An Alexandria man is behind bars; accused of 100 counts of rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says 38-year-old Israel Williams was arrested last weekend, after getting a tip from Florida lawmen on Williams’ alleged sex trafficking of a minor…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…sexual-related crimes.”

Williams is also charged with molestation of a juvenile under 13. A judge set his bail at over $5-million.

Following more than three years of work, and at a cost of more than $28-million, the US 11 Bridge – connecting Orleans with St. Tammany Parish – reopened to traffic today. Department of Transportation and Development spokesperson Chris Welty says the project was extensive…:

CUT 14(12)      “…two drawbridges.”

Just in time for hurricane season; the bridge will be helpful should New Orleans need to evacuate.

Gasoline prices are in a slight decline. The state wide average price of regular now at just under $4-a-gallon. By way of comparison it was $2.68 a year ago. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says President Biden’s announcement he would again tap into the federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve will really have very little actual effect on pump prices…:

CUT 11(10)      “…no. Not that much.”

He advises we all continue to budget for gas at $4 for the next few months.

The National Weather Service is inspecting the site of a suspected EF-1 tornado strike yesterday in Sabine Parish, at the southern end of Toledo Bend Reservoir. Nearly a dozen homes and camps sustained serious damage, but no one is reported hurt. Early reports estimate the twister packed 110 miles-an-hour winds and was on the ground for nearly two miles.