A bill filed for the regular legislative session in March would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The Louisiana Department of Health says the latest COVID data is encouraging, but there’s still room for improvement. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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With reports that sea levels could rise as much as a foot over the next 30 years, the level of urgency to protect Louisiana’s coastline has risen as well. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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A bill filed for the regular legislative session in March would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies. After Hurricane Ida last fall, nursing home residents were taken to – and left in – an uncomfortable warehouse with no lights or cooling. Several died in those conditions. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the bill’s sponsor. He says MOST nursing homes are already taking care of this, but…:
Mills says he brought the bill after talking with the nursing homes industry, who wish to be proactive in avoiding another tragedy like last summer. His Senate Bill 33 will put into law requirements that nursing homes have a working emergency power system in place. He says the language of the measure covers some other important requirements…:
Cut 5 (12) “…long-term power disruption.”
Mills says the bill will firmly establish clear-cut rules for helping keep the elderly safe and secure after a hurricane, storm, or other power outages. He says his bill if passed, allows nursing homes the time to make sure they can get emergency power systems in place…:
Cut 6 (13) “…give some latitude. “
Mills’ bill will be brought up when the legislature convenes its regular session on March 14th.
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The state continues to see a decrease in the number of COVID cases as health officials say the Omicron variant surge is declining however the data still indicates a high transmission rate in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state’s positivity rate has dropped to 9-percent.
Cut 7 (10) “…days of January. “
The state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52-percent which Kanter says needs to increase and he remains hopeful after more than 58-thousand got their first shot last month.
Kanter says the numbers are encouraging because it shows that even though late some are realizing the value of vaccinations.
Boosting guidance has changed over the last few months, Kanter says the general public should be boosted five months after their second vaccination dose, and those who are immunocompromised three months after their second dose.
Kanter also reminded residents to use a proper face mask when indoors and outdoors at a crowded venue, especially if they have underlying health conditions. Kanter says the most effective type of face mask is an N95 that the Federal government has sent to the following locations.
Cut 9 (06) “…Walgreens locations.”
You can also find a list of other locations giving out free N95 masks at Louisiana-Radio-Network-dot-com.
If you test positive for COVID and have questions you can call the COVID-19 Community Support Hotline at 1-877-766-2130
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In an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road, judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes can offer those with first or second offense DWI convictions to be screened for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Lisa Freeman…
Freeman says screening impaired drivers for the presence of substance use or a mental health disorder is a proven impaired driver countermeasure.
Cut 11 (10) “…screen for that.”
If an offender is found to have a substance use problem a condition of sentencing could be seeking treatment for their addiction. Freeman says that’s a win-win for everyone.
Cut 12 (12) “…some other judge.”
Freeman says alcohol is involved in 40-percent of all traffic fatalities in Louisiana.
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The National Ocean service issued a report that projects sea levels to rise by up to a foot within the next 30 years. As waters get higher, coastal communities become more threatened. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says that the time is now for Louisiana to put plans into action to protect those vulnerable areas.
Cut 13 (12) “…sea-level rise.”
The state has already committed more than $1 billion dollars over the next year for coastal restoration and protection projects that would reconnect the Mississippi River to the wetlands in order to reduce land loss. Snider says the Coastal Master Plan is the type of aggressive approach needed to make an impact.
Cut 14 (11) “…the right direction.”
With a number of areas of concern, Snider stressed the urgency of taking action. She said that Louisianans should see the Coastal Master Plan put to work in very real ways, with major work projects getting underway in the near future as the state races against the clock in fighting these threats.
Cut 15 (13) “…that Louisiana needs.”
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LSU takes the court tomorrow night when it hosts Georgia at the P-MAC. After a 15-1 start, the Tigers are just 3-6 since. Back-to-back wins have LSU clinging to fifth place in the SEC standings with six games to play. With three of those against ranked teams, a win over the Bulldogs is a must. To do that, Will Wade says his team has to take care of the little things.
Another key to the game will be keeping Georgia off the free-throw line. The Bulldogs score 16 points per game at the stripe, and with LSU struggling with depth this season, Wade says LSU will have to be disciplined defensively against an aggressive Georgia offense.
While LSU should still make the NCAA tournament, the Tigers do have time to pick up some momentum down the stretch. Even with the devastating injuries the team has suffered over the course of the season, Wade knows his team won’t get any sympathy and that there’s only one way for the Tigers to change the narrative…
Cut 18 (17) “ …just keep winning.”
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This offseason, ULM underwent a $1.4 million offseason renovation of the university’s baseball facility, which installed a new FieldTurf at Warhawk Field, revamped the team’s locker and weight rooms, among other improvements. Federico says the project has impacted his players as much mentally as it has helped in their on-field prep for the season.
Cut 19 (15)_“… a lot more convenient.”
After a 26-26 finish last season, Federico has higher expectations for the WarHawks this season, though they were picked to finish ninth in the SunBelt conference preseason poll. Led by returnees Grant Schultz, Trace Henry, and Travis Washburn, Federico believes his team has enough experience to make a jump in the standings.