters are in favor of removing Confederate monuments. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says a St. Amant High School senior was stabbed to death while picking up a girl before the homecoming dance Saturday. They say 18-year-old Todd Toups Jr. got into an argument with a 16-year-old juvenile who allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times. Toups died at a hospital. The 16-year-old charged with second degree murder.

The State Department of Education released “preliminary” results to Common Core tests Monday, and found that just 22-40 percent of Louisiana students show “mastery” in skills it says are needed for the next grade. The tests were administered to grades 3-8 in the Spring. State Superintendent John White says the results are not surprising…:
cut 12 (06) “in the past”
He says specific data on individual schools will be released next month.

LSU Coach Les Miles said today that he expects a massive crowd for the Florida game this weekend. The No. 6 Tigers will host the No. 8 Gators Saturday night in Baton Rouge. Before Lunch with Les started today, it was announced that Florida starting quarterback Will Grier is suspended indefinitely for violating the NCAA policy on banned drugs.

UL Lafayette has decided to vacate its victories from the 2011 season as a result of an NCAA investigation looking into recruiting violations. The allegations are that a former assistant coach changed ACT scores for at least six players.

A recent survey conducted for WWL-TV and The Advocate shows that only 46-percent of Louisiana African-American voters are in favor of removing or renaming monuments that honor Confederate leaders. Overall, the Clarus Research Group poll shows 68-percent of voters oppose the move. Pollster Ron Faucheux says Louisiana voters are attuned to the issue of Confederate monuments…

cut 10 (06) “those changes”

Faucheux says he expected a larger number of black voters to be in favor of removing the monuments.

Allergies are beginning to effect Louisiana residents now that fall is here. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor, Dr. Sanjay Kamboj, says ragweed is, by far, the biggest allergy trigger of the season. Kamboj says if you’re allergic to ragweed, you are quite familiar with the symptoms…

cut 4 (10) “of the skin”

He says over-the-counter allergy medications, such as Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin, can help manage symptoms.

State Police says an officer involved shooting in Lake Charles has claimed the life of a male suspect. Sgt. James Anderson says the Lake Charles Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance early Sunday morning and saw the suspect, 44-year-old Kevin Lau, standing in the doorway of the house with a gun…

cut 7 (09) “subsequently shot”

Lau was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured in the incident.

The latest from State Police in the case of the missing 6-year-old AMBER Alert Texas child who could be in Louisiana says investigators have located the alleged abductor’s vehicle. The little girl, Lexi Johnson, and 40-year-old Harvey York Jr of Zwolle, were last seen on Sunday in Houston, Texas. Investigators say the vehicle used by York to drive to Louisiana was found abandoned in Sabine Parish. York and the abducted child have NOT been found. Police are actively searching a wooded area near where the truck was located. If you have any information on their whereabouts, you are urged to contact authorities.

A recent poll conducted for WWL-TV and The Advocate shows that less than half of Louisiana African-American voters are in favor of removing or renaming monuments that honor Confederate leaders. The Clarus Research Group survey shows only 46-percent of black respondents support removal of the monuments. Pollster Ron Faucheux…:
CUT 9 (11) “as well”
The poll shows 31-percent of African-Americans oppose the removal of the monuments.

State Police has issued an update in the case of the missing 6-year-old AMBER Alert Texas child who could be in Louisiana. The little girl, Lexi Johnson, and her alleged abductor, 40-year-old Harvey York Jr of Zwolle, Louisiana, were last seen on Sunday in Houston, Texas. Investigators say the vehicle used by York to drive to Louisiana was located in Sabine Parish. York and the abducted child have NOT been found.

Fall is in the air in Louisiana and unfortunately so are allergies. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Louisiana Lottery says the Lotto jackpot was hit Saturday by two tickets sold in Dequincy and Opelouses who will share the $3.2 million dollar prize..

Fall is definitely in the air and so are allergies. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor, Dr. Sanjay Kamboj (KAM-boje), says ragweed is, by far, the biggest allergy trigger of the season. He says ragweed plants produce a lot of pollen as autumn gets underway…:
CUT 3 (07) “fall allergies”
He says over-the-counter allergy medications, such as Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin, can help manage symptoms.

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting in Lake Charles which claimed the life of a male suspect. Sgt. James Anderson says the Lake Charles Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence early Sunday morning…:
CUT 6 (08) “a handgun”
Anderson says 44-year-old Kevin Lau pointed the gun at officers when he was shot. He says LCPD asked State Police to investigate the incident.

The community in Ascension Parish remains in shock today over the stabbing death of an 18-year-old senior from St. Amant High School, allegedly at the hands of a 16-year-old from Baton Rouge. They say Todd Toups Jr. was visiting a friend in Gonzales, whom he planned to take to the homecoming dance Saturday night, when an argument ensued between he a juvenile male suspect which led to the stabbing. Toups later succumbed to his injuries and the 16-year-old is charged with second degree murder.

State Treasurer John Kennedy says state revenues for the first quarter of this fiscal year are down 13-percent compared to the first quarter of last year. Kennedy says tax collections from individuals and businesses are down, while sales tax receipts are flat…:
Cut 13 (08) “part of it”
Kennedy believes the Jindal administration created much of the revenue problem and it has a moral obligation to deal with it.

Voters in Louisiana will have the opportunity to vote on some Constitutional amendments on the October 24th ballot. Eric Gill has more:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police is asking Louisianians to be on the lookout for a little girl who is believed to be with her mother’s ex boyfriend and could be headed here from Texas. Texas authorities have issued an AMBER Alert for 6-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Johnson of Houston. She is believed to be with 40-year-old Harvey York of the Sabine Parish town of Zwolle. Officials say the two could be in a blue 2000 Ford F-150.

The four candidates for Lt. Governor are scheduled to appear at a forum today in Baton Rouge. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s a very close race between the Democrat Kip Holden and Republicans John Young and Billy Nungesser. He expects the GOP candidates to go after each other during the debate…:
Cut 9 (08) “the campaign”
Dubos says the odds favor the only democratic candidate, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, entering the runoff.

The Daily Advertiser is reporting that the NCAA has accused the UL-Lafayette football program of major rules violations. The report shows the Association specifically accuses former Cajun assistant football coach David Saunders of manipulating ACT scores and paying cash to one recruit. Officials at UL-Lafayette say they are cooperating fully with the NCAA’s investigation.