The Senate Transportation Committee approves legislation that would prohibit using a handheld cellphone while driving. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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LSU has been awarded a more than a half-million-dollar National Science Foundation grant, the largest ever for the school for an affordable and effective insect repellent to reduce disease spread by them
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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If you’re planning on dyeing eggs this Easter Brooke Thorington has some egg-cellence news, and that’s no yolk.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit drivers from handling their phone when behind the wheel. AAA’s Angela Nelson told Senators if you want to reduce auto insurance rates, pass a law that makes it illegal to touch your cell phone when driving and crashes will go down…
Cut 4 (05) “…first place.”
The legislation would still allow drivers to talk on a cell phone, but they can’t hold it to their ear, it has to be hands-free. Kenner resident Richard Brown opposed the bill. He says whether you hold the phone to your ear or use Bluetooth to talk on the phone, the conversation is what’s distracting…
Cut 5 (12) “…isn’t true.”
Covington Senator Patrick McMath is the author of the bill to prohibit handheld cell phone use while driving. He received pushback from former Grant Parish District Attorney Ed Tarpley…
Cut 6 (10) “..seat belt law.”
McMath also heard from opponents that his bill is a government overreach. The Republican from St. Tammany Parish does not see it that way. He looks at his legislation as a way to keep people safe…
Cut 7 (11) “…correct.”
The bill heads to the Senate floor for more debate.
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Senate Education approves a bill that takes current law prohibiting public school students from using their cell phones on school property a step further. Bill author, Beth Mizell believes requiring the devices be turned off and properly stowed away throughout the instructional day will help pull Louisiana schools up from the bottom of the list…
Cut 8 (09) “…the classroom.”
Speaking to the Senate Education Committee, Mizell illustrated how the new law might be implemented saying students are already familiar with stowing their lunches and other objects they bring to school so implementing it should be simple…
Cut 9 (07) “…that simple.”
Senate Bill 107 now heads to the full Senate.
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LSU Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences faculty has secured $550,000 in funding to create affordable insect repellent that could reduce cases of malaria, Lyme disease, and West Nile. This is the largest NSF PFI grant ever awarded to LSU. Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley says the goal is to streamline the cost associated with the production of nootkatone.
Cut 10 (11) “…and sprays.”
Nootkatone is an FDA-approved organic compound found in grapefruit skin and Alaska yellow cedar trees.
Dooley says there have been few insect repellents on the market since DEET, which is found in most insect repellent sprays and creams. However, nootkatone is proven to be a natural insect deterrent.
Cut 11 (12) “…Lyme disease.”
Dooley says even at a five percent concentration, nootkatone outperforms DEET. He highlights nootkatone effectiveness compared to DEET.
Cut 12 (12) “…DEET has.”
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Egg-cellence news if you’re planning on dying Easter eggs this year. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the prices have dropped significantly. Last year the southern average for a dozen eggs was $4.17, but this year it’s $2.71.
Cut 13 (12) “…right now.”
(This week because of demand you can expect to pay between $2.89 to $3.40 a dozen.)
But it’s not necessarily over-easy when you compare 2024 prices to the average two years ago of $1.50 to $2.00 a dozen. Davidson says the effects of the deadly avian influenza outbreak last year linger.
Cut 14 (11) “…two years ago.”
While you may be paying between $2.89 to $3.40 for a dozen eggs this Easter, Davidson says to keep in mind the farmer’s profit is miniscule.
Cut 15 (10) “…packaging.”
The average price for a dozen eggs in Louisiana reached its peak of almost $5.00 in January 2023.
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Malik Nabers has made his case to be the first wide receiver selected in next month’s NFL draft. At LSU pro day, the 20-year-old from Youngsville had a broad jump of nearly eleven feet, a vertical of 42-inches and ran the 40 in a blazing 4.3 seconds…
Cut 16 (16) “…special today.”
Nabers didn’t work out at the NFL combine and there was speculation his 40-time was 4.5. But after running a 4.3 he could be picked ahead of Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Junior. Nabers says he had a great dinner with the New York Giants. He’s telling all NFL teams he plays with a dog mentality…
Cut 17 (20) “…make plays.”
Nabers describes himself as a humble person…
Cut 18 (20) “…to be made.”
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Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels also participated at LSU pro day. He went through a 58-play passing script, throwing passes to Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, Greg Clayton, and current Tigers Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor. Daniels could be the number two overall pick. He’s anxious for his name to be called on draft night…
Cut 19 (15) “…as a player.”
USC star Caleb Williams is expected to go number one to the Bears. Washington has the second pick, followed by New England. Daniels was scheduled to meet with both teams before they left Baton Rouge. He was asked about the new look Commanders organization…
Cut 20 (18) “…they take.”