PM Newscall, October 6th, 2015

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for a delay in the state’s compliance to the REAL ID act. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Officials at the University of South Carolina say the LSU/USC game may not be played in Columbia this weekend. Emelie Gunn reports…:

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Louisiana Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for a delay in the state’s compliance to the REAL ID act. Louisiana is one of four states who are not in compliance with the new federal identification standards. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says the state needs more time to comply…

CUT 3 (10)  “deal with it”

The REAL ID act sets standards for state drivers’ licences to be acceptable for entry into federal buildings and institutions or for air travel. He says without this extension, Louisiana residents face a real headache beginning next week…

CUT 4 (12)  “federal standards”

Without a REAL ID, Louisiana residents would need a second form of identification, such as a US Passport, to enter federal buildings or pass through airport security. Boustany says the state legislature passed a bill in 2014 allowing REAL IDs to be issued in Louisiana, but it was vetoed by Governor Jindal. He’s hopeful they receive a response before the deadline of October 11th…

CUT 5 (07) “federal facilities”

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The state Department of Transportation begins taking public input today on the proposed I-49 Lafayette Connector project. The proposed 5.5 mile stretch of highway would start at I-10 and run through Lafayette. This is a critical piece of roadway needed to connect I-49 to New Orleans. DOTD spokesperson Diedra Druilhet says this is part of their $3 billion “Geaux South” program…

CUT 6 (07) “grade facility” 

The “Geaux South” program will convert approximately 160 miles of the US 90 corridor to I-49 South. Druilhet says, over the next 18 months, the public and other stakeholders will be invited to participate in a collaborative decision-making process to complete the planning and design of the roadway. She says public input is very important…

CUT 7 (06)  “get involved”

The connector would run through downtown Lafayette and continue to Lafayette Regional Airport. DOTD says this connector will cost up to $850 million to construct. Druilhet says this roadway will have some local benefits as well…

CUT 8 (09)  “spilling the oil”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested the Principal and a coach at Beau Chene High School following a disciplinary incident involving a juvenile student. Lt. Clay Higgins says their investigation began when the mother of the student contacted detectives…

CUT 9 (10)  “a principal”

Principal Anthony James is charged with simple battery and basketball coach Lorenso Williams is charged with cruelty to a juvenile. Higgins says the two men maintain they were attempting discipline and control of the student, but the student had a different story…

cut 10 (11)  “been released”

He says the investigation found probable cause existed for arrest and the two men turned themselves in willingly. They have since been released. Higgins says this is now a matter for the courts to decide…

Cut 11 (12)  “beyond that”

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Officials at the University of South Carolina say it’s possible that the LSU/USC game will not be played in Columbia this weekend and a move to Baton Rouge is not out of the question. The area has been dealing with catastrophic flooding and record rainfall. USC AD Ray Tanner says they are not 100% sure that the game will be held at Williams Brice…:

cut 12 (05)  “play here”

The SEC confirms the first priority is to play the game in Columbia but they are exploring other location options. Tanner says as of right now they have every intention of keeping the game as scheduled, but conversations are underway about holding it in another city…:

cut 13 (09)  “as well”

The South Carolina-LSU game is currently scheduled for 11am Saturday in Columbia. All classes at USC have been cancelled this week. 14 deaths are so far blamed on weather related incidents in the Carolinas and though the rain has stopped, authorities say the flooding is far from over. Tanner says the stadium was spared, but there are other concerns…:

cut 14 (11)  “various counties”

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Louisiana State Police says a Mississippi woman was killed in a fatal wreck during the overnight hours on I-55 in Hammond. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the victim was not buckled up and heading the wrong way.

cut 15 (07)  “head on”

Dwight says they have yet to publicly release the name of the person who was killed. The driver of the other vehicle is 23-year-old Kaden Ezell of Mississippi, who was taken to the hospital for moderate injuries. He says currently impairment isn’t believed to be a factor in the crash but they’re trying to figure out why the fatal victim was going the wrong way.

cut 16 (04)  “exactly why”

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