EBR Schools Consider Major Teacher Pay Raises While Graduation Celebration Debate Continues

Louisiana Workforce and Education Reforms Take Center Stage in 2026 Legislative Session

Rep. John Wyble says workforce development, education, and rural economic growth were major wins during the 2026 legislative session. He highlighted a new workforce initiative aimed at connecting more people with jobs and helping businesses fill worker shortages. Wyble also pointed to gains in literacy and early math education, support for rural economic development, and efforts to strengthen local agriculture. Looking ahead, he expects lawmakers to revisit TOPS scholarship funding and explore ways better to align education investments with Louisiana's workforce needs.

Louisiana Hurricane Season 2026: Russell Honoré Says Prepare Before Storms Arrive

Retired Lieutenant General Russell Honoré says the biggest lesson from Hurricane Katrina is simple: prepare early and evacuate when officials tell you to leave. He urged residents to make a plan, help elderly and disabled neighbors, and keep emergency supplies on hand. Honoré said neighbors often provide the first help after a disaster and reminded listeners that it only takes one storm to make hurricane season a dangerous one.

Crime Stoppers Explains Anonymous Tips and Warns Baton Rouge Residents About Credit Card Fraud

Crime Stoppers Capital Region explained how anonymous tips work and reassured listeners that tipster identities remain protected. Lt. Don Coppola also discussed the Beyond Bars program, which uses real-life stories to help steer people away from crime. The segment highlighted a suspect accused of using a stolen credit card for about $900 in purchases near the Mall of Louisiana and reminded residents to monitor bank accounts, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity through Crime Stoppers.

EBR Schools Consider Major Teacher Pay Raises While Graduation Celebration Debate Continues

EBR Schools Superintendent LaMont Cole discussed two major issues facing the district: graduation disruptions and teacher pay raises. Cole said graduation celebrations have become increasingly disruptive, making it difficult for families to hear graduates' names and forcing schools to manage tight schedules at venues like LSU, Southern University, and the Raising Cane’s River Center. He stressed that the issue is not about students celebrating, but about ensuring every graduate and family gets their moment without interruptions. He believes the focus should be on setting clear expectations rather than punishment. Cole also warned that some venues have raised concerns about hosting future graduations if disruptions continue, which could force ceremonies outdoors. On teacher pay, Cole outlined a proposal that would raise starting salaries for certified teachers from $50,000 to $56,000. He said all district employees, including bus drivers and support staff, would receive raises through budget realignment, cost savings, and a revamped salary schedule. Cole called it one of the most significant pay increases in district history and said the goal is to better recruit and retain employees while remaining financially responsible. The school board is expected to review the proposal before a final vote.

Louisiana Tech Expert Warns Against Responding to Scam Texts

Haggai Davis joined Brian Haldane to discuss the latest tech headlines, including why people should never respond to scam texts or spam calls. Davis explained that replying confirms your phone number is active, which can lead to even more unwanted messages and calls. He also addressed concerns about AI voice cloning, noting that while scammers can recreate someone's voice with a short audio sample, they still need additional personal information to commit financial fraud. The conversation also covered a bizarre airline incident where a teenager's Fitbit named "bomb" forced a United Airlines flight to return to Newark, as well as Instagram's latest efforts to limit teens' exposure to potentially harmful content and body image-related posts.