Louisiana officials announce federal dollars from the infrastructure law has resulted in more than 100 orphaned wells plugged in the last two months. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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If you’re craving crawfish, you’ll be pleased to know prices continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more.
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The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announce more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since work began in January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus wells should be plugged by the end of the month…
The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year and there are over four-thousand orphaned well sites in Louisiana.
Last year, Louisiana received a $25 million grant to address orphaned well sites and they have to use the money before the federal fiscal year ends in October. Courreges says they’ve hired more than a dozen crews to plug orphaned wells…
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Contractors will continue to work on plugging well sites primarily in north Louisiana. Courreges says many of the wells have harmful substances deep underground…
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Crawfish connoisseurs will be happy to know the average price per pound of live mudbugs are 25 cents lower at $2.77. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the industry dropped prices this week which brings the average price for a pound of boiled crawfish to $4.98.
King says with a $3.99 per pound average at your local drive-thru for boiled crawfish, it’s ideal for watching the Sweet 16 this weekend.
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The Crawfish App compares prices from more than 16 hundred vendors in Louisiana and King says when you compare prices this weekend to the same as last year, prices are 18 percent lower or 51 cents per pound cheaper.
Historically, King says the weeks prior to Easter prices tend to drop, but she expects to see demand for crawfish on Easter weekend to reflect a bump in prices.
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King says you should have no problem finding a $75 or less sack of crawfish this weekend. You can download the Crawfish App free on your smartphone.
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After serving in the legislature as unaffiliated, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is returning to the Democratic Party. Landry’s announcement comes with just over two weeks until lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the session.
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Last week long-time Democrat, Delhi Representative Francis Thompson switched to the Republican Party which makes the GOP the Super Majority in both chambers now.
Landry says she along with other Blue Party members are gearing up for what they anticipate will be a difficult session.
Landry says anti-trans and legislation addressing libraries are among the contentious bills filed by Republicans for the upcoming session.
Landry believes serious reform is needed at the state Democratic party and it begins with a change in leadership.
Landry has represented District 91 since 2019.
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March Madness is in full swing and sports gambling is legal in Louisiana. Gambling is entertainment for some but problem gambling is a public health issue that affects many Americans and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health reminds Louisianans to have a solid game plan before gambling. LDH –OBH Program Manager Robert Henson says the agency is committed to providing assistance to those in need.
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Almost 276,000 Louisianans meet the criteria for Disordered Gambling and over 96,000 meet the criteria for Pathological Gambling. Some signs and symptoms of individuals with gambling problems include loss of control, trouble controlling gambling, and withdrawal from family. Henson says risks are involved but being responsible and knowing your limits is critical.
Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Louisiana in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Henson says gambling treatment is free and confidential to Louisiana residents but encourages everyone to know their limits.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP.