With the cold weather in Louisiana comes the horror of house fires. Three people perished in fires within just over 24 hours; one in New Orleans, one in Leesville and one in Ruston. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says check your smoke detectors and – if they don’t work – replace them now…:

CUT 10(09)      “…us yet.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to the federal government to help clean up the lakes adjacent to the State Capitol; which have been dangerously polluted for 40 years or more. Edwards says unfortunately the state doesn’t have the resources for remediation and he’s asking the EPA for assistance…:

CUT 14(10)      “…immediately.”

He says getting such a project rolling could take a couple years to get started.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. The help was available for folks affected by the pandemic. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted by the deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…Wednesday at 5.”

To learn more or to apply, go to “lacovidhousing.com”

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. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says construction on the project could get underway next spring. He says once its operational, it will be able to build and sustain up to 26,000 acres of wetlands…:

CUT 08(09)      “…vegetation grows.”