A website’s data study ranks Louisiana last among states in which to own an electric car. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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An LSU climate change expert says it’s a positive Governor Edwards is at the International Climate Change Conference in Scotland, but it remains to be seen how beneficial it will be. Dave Brannen reports.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport ruled Ochsner Health cannot discipline unvaccinated employees until a lawsuit filed on the behalf of employees is heard. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A new study from the website “Jerry,” ranks Louisiana the worst state to own an electric car. Lakshmi Iyengar (LUCK-shmee EYE-en-gar) is a data scientist for the auto insurance shopping help site. She says Louisiana has virtually NO infrastructure – fewer than 8 ports per 100-thousand people, which causes range anxiety…
Cut 4 (09) “…of you.”
The top three states in which to own an electric car are Massachusetts, Vermont and California. All have a fleshed-out charging infrastructure and offer owners lots of incentives for driving non-polluting cars. Iyengar says Louisiana only offers electric owners two or three tax breaks or incentives…:
Cut 5 (11) “…parking free, et cetera.”
Iyengar says, if electric cars are not catching on faster in the Bayou State, it’s likely a “chick-or-the-egg” type conundrum…:
Cut 6 (13) “…out of that cycle.”
(Read more about it at “GetJerry.com”)
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Governor John Bel Edwards is in Scotland this week. LSU climate change policy expert Edward Richards says the governor’s appearance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference shows Louisiana is beginning to take climate change seriously.
Cut 7 (11) “…gas driven state.”
But Richards says that as long as Louisiana is primarily identified with the oil and gas industry, it’ll be hard to convince people that the state is serious about climate change.
Richards says the state appears to deny the existence of climate change through expenditures on coastal restoration projects, money he says that should go elsewhere, such as…
Cut 8 (12) “…increasing coastal risk.”
In addressing the issue of climate change, Richards says it would be nice if Louisiana could attract green industries, something he believes the governor is hoping to do while in Scotland.
Cut 9 (10) “…a fresh start.”
Richards says the governor is interested in luring solar arrays to Louisiana and offshore wind farms.
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A day before Ochsner Health’s deadline for employees to be vaccinated or face dismissal the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport ruled unvaccinated employees can’t be fired while the mandate is being challenged in court. Jimmy Faircloth, an attorney representing Ochsner employees, says it was a surprising move.
Cut 10 (11) “…a favor.”
On October 5th State District Judge Craig Marcotte threw out the case file by dozens of employees at Ochsner’s Shreveport facility. But on October 28th a three-judge appellate court ordered a hearing on the case and ruled no employees can be terminated until the case is heard. The deadline for employees to be vaccinated was Friday.
Faircloth says the ruling sends a clear message about vaccine mandates.
Cut 11 (11) “…or terminate.”
While the ruling only pertains to Ochsner healthcare facilities in the second circuit which is predominately north Louisiana, Faircloth says until the case is heard he feels it wouldn’t be wise for Ochsner to discipline any unvaccinated employees.
Cut 12 (12) “…to lose.”
Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the ruling from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is disappointing and they will appeal. Thomas says their employee vaccination requirement outside of north Louisiana will move forward.
Faircloth says he believes the case will be heard within the next two weeks in Shreveport.
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November marks the last official month of the Atlantic hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim expects the month will be quiet when it comes to tropical systems.
Cut 13 (08) “…occurred in 1861.”
Thus far this year there have been seven hurricanes, four of them major with Ida ripping parts of Southeast Louisiana to shreds in late August.
Keim believes Louisiana’s hurricane season is basically over, except for the possibility of a few bouts of stormy weather before the end of the month.
Cut 14 (07) “…can get storms.”
Keim is cautionary about writing off the possibility of more hurricanes occurring before the end of the month because a La Nina is rearing its ugly head as the season ends, the same as happened last year.
Cut 15 (13) “…here in Louisiana.”
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What a win for the Saints on Sunday, but it came at a cost as New Orleans knocked off the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-27. Saints played much of the game without starting quarterback Jameis Winston as he went down with a knee injury and Trevor Siemian came in and threw for 159 yards and one touchdown. Coach Sean Payton says Siemian was calm and handled the situation well…
Cut 16 (20) “of energy.”
The Saints had a 23-7 lead in the third quarter, but Tom Brady led Tampa Bay back and the Bucs took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Saints took the lead back on a Brian Johnson field goal and then P-J Williams iced the victory with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown…
Cut 17 (25) “ .it was great.”
The Saints defense intercepted Brady twice and forced a fumble. But there’s a chance the Saints will play the rest of the season without Winston. Payton says the initial prognosis is not good…
Cut 18 (18)”…a little concerned”
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In the Ragin Cajuns 45-0 Homecoming win over Texas State, U-L Lafayette Quarterback Levi Lewis became the school’s all-time passing touchdown leader, surpassing Jake Delhomme. Lewis threw three touchdown passes and the Baton Rouge native now has 65 for his collegiate career. Coach Billy Napier calls Lewis a heck of a football player
Cut 19 (19) “…his team”
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Louisiana Tech is on a four-game losing streak after tough 23-20 loss to Old Dominion. The Bulldogs lost on a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Prior to the game winning field goal Tech had the ball at the 45-yard line and it was fourth and three. Coach Skip Holtz elected to go for it, but J-D Head’s deep ball down the sideline sailed out of bounds
Cut 20 (18) “do it.”
Tech, who is 2-and-6, is at UAB this Saturday.