The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors did not approve a cost-of-living adjustment raise for Louisiana Tech faculty and staff, and they are not happy about it. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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You could enroll for no-cost genetic screening as soon as next year. Kace Kiechnick has more.
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The Louisiana Department of Health adds three substances to the state’s list of Schedule One controlled substances. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Louisiana Tech’s faculty senate president says there’s a level of distrust after the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors rejected cost-of-living raises for faculty and staff. Michael Swanbom says the distrust stems from conflicting messages from now-former Tech President Jim Henderson and system leaders.
Cut 4 (08) “…has gone forward.”
Yesterday was Henderson’s last day as president. Earlier this month, he apologized to faculty for failing to deliver the raises as promised. Board Chair Mark Romero and System President Rick Gallot later questioned Henderson’s handling of the university’s finances.
Board Supervisor Steve Davison says he plans to push for restoring the raises, which were included in the original budget.
Davison also raised concerns about what he described as inequitable funding for Louisiana Tech compared with the system’s other seven universities.
Romero says he understands the need to increase faculty salaries, but the university must manage its finances responsibly.
Cut 6 (10) “…we act responsibly.”
In a letter to faculty, Romero and Gallot said Louisiana Tech has limited liquidity, raising concerns about its ability to meet its financial obligations.
The UL System has named Doctor Dickie Crawford as Acting President. The former Bulldog basketball player currently serve as Louisiana Tech’s Senior Vice President for Student advancement and Chief Operating Officer.
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A new initiative aims to offer no-cost genetic screening to 100-thousand Louisiana adults, with enrollment beginning next year. LCMC Health and Helix researchers will test for genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, Lynch Syndrome and familial hypercholesterolemia. LCMC Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Heaton says having the gene does not mean you have the disease, but it drastically changes your next steps.
Cut 7 (08) “…of these diseases.”
Genetic screening that exposes predisposed risk can inform earlier testing dates, like those for breast or colon cancer, than ones based simply on age.
Heaton researchers can also look back on the genetic data if you have a new medical problem arise or get on new medication.
Cut 8 (09) “…your treatment plan.”
Heaton says that not only does Louisiana rank among the highest in the nation in cancer rates, it also has some of the most cancer deaths. Diseases like breast cancer are often caught later than they could be, and testing like this could help Louisiana change that.
Cut 9 (09) “…their enhanced risk.”
Testing will be available to adults 18 and older and is done through blood or saliva DNA samples.
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According to new analysis of federal broadband data, broadband availability in North Louisiana is improving at a rate more than three times the national average. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, says between December 2023 and December 2025, more than 44-thousand homes and businesses in the 26-parish region were connected to reliable broadband internet access.
Cut 10 (12) “…actually showing outcomes.”
Iyengar says not only is broadband connectivity in North Louisiana improving at a rate much faster than the national average, it’s setting the pace for the state.
Cut 11 (08) “…than Louisiana overall.”
Iyengar says among the many benefits of being connected to reliable high-speed internet is being able to keep college-bound students in Louisiana, citing the small North Louisiana community of Plain Dealing, where many high school seniors are looking to pursue trade skills upon graduation.
Cut 12 (15) “…college that’s nearby.”
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The Louisiana Department of Health adds three substances to the state’s list of Schedule One controlled substances. Schedule One controlled substances are those which are found to have no medical use and, thus, are illegal in all forms. Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says the three substances are all new formulations of kratom, which the legislature outlawed last year.
Dr. Croughan says adding those to the list of Schedule One controlled substances is a necessary step to protect public health.
Croughan says risks of those three substances include dependence and respiratory depression.
Cut 15 (13) “…that fentanyl does.”
Croughan says it’s unlikely that these three substances are being made here in Louisiana; instead, it’s much more likely that they’re being made in Asia and are being smuggled into the U.S.
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UL Lafayette is back in action against Southern Miss this weekend after dominating Troy last week. The Cajuns’ conference-leading defense held the Trojans to just six points, while the offense put up 33. Coach Michael Desormeaux says they need to build off that performance.
Cut 16 (14) “…our best football.”
Southern Miss has lost five straight, and the Golden Eagles’ only win under new head coach Blake Anderson came week one against Alcorn State. Desormeaux says his team cannot underestimate them.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
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Number-18 LSU goes on the road to face Auburn tomorrow. First-year head coach Alex Golesh’s Tigers are led by quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown followed Golesh from South Florida to Auburn this offseason and leads the team in rushing while also throwing for over 12-hundred yards. LSU coach Lane Kiffin evaluates the dual-threat Q-B.
Cut 18 (17) “…very comfortable.”
LSU has not won a road SEC game in over two years. The Tigers are 0-and-2 on the road this season, but Kiffin says those games could have been changed by a handful of plays. Wide Receiver Jackson Harris is excited for the extra challenge.
Cut 19 (13) “...excited for it.”
Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the best home-field advantages in the nation. Former LSU and Alabama head coach Nick Saban said the stadium is haunted after the bewildering Iron Bowl endings he coached there, but Kiffin isn’t buying it.
Kickoff is at 11 a.m.