In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to be aware of the dangers of space heaters if used improperly and spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says to be mindful of holiday decorations also.
The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston.
The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration, Desiree Honore Thomas says the programs have helped people stay afloat through financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.
Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says the letter he sent last week is the final step to make the long-polluted lakes eligible for federal assistance.
Edwards says it could take three to five years before remediation work begins.
The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Bren Haase executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s a monumental development
He says the project will also provide more hurricane protection for New Orleans.