Ochsner has undertaken its first Pfizer COVID 19 trial for patients between the ages of 5 and 11. Erik Piccoli has the story
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Despite the pandemic, Louisiana ranks number one in the nation for graduating seniors completing financial aid forms needed to pay for college. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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Legislation that would allow college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness is nearing final legislative passage after it received House approval on Monday. Taylor Sharp has the story.
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Ochsner Health is enrolling its first participants in a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz says this trial differs from prior ones since the patients will be monitored for 18 months and are more likely to receive the vaccine than a placebo.
Getting children vaccinated is critical to reaching herd immunity since they make up a third of the population. System Chair of Pediatrics Dr. William Lennarz says that the increase in variants has made the push to allow vaccines for children more critical.
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Between 70 to 75 patients are expected to partake in the trial and to have an equal number per site. Lennarz says to better suit the children the potency of the doses has been changed.
Those interested in participating can visit ochsner.org and schedule their appointment.
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According to the National College Attainment Networks FAFSA Tracker, Louisiana ranks number one in the country in terms of financial aid completion with 33-thousand of Louisiana’s 2021 high school graduates completing their FAFSA. LOSFA Executive Director DR. Sujuan Boutte says it’s been a team effort.
Louisiana schools require students to fill out the FAFSA forms in order to graduate helping them receive the financial aid they wouldn’t have known about. Boutte says students and parents are getting the message that they should always file the form regardless of their financial situation.
Students who have graduated from high school in 2021 have until June 30th, 2022 to complete a FAFSA but Boutte says the earlier one applies the better.
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College athletes in Louisiana would be able to profit from their name, image, and likeness under a bill that is very close to final legislative approval after the House approved the measure on an 88-7 vote. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says once the governor signs the proposed law, it will be effective immediately.
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Athletes would receive compensation for sponsorships, endorsements, and even social media presence. Connick says another way athletes can make money is through the licensing agreement.
Connick says this bill is important because it ensures that Louisiana schools aren’t at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to recruiting student-athletes…
18 other states have passed similar laws.
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State senators are no longer pushing to make a temporary state sales tax permanent to fund highway transportation projects, instead, the Senate approved a bill to take revenue from vehicle sales taxes and spend it on roads. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says it would result in 375-million dollars in additional dollars for infrastructure
The measure heads to the House for their review and there are only three days left in the session. Currently, money from vehicle sales taxes goes into the general fund, but Ward’s proposal would use 75-percent of that money on roads and bridges…
But if lawmakers take money away from the general fund that would mean fewer dollars, for higher education, health care and public safety programs. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt still supports the effort