SUMMARY: The flu season in Louisiana is starting slowly, but health experts stress the importance of getting the flu shot. Caitlyn Taylor, a family nurse practitioner, explains that the vaccine helps the body produce antibodies to fight off the flu and reduces the risk of severe disease and hospitalizations. The holiday season may increase flu cases as people gather, making vaccination even more crucial. Simple preventive measures include good hand hygiene, covering coughs, and promptly getting tested if symptoms arise. Taylor emphasizes that especially individuals with underlying health issues should prioritize getting vaccinated to minimize health risks.

Flu season off to slow start but vaccine still important

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SUMMARY: The Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry extended the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) emergency rule for another 180 days, preventing its expiration on Oct. 21. Initially implemented due to Governor Jeff Landry’s executive order, ITEP offers tax incentives for industries that invest in Louisiana. The extension allows for continued negotiations on permanent regulations, with a draft of the long-term rules anticipated in mid-November. Landry’s executive order also set stricter approval criteria for exemptions, requiring community investment and local government approval, while excluding routine maintenance from eligibility, promoting community involvement in the exemption process.

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SUMMARY: In Louisiana, legislators are addressing a budget shortfall impacting higher education funding, particularly affecting the TOPS program, which is seeing fewer students accepting aid. As financial support has not increased with rising education costs, many eligible students are opting for better offers elsewhere. Meanwhile, popular programs like the MJ Foster Program are running low on funds, prompting calls for budget increases. In other news, media icon Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson visited Shreveport to enhance the local entertainment industry, while early voting for the November presidential election has begun. Rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are offering discounts for rides to polling places.

Midday Ark-La-Miss News Update: Oct. 18, 2024

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