Children's Hospital

Doctors and officials at New Orleans Children’s Hospital held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address questions related to the deaths of five children who died after contracting a deadly fungus transferred to them through contaminated linens.

The Medical Director for Children's Hospital, Dr. John Heaton, acknowledged that a fungal outbreak was detected at the hospital in 2008 and 2009, and he said “an alarm went off” when lesions were detected on at least two of the young patients who later died.

To tackle perilously-low rates of immunizations, a local initiative is bringing free vaccinations directly to neighborhoods and schools.

Moses Malone, Spencer Haywood, Cazzie Russell and Mark Eaton are among retired professional basketball stars offering their company in an Aug. 17 fishing tournament to benefit Children's Hospital of New Orleans.

For $2,000, each three-angler team gets a boat, a local guide and a big-name angler to fill out the team. They also can attend an Aug. 18 gala with more than 100 former NBA players.

The tournament will be at Joe's Landing in Lafitte.