The Coast Guard gains the upper hand on a huge oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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A flood watch will be in effect for the majority of the state by the National Weather Service starting tomorrow. Sean Richardson has more.
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When you’re out on the roadways this month, make a special effort to look out for motorcycles. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says while overall deaths on Louisiana roadways are down, the same cannot be said for motorcycle deaths.
Cut 3 (12) “…in motorcycle fatalities.” (13% increase in motorcycle deaths from 2021 to 2023)
Fischer says, however, that the increase may be in part attributed to the fact that the state has started including e-bike deaths into its statistics. Still, Fischer says it’s up to all drivers to make every effort to watch for motorcycles, and that includes not driving aggressively or impaired.
Fischer says motorcyclists also need to do their part as well – obey the same traffic laws as those driving cars, and always wear a helmet – especially since it’s required by law in Louisiana. The minimum requirements are that the helmet must include a visor. But Fischer says you should always opt for a full-face helmet.
In 2023, 97 motorcyclists died in crashes in Louisiana, accounting for more than 15-percent of all deaths in the state.
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The Coast Guard says it has gained the upper hand on a major oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit says the well intervention team did so at around noon yesterday.
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Well 59, located near Garden Island Bay, sprung a leak more than a week ago, spewing tens of thousands of gallons of oil into gulf waters. VanderWeit says so far, crews have collected almost 80-thousand gallons of oily water, with an untold amount still to go.
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Environmentalists fear the oil that seeped through the well and into the water could threaten marine wildlife and further erode Louisiana’s coastline. VanderWeit says Coast Guard crews are working to protect as much marine wildlife as they can.
The Coast Guard has 20 skimmers, 220 responders, more than 20-thousand feet of containment boom on site. While Well 59 has not been abandoned, it has not had any measurable oil pressure since the 1990s.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for most of the state starting tomorrow and lasting through Thursday night. The watch area covers all of south Louisiana, northeast Louisiana and most of central Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Weather Service in Lake Charles is reporting slow moving thunderstorms will produce three to eight inches of rain and some areas could get 12-inches…
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This weather event could cause flash flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other flood-prone spots. Keim urges all residents to be prepared.
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Flash flooding is dangerous—stay alert to weather updates and potential warnings. Keim says residents should monitor conditions closely and have a safety plan in place.
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Vandebilt Catholic won a Louisiana record 16th state championship in softball on Sunday in Sulphur with a seven to five win over St. Charles Catholic. Terriers Coach James Spearman says his girls have been resilient all year and it was on display after falling behind two to nothing in the first inning…
Cut 12 (12) “…good job” (Sound courtesy of LHSAA Network
North Desoto had a walk off victory over Assumption to claim its seventh state title. Griffins head coach Tim Whitman called for a suicide squeeze to drive in the winning run, but he gives the credit to his seniors…
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Calvary Baptist won its fifth state championship in a row, John Curtis won its 13th overall. Other winners include Sam Houston, Doyle, LaSalle, Menard, Quitman and Calvin.