A Mandeville lawmaker files a bill that would hold back 3rd graders who are way behind in literacy skills. More from Brooke Thorington…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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An LSU pitcher has decided to use the money he’s received from a NIL to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (25) “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A Mandeville state lawmaker says he’ll try again this year to pass a bill that would hold back certain public school students who are way behind in reading. Republican Richard Nelson has filed House Bill 12 again this year, and says this same bill almost crossed the finish line in the 2022 session; passing the House but falling shy of votes in the Senate…:
Cut 3 (10) “…educate people more.”
Nelson’s HB 12 would affect third graders who fail a standard federal literacy, then fail again – even after remedial study help. The idea being to nip the literacy problem at an early age, and get the child on track to improved learning. He says the same initiative was done in a neighbor state to great success…:
Cut 4 (09) “…elementary literacy.”
Nelson says parents needn’t worry their kid could be held back a grade for having a “bad day” during a test. He says the system will be much more deliberate in determining which children need to receive additional teaching in reading, so they can go on the better learning outcomes…:
Cut 5 (09) “…to be held back.”
Nelson says he expects the bill to affect a fairly low percentage of kids, but those children need to receive learning assistance. The regular legislative session starts in early April. Nelson, by the way, is a declared candidate for governor this fall.
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LSU right-handed pitcher Thatcher Hurd has donated the money he’s received in name, image, and likeness compensation to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. The donation paid for 30 thousand pounds of food for the Baton Rouge Food Bank to distribute to needy families. Hurd says he got his giving spirit from his dad…
Cut 6 (11) “…and the community”
Hurd is a transfer from UCLA and is expected to be a weekend starter for the number one Tigers. The 20-year-old from California says when he got his NIL deal over the summer, he decided to use it to make a difference…
Hurd also donates his time at the Baton Rouge food pantry…
Cut 8 (12) “…very personal to me”
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso, who’s in his fifth term, says he will not seek re-election. Mancuso whose law-enforcement career spans four decades made the emotional announcement this morning with his family by his side.
Mancuso began his career at the age of 20 and served almost thirteen years as a deputy and in 1996 he ran for City Marshal and served two terms. In October 2003, he ran for Sheriff and assumed office in July of 2004 and has been there ever since.
Mancuso says about a year and a half ago he began considering retirement.
Cut 11 (11) “…sacrificed a lot.”
He will continue to serve until June 30, 2024, and Mancuso endorsed Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory as his successor, Guillory chooses to run.
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Once again, Louisiana leads the nation for the highest state and local sales tax rates. Tax Foundation policy analyst Janelle Fritts says Louisiana has the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent
Cut 12 (08) “…very, very high”
The average local sales tax rate in Louisiana is 5.1-percent and the statewide sales tax rate is 4.45 percent. New Mexico is the only state to reduce its state sales tax rate in the last five years and Fritts explains why state lawmakers are not willing to reduce sales tax rates…
There is some relief in the future. Fritts says a temporary .45-percent state sales tax is set to expire in 2025
Cut 14 (06) “…more compeitive”
On the flip side, Fritts notes Louisiana has the third lowest property taxes in the country. Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and Oklahoma have the top five combined state and local sales tax rates.
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