It was one year ago today when the Amtrak Mardi Gras line took to the tracks for the first time. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
____________________________________________
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants a federal permit for the new Louisiana International Terminal. Joe Gallinaro reports.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
____________________________________________
Louisiana State Police cited 26 commercial truckers along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge last week. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
___________________________________________________
It was one year ago today when the Amtrak Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, welcomed its first passengers. New Orleans and Company President and CEO Walt Leger says they expected about 75-thousand passengers to board the trains in the first year; instead, ridership was about 150-thousand.
Cut 4 (07) “…for our region.”
Leger says the Mardi Gras line has led to a 20-percent increase in visitors to the city from the Mobile area, giving New Orleans a huge economic boost.
Cut 5 (07) “…extending their stays.”
Leger says the fact that one could easily visit New Orleans without renting a car makes taking a day trip or a weekend trip to New Orleans via the Mardi Gras line very easy.
Cut 6 (13) “…in the Riverfront.”
Leger says plans are still in the works to extend the Mardi Gras line to Baton Rouge.
__________________________________________
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants a federal permit for the new Louisiana International Terminal. Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch says the current terminal’s location prevents it from being able to accommodate vessels with large container loads.
Cut 7 (11) “…coming into port.”
Branch says the new terminal will be built 18 miles downriver, eliminating the need for any vessels to clear the bridge. That will allow it to accommodate much larger ships.
Cut 8 (13) “…24-thousand containers.”
Branch says the new terminal will be a major game-changer for the Port of New Orleans and will transform the city and the region into a major logistics hub.
Cut 9 (14) “…six national railroads.”
Construction is expected to take five years.
__________________________________________
Twenty-six commercial truck drivers on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge were cited by Louisiana State Police during a targeted enforcement operation to keep trucks out of the left lane. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transportation Association, says commercial vehicles have been required to stay in the right lane while crossing the bridge since 2003.
Cut 10 (10) “…regional drivers do.”
The operation came after police received several complaints about truckers in the left lane. Amar says the state law is in place to protect drivers and prevent traffic delays.
Cut 11 (09) “…every other day.”
State Police said they plan to continue similar operations along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Amar says those efforts are a positive for all Louisiana drivers.
Cut 12 (13) “…on the highway.”
________________________________________________
If your spouse or partner has dementia, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America wants to hear from you. AFA spokesman Chris Schneider says it’s launched a groundbreaking national research study to examine the impact caring for a spouse or partner with dementia has on physical and mental health.
Cut 13 (07) “…is all about.”
Schneider says families can learn more or participate in the free online survey visiting afacaregiversurvey.com.
Cut 14 (10) “…at your convenience.”
Schneider says this is a groundbreaking study because most of the research on Alzheimer’s is to benefit the person suffering from this disease. He says there’s very little research to help the more than 11-million Americans who serve as caregivers to a loved one living with dementia.
Cut 15 (13) “…that caregivers face.”
____________________________________________
LSU is number 11 in the preseason AP Top 25. The Tigers held their first scrimmage of fall practice Saturday, and coach Lane Kiffin says the first-team defense started strong with an effective pass rush, but the offense was able to bounce back with quarterback Sam Leavitt’s mobility.
Cut 16 (12) “…came free Saturday.”
One of the Tigers’ top position battles on the offensive side of the ball is in the running back room. Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones has taken a lot of starting reps in practice over returners Caden Durham and Harlem Berry. Kiffin says Berry has looked good in camp, but it’s important to remember he’s only a sophomore.
Cut 17 (17) “…can get to.”
Kiffin says the team ran 170 total plays during the scrimmage, and it gave coaches a great chance to evaluate the physicality and conditioning of the team. Entering the third week of preseason practice with almost three more weeks to go, Kiffin says this is a challenging time for players.
Cut 18 (13) “…we can rotate.”
_________________________________________
Louisiana Tech’s offense will feature a versatile playmaker this season. Senior quarterback Trey Kukuk returns after starting five games last season — but this time in a different role. Coordinator Nathan Young says with Blake Baker back as the full-time starter, Kukuk will do it all for the Bulldogs.
Cut 19 (19) “…a football player.”
Young took over as offensive coordinator following Tony Franklin’s retirement after just one season back in Ruston. Young has spent the last four seasons as offensive line coach and served as co-offensive coordinator in 2024. He says that doesn’t mean this year’s offense will look the same as his first time calling plays.
Cut 20 (17) “…pieces in place.”