The Louisiana Department of Health urges parents to make sure their children are vaccinated as school is just around the corner. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says vaccines are an important part of a child’s health and wellbeing, especially while they’re in school. He says children congregate in small classrooms, which makes it easier for vaccine-preventable diseases to spread.

Cut 9 (07) “…family members”

Welch says that’s why Louisiana law requires students to be vaccinated.

Four people have received medals from the Coast Guard after rescuing a woman and her dog during last year’s August flood. David Phung, his brother-in-law Jason Dixon, nephew Brandon Barret, and WAFB reporter Robbie Reynold helped Hailey Brouillette escape from her car that was sinking into flood waters. They then went back to save her dog.

Chefs from around the country will compete at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Saturday for the chance to become the King or Queen of Seafood in the Great American Seafood Cook-off. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this is a chance for Louisiana to show off our fresh seafood. He says it’s a win-win for the state and the chefs.

Cut 6 (08) “…or seafood”

So far 13 chefs have entered to compete for the coveted title.

Michigan officials don’t know how to react after crawfish showed up in the Wolverine State. They say the red swamp crayfish are disrupting the food chain by damaging earthen structures and competing for food and habitat. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says crawfish are not as well adapted to Michigan’s geography.

Cut 10 (08) “introduced”

Red swamp crayfish are a prohibited species in Michigan.