The first case of the Omicron variant in Louisiana has been detected in Louisiana and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stresses vaccinations and boosters. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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ULM Monroe hopes to help the statewide nursing shortage with a new agreement with Louisiana’s 2-year colleges and tech schools. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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A Louisiana Congressman proposes legislation to cancel student loan debt equal to the amount of SBA loans taken out by a person to recover from disasters. More from Dave Brannen.
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The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today and hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis. The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman of the seven-member committee.
Foil says their primary goal determine if legislation needs to be enacted to reduce excessive force among police officers and as a legislative branch, they have oversight authority the executive branch.
While the first meeting will give committee members the opportunity to question Colonel Davis about practices and training of State Police, Foil anticipates a second meeting to allow for public input. As for possible legislation that could be created…
Cut 6 (12) “…allegations of excessive force.”
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are reviewing a series of beatings by troopers and if top police leaders obstructed justice to protect troopers involved in the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene.
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The state has its first known case of the Omicron Variant. The Louisiana Department of Health says the individual who lives in the greater New Orleans area recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the variant is significant because it has some 50 mutations from the original virus.
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Kanter says researchers are still gathering and reviewing data and there are still many unknowns, for example, is the Omicron variant resistant to current therapeutics we are using to treat COVID and/or the vaccines.
Cut 8 (10) “…fully vaccinated.”
Until there’s more data, Kanter says it’s hard to predict what kind of impact the Omicron variant will have in Louisiana. He says currently there is a lull in cases and hospitalizations in the state. The state has increased lab sequencing to detect the Omicron variant and the public should…
In Louisiana just below 50-percent of the population is fully vaccinated.
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UL-Monroe seeks to help the statewide nursing shortage with a groundbreaking degree transfer program. Dr. Don Simpson is Dean of the ULM College of health sciences. He says they’ve forged an agreement with the state’s 12 community & tech colleges with associate nursing degree programs to allow those nurses to easily pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at ULM…:
Cut 10 (11) “…credentials as a nurse.”
Four-year universities have partnered with local 2-year schools before, but this is the first time in our state a university has partnered with an entire college system (the LCTCS) to offer a near-seamless degree transfer program. Once a nursing student has their 2-year degree, they can apply for ULM’s online study program to get the additional 30 hours needed to get a BS degree in Nursing. Simpson says, because it is online, anyone from anywhere in Louisiana can apply…:
Cut 11 (08) “…where they want to be.”
Dr. Simpson says it’s hoped this degree transfer program will help with Louisiana’s current shortage of trained nurses. He says to make even more ease of completing a BS degree, ULM will offer the program at just $200 per credit hour. He says getting a BS degree increases earnings potential…:
Cut 12 (12) “…their bachelor’s degree.”
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Congressman Troy Carter is proposing legislation that would erase student loan debt equal to that of any SBA loans taken out to recover from a disaster since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s called the ‘No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act”.
Cut 13 (07) “…have a restart.”
Stats show that the nation has nearly 43-million borrowers owing one-point-five-nine billion dollars in federal student loans, while the average borrower has just over 36 thousand dollars in federal loans.
Carter compares the Act to the U.S. forgiving the indebtedness of countries.
Carter says there’s good reason for the canceling of student debt as outlined in his legislation.
Cut 15 (12) “..with student debt.”
Carter says canceling student debt under the act would substantially increase Black and Latino household wealth and help narrow the racial wealth gap, while also providing immediate financial relief to millions of Americans.
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The Ragin Cajuns have promoted co-offensive coordinator Michael Desormeaux as U-L Lafayette’s new head football coach. Desomreaux set records when he was a quarterback for the Cajuns in the mid-2000s and he’s been on the staff the last six seasons. Athletics director Doctor Bryan Maggard says Desormeaux is the right leader for the program and the hiring has the recommendation of outgoing coach Billy Napier
Desormeaux is a New Iberia native and the school says he’s been instrumental in the Cajuns having one of the top offenses in the Sun Belt and consistently helps bring the league’s top recruiting class. Maggard says Desormeaux is a man of unbelievable character and integrity and has a very high football acumen….
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LSU football will have another game this season as they will play in the Texas Bowl in Houston against Kansas State on January 24th. Baton Rouge native Brad Davis will serve as the interim coach and he’ll be the first African-American to an LSU football team in a game…
LSU didn’t play in a bowl game last season. Davis it’s good the Tigers have another 15 practices and another game to prepare for…