Statistics show that the streets of Louisiana are quite deadly for pedestrians, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is working to reverse that trend. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Starting this year, a college football show just for Louisiana fans. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pahn) reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s plan to provide power for Meta’s massive A-I data center that they are building in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Statistics show that Louisiana is a dangerous state for pedestrians. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says over the last ten years, more pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle crashes than passengers. In fact, in 2024, 161 pedestrians were killed on Louisiana roadways – nearly a ten-percent increase from the year before. So the commission is working to reverse the trend. In a news conference at LSU, State Police Captain Bryan Lee issued a challenge for drivers.
Cut 4 (08) “…especially at night.”
Business owner and avid runner Jenni Peters says if you’re going to be walking at night, whether there’s a sidewalk or not, your very best line of defense is to wear a reflective vest.
Cut 5 (11) “…magnetic clip-on.”
DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet (le-DAY) says the agency is taking proactive measures to get drivers to slow down in areas where pedestrians are prevalent.
Cut 6 (14) “…crosswalk patrols.”
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Over the last several months, law enforcement agencies at several levels ranging from local to federal joined forces to crack down on crime in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. Yesterday in a news conference, they announced the results – 52 federal indictments charging 68 people with various crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Governor Landry says with this kind of cooperation, a lot of great things can be accomplished.
Cut 7 (11) “…see these results.”
Governor Landry says the city got a stark reminder earlier this month that crime in the city remains rampant with the intentional fatal hit-and-run of a Baton Rouge police sergeant.
Landry says while the operation over the last several months has been very successful, now is not the time to let up.
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For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which is a weekly preview show which airs at ten every Saturday morning, and Post Game Notes, which airs at six Sunday evening. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.
Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”
Howell says no matter where you are in the state, you can follow your team all season long.
Cut 11 (10) “…we’ll be following.”
Every week, Howell will be joined by former linebacker Scott Shanle.
Cut 12 (13) “…Bowl with them.”
The new series begins tonight at seven with the Fall Preview Special. Game Notes premiers August 30th, and Post Game Notes premiers August 31st. The shows air on all Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations and will be posted on its YouTube channel the day after the shows air.
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On a four to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy Louisiana’s plan to build three natural gas powered turbine generators to power Meta’s proposed A-I data center in Richland Parish. More than a dozen people spoke out against the plan, including Logan Wolf from Thibodaux, who says a data center in Memphis is causing problems…
PSC Member Davante Lewis was the only one commissioner to vote against the plan. Fellow Democrat, Foster Campbell, voted for it, because he says Meta’s new data center is projected to create more than 500 jobs for an area of the state that desperately needs it…
Opponents are also concerned that Entergy’s plan to power the data center will result in higher bills for Entergy residential customers. But Entergy’s vice president of regulatory and public affairs, Larry Hand, says Meta will pay most of the bill for the new electric generation, while residential customers might see their bill go up a dollar…
Cut 15 (12) “…this opportunity.”
Renee Carthan of Lake Charles also spoke against Entergy’s plan, she’s concerned about higher bills, even if it’s a small increase…
It’s estimated Meta’s data center will need roughly three times the amount of electricity that the city of New Orleans uses in a year. Two of the facilities Entergy will build will be in Richland Parish, the other will be built in St. Charles Parish.
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LSU was not as effective as it would have liked to be last season in terms of creating explosive plays when returning punts. Wide receiver Zavion Thomas averaged only 4.6 yards per return on a whopping 66 total return yards during the entire season. Head coach Brian Kelly says he wants the Tigers to be much more reliable on special teams this season.
LSU hired special team analyst Aman Anand in January after he helped lead Grambling in the SWAC in kick return yards. Anand has placed a focus on special teams, becoming more group-oriented than it has been in the past. Kelly says that he likes what Anand has done in his short time in Baton Rouge.
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UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) said that Howard earned the job after an impressive camp.
Cut 19 (20) “…really excited.”
Howard has had his fair share of ups and downs during his college career. He began his career at LSU coming in as the No. 5 quarterback and later transferred to Ole Miss. When Desormeaux told him that he won the starting job, Howard said he got emotional.