Destination Zero Death, AAA, and DOTD have launched the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) High School Showdown pilot program in nine Louisiana high schools. Colleen Crain has the story.
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When your little ghouls and goblins are out casing the neighborhood for some yummy treats, make sure they know the dos and don’ts about staying safe. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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As most new parents know all too well, caring for infants can get very expensive. How much are Louisianians paying? For the answer, here’s Sean Richardson.
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DOTD in partnership with Destination Zero Deaths and AAA, has launched the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) High School Showdown pilot program in nine Louisiana high schools. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says this program aims to promote safe driving habits among students by encouraging them to pledge to buckle up and avoid using their phones while driving.
Cut 4 (10) “…save peoples lives.”
Participating high schools include Berwick, LaGrange, Terrebonne, Plain Dealing, Plainview, Chalmette, Ponchatoula, Walker, and Neville. Mallett says the Buckle UP Phone Down challenge between these schools is needed when recent statistics show unrestrained drivers and and passengers were involved in 34-percent of all fatalities…
Cut 5 (11) “…wont wear their seatbelt.”
Modeled after a successful Missouri initiative, the showdown rewards the top two schools with the highest pledge participation, offering $5,000 and $2,500 donations from AAA for safety programs. Schools are encouraged to use assemblies, classroom lessons, peer presentations, and other events to engage students. Mallett says the goal is to reduce traffic fatalities by promoting lifelong safe driving habits…
Cut 6 (05) “…for safety programs.”
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Little ghouls and goblins will be roaming neighborhoods everywhere this evening, looking for some fun-sized sweet things to enjoy after dinner each night until Thanksgiving. As they do, make sure they know how to stay safe. Lisa Freeman, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says Halloween is historically one of the deadliest nights of the year in terms of vehicle-pedestrian crashes.
Cut 7 (12) “…Year’s Eve holidays.”
Freeman says while your kids are out trick or treating, make sure they know the do’s and don’ts of walking around in the neighborhood.
Cut 8 (08) “…just for Halloween.”
And if there’s a sidewalk, make sure they use it. If not, be sure to walk against the traffic.
Cut 9 (16) “…with oncoming vehicles.”
Furthermore, walking on the left side of the road makes it easier for drivers to make eye-contact with pedestrians.
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New parents know all too well how expensive it is to care for newborns. A new study by Bankrate shows that Americans on average spend just over 14-thousand dollars during the first year of their child’s life. Alex Gailey, an analyst with Bankrate who conducted the study, says on average, Louisianians pay slightly less.
Cut 10 (11) “…dollars per month.”
That translates to about 14-percent of a typical family’s income, which is slightly under the national average. Gailey says one thing that families can do to offset those costs is to do a little research on what child care subsidy programs they can take advantage of.
Cut 11 (14) …have nigher incomes.”
Gailey says families can also take advantage of tax credits.
Cut 12 (10) “…in your pocket.”
The state with the most affordable infant care by percentage of income is South Dakota at just under nine-percent. The least affordable, according to the study, is New Mexico at just over 20-percent.
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Louisiana may see some showers on Halloween, but trick-or-treaters can hopefully look forward to a clear evening, according to LSU Public Healt5h Climatologist Barry Keim. Keim says scattered showers and storms are expected during the day, but the weather is expected to improve for evening Halloween festivities.
Cut 13 (08) “…down to about 30-percent.”
Communities across Louisiana are eagerly watching the forecast, as Halloween night brings neighborhood events, outdoor gatherings, and crowds of costumed children. Keim says families should make contingency plans for rain earlier in the day but stay optimistic
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For those preparing to head out, Keim suggests keeping an umbrella handy, but also staying tuned to updated forecasts. With a bit of luck, Louisiana trick-or-treaters will be able to enjoy their Halloween festivities rain-free by nightfall.
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McNeese football coach Gary Goff says redshirt freshman Kamden Sixkiller will be the Cowboys starting quarterback the rest of the season as Clifton McDowell is done for the season with a hand injury. Sixkiller already has several starts under his belt and Goff is eager to see him keep developing…
Cut 16 (15) “…twice.”
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Saints Quarterback Derek Carr says he hopes to return to action this Sunday against the Panthers in Carolina. Carr has been out since injuring his oblique October 7th late in their loss to the Chiefs. Carr says he had a great day of practice Wednesday and should be ready to go Sunday.
Cut 17 (15) “…it felt great.”
Carr says the injury is the most frustrating injury of his career, as it relegated him to the sidelines as he watched Spencer Rattler guide the team to three straight losses, the last of which he got benched. Carr says Rattler is getting too much of the blame.
Cut 18 (19) “…team around him.”
The Saints will try to snap their six-game losing streak Sunday in Carolina. Kickoff is at noon.
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ULM is coming off its first Sun Belt defeat as the Warhawks were defeated by South Alabama 46 to 17. But Coach Bryan Vincent says his team is not dismayed
Cut 19 (11) “….success.”
The Warhawks are back on the road this Saturday against the Marshall Thundering Herd. Marshall is 4-and-3 on the season, winning all four of its games at home. Vincent says his team is embracing the challenge…
Cut 20 (17) “..from any challenge.”
Kick-off is at 2:30 central time.