The Louisiana Motor Transport Association strongly opposes the state Department of Transportation’s proposal to use tolls to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The project now has a price tag of over two billion dollars and LMTA Director Renee Amar says the bridge does not have to be that expensive…

Cut 7 (07)  “…much smaller” 

The State Department reportedly receives 400,000 passport applications a week and says the delays are a result of the pandemic and renewed interest in international travel. US Senator Bill Cassidy says several families and individuals have been forced to forgo their travel because their passports did not arrive in time and the results are costly.

Cut 5 (07)  “…go on.”

Cassidy urges those with passport issues to call his office in Baton Rouge at 225-929-7711.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee and used his appearance to push for the passage of the RISEE Act.  The governor says the legislation would result in the state receiving more federal dollars for energy production that takes place in federal waters off of Louisiana’s coast. He says currently the state is not receiving a fair share.

Cut 11 (10)  “…Port Fourchon.”

Edwards also testified about the importance of climate change infrastructure and how levees constructed after Katrina have prevented catastrophic damage.

In Pineville, the announcement of a $2-billion facility to be constructed at the former International Paper Mill site is welcome news. SunGas Renewals will build a facility that will produce green methanol for marine fuel and create 100 local jobs.  Construction will create more than one thousand jobs and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee today on the financial impacts of climate change on infrastructure. He says the 14 billion dollars spent on improved levees in New Orleans after Katrina is an example of how significant government investment can prevent damage. He says the levees held up well to Hurricane Ida in 2021 and more flood control projects like this are needed…

Cut 10 (11)  “…over time.”

As the State Department continues to report backlogs with passport renewals US Senator Bill Cassidy says his office can assist Louisianans with passports renewals

Cut 4 (07)  “…resolve this.” 

You can call his Baton Rouge office at 225-929-7711

The DOTD announces tolls will be needed to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles and the Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposes the use of tolls. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association strongly opposes DOTD’s new plan for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Construction and maintenance for the $2.1 billion price tag will be partially funded by tolls. State and federal funds will supply $800 million, but LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar says legislators can do more…

Cut 6 (09) “…to fund it” 

Millions of dollars are available for homeowners who suffered damages from the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes, along with severe storms from May of 2021. But OCD Director Pat Forbes says in order to find out if you might be eligible for these grant dollars the survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov must be filled out first….

Cut 15 (12)  “…from the storm.”
The deadline is August 1st.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget committee today to discuss the financial impacts of climate change on infrastructure. Edwards says the state’s coastal master plan seeks to reduce damage from rising sea levels, coastal land loss and weather events…

Cut 9 (13)  “….today”

And also in DC, despite claims of hiring more staff and authorizing overtime, the State Department is still behind in issuing passports. US Senator Bill Cassidy says his office has received numerous calls from Louisiana residents who’ve missed vacations despite applying in advance and paying extra fees to expedite the process.

Cut 3 (06) “…situation.” 

If you’re having passport issues you can call Cassidy office in Baton Rouge at 225-929-7711.

The announcement of tolls to help pay for the construction of the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is disappointing for local leaders.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

DOTD will hold a meeting next Tuesday in Monroe to discuss adding an additional lane to I-20 in both directions from US 165 to east of Garrett Road. The new lanes will be located in the existing median. The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Monroe Public Safety Center.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell announces he will retire next year his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Russell has spent 39 years of his life in law enforcement and was sworn in as sheriff in 2012. Russell oversaw the creation of the North Delta Regional training academy which trains officers from over 12 parishes, but Russell says…
Cut 10 (10) “…this department.”

Homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or severe storms in May of 2021 have until Tuesday, August 1st, to fill out a survey to be considered for grant dollars to pay for those repairs, even if they have already completed. Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says more than 33-thousand homeowners have completed the survey at restore.la.gov…
cut 14 (07) “…yet/

If your house was damaged by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or the May 2021 severe storms, August 1st is the deadline to complete a survey in order to be considered for financial assistance.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Edwards is testifying before the U-S Senate Budget Committee this morning. Edwards says he’s there to discuss the fiscal consequences of climate change on infrastructure. The governor says climate change is playing a role in producing powerful hurricanes, heat waves and coastal erosion.

The state department of transportation has announced plans for a new Interstate ten bridge in Lake Charles bridge, but tolls will be needed to build the two-point-one billion dollar project. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry believes more federal dollars should go towards the project and a higher state gasoline tax could also help reduce the need for tolls…
cut 9 (05) “….be fixed”

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell announces he will retire next year, which means voters in Ouachita will elect a new sheriff in the fall of 2024. Russell believes his chief deputy Marc Mashaw should be his successor…
cut 12 (09) “…point in time”
Mashaw has spent the last 11 years as Chief Deputy.

Homeowners impacted by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or severe storms in May of 2021 have until next Tuesday, August 1st, to fill out a survey in order to be considered for grant dollars to pay for home repairs, reconstruction, or reimbursement of completed repairs. Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the survey can be completed at restore.la.gov…
Cut 13 (11) “…help you.”
Forbes says more than 33-thousand homeowners have completed the survey, but they know there are many more who could be potentially eligible.

Southwest Louisiana officials are expressing concern over the state department of transportation saying tolls will be needed to build the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry…
cut 8 (07) “…up there”
DOTD issued a press release that shows a toll schedule. Local area with a toll tag would pay 25-cents every time they crossed the bridge, but commercial trucks with or without a tag would pay over ten dollars.

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1st to November 30th, but should the season be extended? LSU Climatologist Barry Keim is one of several researchers gathering evidence to lengthen the season, because climate change and better technology is resulting in more named storms before June 1st and after November 30th…
cut 5 (11) “….hurricane season’
Keim says it makes sense to begin hurricane season before June first so residents and emergency officials prepare before June.

The Saints hold their first training camp practice today and fans are eager to see what new starting quarterback Derek Carr can do. Coach Dennis Allen is confident the 32-year-old will do well after getting benched last season in Las Vegas…
cut 30 (08) “…he’s doing”

The state department of transportation says construction could begin next year on a new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge. But local leaders are disappointed tolls would be needed to build it….
cut 2 (33) “….I’m brooke Thorington…

Retired banker Joe Canizaro told the Advocate he expected yesterday’s fundraiser for Former President Donald Trump would raise over two million dollars for his 2024 presidential campaign. The fundraiser was held at Canizaro’s home in Old Metairie. Trump also made a stop at Cafe du Monde.

Hurricane season officially runs from June first through November 30th but LSU Climatologist Barry Keim, along with a group of other researchers believe the official start of hurricane season should begin before June 1st. Keim says over the last nine years, ten preseason storms have formed.
Cut 4 (10) “…indeed occur.”
Keim says climate change is causing warmer sea surface temperatures for a longer period of time, plus technology has improved to detect the formation of tropical storms.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell has announced he will retire next year as he approaches 40 years in law enforcement. Russell has been Ouachita Parish’s Sheriff since 2012 and says everything he’s done was in service of his community…
cut 11 (10) “…for that”

The state department of transportation announces the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles will cost two-point-one Billion dollars and tolls will be needed to build it. Construction could begin as early as next year. Cacasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry is glad the long-awaited new bridge is coming, but he’s not excited about the tolls…
cut 7 (11) “……the country”
DOTD says 800-million in federal and state dollars is available to pay for construction.

Millions of dollars are available for homeowners who suffered damages from the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes, along with severe storms from May of 2021. But in order to find out if you might be available for these grant dollars the survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov must be filled out….
cut 15 (12) from the storm”
OCD Director Pat Forbes says the deadline to fill out that survey is Tuesday August 1st.

Researchers from LSU and other universities, along with weather-related agencies are compiling data that could result in a longer hurricane season. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”