According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranked number two nationally for worker safety in 2014. Eric Gill reports…
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Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey has banned the Confederate flag from the city’s annual Christmas Parade. Many residents have differing opinions on this decision. Emelie Gunn has more…
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranked number two nationally for worker safety in 2014. The survey showed Louisiana improved to 2 incidents per 100 full time workers. The national average is 3.2. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eyesink says credit for this has to go to business and industry in the state, as well as their workforce…
Louisiana’s rate of work related injuries and illnesses has improved to its best level in 13 years. Worker’s comp rates have dropped 17-percent since 2008. Eyesink says the business community’s commitment to safety is leading to lower worker’s comp costs…
Eyesink says these results show that workplace safety has become a top priority for Louisiana companies and their employees…
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Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey has banned the Confederate battle flag from their annual Christmas Parade. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have had a float in the parade for more than 20 years, but decided not to partake this year because of the ban. Northwestern State University Professor Holly Stave says she understands some people want to honor their families, but agrees with Mayor Posey’s decision.
Posey told The Sons of Confederate Veterans they could fly any other Confederate flag except the battle flag. Stave says she doesn’t believe this will affect attendance to the parade because people go to see the lights and eat the great food. She says there are other ways to honor our Southern heritage.
Dakota Scoggins, owner of a Natchitoches clothing shop called Old River Clothier, says he’s defending his family by selling t-shirts displaying the Confederate battle flag. He says he is worried that the mayor’s decision will lead to less people attending the parade and hurt their economy later down the line.
Scoggins says Mayor Posey did not go through the correct processes to keep something out of the parade. He believes this decision is hypocritical because Melrose Plantation brings in thousands of tourists each year.
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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says, despite increased seat belt usage, the number of fatal crashes in Louisiana increased from 2013 to 2014. According to finalized data, there were 664 fatal crashes on Louisiana roadways killing 739 people last year. Spokesperson Jessica Bedwell says there was a 2-percent increase in fatal crashes in 2014…
The number of crashes and fatalities are down about 26-percent since 2007. Bedwell says most of these fatal crashes happen at night and often involve younger drivers…
Cut 11 (08) “distracted driving”
The fatality rate of 18 to 20-year-olds increased in 2014 and the alcohol related crash rate of 18 to 24-year-olds increased for the first time in five years. Bedwell says the results of this report show that more needs to be done to keep impaired drivers off the road…
cut 12 (04) “alcohol impaired”
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The debate on whether or not to accept Syrian refugees has become an issue in Louisiana’s gubernatorial race. In a new TV commercial, Republican David Vitter claims Democrat John Bel Edwards has pledged to work with President Obama to bring Syrian refugees to Louisiana. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is an issue that matters if you think it matters…
Edwards has fired back at Vitter claiming the senator missed key votes regarding the Syrian refugee issue. Recent polls show Edwards enjoying a double-digit lead over Vitter in the race. Cross says Vitter is looking for an issue that will sway undecided voters in his favor…
He says Edwards seems to be pushing back effectively against Vitter’s claims on the issue. On the other hand, Cross says Vitter appears to be chipping away at Edward’s lead. He says, right now, this is a race to election day…
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