The St. Tammany Parish coroner confirms two recent overdose deaths were the result of taking “look-alike” pills containing 100 percent fentanyl, which can kill. More from Brooke Thorington…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Pro-life and pro-choice advocates react to the State Supreme Court’s denial to hear an appeal challenging Louisiana’s abortion ban. Brooke Thorington more
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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It’s the sixth anniversary of the great flood that devastated so many communities in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome was in the midst of campaigning for her mayoral term and like so many she was forced to leave her home. But says she was fortunate enough she could turn to relatives.
Cut 3 (08) “…took me in.”
After living in what was designated as a no flood zone since 1999, Broome says like many others she was in shock when she left her house that Saturday.
Cut 4 (10) “…the next day.”
It wasn’t until November 2017 that she was able to live in her home again.
In addition to residents losing their homes, Broome says there was a multitude of issues on top of that for so many.
Cut 5 (10) “…definitely empathize.”
Since 2016 Broome says the city continues to work on drainage issues and believes Infrastructure Funds will expedite more improvements to avoid severe flooding in the future.
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The coroner in St. Tammany Parish is very concerned with escalating fentanyl overdose deaths; especially because people may not even know that is what they are taking. Dr. Charles Preston says pills bought and sold on the street may look like semi-harmless pain relievers, but many contain highly dangerous fentanyl. He says the recent death of a 22-year-old man after taking a single pill is cause for alarm…:
Cut 6 (13) “…in the community.”
Preston confirms that man died from an overdose of fentanyl and, though the pill he took appeared to be Percocet, it was 100-percent illegally made fentanyl….:
Cut 7 (10) “….were in our community.”
In mid-July a St. Tammany Parish 15-year-old also died from a fentanyl overdose. Two people have been arrested in connection and charged with murder. Dr. Preston says the fentanyl scourge is growing like a weed…:
Cut 8 (14) “…were fentanyl.”
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Since Roe v Wade was overturned, the state abortion ban was on, then off, then on again. Louisiana Family Forum president Gene Mills is pleased with the decision that paves the way for abortions to finally be illegal in the state.
Cut 9 (11) “…pro-life position.”
Pro-choice advocates however are disappointed. Devante Lewis with the Louisiana Budget Project says the state is not prepared for the influx of children that will be living in poverty because already 62 percent of children in Louisiana are born as Medicaid recipients.
Cut 10 (11) “…in our state.”
The possibility of legislation to amend the ban to allow for the exceptions of rape or incest, Mills believes is highly unlikely.
Cut 11 (12) “…pro-life state.”
Lewis fears since conservatives in Louisiana have outlawed abortion that the right to contraception could also be lost. He says if the legislature is truly pro-life they have to be willing to raise the minimum wage, ensure affordable housing and protect existing social safety nets like DCFS, SNAP, and Medicaid.
Cut 12 (08) “…same time.”
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Louisiana’s on-again-off-again abortion ban law is on again, and this time it may stick. The state Supreme Court Friday rejected an appeal by abortion rights activists seeking to keep clinics open; arguing the law was too vague to enforce. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the High Court’s denial does not surprise him. He feels the plaintiff’s argument didn’t hold up…:
Cut 13 (12) “…happen in Louisiana.”
Pro-choice advocates are angry there is such a law in place at all, but especially so that the law has no exemptions for rape or incest. Governor Edwards, who signed the bill into law himself, also expressed that concern. Ciolino says the High Court’s judgment sends a message on abortions…:
Cut 14 (11) “…rather than the courthouse.”
Ciolino says this marks the end of battles over the abortion law in courts, and – if there are to be further exemptions for abortions – there is a proper process for getting that done…:
Cut 15 (12) “…by the governor.”
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The Saints lost their preseason opener on Saturday night 17-13 to Houston, but the first team offense and defense looked good. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton led New Orleans on a ten-play touchdown drive, where he completed all five of his passes including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Washington. Coach Dennis Allen says it was good to see…
Cut 16 (15) “…second phase.”
It was also a good night for linebacker Chase Hansen who resigned with the team less than a week ago after spending a couple of seasons on the team’s practice squad. Hanson played 24 snaps on defense, seven on special teams, and had six tackles, two tackles for a loss, and an interception…
Cut 17 (16) “…back playing”
One of the big position battles is for third-string running back. Rookie running back Abram Smith had a fumble inside the red zone. Allen says overall the guys competing at that position ran hard…
Cut 18 (18)“…better job there.”
It was the first NFL game for rookie left tackle Trevor Penning. He played well in the first half, but struggled more in the second half, allowing a sack. Penning knows he has to get better…
Cut 19 (19) “…from it.”