Aug 19, 2019

Kathleen Blanco, Louisiana governor during Hurricane Katrina, has died

Rebecca Falconer

Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Photo: Bill Haber/AP

Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D), who led Louisianians during Hurricane Katrina, one of the state's "darkest hours," died of cancer Sunday, said Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) , paying tribute to the "trailblazer" on Twitter. She was 76.

Why it matters: Per Edwards, his predecessor broke down many barriers to become the first woman elected governor of Louisiana, "leading the way for others to follow. " "She stands among the giants who have helped shaped Louisiana’s history," Edwards said.

The big picture: Doctors successfully treated Blanco for cancer in her eye in 2011, but it later returned and spread to her liver, AP reports. "I’ve had an extraordinarily full life," the devout Catholic told the Advocate in December 2017, when she announced she was being treated for the incurable melanoma.

Go deeper

Bob Herman

FDA warns of bursting heart valve balloons

The Sapien 3 Ultra Delivery System. Photo: Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is recalling almost 1,600 heart valve replacement systems after discovering balloons that are part of the device are rupturing inside the heart. The recall affects patients who have had surgery with the product since January.

Why it matters: One person has died and 17 others have been injured from the malfunctioning devices, according to the Food and Drug Administration. These types of heart valve products make up a majority of Edwards' $4 billion in sales.

Keep ReadingArrowAug 22, 2019
Ursula Perano, Rebecca Falconer

Humberto strengthens into Category 1 hurricane

Photo: Courtesy of the National Weather Service

Humberto strengthened into a hurricane as it moved east into the Atlantic Ocean Sunday night, and the National Hurricane Center warns Bermuda is set to be impacted with heavy rain from the Category 1 storm.

The latest: Humberto was moving at 3 mph 785 miles west of Bermuda at 11 p.m., with sustained winds of 75 mph. It lashed the Hurricane Dorian-devastated Bahamas with 70 mph winds as it scraped past, but the NHC said the nation escaped the bulk of the storm.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Sep 16, 2019
Orion Rummler

Ruth Bader Ginsburg finishes 3 weeks of radiation therapy

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg poses for a photo on Nov. 30, 2018. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg completed a 3-week course of radiation therapy in New York, the U.S. Supreme Court disclosed on Friday per an NPR report.

What's happening: Ginsburg's outpatient treatment began Aug. 5 to treat a malignant tumor on her pancreas. "The Justice tolerated the treatment well," per a U.S. Supreme Court press release. During the treatment, she managed to maintain an "active schedule," other than missing her annual summer visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Physicians at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York said tests provided no further evidence of the disease spreading to other parts of her body, according to NPR.

Go deeperArrowAug 23, 2019