A Louisiana community college will kick off a first-in-the-state wind turbine program this fall. Mel Bridges has more.

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Sharks off the coast of Florida attacked three women with one woman losing her left arm.  Sean Richardson has more from a shark expert in New Orleans.

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There have been recent incidents where car owners have gone after car thieves and the outcome in one case in Baton Rouge was deadly. Brooke Thorington has more from a self-defense expert..

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Nunez Community College in Chalmette is set to kick off a first-in-the-state associate’s program training students as entry-level wind turbine technicians. Dean of Instruction Reggie Poche (Po-shay) says there’s plenty of room for the program to grow

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Nunez has the first wind-energy related degree program in Louisiana after approval from the Global Wind Organization. Poche hopes this program will push the state to modernize its energy sector, since…

Cut 5 (09) “…this country.”

Besides hands-on training for a field with above average pay, Poche says there’s another reason to consider becoming a wind turbine technician…

Cut 6 (09) “…program.”

The program is set to begin in the Fall 2024 semester.

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Three shark attacks off Florida coast last week sent three women  to the hospital.  Two of the women suffered arm and leg wounds and the third lost her left arm. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas curator Kristine Grzenda.   

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Grzenda says globally there are only around 7,200 shark attacks annually so while the chances are rare you still need to remain alert at the beach.

Cut 8 (12) “…chord with us.” 

Dusk and dawn are the most likely times for shark attacks says Grzenda, but most of the time it’s a case of mistaken identity.

Cut 9 (09)  “…very costly one.”

Grzenda says when you’re at the beach remember you’re in their environment.

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Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save millions of lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors. They work by attaching to receptors in the capillaries that feed the tumors…

Cut 10 (09) “…the tumor.”

Laine says treatment with the polysaccharides, CM101 and PS1, shows promise with minimal side effects because they target the blood supply and not the tumor itself which also prevents the tumor from becoming resistant to treatment.

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The use of polysaccharides for cancer treatment has been researched with some success as far back as 100 years but didn’t progress due to lack of understanding, technology, and funding. Laine’s work has been called profound with the potential to save countless lives.

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With car theft on the rise in Louisiana, there have been cases where car owners have tried to either confront the thieves during the theft or later when they track down their vehicle. In some cases, the car owner has been injured or even killed. Self-defense expert Dave Newman says it’s best not to confront them whatsoever…

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Newman says if you find yourself witnessing a car theft, try to document as much as you can, for example, record the incident….

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Then contact the police once you are out of harm’s way and give them as much information as possible.

Newman says it’s not a smart move to go after your vehicle if you can track it.

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If you go after a thief or try to retrieve your vehicle and use a gun to do so, he says you can be found as the aggressor and face charges yourself. He says to let the police handle it but follow up with them on the whereabouts of your vehicle.

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The Saints begin a three-day mandatory minicamp today. The team has been going through O-T-As and the media on hand has been able to see a new offense get installed. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints Podcast, says new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has players moving before the snap…

Cut 16 (16) “…helps a lot.” 

Jackson says several players have shown signs of developing during O-T-As. He says wide receiver A-T Perry has looked good…

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Jackson says when it comes to rookies, he’s been impressed with sixth-round pick defensive tackle Khrstian Boyd from Northern Iowa…

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A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair is dead in this year’s legislative session. Mel Bridges has more.

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Considering Louisiana has among the highest property and auto insurance rates in the country, insurance coverage for your pet here is the most affordable. Brooke Thorington has more.

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This year’s edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book shows the pandemic had an unprecedentedly harmful effect on student learning. Annie E. Casey Foundation President Lisa Hamilton says this report shows a higher percentage of Louisiana students suffered from trauma than students nationwide.

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Hamilton says what’s interesting is that Louisiana did not see as many students who were chronically absent as the rest of the country.

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Though the report found 30% of all students nationally were chronically absent from 2019 to 2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, Hamilton says Louisiana students are staying in school, and it shows.

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Hamilton says there are still pandemic funds out there that could help schools catch students up.

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A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair did not make it through this year’s legislative session. Bill sponsor Mike Bayham of Chalmette says the bill is important to promote jobs in Louisiana.

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The current rules say braiders must have at least 500 hours of education, which can cost as much as 20 thousand dollars. Critics of the bill say the hours are essential for education and safety. Bayham says they are cost-prohibitive and unnecessary.

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Though the bill failed in the House Commerce Board, Bayham intends to bring the bill back next year, when he says the conditions are more favorable.

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In addition to this legislation, a separate lawsuit against the licensing process is going through appeals.

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Even though Louisiana ranks among the country’s highest property and automobile insurance rates, you’d be surprised to learn that when it comes to pet insurance, Bayou State is ranked the most affordable. Dayna Drake with MarketWatch Guides says the statewide average to insure your pet is $36 a month.

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The national average is $46 a month. The price of pet insurance varies depending on the type of pet, breed, and coverage. Insurance for dogs costs more compared to cats.

Drake says location is a driving factor for costs, and Louisiana’s lower cost of living is reflected in veterinary costs. She also credits a state law for pet insurers.

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Like humans, routine care for your pet, she says, is best so any disease or illness can be caught early. Among the types of things pet insurance will pay for, depending on your coverage are…

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Drake says pet insurance in general does not cover pre-existing conditions or procedures that are considered elective.

NFIB jobs report say only 18 percent of small business owners are planning to increase compensation for workers. That’s the lowest since 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

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Governor Jeff Landry has signed Marrero Senator Patrick Connick’s bill that would strengthen penalties against food establishments that do not clearly label imported seafood. Colleen Crain had more.

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When you’re making your hurricane plans, don’t forget to include your pets. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Small business compensation plans fall to the lowest levels seen since 2021 according to the NFIB jobs report. Only 18 percent of business owners plan to increase compensation in the next three months. NFIB State Director Leah Long says this is concerning.

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Long says, “It’s not that people aren’t willing to work… it’s finding the skilled qualified workers.”

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One industry that is having trouble filling job openings is construction down one point from April and Long says its going to take more than higher wages.

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Forty-two percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in May, up two points from April.

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A surge of imported shrimp and crawfish is flooding restaurants and grocery stores and customers are being misled to believe the product is locally caught. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick’s Menu Law aims to strengthen protection for consumers

Cut 7 (11) “…in this bill.”

In 2019 a law was passed to force restaurants to print on their menu if the product was imported and that year restaurants had 2600 violations with zero resulting in fines. Connick says that was due to the law being a non-critical violation and the new law would strengthen penalties making it a critical violation.

Cut 8 (12) “…two thousand dollars.” 

Now any establishment serving seafood must quote clearly display the country of origin in a manner that is easily visible to the consumer unquote. Connick says the restaurant association, retailers and importers voiced their concerns, but this is the right thing to do.

Cut 9 (12)  “…Louisiana hopefully.”

The law will take effect on January 1^st.

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In addition to making your hurricane plans for you and your family don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family.  LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says Katrina taught to Louisianas never to leave their pets behind.

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Websites like petswelcome.com and bringfido.com can help you find pet-friendly hotels.

Guttner says to pack enough pet food for one week, and if you have a cat don’t forget litter and a litter box. Also, make sure you pack their medications and their monthly flea and tick medications.

And if you haven’t already, Guttner says now is the time to have your dog or cat microchipped

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If your pet is already microchipped make your contact information is up-to-date.

Other things you should have readily available if you must evacuate are proof of vaccinations and rabies tags.

And remember to be patient with your pet when you have to leave your home. Guttner says they can tell when you’re stressed and a new environment for your pet could bring out behavioral issues.

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Even if your dog is housetrained, the stress of evacuating could cause them to have accidents.

For a list of hurricane preparedness visit LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

https://lsu.edu/vetmed/disaster_prep/tips_pet_owners.php

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College athletic departments are preparing for the likelihood of paying their athletes a total of 22 million dollars as a result of a historic antitrust case between the NCAA and two former college athletes. LSU Executive Deputy Athletics Director Verge Ausberry says they are just waiting for terms to be finalized

Cut 13 (11)  “…year to year.”

Ausberry expects LSU will remain competitive once revenue sharing between athletic departments and athletes becomes a reality…

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The money that will go to the athletes will come from the massive TV deals that major conferences have agreed to with ESPN and Fox, plus other sources of revenue.

One potential new source is sponsor logos that will be permitted on football fields this year.

Schools will also look to cut costs. Texas A&M has already laid off more than a dozen staff members. Ausberry says LSU is looking to schedule more in-state schools for non-conference football games because it’s not as costly

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