LRN PM Newscall April 23

The National Safety Council has released it’s first-ever “Road to Zero” report. They are trying to achieve zero roadway deaths in the future. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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US Senator John Kennedy is calling on major banks to reverse new policies that target companies that sell firearms. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The National Safety Council has released it’s first-ever “Road to Zero” report. It’s their vision for achieving zero deaths on roadways by 2050. National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman says they have assembled a huge coalition to fight against roadway deaths.

Cut 3 (:12) “get to zero”

She adds that technology has helped bring down some of the statistics on roadway deaths. That coupled with tighter laws also help.

Cut 4 (:11) “best practices”

But here in Louisiana the road deaths are increasing.

Cut 5  (08) “2015”

Nearly 40-Thousand people die each year on our nations public roads.

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US Senator John Kennedy is asking Louisiana officials to cancel state contracts with Citigroup and Bank of America after the banks announced that they would enforce restrictions on companies that sell firearms. Kennedy says after getting bailed out in 2008, banks have no right to be dictating policy.

Cut 6 (11)  “on America”

Citigroup announced that it would no longer do business with companies that sell firearms to anyone under 21, or companies that do not require a background check for gun purchases.

Kennedy says bankers are not legislators, and shouldn’t be punishing citizens who are following currently established law.

Cut 7 (08)  “of America”

The Republican Senator has pushed back against federal efforts to implement increased gun control laws in the wake of the Parkland shooting that killed 17.

Kennedy says the restrictions are a form of political discrimination.

Cut 8 (10) “are blue”

Governor John Bel Edwards has responded to Kennedy’s divestment request saying: “The only contract with a direct cost to the state was signed by you during your tenure as state treasurer. This contract is  with Bank of America.” As such, the governor called for “less posturing on the issue.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health will be offering free STD testing at a series of rotating sites from Tuesday through Thursday. The initiative is part of the CDC’s STD awareness month. Assistant State’s Health Officer Dr. Parham Jaberi says testing is the most important thing you can do to stop the spread of STDs.

Cut 9 (07) “its spread”

Jaberi says Louisiana in particular is in need of more extensive STD education and testing.

Cut 10 (10) “raise awareness.”

The Department of Health says the screening is aimed at people who are unsure whether or not they are infected, and those showing symptoms should schedule an appointment at another time. Jaberi says if you plan on visiting, set a little time aside.

Cut 11 (10) “needs.”

Information on when units will be open is available at www.ldh.la.gov

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Huge economic development news as Formosa selects a site in St. James Parish near the Sunshine Bridge to build a nine-point-four billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex.  State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the 24-hundred acre site is branded as the Sunshine Project and it would create 12-hundred jobs…

Cut 12 (07)   “globally”

Pierson says construction should begin next year. He says Formosa Plastics Group operates three existing Louisiana facilities in East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee which made it easy for the company to the Bayou State…

Cut 13 (10) “over decades”

Pierson says in order to secure the project, Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes a 12-million dollar performance based grant….

Cut 14 (10)  “we have won”