Low levels in the Mississippi River have the Army Corps of Engineers ready to take steps to stop saltwater intrusion that could threaten drinking water supplies. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The Road Information Program says traffic fatalities jumped 21 percent during the pandemic, costing an estimated $37 billion in damage and healthcare. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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The CDC releases a break down the COVID numbers of Americans 16 and older. Brooke Thorington has more on what the numbers mean.
Cut 3 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says low water levels in the Mississippi River mean they will take steps to assure salt water from the Gulf does not intrude upstream, and threaten drinking water. Corps spokesman Ricky Boyette says they will begin their plans within the next few days…:
Cut 4 (14) “.,..New Orleans, St. Bernard…”
Boyette says engineers will undertake dredging sediment to create a 45-foor high, 1500-foot wide “sill” to block the leading edge of saltwater from the Gulf from moving upriver. He says salt water is heavier than freshwater, so it stays near the bottom, but low levels can cause it to encroach inland…:
Cut 5 (11) “…from the river.”
The sill will help pool up saltwater, then force it back downstream to the Gulf. Boyette says it has been successfully been done before; in 1988, ’99, 2012 and – most-recently – last year. He says the Mississippi River is at a low level, but it is still navigable for ship traffic…:
Cut 6 (12) “…lower than normal.”
He says the work will start, probably, next week.
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The most recent economic impact study indicates Northwestern State University’s economic value is $520 million in income and the school supports more than seven thousand jobs. University President Dr. Marcus Jones says often nearby communities aren’t aware of the impact a college has on the region.
Cut 7 (10) “…located.”
In context, Jones says the school’s $520 million impact represents one and a half percent of the total gross regional product of northwest and central Louisiana. He says the school’s day-to-day expenses average $54 million.
Cut 8 (09) “…we spend.’”
And when you take into consideration student spending, it’s boosted the local economy by $10 million. Jones says roughly 40 percent of their students come from areas outside of the region.
As for NSU’s overall return on investment, Jones says for every taxpayer dollar invested in the school, residents receive a cumulative of $2.40 over the course of the student’s working lives.
Cut 9 (13) “…in return.”
Jones says findings from the study are important to stakeholders, legislators, and industry partners of the university.
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Close to 900 people were killed last year on Louisiana roads, that’s up 21 percent from the previous four years, resulting in $37 billion in property damage and health care costs, according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Director of Policy and Research Rocky Moretti says the surge in fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists was alarming.
Cut 10 (13) “…and bicyclist.”
From 2019- 2022, pedestrians and cyclists saw a combined total of 84 hundred traffic-related fatalities. Motorcyclists represented 14 percent of fatalities. Moretti says traffic fatalities are costly.
Cut 11 (12) “loss property….”
And it’s not just aggressive drivers, Moretti says the number of impaired fatal crashes increased a disturbing 22 percent. He says motorists should make better decisions by driving the speed limit and not being distracted or impaired. And agencies need to make repairs and roadway improvements.
Cut 12 (11) “…as possible.”
From 2019-2022, the traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) increased by 18 percent.
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The CDC says 97 percent of Americans, sixteen and older, have some type of antibodies against COVID, either from having it or being vaccinated. And LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says the study found that only 78 percent actually had COVID.
Cut 13 (12) “…natural infection.”
And with almost a quarter of the population with antibodies, Lopez says it indicates it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
Cut 14 (08) “…infected.”
The CDC dashboard shows almost 70 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID but when you break down Louisiana’s numbers only 53 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.
Cut 15 (11) “…the average.”
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the lowest booster rates in the country.