There was a lot of good news coming down the pike Friday morning on the Newell Normand program, in a media ecosystem that is more than ready to receive it.
First up, USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Travel Award program announced that Louis Armstrong International Airport ranked third in its 2021 Best Large Airport Contest. Newell spoke to MSY Aviation Director Kevin Dolliole.
“It makes it show like we've arrived, right?” Dolliole said. “It's quite the recognition to be seen by a panel of experts that USA today selected… to have them view your airport as worthy to compete among just 12 other airports, and to be named as one of the top 10 airports in the country!, To be in that mix of airports and to finish third is quite an achievement, and we're very thankful that the local public was appreciative enough of the services at the airport that they went out and voted for us and helped us achieve this.”
Hear the interview with Dolliole here:
And there’s some good news for Louisiana teachers. Governor Edwards announced yesterday afternoon that beginning Monday, February 22nd, vaccination sites will open up to help vaccinate teachers and school support staff, as well as those working in early childcare facilities. Newell spoke to Dr. Amanda Jackson, VP of Physician Services at Children’s Hospital.
“This is a great development,” Jackson reported. “As you know, as we get more and more vaccine allocation to our region, the governor has been expanding the populations that are available to get those vaccines. We started with those that were most at risk, which is those medically compromised, and those in the older population. We also included those frontline healthcare workers out there, caring for patients who are potentially exposed. And now we are expanding that to our educators because again, they are in front of our kids and our goal is to get our students back in the classrooms safely and keep everybody healthy.”
Hear the interview with Jackson here:
In addition to teachers, veterans are now eligible to get the vaccine as well.
“It was really nice to read this morning that the vaccine clinic at 2400 Canal Street at the new VA facility will be affording the opportunity to veterans to get vaccinated,” Newell announced. "The clinic is open from 7am to 5pm on weekdays and 7am to 2pm on weekends, according to a statement from Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. If you're going to walk in, you should arrive before 2:00 PM on weekdays and before noon on the weekends. Appointments are also available by calling 1-800-935-8387, ext 72819. Wait times have been about 20 minutes!"
