Louisiana Unfiltered

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24 of 2024 Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Louisiana Unfiltered Kiran and her team discuss what will be the top stories of 2024 in the State of Louisiana.
we discuss the upcoming 2024 elections, we touch on the low voter turnout in the 2023 election and emphasize the importance of voting in local races.
We also discuss contract renewals for school superintendents and new leadership in various parishes as well as the appointment of a new police chief in Baton Rouge and cover the announcement that Mayor President Sharon Weston Broom will seek a third term plus much more!
Chapters:
0:00:13 Reflecting on the eventful year of 2023
0:04:57 Gulf Coast Rail Services to Resume in 2024
0:07:49 Neighbors Federal Credit Union: Personalized Banking Experience
0:08:30 Rock the Country Concert Comes to Ascension Parish
0:11:09 Amazon Fulfillment Center coming to old Cortana Mall site
0:14:11 Southern Jags welcome new head coach for football season
0:19:15 Women's college basketball as a source of inspiration and excitement
0:23:13 Lengthy Environmental Studies and Future Timeline of the Bridge
0:25:50 New School in Ascension Parish to Address Overcrowding Issue
0:27:22 Legal battles over ban on transgender healthcare for youth
0:40:55 Speed Cameras Coming to Chafalaya Basin Bridge
0:43:56 Legal Challenges and Controversy Surrounding Speed Cameras
0:50:21 The Importance of Paid Parental Leave for State Workers
0:53:29 Non-Swifties React to Taylor Swift's Popularity
0:58:24 Traffic Relief with College Drive Flyover Opening
1:03:54 Louisiana Presidential Primary and Potential Republican Nominee
1:11:33 Contracts of Superintendents Ending in Livingston Parish and East Baton Rouge
1:24:32 Mayor Sharon Weston-Broom announces third term bid
Tags:
#sharonwestonbroom ##louisianaunfiltered #Louisianaelections #speedcameras #kiranchawla #podcast #Louisianaunfiltered #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana #batonrougepolicechief

Betrayed Trust: Louisiana Paramedic Samrat Mukherjee Exposed Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, of Louisiana Unfiltered Kiran Chawla and Katherine Read bring you into the shocking case of Samrat Mukherjee, who posed as a doctor for years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The story came to our attention and we broke this story when a source from Acadian Ambulance reached out to us, revealing that Mukherjee had been fired. We confirmed the story and reported on it, despite Acadian's denial.
Multiple employees insisted that Mukherjee had claimed to be a doctor. In fact, Kiran interviewed him herself when he was working as a paramedic, and he mentioned being a fifth-year medical student. Later, it was discovered that he had forged a letter to falsely claim acceptance to medical school.
Mukherjee claimed to have attended Emory Medical School, Tulane, and LSU. This raised suspicions as it seemed like he was weaving a web of lies involving multiple entities. His audacity in deceiving others we and many others found astonishing.
The investigation revealed that Mukherjee used an actual doctors information to call in prescriptions, by using the doctors National Prescription Identifier (NPI) number. Acadian Ambulance, his employer, terminated him immediately upon discovering this, though many find it concerning that someone like him could slip through the verification process at Acadian, especially considering that they provide life-saving care in various communities.
Mukherjee has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him. Dr. Le is seeking justice through a civil lawsuit, holding Mukherjee and Acadian Ambulance liable for their roles in the case.
Throughout our investigation, we faced challenges in obtaining responses from various agencies. However, a federal grand jury indictment validated our concerns, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigative Division of the Louisiana Department of Justice launched an investigation into potential medical fraud.
We also interview Dallon Bush and Jamie Gontarek, who represent Dr. Le in the case. They discuss their involvement and the misuse of Dr. Le's NPI number by Mukherjee.
The entire Louisiana Unfiltered team stands by the affected individuals and continues to follow this story closely.
Chapters:
0:01:59 Mukherjee fired from Acadian Ambulance, charges and indictment follow
0:04:50 Mukherjee's long employment history at Acadian discussed
0:07:59 Unraveling of Mukherjee's lies through conversations and prescription incident
0:10:29 Acadian Ambulance: Verification Process
0:13:17 Unraveling the Truth: OLL Confirmation and Facebook Posts
0:29:30 Confirmation of forgery and access to medical facilities
0:33:40 Dr. Le as the party in the civil lawsuit
0:36:39 Introduction to Dallon Bush and Jamie Gontarek
0:39:30 Connection between Dr. Le and Samrat Mukherjee revealed
0:45:52 Theories of liability and negligence actions explained
Tags:
#louisianaunfiltered #SamratMukherjee #AcadianAmbulance #kiranchawla #podcast #Louisianaunfiltered #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

What Is With The Flu This Year? Dr. Ruben Patel Explains What You Can Do To Minimize Your Risk. Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

We wanted to give you a little Lagniappe as we say in South Louisiana so while Kiran is beating the pavement getting you details on some breaking news, Daniel Brown and Katherine Read got the details on what seems like the worst flu season in a while and they sought out an expert!
Dr. Ruben Patel, the founder of Patient Plus, joined Daniel and Katherine to shed light on the reasons behind the harsh flu season.
Factors such as the absence of outstanding previous flu seasons, potential and vaccine fatigue seem to be leading to reduced vaccination rates, and increased socialization all contributed to the heightened prevalence of the flu according to Dr. Patel.
Dr. Patel emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and debunked common myths, such as getting the flu from the vaccine itself. "Although the effectiveness of this year's vaccine is yet to be determined, it can significantly reduce the impact of the flu, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions" he said.
He is seeing an increase in both flu A and flu B cases this year. Symptoms of this year's flu variant include fever, chills, fatigue, malaise, runny nose, and headache. Children are being heavily impacted by the flu due to their less developed immune systems and increased exposure to other children. Dr. Patel recommends to get the flu vaccine in October, although it's never too late to get it. The flu season is expected to continue into January and possibly beyond.
As we approach the holidays and Mardi Gras, we discuss staying healthy and preventing the spread of viruses. Dr. Patel say's It's essential to wash hands, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and stay home if you're sick. Rest, fluids, and staying home are the best remedies for the flu, and antiviral medications like Tamiflu can help if taken within 48-72 hours of symptoms. He also recommends avoiding what he stated is "over-prescribing antibiotics" for viral illnesses like colds and sinus infections to prevent antibiotic resistance. Pneumonia can be bacterial and can be diagnosed through symptoms and an x-ray.
We also discuss the spread of RSV, a common virus in young children, and its varying symptoms' severity. Dr. Patel noted that it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, especially if there is a fever or unexplained illness. Precautions such as washing hands, rest, and staying away from gatherings when feeling sick can help prevent the spread of illnesses. Especially when attending super-spreading events like Mardi Gras.
Dr. Patel also stated the importantace of having essential medications in your medicine cabinet, such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, anti-allergy medicine, decongestants, and cough medication, but to always consult with your doctor for specific needs.
Let's hope this flu season ends soon, especially with Mardi Gras season approaching. Stay healthy, everyone!
Chapters:
0:02:00 Factors contributing to a bad flu season
0:04:18 The effectiveness of the flu vaccine explained
0:06:01 Duration and variants of the flu this year
0:08:31 Symptoms and Impact of the Flu on Children
0:17:37 Antibiotics vs. Over-the-counter Medication
0:19:26 The dangers of overusing Z-Pak antibiotics
0:21:13 Differentiating between viral and bacterial illnesses
0:23:06 Examples of bacterial respiratory diseases that may require antibiotics
0:25:28 RSV vaccine recommendation for older adults
0:26:59 Special care for infants with respiratory infections
0:29:29 Other illnesses circulating in Baton Rouge
0:32:25 Myths and Misconceptions about Viruses and Colds
0:34:25 Closing Remarks and Checking with Your Doctor
Tags:
#louisianaunfiltered #mardigras #fluandcoldseason #kiranchawla #podcast #vaccination #virus #flu
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production: