TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
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INTRO:
Louisiana mental health advocates are recognizing National 9-8-8 day with a rally at the state Capitol, today.
As Louisiana Public Radio reporter Brooke Thorington explains, September 8th is the day set aside to raise awareness for the mental health hotline:
SOT:
“9-8-8 is the three-digit telephone hotline for suicide prevention, mental health crises, and emotional support. Sherrard Crespo, with VIA LINK –one of the vendors for 9-8-8 in Louisiana– says there is no wrong reason to reach out if you are in need of support. That can be thoughts of suicide, worried about someone that you care about. That can be not thoughts of suicide. That can be because you are in distress, you are stressed, you are angry, you are feeling alone, whatever it might be. We are there and we just wanna celebrate that in the communities on Tuesday. The event from 10 to noon, will feature speakers, Southern University’s Human Jukebox and a resource fair of 9-8-8 services.”
TAG:
And the need for help is growing. According to government figures, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting in more than 49,000 deaths in 2023. That's up by 31% from 2003.
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INTRO:
Multiple federal and state leaders recently convened to give a briefing on the fight against the New World screwworm in Texas.
That briefing, at Texas A&M University, focused on Animal-health response efforts, diagnostics, and statewide emergency coordination, among many of topics addressed.
Rear Admiral Michael Smoyer, with the USDA, discussed the need for sterile flies and how many are on the way:
SOT:
“So around October of next year, we'll have an additional 100 million. that's a total of 300 million. the following year, 200 more million sterile flies at Moore Air Base for a total of 500 million. That's the 500 million we were talking about.”
TAG:
The 48th confirmed case occurred August 31, with one case in New Mexico and the rest in Texas, all since June 3rd.
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INTRO:
In Louisiana… outgoing Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is Making bold statements regarding the president.
Speaking on WRKF’s “Talk Louisiana”… Fields criticized President Donald Trump for starting a conflict with Iran with no exit strategy and without congressional approval.
He predicted Democrats will take back the House and Senate, despite the president’s efforts to change voting rules:
SOT:
“I think any and everything he can do to add confusion to this election, he will. Uh, but people need to, you know, be very clear. People need to just get up and go out and vote, and vote on election day.”
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INTRO:
The Labor Day Holiday weekend is the traditional start of the campaign season.
On this week’s episode of “Talk Business and Politics” in Arkansas… host Roby Brock described the President as the wildcard factor this election cycle.
Republican Strategist Bill Vickery challenged some people questioning the President’s plans:
SOT:
“It’s not a matter of, ‘if it’s a good strategy? It’s gonna happen. I mean, he’s going to be in 35 congressional districts the last 30 days of the campaign cycle. I do think there’ll be a lot of contrast that’s going to come given some of the folks who are on the ballot nationally. You’re going to see their names appear in television ads here in Arkansas. So, um, Trump’s coming. It’s like the weather. You’re not going to stop it.”
<**** FORECAST ****>
The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
- A 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Still sunny with a high near 98, heat index values as high as 105 and a heat advisory until 7-o’clock tonight.
- Tomorrow: a chance of showers before 1:00 p.m., with a high near 95.
thursday: 95 again, and dry. - Then 94, when the chance for rain and storms returns Friday.
************** - High air temperatures and humidity will combine once again on Tuesday to push heat indices above 105 "Feels-Like" degrees by around lunch time, peaking near 109 degrees during maximum daytime heating in the afternoon.
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