For the first time since the state has been attempting to update the congressional map from the 2020 Census, all sides agree that the matter needs to be settled by the US Supreme Court. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________________________
Governor Landry was at the Southern Border in Texas visiting with the third group of Louisiana National Guard Soldiers who are assisting with border security. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
____________________________________________
The Mayor of West Monroe says she’s doing all she can to keep Glenwood Regional Hospital open.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
____________________________________________
For the first time since the state has been attempting to update the congressional map from the 2020 Census, all sides agree that the matter needs to be settled by the US Supreme Court. Jared Evans is an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund…
Cut 4 (10) “…finality really.”
For more than two years there have been multiple maps that have been either vetoed or rejected by two separate judicial districts. Evans says it’s time for the Supreme Court to settle the issue for the 2024 congressional election.
The NAACP and State Attorney General Liz Murrill have filed for an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court and Evans says a Monday deadline has been set for other parties to file.
Qualifying dates for the November election are July 17th through the 19th.
___________________________________________________________
The Third group of Louisiana National Guard Soldiers is in Texas assisting with border security and Governor Jeff Landry visited them on Thursday. Landry says he doesn’t know if Louisiana Troops will continue to help or how long they might be there…
Cut 7 (11) “…making a decision.”
The price tag for Louisiana’s 90-day participation in Operation Lone Star is Three Million Dollars.
Before Louisiana and other states assisted with the border, Landry says daily crossing averaged 2,000 and now they are down to 200.
Answering questions about the impact of illegal immigration on Louisiana, Landry says he is especially interested in knowing how much pressure has been placed on the Department of Corrections. Through an executive order, Landry has requested impact data from all of Louisiana’s Department Secretaries.
Some Louisiana Lawmakers accompanied Landry on his visit to the Southern Border. Among them, Mandeville Representative Jay Galle says it’s not the Mexican government governing the south side of the border.
_________________________________________________________________
With the future of West Monroe’s Glenwood Regional Hospital in jeopardy, after parent company Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy, Mayor Staci Mitchell says the potential closure would gravely impact the city and they are doing all they can to help the hospital get sold and remain open.
Cut 10 (11) “…rural hospitals.”
Mitchell says Glenwood Regional must remain open because the two hospitals across the river in Monroe can’t handle the number of patients that need care. She says Steward Health Care’s mismanagement is having dire consequences.
Cut 11 (12) “…Steward’s doing.”
The patient census at Glenwood has decreased to 91, even though they have more beds. Mitchell is hopeful the hospital can be sold and there’s a smooth changeover.
Mitchell says complicating the possible sale of the hospital is that Medical Properties Trust owns the land and building.
______________________________________________
LSU Health New Orleans has been granted a patent for a test that greatly improves the detection of a life-threatening disease in premature babies. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common and second deadliest disease in preemies. Inventor of the diagnostic system, NEC Detect, Dr. Sunyoung Kim says currently, x-rays are used but they uncover less than half of the cases and often too late…
Fragile premature babies are at risk for NEC and early diagnosis before the baby’s intestines become inflamed is vital. Kim says in addition to earlier and more accurate testing, NEC Detect is non-invasive causing no stress to the babies…
Twenty babies are born at risk for NEC in Louisiana every day and nationally NEC affects somewhere between 9,000 and 12,000 annually. Kim expects NEC Detect will be available to hospitals in a year to a year and a half when final FDA approval is given…
Cut 15 (11) “…public service.”
______________________________________________
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this weekend which could decide the regular season Conference USA title. Regardless of this weekend’s outcome, LA Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs says he’s proud of the season his team has put together, especially after they bounce back from getting swept by Arizona.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are currently atop the Conference USA standings at 13 and 5 and have the best Conference USA away record at 7-and-2. The Bulldogs are 12 and 6 and Burroughs says the Hilltoppers are similar to his team.
______________________________________________
LSU baseball is heading to Tuscaloosa this weekend to face the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers series against the Tide could decide whether or not LSU makes it to the postseason tournament and get a shot at defending their national title. On3.com baseball analyst Jonathan Wagner has LSU making the tournament after their series win against Texas A&M last weekend, but he says that it won’t be an easy road for the Tigers.
Cut 18 (18) “… it’s possible.”
LSU baseball is playing some of its best baseball of the season right now and made a statement last weekend defeating Texas A&M 2 out of 3 games. Wagner says that LSU has the talent to make some noise late into the season and if they keep up their momentum against Alabama the Tigers can take the series and possibly play their way into the tournament.
LSU has struggled all season to put offensive and defensive performances together as the Tigers hitting and pitching have never quite timed up at the right time. Alabama can tear the cover of a baseball, but the Tide have struggled to pitch well consistently this season, especially in SEC play. Wagner says that the Tigers hitting and pitching stepping up like they did last weekend will likely be a big factor in the Tigers winning this weekend.
First pitch between the Tigers and Tide will be on Friday at 6 pm and broadcast on the SEC Network +.