Louisiana
Health experts discuss STIs, drug use and more at Northwest Louisiana Community Health town hall
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KSLA) – With the year slowly coming to an end, medical experts from across the region came together to discuss different health concerns.
”We wanted to seize the moment the opportunity and talk about health issues that are presently in northwest Louisiana but necessary ones that are talked about on a regular basis,” said Feamula Bradley.
People from all around northwest Louisiana came together at the Bossier Parish Library to participate in the Northwest Louisiana Community Health town hall Thursday (Dec. 5).
A panel of health experts were ready to talk about a variety of health concerns. One of the which was the concern over the increased spread of sexually transmitted infections and how it can affect newborn babies.
”Each different sexually transmitted infection has different effects, but what we know is most people who have a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea or syphilis have no symptoms at all,” said Dr. John Vanchiere, the chief of pediatric infections at LSUHS.
Mothers that acquire syphilis during pregnancy have a high risk of transmitting syphilis germs to their babies, and for their babies, that can lead to death in the womb before the babies are born or severe disease after.
Drug use was also a big talking point from hard drugs to substances like nicotine use in young people. Speakers at the town hall advised attendees how to properly use medications like Narcan and how to help someone who is experiencing an overdose.
The medical experts emphasized the importance of talking to kids and young people early about these issues to better protect them.
”It’s important that we wrap education around many activities and other things that we’re doing so we can make sure the youth and their parents are well aware of different epidemics and health issues that are going on,” said Bradley.
Town hall attendees were also able to speak with different organizations and learn more about health issues impacting the region.
”Each one teaches one. Everyone was given a call of action today and was encouraged to go back to their community, to your friends or faith-based organizations and share this information and to use us. Utilize us as community contacts,” said Bradley.
Copyright 2024 KSLA. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide
La. (KPLC) – A run across Louisiana has come to an end, but the conversation it sparked is far from over.
Jeremy Adams, a Louisiana veteran who served in Afghanistan, completed the run to raise money for a public high school while drawing attention to veteran and teen suicide.
The run began Friday, Dec. 18 at the Texas state line at Bon Weir and stretched more than 100 miles across the state, ending in Natchez, Mississippi.
“Finished around 10 o’clock last night (Dec. 21) in Natchez. I got a police escort by the Vidalia Police Department over the river bridge,” Adams said.
Adams says the run was not easy and hopes this inspires others to keep moving forward, no matter what battle they may be facing.
“I was tired. I ran at night. My feet are hurting; I got screws in my feet. I kept moving forward; I didn’t quit. That’s what I wanted to teach veterans and kids (contemplating) suicide, don’t quit. There’s somebody out there that cares. Don’t end the story before God gives you a chance to show you his plans,” he said.
Adams says the run raised money for East Beauregard High School, the school that Adams says gave him a second family.
“In 2017, a good friend of mine there died of a drug overdose, and that’s what got me running. I quit drinking that year, quit smoking the following May, and then I decided to start running,” Adams said.
Adams is a veteran himself and has overcome his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to be interested in running.
“In 2011, the Lord changed everything. I got wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. It shattered both my heel bones. They said it was a 50% chance I would walk again,” he said.
Although the run is over, Adams says the mission continues, urging people to talk, listen, and take action.
“One suicide is too many; there are gentlemen out there who went to battle, saw combat, and came home and still see that combat on a daily basis. If they need help, reach out and get help,” Adams said.
Adams says all proceeds from the run will go toward supporting students at East Beauregard High School.
If you’d like to donate to Adams’ cause, you can do so through his GoFundMe.
Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was arrested on a count of driving while intoxicated over the weekend, a Louisiana State Police spokesperson said.
Lewis, 33, was arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish, officials said.
It is the West Baton Rouge Parish jail’s policy to not book first-offense DWI offenders, therefore Lewis was not held.
First offense DWI is a misdemeanor charge.
State police said Lewis was initially stopped for driving without headlights.
In a statement, Lewis said he “will be working with lawyers to contest the charge.”
“I have great respect for the men and women who serve our community in law enforcement, and I believe everyone, myself included, is accountable to the law,” he said. “I appreciate the professionalism shown during the encounter.”
Lewis said he understands “the gravity of the situation” and why the community is concerned.
“As I always have, I plan to remain accountable through both my words and my actions, not just through my words,” he said in the statement. “My hope is that our focus remains on the consistent, good work we have accomplished advocating for Louisiana’s citizens.”
The five-member Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, like electricity, water, gas and some telecommunications. Lewis’ district covers majority-Black communities stretching from New Orleans up to West Baton Rouge Parish.
Lewis, a Democrat, is the first openly gay person elected to state office in Louisiana. Since ousting longtime commissioner Lambert Boissiere III in a 2022 election, he has been a prominent critic of Entergy and other utilities.
Lewis is also a frequent foe of Gov. Jeff Landry. In February, the PSC board voted to remove him from his role as vice chair after he called Landry an “a**hole” on the social media app X in response to a post Landry made mocking a transgender Department of Health Official in former President Joe Biden’s administration. Lewis argued he was being held to a different standard because he is Black.
Trump says he has ‘no problem’ informing Congress of Venezuela attacks
President Donald Trump said he has ‘no problem’ informing Congress of future attacks regarding Venezuela.
President Donald Trump announced Sunday he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the special envoy to Greenland.
In a Truth Social post on Dec. 21, Trump said “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,”
It was not clear whether Landry, who became governor in January 2024, would need to step down to assume this role.
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