🌱 Doctors Warn Of COVID Clots + Local Tech Job Growth

Get on up, Baton Rouge! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on in Baton Rouge today.

First, today's weather:

Couple of thunderstorms. High: 73 Low: 31.

Here are the top three stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. Baton-Rouge doctors are seeing an increase in blood clots after COVID. Dr. Niksad Abraham, a cardiologist with Baton Rouge General said he’s noticed this in the cardiovascular system, manifesting as a stroke or pulmonary embolism. Abraham said that research into this indicates the cause is due to antibodies that circulate in the body after COVID. (WAFB)
2. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber reported that the number of technology jobs in the area grew during the pandemic while the overall number of jobs shrank. According to Andrew Fitzgerald, senior vice president of business intelligence at the Chamber, half of the growth came from people who are self-employed. In spite of this growth, a gap remains between the number of tech jobs available and the number of people able and willing to fill the positions. (Greater Baton Rouge Business Report)
3. Shots fired into a home on Firewood Drive early Thursday morning injured a man and woman. Police believe the shooting was targeted and are looking for the shooter. The two people injured are expected to be okay. (WBRZ)

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Today in Baton Rouge:

• Popsicle Stick Phone Easel Grab & Geaux at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library (All Day)
• Wacoal Fit for the Cure Event on Mar. 11, at the Dillard's in Mall of Louisiana (9:00 AM)
• Fitness in the Stacks at Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Film: A Raisin in the Sun at East Baton Rouge Parish Library (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The 16th Annual Baton Rouge Kidney Walk will be held Saturday, April 2nd at 8:30 am at Highland Park Grand Pavillon and Great Lawn. The goal is to raise $35K to fight kidney disease and spread awareness. (BRProud.com)
• Guerilla Warfare Paintball, which closed in Walker this past summer, plans to reopen in East Baton Rouge Parish. The planning commission will review their application in April. (Greater Baton Rouge Business Report)
• With just a click on the link, view five of the newest home listings in the Baton Rouge area. Photos and specs are available on properties ranging in price from $50, 000 to $100,000. (Baton Rouge Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.