Louisiana

Louisiana State Police urge caution when using fireworks

Published

1 month ago

December 23, 2024

Louisiana State Police urge caution when using fireworks

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – As 2025 approaches, it is time to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new, which for many, includes celebrations.

Troopers with Louisiana State Police are urging the public to remain mindful and prioritize safety if they plan to use fireworks this holiday.

Fireworks can be fun, but they can also be dangerous. If not handled properly, they can lead to accidents, injuries and even fires or death.

State Trooper Casey Wallace stressed the importance of being cautious and responsible during the New Year season. He advised everyone to follow local laws and safety guidelines when using fireworks.

“Always make sure you’re following the rules and regulations in your area,” Wallace said. “Remember to keep a safe distance, never light fireworks indoors and never let children handle them.”

People need to stay alert and aware of their surroundings to prevent accidents. Wallace pointed out that even seemingly harmless fireworks, like sparklers, can be dangerous if not used carefully.

“Don’t turn a fun family event into something fatal,” he cautioned. “You don’t want to lose a career or, worse, a loved one.”

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2023, there were reports of eight deaths and approximately 9,700 injuries from fireworks. Of the eight deaths, five were due to misuse of fireworks, two were caused by device malfunctions and one involved unknown circumstances.

Following safety guidelines and being responsible can help ensure a fun and safe holiday for everyone.

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Louisiana

Louisiana ranks 50th in the nation for healthy diets. See national data.

Published

5 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana ranks 50th in the nation for healthy diets. See national data.

Over the past several decades, the health of the average American has steadily declined, marked by rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

A cultural shift toward healthier lifestyles is gaining momentum. However, diet and the associated health outcomes vary significantly by region, reflecting broader cultural, economic, and demographic differences across the country.

Louisiana ranks 50th in the nation for healthy diets.

To determine the states with the healthiest diets, researchers at Trace One, a company specializing in software for the food and beverage industry, created a “healthy diet index” score based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Daily fruit consumption (higher is better)
Daily vegetable consumption (higher is better)
Number of adults who either don’t drink alcohol or drink moderately (higher is better)
Number of adults who drink sugar-sweetened beverages daily (lower is better)
Food insecurity rates(lower is better)
Overweight or obesity rates (lower is better)
Number of adults with a history of diabetes (lower is better)
Prevalence of adults with high cholesterol (lower is better)
Prevalence of adults with high blood pressure (lower is better)
Number of adults with a history of coronary heart disease or heart attack (lower is better)

Utah ranks as having the healthiest diet with a 84.2 health diet index score followed by Colorado (81.4), Washington (78.8), Minnesota (76) and Vermont (75).

South Carolina ranks 46th in the nation with a health diet index score of 24 followed by Alabama (21.6), Mississippi (17.2) and Arkansas (17.0).

Louisiana has the least healthy diet with a health diet index score of 8.4. Louisiana is the only state to score below 10.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University set for several renovations

Published

17 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana Tech University set for several renovations

RUSTON, La. (KNOE) – Louisiana Tech University’s enrollment numbers have increased and several areas on campus are set to be renovated as a result.

University President Jim Henderson says he is excited for what’s to come.

With the Athletics Academic Success Center, Henderson says there is a need for student-athletes to have their own space in order for them to be successful.

“Student athletes have so many pressures in their studies. We request so much from them, so this is a center that’s designed specifically to support their academic pursuits. We want our student-athletes to be successful on the field. Most importantly, we want them to be successful in the classroom. Then they get that Louisiana Tech degree that just gives them self-control over their future.”

President Henderson says that these renovations were made possible by a law that allowed schools to get money from maintenance work without going through the annual legislative process. Since the law was put into place, there were too many projects for the amount of money available so maintenance on George T. Madison was halted. Henderson says maintenance should be up and running soon.

“Reimagine the space in a building that virtually every student that attends Louisiana Tech will take a class in,” said Henderson.

With enrollment numbers rising, President Henderson says that more parking is expected to be available to combat this and he says he’s excited for all improvements so Louisiana Tech’s students can thrive.

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Louisiana

Tributes pour in for Louisiana cultural icon. Who was Pableaux Johnson?

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2025

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Tributes pour in for Louisiana cultural icon. Who was Pableaux Johnson?

Pableaux Johnson died Sunday at the age of 59 on Jan. 26, 2025 after collapsing while he was photographing the Ladies and Men of Unity second-line parade in New Orleans.

Johnson, who was born on Jan. 8, 1966 in New Iberia, was an American writer, photographer, filmmaker, cook and designer based in New Orleans.

Who was Pableaux Johnson?

Johnson has published four books, predominately about New Orleans culture. Johnson has also written for numerous publications, such as The New York Times, Southern Living, The Kitchn, Saveur, Imbibe and many more.

Johnson’s photography has been exhibited in a number of museums and galleries around the U.S., as well as published in magazines and on websites, and these photographs feature New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians and second-line parades.

Additionally, Johnson ran the Red Beans Road Show for several years, which was a traveling production that brought New Orleans cuisine to various “pop-up” events in restaurants around the country.

Johnson was also credited as a co-producer and still photographer for two companion documentary films about New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, “The Spirit Leads My Needle: The Big Chiefs of Carnival” and “It’s Your Glory: The Big Queens of Carnival.”

Louisiana reacts to Pableaux Johnson’s passing

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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