Bets are on: Louisiana will extend its no-bid contract with Harrah’s to operate its land-based casino in New Orleans for another 30 years. Legislation striking the deal won final passage Tuesday with a 27-10 Senate vote, sending the measure to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who supports it, although support for the extension was a turnaround from last year when a 30-year proposal failed amid questions about whether it offered the state too little. Read the full story.
Lights out: Teenagers are so attached to their smartphones that more than a third of them wake up in the middle of the night and check the devices, according to a new survey by Common Sense Media, The Wall Street Journal reports. The survey also found that roughly a quarter of parents woke up and checked their phones overnight. The findings trouble researchers because they indicate large numbers of smartphone users are ignoring the recommendations of sleep experts and show how far tech companies must go to persuade consumers to use their devices less. Read the full story.
Reporting rules: Louisiana’s Department of Health says doctors must now report all test results for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C—even tests indicating someone doesn’t have the ailment because negative tests can show treatment success. Louisiana has very high rates of all three diseases, which can be fatal. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux (Bee-yoo) says getting all test results will give a clearer picture of epidemics and efforts to stop them. Read the full announcement.
