LRN PM Newscall June 23

An attorney for nursing home operator Bob Dean responds to the criminal charges his client is now facing as a result of last year’s botched hurricane evacuation plan. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Conservative Caucus is calling for the Louisiana Legislature to hold a veto override session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Nursing homeowner Bob Dean is facing criminal charges for the 2021 evacuation of seven of his facilities to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse during Hurricane Ida. More than a dozen patients died shortly afterward. Among the charges is cruelty to the infirm and Dean’s attorney John McLindon says his client was unable to travel to Louisiana due to the storm.

Cut 3 (07) “…a look at it.”

An attorney representing Dean against civil charges said the 68-year-old businessman is unable to travel due to dementia but McLindon would only say Dean’s health is an issue.

In addition to eight felony counts of cruelty to the infirm, Dean is also charged with five counts of Medicaid Fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice. McLindon says his client posted bond and has returned to his home in Georgia, but Dean has been ordered to return to Louisiana for court.

Cut 4  (08) “…court appearance.”

McLindon says during the evacuation employees of Dean did the best they could under the circumstances and the warehouse was not in the original predicted path of Ida. He says Dean and his employees were simply following the approved Louisiana Department of Health emergency plan.

Cut 5  (05) “…was fine.”

The Tangipahoa Paris Sheriff’s Office says Dean’s $350,000 bail conditions include an ankle monitor, surrender of his firearms and passport, and a mental evaluation. Dean is also facing criminal charges in Georgia after firing a weapon on another person’s property in which Dean lost his thumb.

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Today marks 50 years since the signing of Title IX, which expanded athletic opportunities for females. Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, a Minden native who went on to star in basketball at UNO, before serving as athletic director at Dillard University for almost 20 years, and is now commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, says she is a proud beneficiary of that legislation.

Cut 6 (12) “…one of those girls.” 

Prior to the passage of Title IX, only one percent of college athletic budgets went towards women’s sports. Though there has been tremendous progress, the overall playing field is still far from level. Dr. Barnes says political and educational leaders have to maintain a commitment to equality.

Cut 7 (12) “…in general, deserve.” 

Dr. Barnes has kept her end of the deal.  Earlier this year she was named one of the 100 Influential Black Women in Sports by Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx for her work in mentoring other young women who are pursuing careers in athletics. She looks forward to an even brighter future for the next generation.

Cut 8 (10) “…part of life.” 

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The Louisiana Conservative Caucus, which is 42 members in the state House, is pushing for a veto override session. Governor Edwards vetoed 22 bills from the 2022 regular session and Caucus Chairman and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says there are several different proposals the governor rejected, which has lawmakers calling for a veto override session…

Cut 9 (08) “…education bills”

Lawmakers have until July 16th to decide whether they want to hold veto override session. Ballots will go out to lawmakers on July 1st.

McFarland says not only are Republican lawmakers upset the governor vetoed religious freedom and personally liberty bills, but so is the public….

Cut 10 (07) ” ..for it.” 

McFarland says conservative legislators are also looking to override the governor’s vetoes on criminal justice reform bills and the legislation that provided state-funded education options for certain students.

Cut 11 (11)  “…individually” 

A veto session is automatically scheduled after the regular session, it only takes a majority vote in either the House or Senate to cancel the veto session.

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It’s National Hydration Day. Louisiana Department of Health’s Regional Medical Director for the Greater New Orleans area, Doctor Shantel Hebert-Magee, says drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily can do wonders for the human body…

Cut 12 (08) “…joint mobility.”  

Hydration will be the key through the weekend as Louisiana is facing several consecutive days of temperatures near 100-degrees. Hebert-Magee says staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature and it helps with electrolytes…

Cut 13 (09) “…heart disease issues.”

Hebert-Magee says there are some who don’t like the taste of water, but there’s ways to improve the taste…

Cut 14 (10)  “…provide flavor”