Today through Friday job seekers can attend virtual job fairs featuring over 100 employers hosted by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Erik Piccoli has more
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”
_______________________________
State Police has released all of the video evidence they have from their encounter with Ronald Greene in 2019, a Black man who died in police custody. Matt Doyle has the story
____________________________
The state health department reports two cases of the India COVID variant have been detected in two coronavirus patients in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
____________________________
The Louisiana Workforce Commission is hosting a virtual job fair every day this week as part of “Workforce Week.” LWC spokesperson Marina Clay says more than 100 employers will offer thousands of immediate job openings to strengthen Louisiana’s workforce following the pandemic.
Each day jobseekers will be able to meet with an array of different representatives from industries including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, and IT. Clay says applicants can attend multiple days and for those who are unemployed, this would count towards your work search requirement.
While over 1000 job seekers have already registered, Clay says there’s still time to sign up on LA works dot net, update your resume and prepare an elevator pitch.
Cut 6 (8)”…a virtual platform”
____________________
The Louisiana Department of Health has issued an alert for healthcare providers in the Alexandria area over a significant increase in the number of new syphilis cases.
Region Six Medical Director Dr. David Holcombe says the number of early syphilis cases among women was up 62 percent from 2019 to 2020…
Alexandria is only 6 percent of the state’s population but accounts for 13 percent of new early syphilis cases and 14 percent of all congenital syphilis cases. The number of new cases has been rising since 2017 where only 43 cases were reported. In 2020 178 cases were reported.
Holcombe says the bacterial infection can spread quickly once it’s out in the community
Those with syphilis will usually see a painless sore growing on their genitals, rectum, or mouth. That will eventually become a rash. Years later those with syphilis can suffer a number of severe impacts to their nervous system, brain, eyes, or heart.
Holcombe says regional medical providers need to be on the lookout…
___________________________________
State Police has released nine videos from the 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, a 49-year-old unarmed black man who died in police custody. The videos show the troopers dragged Greene out of his vehicle, repeatedly punched him, and used a stun gun multiple times following a high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis says the videos are in the hands of state and federal criminal investigators
The three troopers involved have been identified as Chris Hollingsworth, Dakota DeMoss and Kory York. Hollingsworth died from a car crash after learning he would be fired. Davis says he intends on firing DeMoss and York received a 50-hour suspension but remains on leave pending state and federal investigations.
The initial report from the traffic stop said Greene died in a car crash following that chase.
Davis would not comment directly on the video but he says new policies will ensure that something like this does not happen again.
Davis says footage released last week by the AP lacked full context. He hopes releasing all of the footage from the encounter will show his department is committed to transparency.
Governor Edwards says he supports the decision to release the footage in its entirety. Edwards says the decision was made in consultation with the US Attorney’s Office and the Union Parish DA.
__________________________________
The Louisiana health department has confirmed the state’s first two cases of the India COVID-19 variant. LSU Health Shreveport Virologist Dr. Jeremy Kamil (Camille) says the two cases were detected in Caddo Parish.
The World Health Organization is concerned about the COVID strain from India, because it is thought to be more transmissible. Kamil says the current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against this variant strain…
Cut 14 (12) “…changing a little bit.”
Kamil says this variant is not completely responsible for the alarming outbreak in India. He says a low percentage of vaccinated individuals is a major factor, along with heavily populated cities and not wearing face masks.
There are now multiple variants of concern circulating in Louisiana. Kamil says the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated.
Cut 15 (12)“…recover from it.”
To find the nearest vaccine site visit CovidVaccine.LA.gov
________________________________________
LSU is a nine-seed in the SEC Tournament and will play Georgia on Tuesday afternoon after winning their final three conference series to finish with a 13-and-17 league record. The Tigers concluded the regular season with an eight to two win over Texas A-and-M. Zach Arnold hit a two-run homer on Saturday
Cut 16 (15) “…make a run at it.”
LSU got another great start from senior-right hander Ma’Khail Hilliard on Saturday. Hilliard allowed just two runs over seven innings for his sixth win on the season…
Before the season, LSU was picked to finish fourth in the SEC and they ended up finishing in fourth place. The Tigers are on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament, but Coach Paul Mainieri is proud of how his team has overcome a lot of challenges this season…
_____________________________________________
The Ragin Cajuns won the Sun Belt Western Division title with a two to one win over Troy on Saturday afternoon. Coach Matt Deggs was finally able to catch U-T Arlington on the final day of the regular season…
The Cajuns held Troy to five hits on Saturday and Carson Roccaforte and Drake Osborn each drove in a run. Osborn finished the regular season with a .333 record and has walked more than he struck out. Deggs says the transfer from Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi has been clutch for them this season.
Cut 20 (16) “…when it matters.”
The Cajuns will take on Texas State in the Sun Belt Tournament on Wednesday night. It’s pool play so the Cajuns will face Appalachian State on Thursday night.