The number of new UK variant cases in Louisiana is rising. Now up to 13.4 percent of all new COVID cases reported in the state are believed to be that more deadly and contagious variant. But our percent of variant cases is much better than the rest of the county. The nationwide average is 27.2 percent, Florida is at 34.5 percent, Texas is at 25.2 percent. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says these numbers do lag a few weeks behind but gives us a good idea of where we are…
Senator John Kennedy wants everyone in the state to get a COVID vaccine. He says he can’t sing but he is free and freely chose to get the vaccine because it works.
House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says investing in education to grow the state’s economy is a priority. He says that begins with pay raises for educators and makes good on a promise to move salaries towards the southern regional average.
Prison reform advocates back an amendment ending the “slavery exception” that allows inmates to be forced to perform labor for just pennies an hour. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, says the 13th Amendment didn’t end slavery it codified it with a loophole allowing prison slave labor. He says if you refuse to work guards can use force against you.
If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.