The announcement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson’s March retirement has some speculating he’s running for governor. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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At least three lawmakers will file bills for the spring legislature to head off kids accessing adult content at public libraries; an issue the governor feels is a “solution in search of a problem”…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The University of Holy Cross in New Orleans tested the growth of foodborne bacteria and pathogens on parade route favorites over an eight-hour period. Kace Kieschnick has the story…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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The announcement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson’s retirement has many speculating about his intent to run for governor. Governor Edwards made the announcement on his monthly radio call-in show that Wilsons is stepping down on March 4th. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the timing is foreshadowing.
Cut 4 (11) “…those expectations.”
Alford says another indicator that Wilson will seek to succeed his current boss, was Edwards praising the fellow democrat’s tenure at DOTD and his leadership. Edwards says he’ll let Wilson announce his intentions and that he didn’t want to get ahead of him.
And yet another clue that Wilson will throw his hat in the ring for governor Alford says is Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt’s announcement that she’s not running.
Wilson has served as Transportation Secretary for seven years and received national recognition as the first African American president of the American Association of State highway and Transportation Officials in 2020.
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A third state lawmaker says he will file legislation to make public libraries more accountable for children possibly accessing adult materials. Mandeville Rep. Paul Hollis, Carencro Rep. Julie Emerson, and Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud all plan to tackle the issue with bills. During his Monthly “Ask the Governor” radio show, Governor John bel Edwards said it’s a hot issue for conservatives, but not a real problem for Louisiana…:
Cut 7 (07) “…our libraries work.”
Bills filed would give the local government power to remove library control board members, if need be. Another bill would set up restricted, adults-only lending cards. Edwards says there is no known case of a child accessing adult materials in a Louisiana public library, but it’s an issue many candidates are making important…:
Cut 8 (13) “…corrected out there.”
The governor says this year is a two-month “fiscal only” session, wherein lawmakers are only allowed to file 5 non-fiscal bills. He feels lawmakers are jumping on a conservative “bandwagon” with the issue, when the state has other real problems to address…:
Cut 9 (09) “…use of our time.”
As for his possible veto of any such bills passed, Edwards says he’ll wait to see what they actually say and do before deciding.
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Food Scientists at the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans tested popular parade foods to learn more about foodborne bacteria growth on favorites left out throughout the day. Researchers left food and ice chest samples out at room temperature and checked them every two hours for eight hours for bacteria and pathogen growth. UHC Food Science Program Director Dr. Darryl Holliday has the results….
Cut 10 (11) “…hugely significant.”
Holliday recommends either sanitizing your hands before reaching for a beverage or using a wet wipe to decontaminate the rim of the drink to avoid any bacteria that could ruin your Mardi Gras.
Researchers also tested fried chicken, ham and cheese sandwiches, jambalaya, onion dip, and dairy-based daiquiris. Holliday says the hot foods like fried chicken and jambalaya held up well due to the extreme temperatures they’re cooked at, but it’s best to try to keep hot foods warm and cold foods cool throughout the day…
The worst-performing food was ham and cheese sandwiches which Holliday says offer a breeding ground for foodborne bacteria. With a source of simple carbohydrates from the bread and the natural bacteria found in lunch meat, premade sandwiches can offer an unsanitary combination…
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Optimism among small business owners increased ever so slightly, that’s according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. For the month of January, it increased a half a point and Louisiana NFIB spokesman Todd Pack says small businesses say inflation continues to be a hurdle.
Pack says inflation is impacting the cost of almost everything and small businesses continue to feel the pinch. Pack says it’s the uncertainty that has many small business owners unable to plan for the future.
And small businesses continue to face staffing shortages. Pack says small businesses are offering higher wages as a result.
NFIB says 45-percent of small businesses indicate staffing issues, up four points from December.
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Louisiana Tech basketball returns to action tonight against North Texas who is currently second in the Conference USA. The Bulldogs have a 6-8 conference record, but 7 of those losses have been by 7 points or less. Coach Talvin Hester says his young team has bought into the system but is going through some growing pains…
The Bulldogs fell to the Mean Green in a tight 67-65 game in Texas earlier this year and have lost back-to-back games on the road. Seventh in the conference, Hester says he’s excited to have a chance to defend home court and improve their seeding before the end of the season…
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The LSU women’s basketball team’s undefeated season came to an end Sunday after falling 88-64 to first-ranked South Carolina. Coach Kim Mulkey says she and her team of course weren’t happy with the result, but the game was still a major moment for the program and the team’s progression…
The Lady Tigers will host their annual Play4Kay game tonight against Ole Miss. Associate Coach Bob Starkey will be donating a dollar to the Kay Yow fund for every LSU student in attendance. The Rebels are fighting to finish in the top four in the SEC and earn a double bye in the tournament while LSU hopes to finish out the final four games to end the season in second in back-to-back years. Mulkey says it’s an important game for both teams…
Tip-off in the P-MAC is at 8:00
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Cut 20 (17) “… a huge blessing.”