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) DOTD issues Memorial Day travel advisory
BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) today advised drivers of upcoming work schedules for interstate and major road projects throughout Louisiana for Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26). DOTD Secretary William D. Ankner, Ph.D. urged drivers to use extra caution when traveling on the roadways during the upcoming holiday weekend, especially at railroad crossings. Below is the regional listing of work schedules and road closures for interstate construction and major road projects.Northwest Louisiana In the Shreveport-Bossier City area and surrounding parishes, all lanes of I-49 and I-220 will remain open. In Bossier Parish, construction continues on I-20. Drivers may experience delays due to eastbound and westbound lane closures between mile marker 29 and mile marker 33. More>>
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) Jenice Armstrong: Weighty issue at weddings
THERE'S a new WEtvshow called "Bulging Brides" in which engaged women cut calories and work out like fiends with personal trainers so they can slim down in advance of their wedding.In other words, when it comes to their wedding day, the reality show they most want to emulate isn't "Platinum Wedding," but the "Biggest Loser." Apparently, it's not the dress or the flowers or their guest list that a lot of brides-to-be spend most of their time obsessing about - it's their waistlines.
At a time when so many Americans are overweight and the average woman wears a size 14, most people can relate to wanting to look their best. However, the concept behind this latest TV bridal show is ironic, considering that someone - the groom - apparently thinks someone else - the bride - looks good enough already. More>>
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) Pupils urged to follow healthy diet
A PRIMARY school near Westbury has employed a new chef and is encouraging its pupils to grow their own vegetables under a new healthy eating regime.Westbury Leigh Primary School was previously under the Wiltshire County Council's catering contract with Sodexho but has decided to bring in a new chef, use local produce and give their pupils the opportunity to grow their own vegetables.
Helen Plows, 42, is the new school chef and has been in the catering industry since she was 15.
She said: "The children's favourites have been roasts and Spanish omelette, but I'm trying to encourage them with noodles and curry as well.
"They are also really enjoying my flapjacks, which I've been making with fruit and seeds.
"I'm trying to use low fat food with less additives and I'm also trying not to use food from packets. More>>
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) Doctor enters guilty plea
A Gonzales physician who operated a smoking-cessation and weight-loss clinic admitted Monday he prescribed habit-forming drugs without a legitimate medical purpose.Dr. Donald P. Auzine, 38, of Prairieville, pleaded guilty in federal court in Baton Rouge to one count of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. District Judge John Parker has not scheduled a sentencing hearing.
U.S. Attorney David Dugas said Auzine’s guilty plea serves as a message to other physicians.
"Doctors are given a great privilege and they are subject to the law just like everybody else if they abuse that privilege," Dugas said.
Auzine, whose federal drug-dispensing license has been revoked, entered the guilty plea after a nine-month investigation turned up at least 45 instances of illegal activity between June 27 and March 30, court records show. More>>
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) Diet, exercise reduce diabetes risk over long term
If people at a high risk for diabetes spend six years following an improved diet and exercise regimen, they can reduce their risk of developing the disease for up to 14 years, a new study says.The study, conducted by Chinese and American researchers, was published Thursday in a special diabetes edition of the journal The Lancet.
The researchers analyzed data from almost 800 Chinese adults with impaired glucose tolerance, a pre-diabetes condition whereby blood sugar levels are higher then normal. This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or does not properly use insulin, which carries glucose into the body's cells to be used as energy.
Researchers began to follow the patients in 1986 by assigning them to one of three intervention groups. More>>
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) How Wondrous Hoodia Gordonii Is?
Hoodia Gordonii is a wonder plant from South Africa has lately reach the ranks as an successful weight loss supplement, and some health observers are expecting that this will soon arrive the popularity that L-carnitine and Senna are enjoying for the past years.
But before Hoodia Gordonii reach this popularity, the first question is, is it safe to use? Compare it to other herb or pill that promotes faster weight loss, the safety of the user should always be considered. And the answer to this question is very qualified one. Presently, it hasn�t proved that it is effective to use. Not even a certificate that certifies hoodia gordonii, its side effect and safety levels is still uncertain. But with the content that is with Hoodia Gordonii, it is very much safe to use and it will not root any unpleasant reactions. More>> - (
) Pucko: A Round at Oak Hill
The following does not reflect the views of R News or its parent company Time Warner Cable.
CONCEDING AN OPINION
Forget for the moment that our sitting president actually got away with challenging the record of a five times decorated Vietnam War veteran in the last election. According to recent polls, about 70 percent of us are still suffering from the results of that political slight of hand.
Similarly as we consider the cases of football players Mike Viti of the Buffalo Bills and Caleb Campbell of the Detroit Lions, unless we ourselves have served, we don't have an honorable right to an opinion on the matter.
Viti and Cambell as you have probably heard and will continue to hear, are West Point graduates. Unlike most of us, they have volunteered to risk their lives in "defense" of the United States overseas. More>>
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) Health and Fitness Top Story
Carol Kirsch is among the 5 percent to 10 percent of individuals with early onset Alzheimer's, those who develop symptoms before the age of 65. And she is one of the growing number who are being diagnosed at an early stage of the disease. Thursday, May 8, 2008 Kosher water makes a splash in the market By Jay FirestoneWhether you're drinking filtered, spring or mineral water, purity has long been considered a desired element in bottled water. But when it comes to purity, only one word can truly capture it all -- kosher.
Thursday, May 1, 2008 When challah becomes the bread of affliction By Adam WillsRabbi Marvin Hier fondly recalls bakery-fresh buns and muffins in his lunch when he attended yeshiva. He also admits to a penchant for challah. Hier hasn't eaten challah, let alone matzah, in several years. More>>
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) Rebecca B. comes back to Ben's Grill
Rebecca Beckham is back in town and, once again, is taking burgers in baskets to patrons of Ben's Neighborhood Grill.Beckham, 29, recently returned from a six-month teaching stint in Japan, where she was involved with the English as a Second Language program. She helps out one day a week at Ben's, where she's known as a server with personality plus.
Last fall, I wrote about Beckham's plans to move to Japan. At the time, she said she was unattached and ready to try something new. She has always been intrigued with Japan and decided to teach in a city an hour north of Tokyo.
Her experience proved to be "challenging," she said. "My first night there was unbelievable."
After being dropped off at her apartment after a 16-hour flight, Beckham walked to a nearby store to call her parents to say that she had arrived safely. More>>