The Public Service Commission could vote today to approve an Entergy plant that would power a Meta data center in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
____________________________________________
The good news – smoking is down in Louisiana. The bad news – alternatives are up. Jeff Palermo reports.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
____________________________________________
There are only a few days left to purchase a raffle ticket to win season tickets to all of the major sports teams in Louisiana. Andre Champagne has more on the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s Premier Season Ticket raffle.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
____________________________________________
The Public Service Commission may decide today whether to approve a power plant that Entergy is looking to build in northeast Louisiana that would power a massive Meta data center. The project has garnered a fair share of controversy. The Alliance for Affordable Energy is asking the commission to hold off on voting until October. Executive Director Logan Burke says the project will benefit one company, while everyone else gets to pay for it.
Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”
But Commissioner Mike Francis says most stakeholders appear to be on board with the plan, so there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable. Francis says having the Meta data center will benefit everyone in the long run.
Cut 5 (09) “…for Entergy ratepayers.”
Burke says the Entergy power plant for the Meta data center has both short-term and long-term risks.
Francis says Louisianans already benefit from some of the lowest energy costs in the country.
The U.S. Department of Energy says in 2023, data centers consumed just shy of four and a half percent of all energy generated nationwide; it expects that number to jump to as high as 12-percent by 2028.
____________________________________________
Just like across the rest of the country, smoking continues to be on the decline in Louisiana. In 2023, the latest year that data is available, less than 16-percent of Louisiana adults surveyed admitted that they smoke. That’s down almost eight points from a decade ago. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says it’s a sign that messaging about the dangers of smoking is working.
Cut 8 (08) “…across the state.”
Stipe says, however, that while cigarette smoking is down, other tobacco use is on the rise – especially among younger people.
Cut 9 (11) “…electronic cigarette use.”
Stipe says other smoking alternatives, such as vaping, are also on the rise, so she says the outreach has to continue to evolve and to be aggressive.
Cut 10 (12) “…people stay healthy.”
____________________________________________
Crews are making good progress on the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish. Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says as of yesterday evening, the 24-hundred-acre fire was just under 60-percent contained.
Caldwell says there are no homes or structures threatened, and no one has been forced to evacuate.
Cut 12 (12) “…within that wilderness.”
Caldwell says fire personnel remain on the scene and are working to achieve full containment.
Cut 13 (13) “…very good situation.”
The fire started on August 3rd, and it’s believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.
________________________________________________________________
The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation launched its Premier Season Ticket raffle earlier this summer. The raffle offers one lucky fan the chance to win tickets to over 500 of South Louisiana’s top sporting events. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the proceeds will help the foundation continue to host major events around the state.
The grand prize winner will receive two season tickets to 17 different events. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s unique raffle will help showcase New Orleans as a premier city for world-class sporting events. Cicero says the raffle helps bring so many special sporting moments to the state.
Recently, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation hosted successful events including Super Bowl 59, UFC 318, the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics National Championships at the Smoothie King Center and the NOLA Pickle Fest with Drew Brees. Cicero says that the raffle will help continue bring many more events.
Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s website to purchase a raffle ticket. The winner will be announced on Sunday night.
____________________________________
LSU football is only ten days away from kicking off its season against Clemson on the East coast. Head coach Brian Kelly is still trying to find out who will be the starting five offensive linemen in the opener. Kelly says the position battle is starting to narrow down after the solidifying of three starters.
LSU moved freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne over from guard to right tackle this week. The move came as a surprise after Ory Williams had served as the backup to Davis during most of fall camp. Kelly hinted at the possibility of Davis and Curne rotating in at right tackle in the same game.
Cut 18 (19) “…tackle position.”
LSU still has an ongoing position battle at left guard between Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols and DJ Chester. For most of fall camp, Chester took first-team snaps at left guard but recently has been moving around at both center and right tackle. Kelly says to expect more than the same five to rotate in on the entire unit when the season begins.
____________________________________
Saints head coach Kellen Moore told the media that he is still not ready to make a decision on which quarterback would get the start in week one. Moore says he likes what he saw from both players’ performances against Jacksonville.