Nine Louisiana police officers were killed in the line of duty this year, ranking the state third in the nation for officer deaths. Emelie Gunn has more…
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In the wake of Debbie Reynolds death just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, passed away, doctors say you really can die from a broken heart. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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It’s been a tough year for Louisiana law enforcement, as Louisiana was third in the nation for officers killed in the line of duty. That’s according to President of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Craig Floyd, who says nationwide, 135 police officers were killed this year. He says firearms-related fatalities were the leading cause of on duty deaths.
One of those attacks occurred on July 17 in Baton Rouge when a gunman killed three officers and wounded three others. A total of 9 Louisiana police officers were killed in 2015. Floyd blames a growing disrespect for the rule of law for the increase in officer deaths. He says police are visible, vulnerable symbols of law and authority.
Floyd says too often, the service and sacrifice of police officers is taken for granted. He says we need more education about the role of law enforcement in our society. He says that’s why they are opening the National Law Enforcement Museum in 2018, to tell the story of law enforcement.
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A barn at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Racetrack is under quarantine for a case of Equine Herpesvirus, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says one horse at the location developed the neurological disease and was humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. He says this virus is highly contagious and there is no vaccine to prevent it.
Some symptoms of Equine Herpesvirus are fever, limb swelling, nasal discharge and inability to rise. Strain says the disease is spread from close horse to horse contact, as well as, contaminated equipment, clothing, hands and through the air. He says the horses in quarantine will be closely monitored.
The disease is not transmissible to humans.
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Many are asking if you really can die from a broken heart, following the death of movie star Debbie Reynolds, just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart with LSU Health New Orleans says broken heart syndrome is more common than you might think. He says the emotion that goes with losing someone causes the body to produce a lot of adrenaline.
Smart says medicine doesn’t entirely understand how grief and hope affect people’s lives, but doctors can prescribe preventative treatments.
Smart says for some, there’s a lot of pressure to remain calm and collected during stressful times, which can increase the risk for a heart attack. He says it’s best for people to try to cope with grief in their own ways.
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Assistant District Attorney Tony Clayton believes the sad case about a mother dumping her baby in a trash can at a New Roads Walmart exposes an actual problem with Louisiana law. 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas is charged with attempted second degree murder. Clayton says it’s concerning that this unstable woman may not get fair treatment under the circumstances…
Insanity can only be a defense in Louisiana if the individual is believed to not understand the difference between right and wrong while committing the crime. Clayton says other states factor in metal state of the defendant but that’s not the case in Louisiana.
Clayton says it’s time to approach mental disabilities differently because many people in the state are affected. He says he will bring this change before the legislature in the next session but until then….
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Authorities in Washington Parish arrest an 18-year-old accused of vandalizing and stealing from Louisiana National Guard members. Major Justin Brown with the Franklinton Police Department says the suspect is identified as Evantrell Tennessee who they pegged with the help of DNA:
Brown says Tennessee is accused of trashing and robbing several soldiers’ vehicles while the troops were training. He believes there are more people involved in this crime…:
Tennessee faces several charges including two dozen counts each of felony theft and criminal damage. His bond is set at $207,000.
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