LRN AM Newscall January 27

The app LinkedIn is known for creating connections in the professional world and now a new app, BoomNation, wants to do the same for the trade industry. Kevin Gallagher explains

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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 Willis-Knighten Health System in Shreveport is looking for clinical trial participants to help with a medication to treat COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Washington D-C Mardi Gras returns after a one-year hiatus. David Grubb has more on the popular business and social event…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m David Grubb” 

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When four friends in the trade industry had trouble finding qualified workers they asked, Chris Meaux the brainchild of Waitr, to come up with a solution. And what LinkedIn is for professional workers Meaux says BoomNation is for the skilled worker.

Cut 4 (10) “…those trades.” 

Meaux says the app is free for job seekers and it allows them to search for jobs and employers to post work opportunities.

Cut 5 (10) “…they may have.”

In addition to allowing prospective employers to search worker profiles, BoomNation also has the ability for skilled workers to showcase their work and display photos of their greatest hits.

Cut 6 (08) “…showcase the work.”

Meaux says they also want to build a community of trade workers and employers with Boom Nation in addition to helping them find work.

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State Wildlife & Fisheries’ annual “Get Out and Fish” events start today in select ponds across the state. LDWF spokesperson Danica Williams says 17 sites will be stocked with adult-size rainbow trout; a colder water fish uncommon to Louisiana waters…:

Cut 7 (06) “…they’re good eating.”

Rainbow trout are native to lakes & rivers in western North America. They thrive in cooler waters and are very good to eat. Williams says agents began stocking the trout before dawn this morning at the following ponds…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…in Minden, Louisiana.”

The event continues next week, with agents beginning at I-10 Park in Calcasieu Parish, Girard Park in Lafayette, South Side Regional Park in Youngsville, Bayou Country Sports in Houma, plus parks in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Williams says this is a great time of year to cast a line for some tasty trout…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…ready to go.”

Check locations near you online at “wlf.la.gov”; click on Get Out and Fish! You must have a valid Louisiana fishing license if over 16.

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Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport is one of 400 sites conducting clinical trials for an oral medication to prevent COVID illness for those who are exposed to the virus by someone in their household. Principal investigator Dr. Joseph Bocchini (Bo-key-nee) Jr. says this is a critical advance in outpatient therapy.

Cut 10 (12) “…management of COVID.”

The Pfizer medication being used has already received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for those who are more susceptible to severe COVID complications. Bocchini says the trial is looking for participants who are exposed to COVID by someone in their household to compare efficacy and dosage.

Cut  11 (10)  “…be needed”  

The trial is looking for those 18 and older with no current symptoms of COVID and who reside in the same household as someone with symptoms of COVID. Bocchini says participants will be compensated.

Cut 12 (10) “…involved.”

For more information call 318-212-8130 or visit Willis Knighten’s website and search COVID clinical trials.

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D-C Mardi Gras activities get underway today as one of the biggest social events of the year for the nation’s capitol returns after a one-year hiatus because of COVID-19. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says hundreds of people from Louisiana travel to the event for a chance to do business and also celebrate the Mardi Gras season…

Cut 13 (08) “…from Louisiana.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Washington D-C, but is not planning on attending any of the social gatherings. He will speak today to the Committee of 100, a group of business leaders from Louisiana. Alford says several high-profile elected leaders are skipping the event this year…

Cut 14 (11)  “..vaccine requirement.”

There are big social gatherings tonight and tomorrow and on Saturday it’s the Mardi Gras Ball. But Alford says during the daylight hours, there’s a lot of networking going on….

Cut 15 (08)  “…consultants.”

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The search is now on for the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. So far, current defensive coordinator seems Dennis Allen to be the early favorite to succeed Sean Payton. Allen has been with the Saints for the past five seasons, and spent two seasons as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. NOLA.com Saints reporter Rod Walker says Allen has the credentials…

Cut  16 (11)  “..the Buccaneers out.”

However, even with Allen as a leading in-house candidate, Walker says that the Saints should cast their net wide as they fill one of the most attractive job openings in the NFL.

Cut 17 (15) “ ….whoever you want.” 

Walker says the Saints are in a much different place than they were in 2006, when the franchise was on shaky ground.

Cut 18 (6) “ ..good situation.” 

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After suffering its first conference loss of the season, Louisiana Tech will look to get back on track as the host Rice Thursday night at the Thomas Assembly Center. Outside shooting killed the Bulldogs in their loss to UAB, as the Blazers made 12 three-pointers. Coach Eric Konkol says the Owls, who lead the conference in three-point shooting, present a major challenge.

Cut 19 (18)_“…throughout the night.” 

Konkol says for Tech to collect the victory, his team is going to have to play disciplined and together on the defensive end.

Cut 20 (21) “ …want to do well.”