Latest news with #KLFY
6 hours ago
- General
Lafayette organ transplant recipient advocates on Capitol Hill
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– One Lafayette resident is on the organ transplant waitlist for the second time. Now, he and the American Kidney Fund are working with lawmakers to get more protections for organ donors and recipients. Pesh Patel is one of over one hundred thousand in the US on the waitlist. 'We went to our respective congressmen and senators' offices to discuss the initiatives that are important to kidney patients,' Patel said. 'The two that we focused on were the Medicaid cuts and the Living Donor Protection Act.' They're pushing for Medicaid to fully cover the cost of dialysis for those who cannot afford insurance. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I've spoken to a lot of people that say, you know, 'I have to decide between paying rent or paying insurance,'' Patel said. They're also hoping to change the Living Donor Protection Act to allow kidney donors paid time off to recover from surgery. 'After donating an organ, there could be some physical side effects,' Patel said. 'So, we want to make sure that these patients that step up to save lives, literally they're saving lives, have the same time afforded to them as other people.' Patel continued, 'On the state level, the Living Donor Protection Act only covers bone marrow donors. It does not cover solid organ donors, so we're trying to change that also on a state level.' Patel said steps were made, but 'One trip isn't going to solve everything.' Just like his first transplant didn't solve everything for him. 'Once I received the transplant, I didn't look at it as a treatment,' Patel said. 'And it is a treatment; it's not a cure. I looked at it as a cure. So, I thought I was going to live until 100 and everything was going to be gravy, and it was not.' He got a kidney transplant when he was diagnosed with End State Renal Disease, the end stage of chronic kidney disease. A few years later, his body rejected it. Now, he's back on the waitlist. 'I was the one that said after the transplant rejected that I'm never going to have dialysis again,' Patel said. 'I'm never getting a transplant again. I was just kind of done with it.' 'Then fast forward, once I found my purpose of being an advocate and helping others,' Patel said. 'I said I need to fight for myself, so I can help others.' He urges everyone to get a kidney screening and advocate for others who are waiting for their lives to be saved. AM Grocery reopens after arson attempt, vows to give back to Jeanerette community Blake Lively withdraws claims of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni Judge orders federal prisons to continue gender-affirming care for transgender inmates Lafayette organ transplant recipient advocates on Capitol Hill Three arrests made in $10 million staged crash scheme Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
8 hours ago
- General
St. Michael Middle School Saints Robotics team heads to global competition
CROWLEY, La. (KLFY) — The St. Michael Middle School Saints Robotics team is headed to the Global FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics competition this summer. The team is known as Saints Robotics and is comprised of 5th through 8th grade students. Xander Richard, one of the 8th graders, said the team is looking forward to many things about this trip. 'We showcase our robot in different tasks they give us, and we showcase our innovation project. Which is a project that they create, and that solves a certain problem, that they give us.' Richard said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Saints Robotics will put their skills to the test in the . 'We are preparing really hard, it's gonna be fun meeting new people, Mr. Tim (the Saints Robotics coach) says, for like 30 different countries. It's gonna be awesome' Richard said. The team looks forward to not only competing, but the opportunity to meet teams from across the world. 'Coach says, the two booths next to us, one is from Texas or Minnesota, and the other is from Japan. So, that is really cool.' Nick Himel, Saints Robotics team member said. 'I'm look forward to seeing what we can do compared to all the other teams across the world. And you know that being able to meet new people.' Logan Ousley added. John Keith Hensgens, an 8th grader, said he is proud of the team's journey in creating the robot and can't wait to see them compete. 'It's exciting for us to see how far we've come since the beginning of the year when we only had maybe like some idea of what the robot was going to end up looking like by the end of the year. But now we have all sorts of attachments in code for the robot.' Hensgens said. After placing first place for the Innovation Project on making AUV`s for marine exploration less invasive and 4th place overall at the Louisiana State Championship Robotics Tournament, STEM Teacher and Coach Tim Miguez said, these kids have earned their spot and are learning life skills in a big way. 'And those skills coding and the engineering skills that they're learning are important for us, for the adults and the teachers.' Miguez said. 'Usually it's the conflict resolution that they're learning, the public speaking, that they're learning the the need to work together, that that cooperation amongst the team is really important. I think that's probably our most valued part of our program.' There are 106 teams representing 44 states and 30 countries, and Saints Robotics is the only team representing Louisiana. Amtrak train hits vehicle in Lafayette Family of six-year-old Korbin awaits justice as bond hearing is moved Raskin launches probe of McIver charges in ICE facility scuffle Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter VI' tour hits 30+ cities this summer Slightly Higher Rain Chances Over the Next Few Days & Near Normal Temperatures… Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
9 hours ago
- General
Elderly couple dies in house fire in Vermilion Parish
INDIAN BAYOU, La. (KLFY) — A fatal house fire claims the lives of an elderly couple early Monday morning, fire officials confirmed. The incident occurred on Tan Rd, a part of Indian Bayou in Vermilion Parish, fire officials said. Family members released the identity of the victims as Weston Hebert, 80, and Shirley Hebert, 79. The family said the elderly couple was well-known and loved in the community. The cause of the fire is under investigation. We will update as more information is released. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Louisiana places three on CSC Academic All-District Team St. Landry Parish makes $375K in operational budget cuts Cold case solved: High school teacher's killer identified as 16-year-old boy Elderly couple dies in house fire in Vermilion Parish Republicans want to stop judges from issuing nationwide injunctions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
9 hours ago
- Business
St. Landry Parish makes $375K in operational budget cuts
OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) — St. Landry Parish Government announced significant operational cuts totaling approximately $375,000 in response to escalating mandated expenses. According to officials, the cuts are designed to ensure that essential expenses, particularly those related to inmate housing, juvenile services, and disaster relief, are adequately funded. Opelousas City Jail closed, manpower issues persist 'These cuts, while difficult, are necessary to manage the financial realities we are facing,' said Jessie Bellard, St. Landry Parish President. 'It is crucial that we prioritize our mandated expenses to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.' The parish government said various employment adjustments will be made, including the reassignment of staff and a shift to part-time work. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Opelousas sales tax renewal heads to August election Bellard shared how some positions were consolidated and will not replace personnel who have left. He will reassign the duties of the public information officer and have one of the parish investigator positions be eliminated. Bellard assures the community that essential investigative services will continue, with oversight and support from his office, to maintain service levels while reducing costs. 'Due to the rising costs associated with housing inmates and juveniles and uncertainty in how FEMA may respond to natural disasters, we are facing new challenges with funding,'Bellard said. 'We are watching the restructuring of FEMA closely. We are hearing that disaster reimbursements from FEMA may be decreased from 90% to 50%, contingent on the nature of the declaration. We must adapt to these changes and plan our budget accordingly.' Louisiana places three on CSC Academic All-District Team St. Landry Parish makes $375K in operational budget cuts Cold case solved: High school teacher's killer identified as 16-year-old boy Elderly couple dies in house fire in Vermilion Parish Republicans want to stop judges from issuing nationwide injunctions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
11 hours ago
- General
Former Fenton Mayor Eddie Alfred Jr. arrested for malfeasance, tampering
FENTON, La. (KLFY) — Eddie Alfred Jr., known as former Mayor of Fenton, was arrested for malfeasance in office and injuring public records earlier today, officials said. In early May, officials were requested by the Village of Fenton Administration to investigate a complaint involving Alfred for allegations of removing village documents upon leaving office, authorities said. As the investigation progressed, officials determined that before leaving office in December 2024, Alfred allegedly deleted electronic files, took possession of documents essential to village operations, and refused to provide information to the new administration. Detectives said they were able to recover some of the files from Alfred's residence. Alfred was taken into custody on an arrest warrant and was processed into the Jefferson Davis Parish Correctional Center with $5000 bond. Alfred was released on bond later today according to public records. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This investigation remains ongoing. Hegseth orders Navy strip oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk of name Senators work on budget bill White House: 'No plans' for Trump to issue Pride Month proclamation Education Secretary Linda McMahon testifies before Congress Boulder fire attack suspect planned to kill group, but appeared to have second thoughts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
