[StBernard] LRA Progress Report  July 6, 2007

[Westley Annis]

In this issue:

*	Essence Music Festival Returns to New Orleans
*	Recovery School District Launches Campaign to Recruit New Teachers
*	Growing Number of Bald Eagles Nesting in Louisiana 
*	LSU Nursing School Receives Grant for Graduate Program
*	State Releases Family Readiness Plans


Essence Music Festival Returns to New Orleans

The Essence Musical Festival returned to New Orleans this week for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. The festival runs through Saturday and features hip-hop, R&B and gospel music. The festival's activities are being held at both the Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, both of which sheltered evacuees of Katrina. Music artists scheduled to appear include Beyonce, Ne-Yo and Lionel Richie. For a complete schedule of events or to get tickets click here <http://www.essence.com/essence/emf/>  .


Recovery School District Launches Campaign to Recruit New Teachers

New Orleans' Recovery School District launched a new campaign this week to recruit as many as 500 teachers. The program will reach out to new teachers, as well as former teachers who left the area or who recently retired. The campaign will launch a new website http://www.WhyYouTeach.org <http://www.WhyYouTeach.org>  and a multifaceted advertising campaign to attract teachers the New Orleans public schools. To read the press release in its entirety click here <http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/comm/pressrelease.aspx?PR=898> .



Growing Number of Bald Eagles Nesting in Louisiana

The American Bald Eagle, no longer an endangered species, is thriving throughout the United States, particularly in Louisiana. Louisiana ranks ninth in the country with 337 breeding pairs of bald eagles. The bald eagle continues to prosper in Louisiana because of increased efforts to preserve the eagle's nesting ground. To read the full story, click here <http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/BaldEagle.htm>  



LSU Nursing School Receives Grant for Graduate Program

Louisiana State University's nursing school received a $1.2 million grant this week to recruit and train nurse anesthetists in the university's graduate program. The grant is part of a three-year reward designed to reduce the shortage of nurse anesthetists since Hurricane Katrina. The program seeks to recruit minority-groups from within Louisiana, who will help diversify the profession. To read the full story click here <http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-22/1183705393306690.xml&coll=1> .


State Releases Family Readiness Plans

The Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Public Health Institute have partnered with the Stay Healthy Louisiana campaign in order to assist Louisiana residents in preparation for emergencies and natural disasters, such as hurricanes. StayHealthyLa.org offers advice on what basic steps to take during a disaster and how to create a Family Readiness Plan. For more information or to create your own Family Readiness Plan, click here <http://www.stayhealthyla.org/home/issues/view/28/> .





Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath! of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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