Joe Petraro is taking online classes at LSU as a sports leadership major. He’s also an 11-year-old with Tourette’s. Mel Bridges has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”
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Louisiana Treasurer Dr. John Fleming has called for the elimination of the state’s personal income tax, arguing that it is time for Louisiana to adopt a more competitive tax structure. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Some of Louisiana’s educators will be evaluated under a new system this school year: Louisiana’s Educator Advancement and Development System, or LEADS. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”
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11-year-old Joe Petraro is taking summer classes at LSU as a sports leadership major. Joe, who has Tourette’s, graduated high school this year after speeding through grade school in two and a half years. He says his Tourette’s and intelligence used to be at odds, but now he’s using them to his advantage.
Cut 4 (11) “…and it helps.”
Joe’s special education teacher noticed he was a genius when he was in third grade. His parents enrolled him in private schools and special programs to meet his intellectual needs, and he graduated grade school in just two and a half years. Joe says college classes, which he’s taking online, are a bit different than high school…
Cut 5 (10) “…but it was awesome.”
Joe wants to be a sports broadcaster when he graduates, and he’s friends with former LSU basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who also has Tourette’s. Joe says he chose LSU because he believes they have the best college teams. As to why he chose to be a sports management major…
Cut 6 (11) “…and inclusion.”
Joe is taking online classes from his home in Long Island, where he will spend his time between classes with his Boy Scout troop.
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Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming is calling on the Louisiana Legislature to approve legislation next year that would eliminate of the state’s personal income tax. Fleming believes this major tax reform would attract more businesses and residents to the state, driving economic growth and making Louisiana more competitive with neighboring states that don’t have personal income taxes.
Cut 7 (10) “…Texas or Tennessee.”
Fleming’s proposal comes as part of a discussion on tax reform within the state, as lawmakers and officials seek ways to revitalize Louisiana’s economy and improve its business climate.
Cut 8 (09) “…business-friendly state.”
Invest in Louisiana says the phasing out the state’s corporate and personal income tax is not a good idea. These taxes provide the state with five-billion dollars to pay for such services as higher education, public safety, health care and other programs. But Fleming says the state spends too much on things that do not help the state’s economy…
Cut 9 (12) “…and voters.”
Lawmakers will hold a fiscal regular session next year, so legislators can vote on proposed tax changes.
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The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement have arrested a Pineville man for allegedly selling THC products to kids. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says they first heard of the Pineville Smoke Shop, run by 40-year-old Ahmed Gaber (gah-bear) of Pineville, from several complaints…
Cut 10 (12) “…THC-infused products.”
In addition to the 2.5 pounds of THC-infused products, Carnline says officers also turned up around 7 thousand dollars allegedly from sales, though officers don’t know how many of those sales were made to children specifically. He says attitudes towards marijuana have become very lax, with some even believing it’s legal in Louisiana…
Cut 11 (10) “…juveniles.”
Gaber was booked in the Rapides Parish Detention Center for distribution of a stage-one classified drug above 2.5 pounds, and released the same day on a ten thousand dollar bond. Carnline says parents shouldn’t let their kids use vapes, and he says vapes in schools are a big problem…
Cut 12 (12) “…this type of stuff.”
The investigation is still ongoing, as officers have received more complaints about other stores selling THC and vape products to juveniles.
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This school year, some of Louisiana’s educators will be evaluated under a new system. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (sha-son) says the old system lacked a comprehensive rubric or ongoing support, so they developed Louisiana’s Educator Advancement and Development System, or LEADS…
Cut 13 (09) “…one-time event.”
Under LEADS, newer, less experienced teachers are observed less than established teachers. In fact, teachers with at least three years of experience who score highly on their first observation can opt out of remaining observations that school year.
Cut 14 (09) “…rewarded.”
Chiasson says LEADS is in line with the recently unveiled Let Teachers Teach initiative, which focuses on making classrooms less distracting for students and teachers, by putting evaluations in the hands of educators. She says LEADS not only reforms the outdated system with input from educators…
Cut 15 (08) “…what could be improved.”
Chiasson says struggling teachers will receive immediate instructional support.
LEADS will be fully implemented for the 2025-26 school year, this year will be treated as a learning year.
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LSU’s defense appears to be making strides during this preseason camp. Coach Brian Kelly likes the camaraderie and energy level he’s seeing from the group, but the defense is still a work in progress when it comes to getting lined up correctly, communicating effectively and executing the fundamentals
Cut 16 (16) “…improvement in.”
Sophomore cornerback Ashton Stamps had a couple more pass break ups during yesterday’s practice. Kelly says the former Rummel Raider leads the team in PBUs during this camp and he’s certainly taken a step forward in his development…
Cut 17 (20) “…every day.”
One of the more tighter position battles is at punter. Redshirt junior Peyton Todd is competing with Louisiana Tech transfer Blake Ochsendorf. Kelly says both guys lack consistency….
Cut 18 (20) “…play em both.”
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The Saints have a couple more practices in Irvine, California, before they head to San Francisco to play the 49ers in a preseason game on Sunday night. So how is offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (Tah-lee-ess-say Foo-ah-gah) doing as he continues to get reps with the starters at left tackle. Coach Dennis Allen gave his assessment
Cut 19 (19) “…for him.”
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Sixteen days left before the Ragin Cajuns kick off the season against Grambling on August 31st and Coach Michael Desormeaux has yet to settle on a starting quarterback between Chandler Fields and Ben Woolridge. Desormeaux says who ever takes care of the ball better in practice will start…
Cut 20 (20) “…believe in.”
The Cajuns will hold a scrimmage on Saturday.