Legislation to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects gets shelved due to a lack of support, prompting bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, to request the winner of the fall gubernatorial election call a special “infrastructure” session next year. Carter says crumbling roads and bridges are some of the biggest threat facing the state.
Cut 13 (11) “…of us”
Louisiana was slammed with another round of twisters yesterday that’s knocked out power to hundreds in Acadiana, damaged over 50 homes and businesses, and left three people with minor injuries. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist in Charge Andy Patrick says they’ve identified six tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event so far, all of them having sustained winds of about 105 miles per hour.
Patrick says a large set of upper level disturbances has been contributing to the rash of tornadoes statewide.
Louisiana has produced the state’s first American Idol winner with Livingston Parish native Laine Hardy taking the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC. He returned to the show for a second season to play guitar for a friend who was auditioning. While he wasn’t trying to make it back on the show, both of them got offers to advance in the competition. His mom, Cindy Hardy, says in the time since last season, he has been playing more gigs, working on his stage presence.
Cut 4 (10) “…tried back out.”
She says the family comes home tomorrow, but Laine will be staying in California for a few more weeks working on music.