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More than 18,000 deaths now blamed on COVID-19 in Louisiana

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More than 18,000 deaths now blamed on COVID-19 in Louisiana


BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Louisiana is marking a grim milestone within the battle in opposition to COVID-19.

The Louisiana Division of Well being stated greater than 18,000 individuals have now died because of the virus. In Louisiana, COVID-19 has additionally change into the third main reason behind loss of life since 2020.

In the meantime, multiple million deaths nationwide are being blamed on the virus.

“The quantity of loss because of this virus is actually staggering,” stated LDH Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillps. “We keep in mind the 18,000 Louisianans who’ve died due to COVID-19, and who, together with their family members, have paid the final word value. We should stay vigilant in opposition to this pandemic and proceed to do every part we are able to to save lots of as many lives as doable. As the autumn and winter seasons method, it is very important take precautions to maintain ourselves, our households, and our communities protected and wholesome.”

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Well being leaders stated the general public can keep protected by rolling up their sleeves for up to date COVID-19 booster pictures. The boosters are designed to supply higher safety in opposition to the BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the Omicron variant. The strains make up greater than 90% of the instances spreading throughout the nation, based on the Louisiana Division of Well being.

“Staying updated on our vaccines, together with taking the brand new bivalent COVID-19 booster if you end up eligible, is the easiest way to remain protected, shield the progress we now have made, and guarantee there are brighter days forward,” stated Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.

To date, greater than two million individuals in Louisiana have rolled up their sleeves to obtain their major vaccine sequence in opposition to the virus.

Click on right here for particulars on a COVID-19 or flu vaccine close to you.

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Editor of Louisiana newspapers remembered for mentorship, nose for news

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Editor of Louisiana newspapers remembered for mentorship, nose for news


Marvin Gene Mearns, of Mandeville, a longtime editor of The Baton Rouge Advocate, New Orleans Times-Picayune and Houma Daily Courier, died Dec. 21, 2024.

He was 86.

Beloved for his steady and gentle mentorship of generations of Louisiana journalists, Mearns began his 50-year career in journalism covering the state Capitol for United Press International following his graduation from LSU.

After he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army, Mearns returned to Louisiana newspapers. He worked during different points in his career as the St. Bernard/Plaquemines bureau chief for The Times Picayune/The States-Item, as the executive editor of the Daily Courier and as an editor of suburban and metro news for The Advocate.

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Born Feb. 21, 1938, in Lake Charles, Mearns lived for many years in Houma and New Orleans and later Baton Rouge. Wherever he was, he remained a fixture in the newsroom, his family said, even after Hurricane Katrina displaced him in 2005.

Mearns, who went by his middle name “Gene,” was an exacting wordsmith with rare editing skills. He could refine reporters’ copy with strong, precise verbs and concise phrases but keep his own fingerprints hidden, retaining the style of the writer.

A calming voice for reporters facing imminent nighttime deadlines, Mearns also exceled at seeing the long view, often giving journalists nudges to dig beneath the daily story.

“Gene had a good nose for stories and a wonderful rapport with his reporters,” said Fred Kalmbach, managing editor for The Advocate. “He also was a great writing coach, with a penchant for sniffing out and eliminating cliches.”

Dr. Micah Hatchett, Mearns’ stepdaughter, said he was a wonderful father and grandfather who gave her the same training in writing that he had given so many young journalists.

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Hatchett said journalism and writing were among the “biggest loves” of his life.

“He read the paper every day until the day he died, so that’s the kind of man he was,” she said.

Mearns is survived by his wife, Bridgid Hirt Mearns; Hatchett and her husband, Jesse; and grandchildren, Brice Hatchett, and Luke Hatchett. He is also survived by his siblings and many extended family members and friends.

Services will be held privately at a later date.



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Louisiana high school teacher framed by female students for ‘inappropriate messages’ they actually sent: police

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Louisiana high school teacher framed by female students for ‘inappropriate messages’ they actually sent: police


Two Louisiana high school students have been charged with fabricating “inappropriate messages” they claimed were sent to them by a teacher to frame him as a sexual predator.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office said they launched an investigation on Dec. 18 after two female students at Central Lafourche High School in Mathews —  about 45 miles southwest of New Orleans –claimed an unidentified male teacher had sent them X-rated messages.

However, a two-week-long investigation soon revealed that the 15 and 16-year-old students had fabricated the conversations on an online instant messaging platform.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office said they charged two female high school students for fabricating “inappropriate messages” they claimed were sent to them by a teacher to frame him as a sexual predator. Facebook/Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the girls’ electronic devices and shockingly found that the teacher had not sent any messages to them and that they had created an online profile for him to make it appear that he was having risqué conversations with them.

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The students would share screenshots of the phony conversations and share them with friends to make their con seem legitimate, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators then determined the teacher was not the predator, as the girls claimed, but was the victim of a serious accusation.

When confronted by the findings, one of the students allegedly admitted to having been involved in framing the educator, police said.

“Our juvenile detectives are diligent and take claims of inappropriate behavior very seriously. They are, however, equally serious about false claims,” Sheriff Craig Webre said.

The two female students attended Central Lafourche High School in Louisiana. Google Maps

“Someone’s life can be instantly ruined by a false allegation and I am proud that our investigators were able to get to the bottom of this.”

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The girls, who have not been named due to their age, were charged with one count each of false swearing for the purpose of violating public health or safety, cyberstalking, and online impersonation on Monday, according to police.

“Technology has made it very easy for people to try to manipulate the truth, but technology also makes it easy for investigators to ultimately find the truth,” Webre said.

When confronted by the findings, one of the students allegedly admitted to having been involved in framing the educator, police said. Getty Images

The superintendent of Lafourche Parish School District, Jarod Martin, said he was “shocked and appalled” after hearing one of his teachers was framed and nearly lost his livelihood over the serious, yet fake, allegations.

The superintendent condemned the attack on the teacher and criticized the students’ alleged blatant attempt to ruin his “credibility and reputation.”

“We are committed to investigating all allegations of misconduct in order to provide a safe environment conducive to learning and working for all of our students and staff.”

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North Louisiana braces for icy roads as DOTD implements winter weather plans

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North Louisiana braces for icy roads as DOTD implements winter weather plans


MONROE, La. (KNOE) – As temperatures drop and wintry weather looms, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is taking proactive measures to ensure safety on Northeast Louisiana roads.

Erin Buchanan, spokesperson for the DOTD, emphasized the importance of caution for travelers during this time:
“Don’t drive unless you have to, like it’s really necessary,” she advised.

With potential ice and snow predicted, particularly in Morehouse and Union Parishes, DOTD crews will begin prepping highways, bridges and overpasses with salt and brine to prevent dangerous ice buildup.

DOTD’s winter weather operations will include deploying 50 trucks and approximately 260 personnel, including scouts who monitor road conditions and report back in real time.

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While DOTD focuses on maintaining state highways, Buchanan also shared advice for all drivers who may encounter icy roads:
“If it’s absolutely necessary for you to travel, slow down. Don’t think that you can make it through there. Even if to the naked eye it looks like there’s not much accumulation on the bridge or overpass, there still could be some slick spots, even with the best of our measures.”

Local law enforcement is also on alert. The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office announced it will deploy extra patrols to assist with roadway safety and respond to emergencies during the expected winter weather.

With winter weather on the horizon, DOTD officials urge residents to stay off the roads if possible. If travel is unavoidable, drivers should reduce speed, avoid sudden movements and exercise extreme caution, particularly on bridges and overpasses.

For the latest updates on road conditions, visit the DOTD’s website or follow their social media channels.

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