BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Pregnant, addicted to heroin, facing drug charges and a dangerous path to giving birth — Rachel Hernandez was pulled from an abyss by receiving the kind of help that is a rarity for women like her in Louisiana. The opioid epidemic is contributing to the state’s crisis of infant and maternal mortality like never before: Nearly 400 babies were admitted to hospitals for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in 2021, the most recently available state data shows. Read more about what's being done to combat this ongoing crisis. LSU has opened a new center dedicated to protecting higher education statewide and providing a pathway to careers in cybersecurity for students. State officials have warned that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, but it is hard to find workers with the skills to defend against them. Read about how LSU's "cyber warriors" will aid in the fight. LSU's women helped drive 9.9 million viewers to its national championship win over Iowa, added the top freshman class in the country and the top two players from the transfer portal, and are ranked No. 1 in preseason polls. But head coach Kim Mulkey says her team “is not content” heading into the season. | 