Isle De Jean Charles in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98% of its landmass since 1955, and now the state is helping to relocate the community that lives there. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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Louisiana is seeking a pharmaceutical partner to join in providing a “subscription” based approach to Hepatitis C medication that Governor Edwards says will greatly increase the treatment levels…
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Five years ago the Eagles flew into New Orleans for a wildcard contest, and flew out with a 26-24 loss. There’s a few familiar faces who’ll be back in town for this year’s throw down, a few of them in different jerseys…
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Gov. Edwards has issued a state of emergency declaration due to flooding concerns. Deputy director of GOHSEP Casey Tingle says the agency is continuing to ramp up prep for local emergency managers as they begin to combat issues relating to river flooding from periods of excessive rainfall over the last few weeks, and more rainfall in the forecast.
Currently, eight parishes are included in the declaration including Beauregard, Bassier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Rapides, St. Tammany, and Washington. Tingle says residents should keep an eye on local alerts of road closures.
Cut 5 (09) “…into flooded roads.”
Many regions saw record rainfall for the first few days of 2019. Tingle says while lately things have been better and provides reason for some optimism, GOHSEP continues to closely monitor the situation.
Cut 6 (09) “…that trend continues.”
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A study shows the University of Louisiana System contributes 10.9 billion dollars to the state’s economy. The report shows that one out of 18 jobs in the state are supported by the universities of Louisiana. UL System President Jim Henderson says it’s evidence the system produces a large return on investment.
Henderson says these results aren’t pulled out of thin air as a PR stunt but are acquired from experts at Economic Modeling Specialists International…
Henderson says the study shows that the UL system positively influences the state’s economy plus it gives students the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing job market…
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The state has completed the purchase of a 515 acre track of land to resettle the Isle De Jean Charles community that will lose their homes due to coastal erosion. The 11.7 million dollar land purchase outside of Schriever is the first step in relocation. State Office of Community executive director Pat Forbes says they hope to start construction on the new community later this year.
Cut 10 (12) “…preliminary master plan.”
The island in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98 percent of it’s landmass since 1955, and is at major risk of flooding. While the new site is in development, Forbes says inhabitants of the island have been offered rental assistance to find interim housing.
Cut 11 (10) “…the project done.”
Forbes says the planning and construction of the homes and community will emphasize and maintain the unique culture created by the mostly Native American inhabitants of the quickly disappearing island.
Cut 12 (13) “…the highway frontage.”
The site was selected after an extensive search and environmental impact study, and was overwhelmingly supported by its future residents. The initiative is being funded by the feds in a first of its kind re-location project.
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Louisiana is aiming to have a plan in place by July to offer Medicaid and incarcerated patient’s unrestricted access to curative treatments for Hepatitis C, to cut down on the spread of the deadly virus. Governor Edwards says the plan is the first of its kind for any state in the US.
To accomplish this, the state is hoping to reach an agreement with a pharma company for a “subscription” based approach to accessing treatments.
The plan aims to get Louisiana primary care providers easier access to the necessary drugs. Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says doing this will keep costs down, while increasing the number of treated patients.
LDH is now soliciting offers through the end of the month from pharmaceutical companies interested in providing the “subscriptions”.
Assistant Secretary of Health for the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux says part of the plan includes increased training for primary care physicians, aimed at helping them identify patients who may be infected.
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Three familiar faces will be marching back into the Dome for Sunday’s Divisional round matchup, all three of them having last met for a New Orleans playoff contest five years ago. One of them is former backup quarterback and 2018 Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who Saints QB Drew Brees noted started in the Black and Gold’s 26-24 wildcard home victory five years ago.
In that game Foles threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s also a return home for Eagles running back Darren Sproles, who whose last home game as a Saint also happened to be that same 26-24 win over Foles’ Eagles in 2014. The electric running back played three seasons in New Orleans, and has become a close friend of Brees’…
After he was traded by the Saints to Philly, Sproles said he felt “disrespected”.
Former Saints first round pick and Philly safety Malcolm Jenkins will also be back in the Dome, like Sproles, having also played his last home game in Black and Gold in that 2014 wildcard round win. Brees says Jenkins has really flourished since leaving the Crescent City.
Jenkins left New Orleans in free agency during the summer of 14’.
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