The U.S Justice Department is investigating the Louisiana Department of Corrections over the long delays in releasing prisoners past their release dates. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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In Acadiana, the state health department reports just four ICU beds are available, which is a concern for hospital staff in the Lafayette area. Brooke Thorington has more
cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The US Department of Justice is investigating the Louisiana Department of Corrections over allegations the state is keeping prisoners incarcerated long past their release date.
Attorney William Most says the DOC has known since 2012 that they hold about 2,200 inmates past their release date every year.
Cut 3 (11) “…per year.”
The investigation was the result of a series of lawsuits that uncovered information about the overdue release of prisoners.
Most identified one of the biggest problems leading to these delays.
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Most says other states have release delays of a few days at most, and that no other state they’ve found has delays that last over a month.
Most says not only is the practice unjust and illegal, it’s costing taxpayers a lot of money.
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The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they will fully cooperate with the US Department of Justice and the DOC takes this very seriously.
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The state health department reports all but four ICU beds are in use at Acadiana region hospitals as COVID numbers continue to spike. Dr. Henry Kaufman, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette, is extremely concerned.
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Kaufman says the hospital is licensed for a specific number of beds with supporting staff, but they can expand into other areas of the hospital if needed. As for staffing Kaufman says medical professionals have one of the highest burn-out rates and the ongoing pandemic has been taxing
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Kaufman says while the majority of those who contract COVID will not require extensive care it’s when a surge breaks out hospitalizations go up.
Cut 8 (11) “…a crisis.”
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The organizer of a swingers convention in New Orleans where 41 of the people who attended ended up positive for COVID-19 days after the event last month is planning another convention in the Big Easy in 2021. But Bob Hannaford told the Jim Engster show that their next convention is scheduled for August
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Hannaford says he now regrets holding the convention this year after dozens of attendees tested positive for COVID-19 and one person had to be hospitalized. He says they did what they could to prevent an outbreak…
Cut 10 (11) “…socialize.”
About two-thousand people attended the convention last year, but only 300 this year. Naughty N’awlins is described as an opportunity for open-minded couples to embrace their sexuality. Hannaford says based on their own contact tracing, sexual activity was not the main reason for the spread of the virus…
Cut 11 (12) “…who knows.”
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Polls open statewide at 7 AM and will stay open until 8 PM Saturday for the December runoff election. The Presidential election saw a 70 percent turnout, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this time around they only expect 20 percent.
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Ardoin says the big drop in turnout is proof the state needs to move away from December elections. He says it’s just not a convenient time for fatigued voters.
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Voters will have to follow all the same COVID guidelines as they did in November. That means masking up and staying six feet apart.
The ballot has one statewide amendment along with a series of local DA’s and judicial runoffs, a Congressional race in the 5th District, a Public Service Commission runoff, and a Mayor’s race…
Cut 14 (04) “…and vote.”
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LSU’s defense played its best game of the year last Saturday and they face a huge challenge on Saturday when they host number one ranked Alabama, who is averaging 49 points a game. Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini says it took time for him to learn the personnel and the players to learn his 4-3 system.
Cut 15 (11) “…starting to understand.”
Pelini is impressed with Alabama’s offense which is led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Mac Jones, bruising running back Najee Harris and Louisiana’s own DeVonta Smith, who has 12 touchdowns.
Cut 16 (10) “…do that yet”