Author: Emily Gautreaux

LDOE Provides Tutoring Vouchers to Help Childhood Literacy

It was recently announced that thousands of Louisiana families will receive $1,000 tutoring vouchers in order to help children learn to read, according to this news release from the Louisiana Department of Education.

The launch of LDOE’s Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program entails that Louisiana families with children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be connected with high-quality literacy tutors. An online portal has been created so that Louisiana families can learn more about the tutoring vouchers, the program, and even sign up to be notified via email about when the new program will accept student registration later this year.

Created in honor of the late Baton Rouge State Representative Steve Carter, the Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program is the result of Act 415 of the 2021 Legislative Session (RS 17:4032.1). As part of the $40 million investment by the Louisiana Department of Education, state education leaders will be able to implement this program as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis.

Jenna Chaisson, the Deputy Superintendent, expects the program’s investment will bridge Louisiana’s literacy gap. She commented by saying, “the Louisiana Department of Education has invested $40 million dollars to fund the program as part of the state’s comprehensive strategy to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis.”

Currently, school systems in Louisiana are identifying students who meet eligibility requirements and notifying families accordingly. Essentially, students in grades K-3 are eligible if they scored below proficient on their beginning-of-year screener, and students in grades 4-5 are eligible if they scored below Mastery in ELA on the Spring 2022 LEAP assessment. LDOE directs any parents who are unsure of their child’s eligibility to contact their school for additional information; alternatively, they can email LouisianaLiteracy@la.gov.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes reflected on Louisiana’s national standings as seen in the recently-released NAEP scores by saying, “a  few weeks ago when the Nape scores across the nation were released Louisiana showed the most growth in the nation amongst 4th graders with respect to reading. So we are on the right track but we have to use every tool out of the toolbox.”

The Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program enables students to get more individualized attention from certified teaching professionals who have been approved by the Louisiana Department of Education. Once the program’s student registration opens, families will be able to utilize the tutoring program’s “one-stop shop” for selecting, vetting, and approving of qualified tutoring providers. Families will register their students with the initiative via an easy-to-use quality assurance portal, which is at http://www.louisianatutoringinitiative.com. In fact, in certain cases, a child’s school system may be a tutoring provider, but otherwise, the child’s school system will provide a tutor from its approved list of tutors.

Tutoring appointments are set to be scheduled between the parent/guardian and tutor and may take place at a mutually agreed upon location which can be a physical or virtual location, according to preference. Multi-lingual tutorswill also be available to accommodate students who do not speak English as a primary language.

Dr. Cade Brumley, the Louisiana State Superintendent, commented on the tutoring vouchers by saying, “this voucher is another tool in the toolbox to help kids learn to read. For individualized tutoring, it would cover about 25 sessions over the course of the year. If they want small group tutoring with a group up to 3 students they would be able to receive 35 sessions over the course of the year. Steve Carter believed in helping kids – that’s what this program does. ”

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Holiday Recipe: Preparing a Perfect Turducken

If you’re looking for a change of pace for what to put on the dinner table this holiday season, why not try cooking a turducken for your best holiday recipe? A turducken is a turkey stuffed with a duck, which is in turn stuffed with a chicken. This dish is sure to impress your guests and have them talking long after the meal is over, and thanks to these solid turducken preparation tips from Louisiana Cookin, your next feast is sure to impress.

Reasons to Cook a Turducken

There are many reasons to consider cooking the holiday recipe, a turducken, this season. First, it’s a unique dish that will stand out from the traditional turkey dinner. Your guests will be intrigued by this unusual presentation, and they’ll be eager to try it. Second, turducken is extremely flavorful. The different meats complement each other, and the stuffing adds an extra layer of flavor and texture. This is sure to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters. Third, cooking a turducken is relatively easy, especially if you use a pre-made stuffing mix. And since it’s already stuffed, there’s no need to worry about making additional side dishes. Just add some roasted potatoes or vegetables, and you’ve got a complete meal. So if you’re looking for something different this Thanksgiving, give turducken a try. It’s sure to please everyone at the table!

Preparation

When it comes to ensuring your turducken preparation is the best that it can be, thawing, basting, browning, and temperature-checking your turducken are extremely important cooking aspects to pay attention to.

Thawing

It is important to thaw a turducken completely before cooking. Thawing a frozen turducken can be done one of two ways: in the refrigerator or in cold water. If you choose to thaw your turducken in the refrigerator, place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any drips and allow 24-48 hours for it to thaw completely. If you’re short on time, you can place your turducken in cold water, making sure to change the water every 30 minutes. Either way, it is vital that you give your thawed bird plenty of time to reach room temperature before cooking. So, after your turducken has thawed in the fridge, remove it from the packaging and allow it to come to room temperature. Allowing your turducken to stand at room temperature for a full hour before cooking will help it to cook evenly.

Basting

Basting is key to keeping your turducken moist while it cooks. You can use any type of fat or oil for basting, but we recommend using melted bacon drippings. Once your turducken has rested at room temperature for an hour you’ll generously brush the outside with your melted bacon drippings before cooking. Basting your turducken will help it brown nicely in the oven. Additionally, you can also put some foil over the breast area during the first hour or so of cooking to prevent it from getting too dark.

Browning

Browning is an important process for getting that perfect golden color for this holiday recipe and cooking it through, but a key way to ensure that your turducken doesn’t succumb to “over-browning” is to tuck its wings underneath it prior to placing it in the oven. By tucking the wings beneath the bird, you are ensuring that this thin part of the turducken is essentially safe from over-crisping.

Temperature-Checking

Finally, cooking your turducken to the perfect temperature is essential. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit when cooked through. The best way to know when your turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch bone, and cook until it registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the turducken from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This will give the juices a chance to redistribute and make carving easier. Serve and enjoy!

Lastly, Louisiana Cookin provided a top-notch secret gravy recipe that makes good use of your turducken drippings.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup of turducken drippings
  • ½ cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups of chicken broth, divided
  • ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Take a roasting pan or a large nonstick saucepan and heat your collected turducken drippings over medium high heat. While the drippings are heating, you’ll sprinkle your ½ cup of all-purpose flour over the droppings and whisk them together to combine.
  2. Cook this gravy by stirring the pan constantly for about 1 to 2 minutes, until it’s thickened. Then, add ½ cup of chicken broth to the pan, whisking to combine. Cook by stirring the pan constantly for another 1 to 2 minutes, until it’s thickened. Add your remaining cup of chicken broth and repeat the whisking steps.
  3. Finish the gravy off by adding your pepper and serve alongside your roasted turducken.
  4. Enjoy!

For more delicious holiday recipes, click here.

New Study Predicts Gain In Louisiana Oil and Natural Gas Industry Jobs

Thanks to new offshore drilling techniques, Louisiana is expected to see a boost in oil and natural gas jobs by mid-2023, according to an article in The Advocate that details a recently released LSU report.

Despite the good news of this increase in jobs, natural gas prices on the Gulf Coast could remain high as long as demand for liquefied natural gas remains high. According to the 2023 Gulf Coast Energy Outlook from the LSU Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana has lost 8,700 jobs in the upstream oil and gas sector whenever COVID-19 caused the demand for fossil fuels to decrease.

Thankfully, this trend has changed as pandemic production pressures have since eased. Louisiana has regained about 2,500 of those jobs that were lost thanks to the returning demand. In comparison, Texas had lost 83,000 jobs in that same sector, but the state is expected to gain 12,200 upstream jobs by the second quarter of 2023. The report went on to reflectively say, “it is important to note that although employment is expected to increase over the forecast horizon, these model results are not anticipating employment in either state to reach pre-COVID levels over the forecast horizon.”

According to the report, it’s expected that the prices of crude oil, which have hovered around the $80 to $90 per barrel range in recent years, should stay closer to $80 per barrel in 2023 as futures prices continue to fall.

Gulf Coast crude oil production is forecasted to grow throughout the 2020s, reaching a total of $9 million barrels per day by year-end 2022. This is an increase from $7.7 million per barrel in 2020 and $7.8million in 2021. Higher crude prices are expected to drive this growth, and by 2032, Gulf Coast oil production should reach 11.7 million barrels per day. Gulf Coast production for natural gas should be around 53 billion cubic feet per day by 2022, which is up from 44.4 billion in 2020, and 46.5 billion in 2021. According to the report, Gulf Coast natural gas production should reach over 68 billion cubic feet per day by 2032.

LSU’s Center for Energy Studies reflected on these projections by saying, “as with prior years, there is plenty of oil in the ground to sustain a decade of production growth.” In fact, the report projects that a global energy demand will likely lead to an increase in U.S. exports of crude oil and natural gas. Particularly, this export increase will pertain to LNG, which the report referred to as “representing a continued growth opportunity” for the Gulf Coast.

The report found that the long-term shift in the energy sector towards renewables presents both a challenge and opportunity for Gulf Coast states, while decarbonization – the ongoing transition away from carbon-inducing fossil fuels– will rapidly reshape the US’ Gulf Coast. In Louisiana, much of the push toward net zero emissions relies on carbon capture. The controversial technology aims to capture industrial carbon dioxide emissions and bury them deep underground. However, uncertainty surrounding the technology has led to pushback from residents in Livingston and St. Helena, who are concerned about the safety of their natural resources.

The executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, David Dismukes, said that if carbon capture is required to be implemented in order for Louisiana to meet its emissions, then it will need to begin “moving pretty fast.” He expanded on this thought by saying that “if this is going to take off, it’s going to take a lot of education” in order to ease fears. Luckily, according to Dismukes, Louisiana State University and the Louisiana State Government should be the ones to lead such efforts.

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Terrebonne General Health System Receives Recognition for Leading Tech

It was recently announced by the Terrebonne General Health System that for the second year in a row, they have earned the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition by The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), according to this article from the HoumaTimes.

For the second consecutive year, Terrebonne General Health System was awarded the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition, and this year they were additionally recognized as being a certified level eight out of ten in two separate categories: acute and ambulatory care. Furthermore, Terrebonne General Health System is the only health system in the region to receive this designation two years in a row.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) recognized Terrebonne General for innovations like their top-rated EPIC medical records system and their MyChart patient portal, which provides patients with instant access to medical records. They were also recognized for their Terrebonne Connect Bar, a system that pairs patients with technology so they can manage their health on the go.

Terrebonne General Health System’s President and CEO, Phyllis Peoples, commented on the recognition by saying, “it is an honor to be recognized with the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired Award for the second consecutive year. This acknowledgment is a true testament to Terrebonne General’s unwavering commitment to offering the latest innovations and technologies to serve our community better.”

Amidst the 38,000 organizations that were surveyed by CHIME, Terrebonne General Health System ranked above its peers in categories such as population health, analytics and data management, infrastructure, and patient engagement. The survey assessed the adoption, integration, and overall impact of technologies in healthcare organizations at all stages of development. These healthcare organizations can be in various stages from early development to industry-leading health systems.

To help organizations improve their performance in eight different aspects (infrastructure; security; business/disaster recovery; administrative/supply chain; analytics/data management; interoperability/population health; patient engagement; and clinical quality), CHIME provided each participating organization with a customized benchmarking report that detailed their strengths and opportunities for improvement via an overall score and scored of the previously listed aspects. Participating organizations are then able to use the scores to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.

What factors into the quality of patient care? Being mindful of the customer experience and embracing digital innovation are two good answers. The Digital Health Most Wired survey honors healthcare providers who are best at keeping up with digital changes to deliver the best quality healthcare.

CHIME’s Digital Health Most Wired survey and its accompanying recognition program serve as a “comprehensive Digital Health Check-up” to be used by healthcare organizations worldwide. Increasingly, the quality of patient care is determined by success in digital health. The larger scope of the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey is meant to reflect the progress that leading healthcare providers are making as they reinvent how healthcare operates for a new century.

CHIME, the care integration alliance member organization, has been conducting the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey and overseeing it for five years. In every successive year, they’ve expanded the study to capture more types of organizations that serve patients across all different levels of care. They also promote this program internationally to give a global overview of digital health advances.

CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell addressed Terrebonne General Health System’s recognition by saying, “we are proud to honor your team’s exceptional dedication to excellence in digital health. Your pioneering performance in the industry inspires other organizations by example. Patients worldwide receive better care when you drive change through digital transformation, as you have proven through your success in this rigorous program.”

Due to their achievement, Terrebonne General Health System will be recognized at CHIME 22 in San Antonio, Texas this fall.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Roasted Turkey with Herb Stuffing is Perfect for Any Holiday Meal

Thanksgiving isn’t the only time a perfectly roasted turkey can be the star of the show, it’s perfect for any holiday gathering.  It’s time to start thinking about how you want to prepare your next holiday meal. Luckily, Epicurious has tons of tried-and-true recipes that everyone will enjoy, such as this recipe for Classic Roast Turkey With Herbed Stuffing and Old-fashioned Gravy. The herbed stuffing used in this recipe is the perfect complement to a roast turkey. It’s savory and flavorful, with a hint of rosemary and thyme. The stuffing can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to stuff the turkey.

Ingredients for roasted turkey:

Equipment:

Directions for roasted turkey:

  1. You’ll want to begin this recipe by placing your oven rack in the lowest position and preheating your oven to 325°F. Then, butter an 8-inch square baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish and lightly brush your roasting rack with vegetable oil, and place your roasting pan into it.
  2. The next step is to prepare your turkey for stuffing. First, you’ll want to remove the plastic or paper packet of giblets from your 12-pound turkey; these are usually located within a small cavity. Remove the giblets from the packaging and rinse them with water. Reserve the gizzard and heart and discard the floppy, dark purple liver.Remove the neck from the turkey’s large cavity. Remove the packaging from the neck, rinse them with water, and reserve. Then, using tweezers or needle nose pliers, remove any remaining excess such as feathers and quills still attached to the skin, though this is usually only required of kosher turkeys. Pull off and reserve any visible pale yellow knobs of fat from either side of the tail.
  3. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat it dry. Loosely fill the small neck cavity with your warmed farmhouse herbed stuffing. Fold the neck skin under the body and fasten it with a metal skewer. Then, loosely fill the large body cavity with more warmed farmhouse herbed stuffing, and then transfer your remaining stuffing to your buttered dish from earlier and drizzle with ¼ cup of homemade turkey stock. Cover your turkey with aluminum foil, and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake.
  4. Transfer your turkey with the breast side facing up to the rack in your roasting pan. Tuck wing tips underneath the breast and tie drumsticks loosely together with kitchen twine. Rub turkey all over with softened butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Then, tightly cover the breast area with foil, leaving wings, thighs, and drumsticks exposed. Transfer gizzard, heart, neck, and reserved turkey fat to a roasting pan around the rack, pour 2 cups of turkey stock into the pan, and roast the turkey for 45 minutes.
  5. Throughout the roasting, baste with pan juices every 45 minutes, 1½ hours more (2¼ hours total). Baste again and, if pan juices have evaporated into a glaze, you’ll want to add 1 cup stock to the pan. Roast for another 45 minutes (3 hours total). Remove foil from breast area, baste, and add stock if necessary, until your instant-read thermometer inserted into the fleshy part of thigh (close to but not touching bone) registers 180°F, about 1 hour more (4 hours total).
  6. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the stuffing in the body cavity, ensuring that it reads a minimum of 165°F. Cover the turkey and keep it warm. When you’re ready to serve, use turkey holders to transfer turkey to a large serving platter. Let the stand for 30 minutes before carving.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Six Excellent Mountain Resorts for your Next Vacation

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or this is your first time in ski lodge country, there’s no denying the utter beauty of mountain resorts. In the United States alone, there are plenty of fantastic options to choose from. Thanks to this excellent travel blog post from Travel + Leisure, you can survey and explore six of the best mountain ranges in the United States. This list covers all sorts of different terrain so that you can find the perfect fit for your next hike, weekend trip, or wintertime vacation.

Under Canvas Moab, Moab, Utah

Under Canvas Moab is nestled in the heart of Moab, Utah nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. This beautiful resort and town is surrounded by red rock cliffs and towering mountains, making it the perfect spot for Under Canvas Moab to offer luxury camping experiences with all the amenities of home. Each spacious canvas tent includes a king-sized bed, private bathrooms, and a deck with stunning views. Guests can enjoy on-site activities such as hiking, biking, and canoeing– as well as on-site programming that includes guided tours, yoga, and s’mores by the campfire.

The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley, California

Designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood in 1927, The Ahwahnee is a historic luxury hotel located in Yosemite Valley, California. The Ahwahnee is known for its grandiose architecture and spectacular setting, and has been featured in many films and television shows over the years for its decadence. If you’re looking to relax in style while also being in close proximity to Half Dome and El Capitan trailheads, you’re in the right place.

Jenny Lake Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge, Wyoming

Both Jenny Lake Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge are operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company, and they’re two of the best mountain lodges in all of Wyoming, which is saying a lot. They offer stunning views of the Teton Range, as well as a variety of activities for guests to enjoy. Jenny Lake Lodge is located in Grand Teton National Park, and it offers a variety of accommodations, including suites, cabins, and cottages. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar, and gift shop. Guests can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking. Jackson Lake Lodge is also located in Grand Teton National Park, near Moran, and it’s seen as a complement to Jenny Lake Lodge, as both have similar amenities and rave reviews.

Topnotch Resort, Stowe, Vermont

Looking to hit the slopes this winter? Then you’ll want to check out Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Ranked as one of the best mountain resorts in the country, Topnotch offers superb skiing and snowboarding conditions on its world-class trails. But it’s not just the slopes that make Topnotch a top pick for winter vacationers. The resort also boasts luxurious accommodations, outstanding dining, and a wide range of family-friendly activities. So whether you’re looking to hit the powder or simply relax and enjoy the winter scenery, Topnotch Resort is sure to please.

Viceroy Snowmass, Snowmass Village, Colorado

Viceroy Snowmass is a AAA Four-Diamond resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado that features ski-in/ski-out access to Snowmass Mountain, as well as a number of luxury amenities and services. Guests can enjoy on-site dining at one of the resort’s three restaurants, relax in the spa, or take advantage of the 24-hour fitness center. Viceroy Snowmass also offers a variety of event and meeting spaces, making it the perfect place for weddings, conferences, and other special occasions.

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado is one of the best mountain resorts in the United States. The resort overlooks the city of Colorado Springs and is situated at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. The Broadmoor offers a variety of accommodations, including suites, townhomes, and villas. The resort also features an award-winning spa,championship golf courses, tennis courts, and several restaurants.

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