The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says its going to get worse before it gets better in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…
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LDWF is now accepting applications to become a wildlife and fisheries field agent. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says its going to get worse before it gets better in Louisiana. Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, says the flu situation in the Bayou State is absolutely terrible…
Cut 3 (06) “influenza-like symptoms”
Welch says almost seven out of every 100 doctor visits in the state are for flu-like symptoms. He says this year’s flu shot is not perfect, but that should not be an excuse to not get immunized. Welch says the flu shot is still absolutely your best protection…
Welch says the flu shot will still partially protect you making the illness less serious and less likely someone needs to be hospitalized. And he speaks from personal experience. Welch says, after receiving a flu shot a couple of months ago, he contracted the flu last week…
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The minimum wage goes up in 21 states today. Of course, here in Louisiana the minimum hourly wage stays at $7.25. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says with nearly half of the states acting on their own, it will spur more talk about raising the federal minimum wage
Critics of a higher minimum wage say it forces some businesses to reduce their work force in order to compensate for the higher wages. But Rosa says government can minimize impact, by raising the wage rate slightly or index it to inflation.
Arkansas is one of the few states in the South that’s raising the minimum wage today. The lowest paid workers will have to earn at least $8.05 an hour as a result of a ballot initiative approved by voters in November. Rosa says it will be interesting to see how this impact’s Arkansas’ economy…
Cut 8 (08) “large percentages”
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications from individuals who are interested in becoming an enforcement agent. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says individuals interested in applying should visit the state’s civil service website and also must complete a test to qualify for consideration.
They will be accepting applications until January 23rd and out of those applications, 24 cadets will be chosen and will will train for six months in Baton Rouge. Einck says cadets will be taught game laws and trained to become search and rescue responders.
Cut 10 (09) “enforcement personnel”
Einck says this is a great position for people who love to be outdoors. He says field agents spend most of their time outdoors, on the water and trekking through the woods.
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The new year is off to a dreary start weather wise in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says cold and rainy conditions will keep people inside
High temperatures today will barely get out of the 40s. Mayeaux says it will be warmer tomorrow, but the rain will stick around for the northern half of the state….
Cut 13 (09) “Saturday afternoon”
There’s also a good chance of rain in southwest Louisiana today and those rain chances increase across south Louisiana over the weekend