August 2019

OxyContin maker negotiating settlement worth $12B

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Purdue Pharma and the thousands of state and local governments suing the maker of OxyContin over the nation’s deadly opioid crisis are negotiating a $10 billion to $12 billion settlement under which the Sackler family would give up ownership of the company, according to published reports.

Window to qualify for next debate closing quickly on Dems

WASHINGTON (AP) — Struggling Democratic presidential candidates braced for bad news Wednesday with the window to qualify for the next debate set to close at midnight, a near impossible deadline for many to make that could doom their campaigns.

Billionaire climate change activist Tom Steyer, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and self-help guru Marianne Williamson were among those on the outside looking in.

Disease killing hundreds of deer in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a virus has killed hundreds of deer in south-central Iowa.

The Iowa Natural Resources Department says the outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease is concentrated in and near Warren County. The disease is spread by female midges that feed on the dead animals.

The disease causes high fever in deer. The cell membranes in their hearts, lungs and diaphragms weaken and burst. The department says the disease kills animals every year but not usually at the rate of this outbreak.

Sick, dying workers demand help after cleaning coal ash

KINGSTON, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority, long respected for providing good jobs and cheap electricity, is facing a growing backlash over its handling of a massive coal ash spill a decade ago, with potentially serious consequences for an industry often opposed to environmental regulation.

Epstein accuser says Prince Andrew should ‘come clean’

LONDON (AP) — An alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein who claims she was also delivered to Britain’s Prince Andrew for paid sex as a teenager has challenged the British royal to speak up, saying: “He knows exactly what he’s done and I hope he comes clean about it.”

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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Chamber to host JDP candidate forum

The Chamber of Southwest Louisiana is holding several candidate forums including an event in Jeff Davis Parish next week.

Wednesday, Sept. 4, a forum is being held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the SOWELA Morgan Smith Campus in Jennings. Candidates running for the District 25 Senate seat, as well as House seats 32 and 37 will be on hand to discuss their campaigns for the Oct. 12 Gubernatorial election.

Admission is free and a light breakfast will be provided.

The event is being hosted by the Chamber of SWLA and the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce.

It’s My Turn

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The Gator Chateau recently added a backdrop for photos. Sisters Isabella and Ava Villalobos had their first visit to the new facility. The girls took turns holding a baby gator named Petit.

Let’s not inflame racial tensions, they’re incendiary enough

I have this odd, puritanical quirk. I don’t think people should run for president by pitching racially inflammatory fables to voters. Republicans or Democrats.

And no, I’m not talking about Donald J. Trump, although these days, they’re pretty much his stock-in-trade, along with crackpot conspiracy theories. This week it’s Google, the Federal Reserve and Fox News. Before that, it was the rat-and vermin”infested” city of Baltimore and its African-American congressman, Elijah Cummings.

Dorian heads for Puerto Rico amid fears of flooding

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Dorian threatened Puerto Rico with a direct hit at near-hurricane force on Wednesday and forecasters said it could strengthen further as it approaches the U.S. mainland.

The storm was expected to pass over or near Puerto Rico, with landslides, widespread flooding and power outages possible in what is expected to be the first major test of emergency preparedness since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017. President Donald Trump declared an emergency Tuesday night and ordered federal assistance for local authorities.