Take a look: The Louisiana Department of Health has a new website where people can look at tables, graphs and maps with health, environmental, population and other information, The Associated Press reports. For instance, “health outcomes” covers nine conditions including adult obesity, asthma, cancer, diabetes and heart attacks, plus occupational health. Environmental data, reported pesticide exposures and population data, such as total populations, education, access to grocery stores or health care, and language, also is available. The years for which information is available varies. Some cover the years 2001 through 2010, with each year individually or a range of years available. Access to groceries covers only 2012. A report on pesticide exposures covers the years 2006 through 2011, but not individual years.
Have a seat: Paul Arrigo, president and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, has been appointed as an at-large member of the Louisiana Tourism Development Commission by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. According to a news release from Visit Baton Rouge, Arrigo will advise Nungesser on multiple issues, such as reviewing and advising on major types of promotion and advertising contracts and helping formulate a strategic plan for tourism development. Arrigo is one of six at-large appointments to the commission, which meets on a quarterly basis. “Paul’s vast experience in the tourism community will bring a great perspective to the board and continue to help our industry build a strong case to attract visitors to our wonderful state,” Nungesser says in a statement.
A little dough: For the three candidates competing in next week’s PitchBR: Food Innovation Edition, the pot just got a little sweeter. LaPorte Business Consultants, an accounting and business advisory firm, will award $1,000 to the winner. Cupcake Allie, The Cajun Spoon and Waitr will take the floor beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Kean Miller’s Conference Center to impress three culinary entrepreneurs: James Jacobs Jr., co-owner of Magpie Café; Brandon Landry, co-founder of Walk-On’s; and Richard Hanley, founder of Hanley’s Dressings. The winner will go on to the final competition in November during Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week for a chance at a $250,000 investment from Innovation Catalyst.
