The big news in north Louisiana this week is that Radiance Technologies is building an 80-million dollars microchip packaging site in Ruston. The 40-thousand square foot facility is expected to employ 150 workers. Mayor Ronny Walker hopes Louisiana Tech grads get some of those jobs.

Cut 4 (10) “…around our country.”

Construction is expected to begin next spring with expected completion in the summer of 2027.

Patient Rights Advocate says a recent study found that only six out of 39 hospitals in Louisiana comply with a 2019 Executive Order calling for greater transparency in pricing. The American Hospital Association says the P-R-A report blatantly mischaracterizes hospitals compliance. But Beth Branley says the report clearly points out that most Louisiana hospitals are failing to comply with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule…

Cut 10 (12) “…many hospitals”

And the winner is – Spencer Rattler! Saints coach Kellen Moore says Rattler solidified the starting quarterback role after his performances in practice and against the Broncos last Saturday.

Cut 15 (15) “…some games.”

The Saints kick off the regular season September 7^th at home against Arizona.

LIV Golf will have a tournament in New Orleans next year. The three-day event will take place at the South Course at New Orleans’ City Park, which will be renovated by former LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman. Among the big names expected to play in the tournament is Gulf Coast native Bubba Watson, and he said he can’t wait to play in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…to get here.”

Louisiana Economic Development says the event will generate 40-million dollars to the local economy.

The mayor of Ruston is beaming with pride over the announcement that Radiance Technologies is building a microchip packaging site in the city. Mayor Ronny Walker says the company’s arrival will spur future economic development in the city.

Cut 3 (09) “…components of this.”

The facility is expected to create about 150 jobs.

A nonprofit organization known as Patient Rights Advocate says a recent study found that only six out of 39 hospitals in Louisiana comply with a 2019 Executive Order calling for greater transparency in pricing and quality of services. Beth Branley is a supporter of Patient-Rights Advocate-dot-org…

Cut 9 (09)  “…but it’s not.”

The American Hospitals Association says the Patient Rights Advocate report blatantly mischaracterizes hospitals compliance.

Another major sporting event is coming to New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports two more people have died from a flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus. That’s now six people who have died from the pathogen. L-D-H says the last two fatalities involve people who ate oysters at two separate restaurants, one in Louisiana and the other in Florida.

A recent audit shows that nearly all independent restaurants in Slidell who say they serve Gulf shrimp are telling the truth. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

As part of our continuing coverage on the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we spoke with former Governor Bobby Jindal, who remembers the battles with the federal government over recovery dollars. He says in 2010 the state finally received 474-million dollars to replace the city’s closed Charity Hospital, which  was used to build a new academic medical center in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…even before Katrina.”

LIV Golf is coming to New Orleans. Governor Landry was on hand to announce that the South Course at New Orleans’ City Park will host a LIV Golf tournament June 26th through the 28th of next year. During the announcement, Landry said New Orleans was meant to host a golf tournament like the ones LIV Golf puts on.

Cut 6 (10) “…again and again.”

The South Course at New Orleans City Park Bayou Oaks will be renovated by LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman.

In Tangipahoa Parish, 54-year-old Barry West is facing four counts of attempted murder after he allegedly shot at another vehicle striking a 17-year-old woman in the head, who was seven months pregnant. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child…

Cut 4 (09) “…we speak.”

But Sticker says the 17-year-old mother is on life support and it’s believed the shooting was sparked by road rage.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has finally decided on a starting quarterback for week one against Arizona on September seventh. It will be Spencer Rattler. Moore explained why this afternoon…

Cut 20 (08) “…showed up”

What health impacts are coming out of the chemical plant explosion in Tangipahoa Parish? Andrew Greenstein talked with an environmental expert.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Willis Knighton Health is now a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Doctor Lane Rosen says this is great news for northwest Louisiana because it gives Willis Knightons’ patients the resources of The Mayo Clinic at no additional cost…

Cut 11 (13) “….to seven days

A 17-year-old mother is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Smitty’s Supply Company in Roseland says the last few days have created a great deal of upheaval for the entire community and their company following the explosion and fire that happened at their facility last Friday. Smitty’s service says it’s cooperating with the EPA and they are committed to rebuilding in Roseland.

New Orleans authorities believe they have found the body of a missing 12-year-old boy in a lagoon. Bryan Vasquez, an  autistic child wandered away from his home on August 14^th. There was a five-hour delay from the time Vasquez was reported missing to the time New Orleans Police first responded. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that’s also being thoroughly investigated.

Cut 8 (10) “…that time delay.”

A game changer in healthcare in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as Willis Knighton Health has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Dr. Lane Rosen, the medical director of radiation-oncology at Willis Knighton, says The Mayo Clinic has very strict standards in choosing the medical facilities it partners with.

Cut 9 (08)  “…selected Willis Knighton.”

Dr. Rosen says the partnership with The Mayo Clinic will allow Willis Knighton to take its services to the next level.

We have two sad stories out of southeast Louisiana. Earlier today in New Orleans, searchers believed to be the body of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, a non-verbal autistic child that has been missing since August 14^th. It’s believed the child wandered away from his home, but NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says foul play has not been ruled out…

Cut 7 (12) “…includes foul play”

In Tangipahoa Parish, 54-year-old Barry West is facing four counts of attempted murder after he allegedly shot at another vehicle striking a 17-year-old woman in the head, who was seven months pregnant, in the head. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child…

Cut 4 (09) “…we speak.”

But Sticker says the 17-year-old mother is on life support and it’s believed the shooting was sparked by road rage.

What health impacts are coming out of the chemical plant explosion in Tangipahoa Parish? Andrew Greenstein talked with an environmental expert for some insight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Kisatchie National Forest says the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish is now 100-percent contained. The trails within the Wilderness area have been reopened. A lighting strike on August third started the wildfire. The fire burned more than 24-hundred acres.

A 17-year-old, who was seven months pregnant, is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was in a vehicle with three other passengers in the Ponchatoula area and that vehicle was tailgating and brake-checking with another vehicle driven by 54-year-old Barry West. Sticker says West got upset and shot at the other vehicle, striking the 17-year-old in the head…

Cut 3 (09) “…human life.”

Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child, but the mother is on life support.

A sad end to a search for a 12-year-old New Orleans boy. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says searchers found Bryan Vasquez dead in a lagoon near his home.

Cut 6 (09) “…into the marsh.”

Vasquez was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home on August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window. Foul play has not been ruled out.

Louisiana is one of 13 states where potentially radioactive imported shrimp was recalled from Walmart. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says infected shrimp from overseas is ending up on American’s dinner plates far too often.

Cut 11 (13) “…this seafood.”

Nungesser is calling for a ten-cent per pound seafood inspection fee.

Federal and state agencies continue to monitor the air in Tangipahoa Parish where Smitty’s Supply exploded on Friday, sending dozens of different chemicals into the air. EPA Region Six Director Scott Mason has this message for the public…

Cut 14 (06) “….to human health”

Area residents are still concerned and want to know the cause of the explosion and what chemicals were involved.