LRN PM Newscall January 4

LSU’S Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s DASH Diet receives tops rankings among U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Diets. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1(29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Drivers are seeing a spike in gasoline prices, but it should not last long. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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LSU’S Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s DASH Diet once again ranks among U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Diets. Dr. Catherine Champagne is one of the developers and she says the DASH diet consistently makes the list because so much research went into its creation.

Cut 3 (10) “…health benefits.” 

The DASH Diet was listed in the 1997 New England Journal of Medicine and ever since has been quoted by others about 6,000 times.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods. And unlike most fad diets that exclude foods, Champagne says the DASH Diet follows a different methodology.

Cut 4 (05)  “…in moderation.” 

Champagne says not only is the DASH Diet heart-friendly it helps prevent diabetes. And unlike fad diets, she says it’s one everyone in the home can take part in.

Cut 5 (08) “…entire family.”

The DASH Diet is ranked second for the best overall diet and weight loss, and number one for the best heart-healthy and diabetes diet.

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Hot and dry weather, than a late summer flood, then more hot and dry weather resulted in more than 500-million dollars in crop losses for Louisiana farmers in 2022. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto says parts of northeast Louisiana saw 18 inches of rain during a week-long period in late August,

 Cut 6 (12)  “…quality reduction” 

The LSU AgCenter told the USDA that more than 800-thousand acres of the soybean crop was damaged, which is 68-percent of the crop, 316-million dollars in soybean losses.

Deliberto says low Mississippi River water levels also made it difficult to expert crop

Cut 7 (12)  “…oil seeds.”

Deliberto says 2022 was a good year for sugarcane, but they are still trying to determine the extent of damage from the freezing temperatures Christmas week…

Cut 8 (07)  “….first time” 

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How are gasoline prices for Louisiana consumers in the New Year? The statewide average price of regular gas is $2.94; up over 15-cents from a week ago, but still cheaper than a year ago. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says he expects prices to drop over the winter…:

Cut 9 (10) “…to do with demand.” 

Redman say demand for motor fuels always declines in colder months and the poor economy makes it even less. Barring anything unforeseen, Redman says, we can plan to spend less when we fill the tank…:

Cut 10 (08) “…at the pump.” 

The demand for motor fuels is down almost globally right now. Redman says crude oil is currently trading at around $77-a-barrel right now, compared with $120-a-barrel nine months ago. He says, for now, we will benefit by getting a break at the fuel pump…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…the coming weeks.”

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Congress remains in limbo until a new Speaker of the House is chosen and after five attempts it remains undecided. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has been nominated five times and has yet to garner enough votes. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says voting for speaker unlike other issues is a lengthy process.

Cut 12 (13) “…this case 34 names.”  

Graves says not only does it mean there’s not a figurehead in place it also impacts House committee appointments.

Cut 13 (11) “…this point”  

The mid-term elections resulted in a House GOP majority that Graves says is an indication voters want accountability against the Biden Administration.

Cut 14 (10)   “…void that’s there.”

Graves says he along with the other Republican House members that represent Louisiana voted for Kevin McCarthy.