TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
********INTRO:
The Texas State Board of Education is expected to approve controversial updates to high school social studies lessons today.
As KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports, the new curriculum directly links the Islamic faith with terrorism and slavery:
SOT:
“After hours of public testimony this week, the 15-member board is expected to give final approval to lesson plans many Muslim speakers said r anti-Islam.
The board already voted to remove a standard that would have taught about Muslim contributions to algebra and astronomy. {do we know a city?} 10th grader Nedda Jassim said the changes portray her faith only as dark and violent. This board completely eradicates the only mention of scientific and mathematical achievements from the historical Islamic world.” Jassim called the proposed curriculum discriminatory, but others praised the updates for aligning U.S. history with Christianity.”
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INTRO:
If you were issued your Louisiana state tax refund by paper check and have not cashed it yet – today is the deadline to get it done.
Otherwise, that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the Treasurer’s Office.
Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the average refund is more than $750.
And with nearly 23,000 people yet to cash those refund checks, those amounts add up:
SOT:
“The remaining amount of refunds due for transfer if they’re not claimed is $17,145,961.”
TAG:
Henderson says the rightful recipients will never forfeit that money, no matter how long it goes unclaimed.
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INTRO:
Arkansas revenue beat the state’s forecast last month. Little Rock Public Radio’s Daniel Breen has more:
SOT:
“The latest report from the state Department of Finance and Administration shows Arkansas’ year-to-date net available general revenues totaled roughly $1.2 billion in August. That’s a 5% increase over the same time last year and beat the department’s forecast by just under 3%. Individual income tax collections totaled roughly $268 million, about a 2% increase from last year. Returns were down by about one and a half million compared to 2025, mainly due to delays in collections because of an executive order shifting deadlines due to storms. Sales and use tax collections totaled $327 million. That beat the state’s forecast.”
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INTRO:
With classes now well underway at LSU Shreveport… the hustle and bustle of adjusting to schedules, independent living, and high-energy social events it can be a lot to take in for new students.
But that could also include potential threats they may face in the coming year – from stalking and domestic violence to sexual assault.
In the weeks to come, we will examine various training programs addressing these topics on campus.
LSU Shreveport’s SAVE program director Aslan Godfrey has already been preparing for their first “Take back the Night” event on October 2:
SOT:
“The main goal is to let students know that they’re not alone. It’s to let survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking know that we believe you. And, that your experiences are valid.”
TAG:
The SAVE program hosts all kinds of events. Next Wednesday & Thursday, September 9th & 10th, for example, guest speaker Briana Hansen will address relationships, consent, communication and healthy choices.
It will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University Center Theater.
<**** FORECAST ****>
The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
- A chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms over the next several days under mostly sunny skies, with high temperatures hovering in the mid- 90’s through Sunday.
- By Labor Day: the forecast calls for drier, hotter conditions in the upper 90’s .. and nothing that should interfere with holiday plans other than high traffic days today and Monday.
- Warm to Hot areawide with above average readings this afternoon. The sea breeze and a chance to cool off will arrive on the SE winds, as tropical moisture spreads across the Parishes into south Arkansas and deep E Texas.
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