Health and Welfare heard from both sides on the Governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the shot schedule for schools next fall. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A milestone in Louisiana State Police cadet training hit a historic mark this week. More from Dave Brannen.
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Data out of LSU reports that Louisiana reported its fewest number of vehicle crash injuries ever, but there was a sharp increase in traffic fatalities. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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House Health and Welfare heard from both sides concerning Governor Edwards’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools next fall, for ages 16 and older. The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor could overturn the decision. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who choose not to be vaccinated can opt-out.
Cut 4 (10) “…philosophical reasons. “
Michelle Wags, a New Orleans resident spoke in opposition and says she’s being treated as a second-class citizen in her hometown because of vaccine requirements and pleaded to the committee to vote no.
Monroe Representative Michael Echols pressed Kanter on the intent of the vaccine requirements for schools and that it would force those who are unvaccinated to leave the classroom. Kanter responded that students can opt-out and still attend school
Cut 6 (07) “… the intent of this.”
David Oats, an Air Force Veteran, and Realtor told the committee he had treatments for the virus available to pass out to anyone who’s interested and because there are treatments the vaccines are obsolete.
Cut 7 (11) “…need no vaccine.”
The committee meeting began at 10 AM Monday morning and continued for the remainder of the day.
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Sixty-four men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the Louisiana State Police. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot says the new class gathered for the first time Sunday afternoon and has about six months of initial training to undergo.
The instruction they’ll receive will include firearm proficiency, tactical driving and impaired driving detection, as well as leadership values that exemplify LSP Core Values. Graduating troopers then undergo ten to 16 weeks of field training before beginning their careers.
Lt. Fontenot says the cadets will undergo training aimed at implicit bias recognition.
Cut 9 (10) “…into these cadets.”
According to Lt. Fontenot, one of the more important and timely matters of concern is the training the cadets will receive in the lawful use of force.
Cut 10 (10) “…mitigate those.”
If you’d like to apply for Cadet Class 101 that begins training next year visit laspc.dps.louisiana.gov.
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Early voting for the December 11th primary ended on Saturday and one of the most followed issues on any ballot in the state is the bid by a group to win approval to build a gambling resort near Slidell. Pollster John Couvillon says the proposal to build the 325-million-dollar facility helped boost early voting in St. Tammany Parish:
Cut 11 (07) “…in the primary.”
Couvillon, himself, is expecting a majority of St. Tammany voters to give a thumbs-down to the Camellia Bay casino, the parish having a strong anti-gambling history.
Cut 12 (13) “…of casino gambling.”
Couvillon is of the opinion that voters will largely side with what officials, especially those in law enforcement, think about opening a land-based casino in St. Tammany Parish.
Cut 13 (10) “…have respect for.”
He doesn’t believe ex-Saint Drew Brees’s support of the project, which would include a sports complex for kids, is having much of an impact on swaying voter opinion in favor of the casino operation.
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Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest motor vehicle crash injuries, but 2020 also produced the most fatalities since 2008. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the pandemic resulted in fewer cars on the road, which resulted in fewer crashes, but there were more high-risk drivers…
According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU, 828 people were killed in crashes involving motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Lambert says the data found that bicycle crash fatalities increased by more than 54-percent…
Cut 15 (09) “..risky behavior.”
Lambert says pedestrian fatalities were up by 19-percent. He says these statistics are in line with national figures that show a sharp increase in fatalities even though there were fewer drivers on the road because of the pandemic…