The Louisiana Department of Health has enhanced its Heat-Related Illness Dashboard, and the numbers might surprise you. Brooke Thorington has more.
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23% of Louisiana adults 65 and older are still working according to a study by the U-S Census Bureau, putting us 10th nationally. Mel Bridges has more.
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Former Ragin’ Cajuns two-sport star and assistant Alabama softball coach Alyson Habetz is returning to U-L Lafayette as head softball coach. Jeff Palermo reports a Hall of Fame coach is excited for her former school.
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We all know it’s pretty hot outside, but have you ever wondered how many people experience heat-related illnesses? Dr. Sundee (Sunday) Winder with the Louisiana Department of Health says you can view trends on how the high temperatures impact individuals on their Heat-Related Illness Dashboard.
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And if you thought last year was hot, you’re right. Winder says the average number of ER visits for heat-related illness for the last decade was 2,800.
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The dashboard has been enhanced and this year you can see how many heat-related illnesses there are by the day and the temperature. Winder hopes the dashboard will raise awareness of how the heat can impact your health.
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Included with the dashboard are tips on how to avoid heat-related illnesses and guides for employers.
To view the dashboard visit. ldh.la.gov/heat
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Process Service Specialist is expanding with a $3.5 million manufacturing plant at the Port of Lake Charles. PSS Vice President of Fabrication Aaron Reeves says the expansion will allow them to have a major fabrication facility.
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PSS is headquartered in Gonzales.
Reeves, a native of Lake Charles, says the facility will create 160 new jobs over the next three years with an average annual salary of $100,000
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Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 318 indirect jobs and almost 500 potential new jobs for southwest Louisiana.
Reeves says it’s exciting to see the area rebound after the 2020 Hurricane season.
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Reeves says they will be holding job fairs in the future in conjunction with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
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A LendingTree analysis of U-S Census Bureau Survey Data shows 23% of Louisiana adults 65 and older are still working, an increase of 17% from 2022. UNO business professor Mark Rosa says many retirement-aged adults were hesitant to stop working when the economy was good…
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The analysis cites several reasons older adults may stay in the workforce, including changes in Social Security policies and a higher cost of living. Rosas says in such an inflated economy, it likely doesn’t make sense for some people to retire.
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The percentage of retired Louisiana adults decreased 16% from 2022 to 24, the fifth-most in the nation. Rosas estimates this will only continue to lower.
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Louisiana ranks 10th nationally for the highest percentage of retirement-age adults still working.
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Former Ragin’ Cajuns two-sport athlete and Alabama softball coach Alyson Habetz is returning to U-L Lafayette as softball head coach following Gerry Glasco’s departure for Texas Tech. Yvette Girouard, who coached Habetz when she played softball for the Cajuns, says Habetz’s homecoming is long anticipated.
Cut 13 (15) “…perfect timing.”
Habetz has coached softball for 25 years, most recently serving as Alabama’s assistant coach until 2023. Before that, she played softball and basketball at U-L Lafayette, and even helped lead the Cajuns to the 1993 Women’s College World Series. Girouard says longtime Ragin’ Cajun fans and alumni are especially excited to have Habetz back.
Cut 14 (15) “…for her.”
Though Girouard and others have been pushing for Habetz to coach at U-L Lafayette for years, Girouard credits Cajuns Athletic Director Dr. Bryan Maggard as the person to finally convince Habetz, a Crowley native, to come home.
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The first round NBA draft is tonight and the New Orleans Pelicans currently hold the 21st overall pick and no picks in the second round. Jake Madison, host of the Locked On Pelicans Podcast, says New Orleans is looking for a center. But if there isn’t anyone left at pick 21 the Pels like, he says, they could be left in a weird spot.
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Trade rumors about Pelicans’ small forward Brandon Ingram have also been floating around, with some speculating the team could bundle him in with the 21st pick in a draft day trade deal. But Madison says when — or even if — Ingram will leave is still up in the air.
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Madison thinks there’s no guarantee the Pelicans will draft someone tonight, as this year’s draft class looks weak. Still, he says, whoever the team drafts or trades is to build around star power forward Zion Williamson.
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The draft begins tonight at 7 P.M. CST.