It’s a solemn day across southeast Louisiana as many people remember and reflect on Hurricane Katrina making landfall on this day 20 years ago. Governor Kathleen Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina. Her communications director, Bob Mann says there were failures at all levels of government, but FEMA’s role was to provide federal resources to states dealing with a disaster, and that didn’t happen.
St. Benard Parish was hit very hard. Current Parish president Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) says St. Bernard wouldn’t be where it is today without the spirit of the parish’s residents and federal money.
Cut 9 (15) “…billion dollars recovery.”
Pomes credits local leaders for using the federal recovery dollars wisely. Not only rebuilding schools, hospitals and the sewer system, but also providing new amenities for its residents , like a skate park, dog park and bike paths.
Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been for this holiday in five years. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price of crude oil is why the price at the pump is well below three dollars.
According to AAA, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79. That’s about 20-cents cheaper than last year.
Grambling football fans will be heading to Shreveport this weekend to watch the Tigers kick-off the season by playing Langston in the Shreveport Kickoff Classic on Saturday night at Independence Stadium. Grambling Athletic Director Traeveon Scott says Langston University, which is an NAIA school out of Oklahoma, has a rich history with several Louisiana ties.
Cut 3 (11) “…to North Louisiana.”
Scott says he’s looking forward to kicking off the season in style in Shreveport, and he’s inviting all football fans to come out and enjoy the festivities.