The federal government announced it’s nixing a plan to end the distribution of critical hurricane forecasting data. Kace Kieschnick has more.
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The president of U-L Lafayette is stepping down. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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State lawmakers make it known what changes they want to see with high school sports. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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The U.S. Department of Defense announced it will not go through with a plan to cut hurricane forecasting satellite data. The information is used in both weather forecasting and U.S. Military operations but was facing termination due to cybersecurity concerns. LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says this decision will save lives.
The data is collected by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program which has capabilities other satellites do not. Keim says their most important feature is the ability to monitor storms at night.
The crucial forecasting data will continue to be distributed for the foreseeable future. Keim says another significant advantage of these satellites is their ability to spot signs of rapid intensification.
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A new effort is underway to develop drugs to treat ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases through the use of A-I. It’s being led by Dr. Jeff Keller with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
Dr. Keller says the ultimate goal is to use A-I driven insights to identify and prioritize therapeutic targets to treat ALS and other similar diseases. Dr. Keller says one well-known ALS patient was instrumental in securing the necessary funding.
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Keller says this effort will set Louisiana apart when it comes to using A-I for innovative research like this.
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Au revoir, President Savoie – after 17 years, U-L Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie is stepping down, with today being his last day. Communications Professor Philip Auter, the former faculty senate president, says Dr. Savoie was a very effective president.
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Auter says one thing that struck him about Dr. Savoie is that despite the size of the school, he had an open door policy.
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Dr. Jamie Hebert, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, will take over as interim president while the school conducts a nationwide search for its next full-time president. Starting Friday, Savoie will assume the role as president emeritus.
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State lawmakers told LHSAA officials they are not fans of the public-private school split playoffs in high school sports and they would like to see a one-time transfer rule adopted. In many cases, a high school student that transfers to another school must sit out for a year to regain eligibility. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says with school choice options expanding, students should not be penalized.
Thibodaux made the comments at the first meeting of a legislative committee formed to review LHSAA policies and practices. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine told the panel high school principals recently overwhelmingly voted down a one-time transfer rule.
Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh told Bonine the split playoffs are bad for high school sports, because it awards too many championship teams and waters down the value of a state title.
Bonine says he’s not a favor the split either, but it’s the high school principals who voted for the split several years ago and there’s not enough support to have private and public schools compete for the same championship.
Bonine says the LHSAA looks forward to continued participation in the legislative study and will continue to clarify policies, share data and support efforts that benefit Louisiana’s student-athletes.
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LSU had its first practice of fall camp yesterday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for over four-thousand yards last season; but after a full season as the starter, head coach Brian Kelly expects him to improve this season. Kelly says his top priority is eliminating negative plays.
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Kelly says Nussmeier has been clocked running over 21 miles an hour and should rely on his legs more this season.
The Tigers will have no shortage of weapons with the returns of top receiver Aaron Anderson and a healthy Chris Hilton. LSU also welcomed top transfer wide receivers Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. Kelly says he has eight SEC-caliber receivers, and it’s his job to get the most out of them.
Nussmeier and the offense won’t be able to take advantage of any of their firepower if the trenches don’t do their job first. Questions have swirled around an offensive line that lost four starters to the NFL Draft last season. Kelly is confident in his mix of returning talent and proven transfers but says nothing is set in stone.
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Former Saints first round pick Trevor Penning has made the move from tackle to guard this offseason. Penning struggled to find consistency on the edge, and the bruiser says his aggressive skillset is better suited for the interior. He says the switch is going well but there’s still things to improve.
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Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry will be vital to the defense’s success as a year-two starter. Head coach Kellen Moore said he’s had a big-time camp, and McKinstry shares in his confidence.