LRN PM Newscall January 20

Acadiana welcomed a major addition with the opening of the new terminal at Lafayette Region Airport. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Senate Republicans were successful in blocking a voting rights bill supported by Democrats and civil rights leaders. Jeff Palermo has local reaction…

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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After three years of work, and at a cost of $150 million, the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport officially opened to the public today. Executive Director Steven Picou couldn’t be happier with today’s debut.

Cut 3 (12) “…passengers walking through.”

Picou says the $150 million dollar facility was completed in three years, on-time and on budget.

Cut 4 (7) “…that’s amazing.”

A local one-cent sales tax collected in 2015 along with federal and state funding paid for the new terminal that has 966 parking spots, two screening lines, five departure and arrival gates and a new baggage handling system.

Picou says the new LFT terminal is 120-thousand square feet…

Cut 5 (12) “…go that direction.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city.  Edwards says the plan will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand.

 Cut 6 (11) “…northwest region.” 

The governor also announced that AEP’s new 77-thousand square foot transmission facility will be the first business to locate in the Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport.

Cut 7 (11) “…reliable electricity.” 

In addition to attracting other companies to the area, Edwards says the investment comes at a fortuitous time after much of the state experienced lengthy power losses after major winter storms and hurricanes last year.

And like the state, Edwards says AEP has made a commitment to net carbon emissions by 2050.

Cut 8 (11) “…going forward.”  

Resilient Technology Park, located near 1-20 and Greenwood Road is one of more than 100 available sites certified by LED for industrial projects.

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A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says this effort isn’t about protecting the right to vote, it’s about Democrats wanting to federalize elections to their advantage…

Cut 9 (09) “…Delaware.”

The outgoing chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, says Republicans are making it hard for people to cast a vote because they believe the last Presidential election was stolen…

Cut 10 (11)  “….to vote.” 

The legislation failed when Democrats could not get two Democratic senators to change their votes in order to overcome the Senate filibuster. Cassidy accusses the Biden administration of manufacturing a fake voting rights crisis to distract from the issues not being addressed…

Cut  11 (11)  “…opioid deaths”

But James says the voting rights legislation addresses last-minute closure of polling sites, voter intimidation and it would have expanded early voting and mail-in voting…

Cut 12 (12) “..to the polls.”  

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Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the Winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says space heaters can keep you warm, but they are fire hazards if not used properly…

Cut 13 (10) “…curtains.”

Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended…

Cut 14 (11)  “…with others.” 

2022 is only 20 days old and the State Fire Marshal’s office says ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is urging livestock owners to take the necessary precautions to protect their animals from these frigid temperatures.

Cut 15 (12) “…out of the weather” 

Strain says if you have outdoor cats on or near your property, make sure they are not underneath the hood of the vehicle when you crank up the engine tomorrow morning…

Cut  16 (10) “…with that.”