SUMMARY: Participation in Louisiana‘s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) has declined for three consecutive years, with nearly 46,000 students receiving scholarships totaling over $270 million last school year—a 14% drop from four years ago. This decline is attributed to reduced college enrollment and a shrinking pool of eligible high school graduates, which fell by 3,600 since 2017. Experts predict a further drop in college-bound individuals starting in 2025. Although some colleges report rising enrollment, concerns remain over long-term trends in public school enrollment and changes in financial aid application completion that could impact TOPS participation.

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SUMMARY: The nation’s largest dock workers’ union, the Longshoremen’s Association, has officially gone on strike, impacting about 50,000 of its 85,000 members, including workers in New Orleans. This labor strike began at midnight and has initiated a significant work stoppage affecting imports and exports of various goods, ranging from bananas to clothing. While this disruption could lead to increased costs for consumers, immediate price hikes are not expected unless the strike persists for an extended period. For further details, visit the link in the description and stream related stories on WW Plus.

It’s official: union dockworkers at the Port of New Orleans and nationwide are striking for fair wages and protection from automation. Prices could rise if the strike lasts.

Read more about the strike here: https://bit.ly/4eoAbDX

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SUMMARY: Meteorologist Chase Ward discusses current weather patterns, noting scattered light showers moving south from Columbia. While some areas may briefly need an umbrella, the precipitation is expected to fade as dry air moves in from the north. Afternoon temperatures will rise into the mid-upper 80s, with a cold front expected to bring cooler, drier air tonight. A tropical disturbance in the Gulf has a 40% chance of developing, with the potential for increased rain late in the week. Overall, the weekend looks pleasant with sunshine and temperatures trending towards seasonable averages in the lower 80s.

An upper level low pressure ahead of a cold front has allowed for some patchy showers to develop this morning. Clouds will linger through the afternoon as we climb to the upper 80’s for daytime highs. Skies will clear overnight with some slightly cooler temperatures after the cold front passes. We will rebound back to the upper 80’s by Friday as a tropical disturbance enters the Gulf of Mexico. Still some uncertainty as far as its development is concerned, but it will aid in showers and thunderstorms across the gulf coast.

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