AM LRN Newscall May 7

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter and President Joe Biden spoke Thursday during the President’s visit about the city’s most pressing needs. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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LSU is the first school in the SEC to select a Black president. Brooke Thorington has more on the historic appointment of William Tate IV.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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The House found agreement on how to spend 804 million dollars of the 1.6 billion dollars in American Rescue Act funding we’re set to receive this year. Matt Doyle has more.

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter met briefly with President Joe Biden Thursday during the President’s visit to Louisiana to promote his jobs and infrastructure plan.

Biden vowed that if his plan is passed a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River would be built. Hunter says that’s great if so, but this isn’t the first time they’ve heard that promise…

Cut 4 (12)“…bridge.”

Hunter says he also took time to implore the President to send additional hurricane aid to the area. He says the long wait for federal aid has been unacceptable…

Cut 5 (08)“…package.”

Hunter says he also spoke with President Biden about getting a group of American oil executives imprisoned in Venezuela known as the Citgo Six freed. Hunter says he personally knows Lake Charles native Tomeau Vadall, who’s been imprisoned in the country for the past three years on charges of corruption.

Hunter says the President was very attentive and responsive to his requests during the visit.

Cut 6 (08) “…honor.”

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An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study indicates the pandemic was responsible for almost doubling the loss of sleep for mothers of young children Researcher Dr. Chelsea Kracht says they surveyed close to two thousand mothers who on average sleep less anyway, but the epidemic only worsened the situation.

Cut 7 (10)  “…physical health.”

Kracht says a marked decrease in the amount of sleep one receives can increase depression and absenteeism from work. There is even a name for the malady.

Cut 8 (09) “…usually do.” 

She says a lack of sleep also leads to weight gain which can cause multiple health concerns.

Several factors surrounding pandemic anxiety were responsible for the decrease in sleep. Kracht says fear of contracting the virus, long-term career impacts due to cutting back hours to care for children, and having to oversee their children’s remote learning.

Kracht says to assist mothers of young children society needs to rethink safe and economical approaches to childcare.

Cut 9 (07) “…responsibility.”

Kracht says having fathers take on some of the responsibilities of housework will also assist mothers in balancing the demands of their careers and personal lives.

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LSU appoints the first-ever Black president in the school’s history and who’s also the first Black president in the Southeastern Conference. University of South Carolina Provost William Tate IV has been tapped by the LSU Board of Supervisors to lead the system.

Cut 10 (11) “…very special.”

Tate was unanimously approved by the board and board member Collis Temple Jr, who was LSU’s first Black basketball player, made the emotional official motion to select Tate.

When asked how he will lead the university that remains under the cloud of a Title IX scandal Tate says he believes it’s an opportunity to develop a trauma-based approach to assist victims of sexual misconduct.

Cut 11 (12) “….the case.”

Tate was also questioned about what he considers his biggest challenge as he takes the helm at LSU, Tate responded getting to know everyone as quickly as possible.

Cut 12 (12) “…in the future.”

Board Chairman Robert Dampf says the details of Tate’s contract are still being negotiated.

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The House approved next fiscal year’s 36.4 billion dollar spending plan and found agreement on how to spend 800 million of the 1.6 billion in American Rescue Act funds Louisiana receives this year.

House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue highlighted the increased investment they were able to put into higher education.

Cut 13 (10) “…institutions.”

Zeringue also notes they found the funds to double the Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise to 800 dollars.

There were a number of smaller increases and new programs financed for next year’s budget, including a boost to foster family assistance.

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The total budget for next year sits at 42 billion dollars.

The ARA funds went into four categories: 400 million to replenish the unemployment trust fund, 10 million for logger’s relief, 90 million for broadband expansion, and 300 million for water infrastructure…

Cut 15 (11)“..serwer systems.”

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Cut 16 (00) “…N/A.”

 

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It’s the final home series of the season for the ULM Warhawks who host Texas-Arlington. The Warhawks will recognize their seniors who are wrapping up their collegiate careers. Head Coach Mike Federico

Cut 17 (23) “…conference standings.”

ULM is 7-and-11 in conference play and in last place in the Sun Belt West Division, while the Mavericks are 10-and-5 and in first place. Federico is looking forward to the opportunity to still move up the division standings

Cut  18 (15)”…this weekend.” 

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Louisiana Tech looks to extend its school-record 10-game winning streak on the road when they begin a four-game series against F-I-U. The Panthers are 8-and-16 in Conference USA play, but Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs knows they have plenty of talent….

Cut 19 (19) “…any weekend.” 

Burroughs is expecting a hard-fought series…

Cut 20 (12) “…your playing.”