An LSU survey that tracks consumer sentiment finds that consumer confidence in this state has fallen below the national average for the first time in recent years. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Eye doctors say they’re seeing a spike in the number of technology crazed youth suffering from computer vision syndrome. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 2 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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An annual statewide survey from LSU finds that consumer confidence in Louisiana has fallen below the nation for the first time in recent years. Michael Henderson, research director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says the Louisiana Consumer Sentiment Index fell by six points from the end of the third quarter of 2014 to the end of the first quarter of 2015…
CUT 3 (06) “six months earlier”
While Louisiana’s consumer confidence was falling, consumer sentiment grew nationally by nearly 10-points. He says northwest Louisiana, southwest Louisiana and the New Orleans area all fell significantly below the national estimate, and the drop in oil prices and the effects it had on the state’s energy industry could be to blame
CUT 4 (07) “similar pattern here”
LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab has tracked consumer confidence since 2012 and this is the first time consumer sentiment in the state is nearly 10 points below the nation. Henderson says since they conducted this survey, oil prices have stabilizied, slowing down lay-offs in the energy sector
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The rising number of youth who are constantly on their cell phones and computers are putting strain on their eyes. Doctors say they’ve seen a growing amount of young patients suffering from computer vision syndrome. Dr. Monica Monica, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says when looking at screens your blink rate decreases.
Both eye strain and headaches are associated with prolonged exposure to the screens. Monica says our eyes are suffering the consequences of smart phone, computer and tablet use. She says those in the millennial generation and younger are especially affected by the harmful effects..:
A recent study found 68 percent of millennials reporting digital eye strain. Monica says when looking at things close up, muscles in the eye actually have to contract, to change the shape of the lens, to focus. She says the best thing to do if you’re in front of a computer all day is to take periodic breaks…:
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Same-sex couples who want to change their last name on their driver’s license to reflect the same name as their spouse can do so starting today. State Police Lieutenant JB Slaton says the Office of Motor Vehicles had to upgrade their computers so that it would allow a man to change his last name
Slaton says couples who wish to change their name, must bring a certified marriage license, along with social security records
cut 10 (08) “social security level”
Slaton says they also want to remind all residents, can get a six-year driver’s license, instead of a four-year license. He says it will cost four dollars more, but hopefully it will lead to shorter lines at the D-M-V…
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The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office says a 12-year-old boy died on the 4th of July when riding on a utility terrain vehicle and the adult driver is arrested. Detective Joe Chaney says 36-year-old Joshua Tharpe of Baton Rouge and the juvenile were riding the UTV on a wet sand bar and took a sharp sudden turn…:
Deputies did not release the boy’s name. Chaney says Tharpe was charged with vehicular homicide and has since been released on a $100,000 bond. He says they are still working to determine what happened and if Tharpe was being negligent..:
A UTV is similar to an ATV but is larger. Chaney says you should always be careful on these types of vehicles…:
cut 14 (10) “safety guidelines”
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