Louisiana’s only Democratic congressman is optimistic that a deal will be reached soon on a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and more partisan legislation to allocate three-point-five-trillion on social spending. More from Dave Brannen.
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Widespread devastation from Ida has some still seeking shelter in the hardest-hit areas. Brooke Thorington has more on a state effort to speed up the process.
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Baton Rouge’s Our Lady Of the Lake hospital announces a huge investment in a new regional cancer treatment center. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Louisiana Democratic Congressman Troy Carter is sounding an optimistic note that a compromise is within reach on infrastructure and social spending bills Capitol Hill has been wrangling with. He talks about one of the projects in the 1.2-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that’s important to our state.
And Carter says the 3.5-trillion-dollar social spending bill also being hashed out contains important issues to be addressed like housing and getting broadband internet service to the underserved and impoverished.
Carter is dismayed by the fact that the two bills totaling just under five trillion dollars have been separated out given the importance of both.
Cut 5 (12) “…convoluted with definitions.”
On the subject of expanding broadband that’s included in the social spending bill, he believes it’s an important matter to address.
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In an effort to get those still without shelter in some of the hardest-hit areas of Hurricane Ida, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is working in conjunction with FEMA to speed up the process. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says they hope to have trailers installed as soon as this weekend
To register from the program, you can call 1-844-268-0310 but Tingle says the best way is the register online at IdaShelterling LA.com
Tingle says FEMA is still working on their program of direct housing that includes travel trailers, mobile homes, and certain types of leases.
The state program is funded through the FEMA Public Assistance Program which means they will cover 90-percent of the costs.
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Our Lady Of the Lake hospital in Baton Rouge announces plans to build a $100-million cancer center in the Capital City. OLOL President and CEO Scott Wester says site selection is underway and they expect to break ground on the cancer center in early 2022.
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Our Lady has been partnered with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center – right next door – for many years, but it was announced in August that Mary Bird is partnering next year with Nashville-based OneOncology, Inc. Wester says the new Our Lady Of the Lake Cancer Center will provide total state-of-the-art cancer care; just like its former partner.
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The 80-thousand square foot facility will include literally every aspect of cancer research, treatment, and care. When finished it will employ hundreds of medical professionals and support staff. Governor John Bel Edwards was present for the announcement Monday. He says this will eliminate the need for cancer patients to seek treatment out of state.
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When you are waiting on something as important as a liver or kidney for a transplant, time is of the essence when a match is located. Right now, you have to receive that organ within four hours for it to remain viable. But LSU Mechanical Engineer Professor Ram Devireddy (Dev-ah-ready) says they are researching ways to freeze an organ so it can remain viable longer
LSU has received and $433-thousand grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the best method to preserve an organ that’s awaiting transplant.
Because an organ is multicell tissue Devireddy says you must look at freezing the cells individually, so it preserves the organ as a whole.
While there’s been much progress in freezing things like embryos, Devireddy says he doesn’t see the techniques he’s testing being used for at least another five years to assist with preserving organs,
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He says they will also study other parts in prolonging the life of an organ such as the best method for thawing, which Devireddy says can be just as problematic.
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After rushing for just 33 yards in the loss to Auburn, LSU is averaging just 71 yards rushing yards a game, which ranks 128th out of 130 FBS teams. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says part of the problem is that they are not committed to running the football
LSU had to burn four timeouts on Saturday when trying to change the play as the play clock was winding down. Orgeron says it’s an issue they will resolve before they play Kentucky this Saturday…
The offensive line has struggled to create holes for the running backs and pass protect. Orgeron blames injuries during preseason camp and the players adjusting to new offensive line coach Brad Davis, who was hired in June…