A warning from the Department of Health about a potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.
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A new cell phone law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The LSU Veterinary School has seen an increase in Mississippi kites with bullet fragments. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of a growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. It’s a bacteria that naturally lives in coastal waters; it does not live in freshwater. The bacteria can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.
Cut 4 (12) “…in those temperatures.”
So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio, and four of them have died. Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms, time is of the essence – contact your doctor or get to an emergency room.
Sokol says if you’re at risk of Vibrio infection, you’ll want to take extra precautions.
Cut 6 (10) “…a waterproof bandage.”
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Starting today, if you’re driving, keep your hands off your cell phone. That’s because handling your cell phone while driving is now illegal in Louisiana. This is something that Triple-A Louisiana has been pushing for for a while. Don Redman with Triple-A says while it’s already illegal to be texting while driving in Louisiana, that law was unenforceable – and people were doing many other crazy things with their phones.
Redman says under the new law, police will not pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving – in most instances.
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And that would lead to up to 100 dollars tacked onto your fine for the moving violation you were pulled over for. Redman says there are certain instances where police WILL pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving.
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That would yield a fine of up to 250 dollars.
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The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds. It’s a specific bird that is being shot at it, called the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated just two Mississippi kite birds for bullet fragments; this year, they’ve treated eleven.
Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”
The LSU vet school says the Mississippi kite is a small bird of pretty that plays an important role in controlling insect populations and they are no danger to people. Boykin says it’s also a violation of federal to shoot them.
Boykin says if you see someone shooting at the Mississippi kite, you can report the crime to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. She says if these birds are shot and not brought to the LSU vet school, there chances of surviving are slim.
The Mississippi kite migrates from the Gulf Coast and Brazil.
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If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation automatically changes to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.
The state moves to a party primary system for U-S Senate, U-S House, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE contests, starting with the federal elections in April. Couvillon says the elimination of the Independent Party, means these independent voters will now be considered no party and participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.
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Louisiana Tech kicked off fall camp yesterday in head coach Sonny Cumbie’s 4th season in Ruston. The Bulldogs welcomed new defensive coordinator Luke Olsen after Jeremiah Johnson departed after just one season with the team. Linebacker Kolbe Fields says the Dogs have adjusted to the new scheme.
The Bulldogs are also led by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Franklin served as the LA Tech offensive coordinator under head coach Sonny Dykes from 2010 to 2012. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Landon Nelson says Franklin brings a winning mentality back to Ruston.
Louisiana Tech is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Evan Bullock. His top weapon will be junior tight end Eli Finley. Finley was an All-CUSA honorable mention last season, and head coach Sonny Cumbie has high expectations in year three.
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LSU fall camp is fully underway and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley came to Baton Rouge as a five-star last year and bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season. His strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice.
Cut 18 (16) “…every single day.”
LSU has multiple ongoing position battles, the most important being the offensive line unit. the Tigers are hoping to fill the holes of replacing four starters on the line to the NFL Draft, and Kelly says he expects great things from Marrero native Tyree Adams.
One of the early trending topics of the LSU football team is how fast the receiving room is. Senior receiver Chris Hilton Jr. and senior Kentucky transfer Barion Brown are two guys Kelly can see taking the tops off of defenses. He says Hilton has come out of his shell this offseason.