Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. David Grubb has more.
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Law enforcement and community groups in Southwest Louisiana announce a cooperative task force to fight human trafficking and advocate for victims. More from Brooke Thorington.
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In addition to COVID cases on the downward trend in Louisiana, flu cases are showing a decline. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action.
Ramsey says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market.
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First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200 million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state. While it isn’t a jackpot just yet, Ramsey said it’s a nice early payout.
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Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Made up of local, state and federal LEO’s, prosecutors and service agencies and non-profits … the group will work to prevent sexual exploitation and aid victims. Brandon Brown is U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District…:
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He says they plan classes to educate workers at businesses like casinos, hotels & motels, convenience stores and more of the warning signs of someone being a victim of trafficking, so they can help by reporting suspected cases. Brown says, all too often, the victims are overlooked and tend to “fall through the cracks.” He says the task force is there to help them…:
Brown says human trafficking is, basically, modern-day slavery.
Interstate 10, which runs right through Calcasieu Parish, is considered to be a super-highway for human traffickers. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso hosted the Thursday press event, to announce the SWLA Human Trafficking Task Force. He says he was moved by a discussion he had with one woman who was a trafficking victim, who felt her cries for help were going un-heard…:
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Mancuso says they welcome involvement from any local service group, community center, or church. Just send an email to info@cpso.com.
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According to the Louisiana Department of Health in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol says however the flu season is still active.
Sokol says the majority of flu cases in the US and Louisiana have been detected as the H3N2 variety.
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So far, the CDC has reported five flu pediatric deaths in the US for the 21-22 flu season and Sokol says one of the five deaths involved a child in Louisiana. The state has been keeping records of pediatric flu deaths since 2015.
And even though early reports indicate that the current flu vaccine is not as effective with the H3N2 flu, Sokol says it is still your best protection.
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If you’re a teen in the 15th Judicial District, which includes Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes, and commit a violent crime you can be tried as an adult. District Attorney Don Landry made the announcement in an effort to reduce the growing number of juvenile crimes.
Landry says violent crimes among young people are a nationwide problem and Louisiana is not immune. Juveniles ages 15 to 17 in the 15th Judicial District who commit violent offenses will now be tried as adults. Landry says the increase in violence since July 2020 is staggering.
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The Louisiana Children’s Code gives district attorneys the authority to prosecute juveniles as adults in cases such as violent crimes, for example, murder, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, and aggravated burglary or battery committed with a firearm. Landry says it’s not just their charges that are impacted.
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Landry says he’s instructing prosecutors to aggressively go after violent juvenile crime, and they will revisit the change in January to see if it’s made an impact in deterring crime among teenagers.
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Joe Burrow will lead the Cincinnati Bengals into Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Chiefs have scored 84 points in two playoff games, so Burrow knows that the Bengals will have to get off to a quick start offensively.
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Wideout Ja’Marr Chase may know Burrow as well as anyone, with their connection dating back to the practice fields outside of Tiger Stadium. Chase says that when the game is on the line, there’s no one that wants the ball more.
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Burrow has earned the nickname “Joe Cool” for his unflappable demeanor. He says that’s the way it has to be for success in the NFL, and this game is just another on the schedule.
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The AFC Championship game starts at 2 p.m. this Sunday.