A nearly one billion dollar investment in clean fuel is being made in central Louisiana. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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Bills to allow you to conceal carry a handgun in Louisiana without a permit are scheduled to be heard in committees today, despite being vetoed last year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A new UNO survey shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval numbers have taken a nosedive. More from Kevin Gallagher….:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Monday, Cleco announced the company will invest nearly one billion dollars to reduce carbon emissions at the largest of its nine electric generation units here in Louisiana. CEO Bill Fontenot says the work done at the Brame Energy Center in Lena will be an economic catalyst, creating 30 to 40 direct jobs and an average of 1100 construction-related positions over a three-year period.
Cut 4 (12) “…economic development.”
Fontenot says Cleco has already secured $9-million in federal monies to help pay for the project and says there are multiple streams of revenue that will be tapped to keep it moving forward, meaning consumers won’t see rate changes.
Cut 5 (13) “…sequestering carbon.”
Governor John Bel Edwards touted the announcement as another milestone as Louisiana looks to develop and attract more clean energy options. Fontenot says Cleco’s commitment to reducing emissions isn’t new, and this project could actually accelerate its own timelines.
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Two bills to allow you to conceal carry a gun without a permit in Louisiana will be heard in legislative committees today. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation citing public safety concerns because the bill did not call for gun training. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says he’s not giving up on constitutional carry in Louisiana.
Cut 7 (11) “…amendment rights.”
McCormick’s bill, House Bill 37, says anyone who is 18 or older and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under any federal or state law, can carry a concealed firearm. McCormick says having to take a gun course and then pay the state a fee for a permit is unfair.
West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ legislation, Senate Bill 143, requires an online hour course on gun safety, McCormick’s legislation removes the requirement that a person must possess a permit issued by the state. McCormick says he trusts citizens of the state and their right to bear arms.
McCormick’s bill will be heard in House Criminal Justice and Morris’ bill in Senate Judiciary C Tuesday.
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A new University of New Orleans research poll shows falling approval numbers for Governor John Bel Edwards. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says fewer than 40-percent of persons surveyed said they approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing…:
Cut 10 (12) “…the death of Ronald Greene.”
The governor’s approval is split along racial lines; with 55-percent of blacks ranking him favorably, compared to 31-percent of whites. Chervenak says there is also a divide on Edwards based on age…:
Cut 11 (13) “…towards the governor.”
A similar poll conducted in 2020 showed Edwards with 56-percent approval. Chervenak says it’s not uncommon for a governor to see approval numbers wane as the years wear on, however…:
Cut 12 (13) “…magnitude of the drop.”
Chervenak says the governor’s job approval was higher among women than men; with 42-percent of women rating him favorably, to only 34-percent of men surveyed. Nearly a third of all surveyed answered “don’t know” to the approval question.
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A one-vehicle accident in Central involving 11 children results in the driver, Laticia Brothers, who is also the mother of all the children, facing cruelty charges. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says when officers arrived on the scene after 10 PM Sunday night along Sullivan Road, they noticed an SUV had flipped several times.
The remaining children were taken to a local hospital treated and released. The children range in ages from 4 to 16.
Corcoran says because no one was wearing a seatbelt, 34-year-old Brothers of Baton Rouge faces 11 charges of cruelty to a juvenile, 11 counts of child not restrained, driving under suspension, and without insurance. He says it’s a miracle no one was killed.
Cut 14 (11) “…back of the vehicle.”
Brothers was issued a summons for her arrest because she went to the hospital after the accident. Corcoran says everyone has been released from the hospital and the injuries were minor considering the severity of the crash. He says when children are in your car it’s your responsibility to keep them as safe as possible.
The Advocate reports that in 2015 the state removed Brother’s nine children from her home after they were found with little food and no beds.
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Fresh off of LSU’s first SEC road sweep in nearly five years, head coach Jay Johnson had plenty of good things to say about his Tigers, starting with a pitching staff that seems to be coming together…
One of LSU’s biggest hurdles this season has been its defense. But the Tigers have been better with the glove as of late, something Johnson has taken notice of as well.
Cut 17 (12) “ …really, really well.”
Johnson had lots of praise for outfielder Josh Pearson, who was named conference Co-Freshman of the Week after batting nearly .500 with two home runs and a double over four wins. He says the breakthrough week wasn’t a big surprise.
The Tigers face Lamar on Tuesday night before traveling to Fayetteville for a three-game set with first-place Arkansas beginning on Thursday.
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