A new Louisiana transportation agency is working on repairing dozens of rural bridges by the end of 2026. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The Washington Post is reporting the White House has plans to send as many as one-thousand National Guard troops to various cities in Louisiana. Reaction to the possibility is mixed. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Southeastern football will take a short trip down I-12 to Baton Rouge to face the number three-ranked LSU Tigers this Saturday. Andre Champagne has the story.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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Another Louisiana school is reporting surging enrollment. LSU Alexandria has announced that its enrollment has grown to just under 77-hundred students. Abbey Bain, the vice chancellor for enrollment and student engagement, says it’s a continuation of a long winning streak for the school.
Cut 4 (05) “…record-breaking enrollment.”
In 2019, enrollment at LSUA was just under 33-hundred. Bain says even though enrollment has more than doubled since then, it hasn’t lost sight of its core mission as a small undergraduate school.
Cut 5 (12) “…and our faculty.”
Bain says in addition, LSUA has more than 45-hundred students who take their classes entirely online.
Cut 6 (11) “…further their career.”
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Several Louisiana legislators have received postcards containing graphic images of a lynching. Republican State Representative Mike Bayham of Chalmette was one of the lawmakers who received the nefarious postcard.
Cut 7 (13) “…disturbing images.”
The postcard has a image of two people hanging from a noose with the words “Thank You.” He says the postcard has the Department of Homeland Security’s mailing address with Secretary Kristi Noem’s name.
Cut 8 (10) “…federal authorities.”
Bayham says the F-B-I is now investigating.
Cut 9 (10) “…legislators.”
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The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction has set an ambitious goal of fixing 62 small bridges in rural areas of Louisiana by end of next year. The Louisiana Legislature established this new office earlier this year and granted the new agency with emergency procurement powers. The director of this new office, Archie Chaisson, says that allows them to hire contractors faster…
Cut 10 (09) “…quicker”
Chaisson says it typically takes two years for DOTD to repair a bridge, but the state legislature gave the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction the ability to cut through the red tape faster so it can fix 62 bridges in a 15-month span…
Cut 11 (11) “…quicker”
The legislature used 100-million dollars from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to pay for the bridge replacement program. These are relatively small bridges, no more than 150-feet long, but Chaisson says they are in poor condition, and have weight limits or closed to all traffic, which means detours
Cut 12 (07) “…the state.”
Chaisson says in most cases it’s a complete removal of the old bridge and a complete construction of a new bridge.
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The Washington Post is reporting that the White House is planning to deploy up to a thousand National Guard troops to various cities throughout Louisiana. Governor Landry supports the idea.
Cut 13 (09) “…already war zones.”
Democratic Congressman Troy Carter, who represents New Orleans, doesn’t see it that way. He says sending in the National Guard is counterproductive.
Cut 14 (13) “…insult to injury.”
Carter says Landry and the Louisiana State Police have already implemented an alternative to the National Guard that has proven to lower crime in New Orleans – they established Troop NOLA.
Cut 15 (11) “…making a difference.”
Landry was asked for his reaction during a news conference in which he announced four initiatives aimed at strengthening the business climate in Louisiana. Landry said reducing crime with the help of the National Guard will ultimately help attract business.
Cut 16 (09) “…face of violence.”
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Southeastern will take a short trip down I-12 to Baton Rouge this weekend to face number-three LSU. Head coach Frank Scelfo will see a very familiar face on Saturday as he faces his former player, Bauer Sharp. Scelfo says that Sharp is a player who does whatever it takes to win.
Cut 17 (19) “…as a player.”
The Lions will have to face a struggling LSU offense that’s looking to bounce back after only scoring one offensive touchdown against Florida. Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo says that his defense will be challenged facing quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and had lots of praise for the veteran quarterback.
Cut 18 (21) “…stabilize it.”
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Tulane has jumped out to a 3-0 start after beating some quality out-of-conference opponents, including Northwestern and Duke. The Green Wave will have their work cut out fore them as they travel to Oxford to take on the 13th ranked Rebels of Ole Miss. Head coach Jon Sumrall says that his team will have the chance to do something special on Saturday.
Cut 19 (22) “…going against.”
Tulane will have to game plan for two quarterbacks, as Ole Miss played both Trinidad Chambliss and Austin Simmons against Arkansas. Simmons only played one drive due to an ankle sprain, but is expected to play this week. Sumrall says that Simmons possesses rare talent.
Cut 20 (13) “…runner too.”