The first of four confederate statues that are set to be taken down in New Orleans was removed early this morning. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says there are three other statues that will be taken down, two of them are of Confederate generals and the other was a Confederate President. He says they will come down sooner rather than later, but won’t say when…
cut 4 (11) “…deterred”
Landrieu says they’ve also raised enough money privately to remove the statues.

A major construction project began today on the first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street. Director of New Orleans Public Works Col. Mark Jernigan says they’ll remove and replace the existing pavement, along with all of the aging pipes underneath the famous street.
Cut 10 (09) “90 years”
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

A northwest Louisiana lawmaker has a bill that would do away with the need to get an inspection sticker in most parishes. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley knows the public supports this idea…
cut 8 (10) “…runaway”
Bagley believes an inspection sticker is more about the money than public safety, since you can drive around and still see broken tail lights.

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson remains confident Congress can pass legislation that will overhaul the nation’s health care system. Johnson says they are discussing a plan that gives states more flexibility to pull out of Affordable Care Act provisions…
cut 15 (06) “…on everyone”
Johnson says another provision that’s gained support would put cancer patients and individuals with a chronic illness in a separate market place funded by the federal government.