Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate in the country, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health. Don Molino has more…
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Construction begins today on 15 homes covered by the Shelter at Home Program. Emelie Gunn spoke with one of those homeowners…
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A new report from Trust for America’s Health finds Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate in the country, at 36-percent. Bob Johannessen with LDH says it might be a new report, but it’s certainly not new news. He says studies dating back to 2008 have shown Louisiana as one of the heaviest states in the nation.
Johannessen says healthy living practices start when you’re a child and unfortunately in Louisiana many of our kids are doing enough to stay in shape. He says Louisiana suffers from the lack of sidewalks in neighborhoods, in some cases limited outdoor activity options and there’s also less access to physical activity in school.
Johannessen says they recommend that everyone eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and eliminate sugary drinks from their diet. He says they also encourage two hours a day or less of sitting in front of a TV or computer and getting at least one hour of physical activity.
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It’s Labor Day weekend, which means it’s time for fun with friends and family, but State Police are warning drivers not to drink and drive. Trooper Dustin Dwight says there will be checkpoints and extra police out on the roadways to protect the motoring public. He says driver impairment is the leading factor in fatal crashes across Louisiana.
Dwight says they are also looking for motorists that are speeding, driving recklessly or distracted. He advises people on the road this holiday weekend to utilize the 511 app.
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Additional criminal charges have been filed against the driver of the bus who crashed into emergency vehicles in St. John Parish, causing the death of three people including the fire chief. The third victim succumbed to injuries on Thursday. Melissa Matey says Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez, an illegal alien, faces multiple charges…:
It’s reported that Amaya Rodriguez claimed his breaks went out when he slammed into the fire truck and other vehicles, but Matey said they are still working on the details of how the crash happened…:
CUT 9 (10) “speed is a factor”
One of the fatal victims was District Chief Spencer Chauvin with the St. John the Baptist Fire Department. 33-year-old Vontarous Kelly of Moss Point, MS, a passenger in a vehicle that was hit, died Thursday. 21 year old Jermaine Starr of Moss Point, MS was was pronounced dead on scene. Matey says the feds are investigating the bus company…:
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Crews with the Shelter at Home Program started construction on 15 homes today. Patricia Lee’s home was one of thousands flooded during the historic rain event and contractors are currently working on her house. Lee says the workers are fixing a bedroom and a bathroom so she can live in the home while the rebuilding process continues.
Lee says she hasn’t been at work since the flooding but hopes now with the Shelter at Home Program that she’ll be able to return. She says she’s thankful for this program, because they are doing work that she and her family don’t have to do.
To register for the program call 1 (800) 927-0216 or online at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov (shelterathome.la.gov). It pays up to 15-thousand dollars in repairs so the home can at least be livable. Lee says she applied for the program on Monday and workers are already fixing her home.
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Disaster unemployment benefits are available for flood victims. Director of the Unemployment Insurance Program, Renita Ward Williams, says anyone who is unemployed or who has had their job interrupted because of the recent flood can apply for this program through October 14th.
Williams says people can see if they are eligible and apply at LaWorks.net. She says over 57-hundred people have already applied for the program. She says unemployment will not replace someone’s full income.
Williams says the money some people are getting from FEMA and insurance doesn’t cover an electric or water bill. She says this program can help people fill some of the income gaps.
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