Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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After a child was infected by a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana health officials are advising residents to protect themselves when swimming in fresh water. Kace Kieschnick reports.
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For the first time ever, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a recreational alligator hunting season, and the lottery for tags opened this morning. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the state is able to open up the harvesting of alligators to recreational hunters thanks to an act of legislature in this year’s session, because the state is being overrun with alligators.
Cut 3 (08) “…has fully recovered.”
Bosworth says there are roughly three-million alligators in the coastal zone alone – that’s about two-thirds of the state’s human population. And he says you will have plenty of chances to score a tag.
Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”
Bosworth says if you’re successful in snagging one of those ten-thousand tags, there is a series of rules you will need to abide by.
Cut 5 (11) “…with landowner consent.”
The lottery is open through August 30th, and the season runs throughout the entire month of October. There is a non-refundable 50-dollar application fee, and you may only apply on the LDWF’s licensing website.
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Louisiana public health officials are urging residents to take precautions when swimming in fresh water after a brain-eating amoeba infection in Claiborne Parish. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the infection occurs when water containing the amoeba gets up your nose.
Cut 6 (11) “…brain-eating infection.”
Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.
The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated pools.
Bocchini says the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. A brain infection cannot occur if the water is swallowed and is not spread person to person. He says take steps to protect yourself when swimming.
He also advises using sterile, distilled water or boiling water for at least a minute for nasal rinses.
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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.
Corporal Jackson says it was easy for the school board to determine who was triggering those false active shooter alarms.
Cut 10 (07) “…to those schools.”
Jackson says while the investigation is ongoing, it’s possible that Barfield may have been seeking retaliation against the school district.
Cut 11 (15) “…the school district.”
Barfield was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center and is facing several counts of menacing.