Louisiana is closing the digital divide at one of the fastest rates in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a reported rape involving an LSU student athlete. Jeff Palermo has more.
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The state announces it has successfully replaced the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles’ 50-year-old computer system. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
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Louisiana is closing the digital divide at among the fastest rates in the country. According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth highest proportional growth in the country. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says Louisiana more than tripled the national average in broadband access increase.
Cut 4 (12) “…100 by 20.”
Iyengar says whereas other states could take as long as six years to fully close the digital divide, Louisiana is on pace to do so in just two more years.
Cut 5 (13) “…100-percent.”
Iyengar says the best part is that this local issue is being solved by local providers.
Cut 6 (10) “…to Louisiana contractors.”
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Commodity prices are on the rise. That’s helping farmers absorb the higher costs of things like fuel and fertilizer, but economists aren’t sure how long the commodity rally will last. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto notes that while farm commodities like corn, soybeans and rice have risen nearly 20-percent since January, fuel costs have risen a whopping 60-percent since March.
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Deliberto says weather patterns around the globe are playing a role in low yields in Louisiana and across the country.
Cut 8 (11) “…in different hemispheres.”
Deliberto says despite the rising commodity prices, many farmers are still struggling to cover the high costs of production.
Cut 9 (10) “…costs have gone.”
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The Caddo Parish inmate who escaped last week while being transported from a Shreveport hospital has been captured in Texas. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says U-S Marshals Task Force members apprehended Tre’veon Jackson in Marshall, Texas.
Jackson’s capture comes after Whitehorn held a press conference to announce that prisoner transport policies were not followed properly when Jackson fled from deputy custody. During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Whitehorn highlighted some of the mistakes made.
Cut 10 (12) “…during this transport.”
Whitehorn says Jackson was a known escape risk, but yet only one deputy was present when he was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
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The 24-year-old Jackson fled from custody on September 14th as a deputy was moving to put him into a transport van. He’s accused of fatally shooting another man in 2019. He was convicted late last year on an armed robbery charge.
Whitehorn says new policies are in place to make sure this never happens again.
Cut 12 (11) “…no exceptions.”
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The governor’s office announces that the Office of Motor Vehicles has moved into the 21st century as Louisiana has replaced 50-year-old technology with a modern system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services. Governor Landry says this new AI-powered platform will reduce wait times and improve reliability.
Cut 13 (06) “…it right here.”
Louisiana contracted with CHAMP titles to replace OMV’s outdated, 50-year-old legacy computer systems. Landry says CHAMP gives the public a faster, simpler way to get the services they need. In a video announcement, Landry spoke with a 13-year employee at an OMV office in Baton Rouge.
Cut 14 (13) “…is an upgrade.”
The governor says the CHAMP system will save taxpayers 30-million dollars and will make for an easier experience at the OMV.
Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”
OMV offices were closed for two days last week to complete the implementation of the CHAMP driver services platform.
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LSU will need to bounce back from its SEC opener loss to Ole Miss against number-23 Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Aggies also dropped their first game of conference play, so both teams will have a lot at stake if they want to achieve their College Football Playoff aspirations. Tigers wide receiver Winnie Watkins says it’s a long season.
Cut 16 (15) “…it ain’t nothing.”
Watkins has racked up 15 catches for 207 yards and two of quarterback Sam Leavitt’s three touchdowns. He is the only offensive starter who played under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis last season, so he says he needs to step up as a leader.
Cut 17 (14) “…being a leader.”
After a sluggish first half for the offense and missed opportunities late against the Rebels, Watkins says leaders have to step up on that side of the ball. He says Leavitt already has.
Cut 18 (15) “…believe in Sam.”
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ULM will host FAU for homecoming on Saturday. Head Coach Bryant Vincent says some things will have to change after the Warhawks lost to Southeastern Louisiana. He says quarterback Aiden Armenta will have the opportunity to compete with Austin Carlisle to win the starting job back.
Cut 19 (16) “…conference schedule.”
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Southern kicks off SWAC play this weekend at Jackson State. The Jags put up 50 points against Louisiana Christian after senior advisor Fred McNair took over playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Ken Merchant. Head coach Marshall Faulk says it is still the same offense, just simplified.
Cut 20 (12) “…more of it.”
Kickoff in Jackson is set for 6 p-m. The Tigers have won the last seven meetings, including two conference championship games.