The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports…
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John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 2 (34) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being constructed in Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish and Avoca Island in St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
More than 60 engineers are working to build protective levees in Krotz Springs. Malone says the Guard learned a lot of lessons from the flood of 2011 and are utilizing that knowledge now. She says the protective levee being built on Avoca Island worked very well in the past…
CUT 4 (07) “backwater flooding”
Guardsmen are also conducting aerial surveys of the area and 24-hour levee patrols to check for leaks or seepage. Malone says guardsmen are working against the clock to ensure these protective levees are built in time…
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Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House is Republican New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras (BAR-rah). Barras defeated Governor John Bel Edwards’ candidate New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger in a runoff. Barras was nominated for the post by Lafayette Republican Representative Stuart Bishop…
it’s reported that Barras was not even considered a candidate for the position until a Republican Party gathering Sunday night. Barras has served in the state House since 2008. Bishop says Barras has shown his willingness to work across the aisle in the state House…
In the initial vote, Barras came in third behind Leger and Republican Cameron Henry of Metairie. Henry removed his name from consideration, paving the way for a Barras victory… (Leger was later elected to serve as Speaker Pro Tem.)
CUT 8 (12) “of Representatives”
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John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. In his first address, the new Democratic governor said the structural budget deficit needs a major overhaul before any of our other problems can be fixed. He says we must make it possible for all Louisiana citizens to be healthy and prosperous…:
On the issue of poverty, Edwards said on top of many of Louisiana’s workers not getting paid a living wage, it’s unacceptable that we’re the worst state in the nation for pay equity. He addressed the importance of improving Louisiana’s education system…:
Edwards says we need a modest, but meaningful increase to the minimum wage. He says a more educated and trained workforce is our greatest long-term economic generator. Edwards says double-digit tuition hikes need to come to an end, and the state should should support higher education institutions..:
Cut 11 (14) “tuition and fees”
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LifeShare Blood Centers is reporting that the blood supply has dropped to critically low levels. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says they unfortunately saw very low blood donor turnout throughout December and into early January. She says, unfortunately, patients use hundreds of units of blood everyday throughout the state…
cut 12 (08) “most blood types”
She says the blood center currently has a supply of less than two days for most blood types. The largest use of donated blood is for cancer patients undergoing treatment, but Hooper says it’s needed for so much more…
The only source of blood for the blood center is donors. Hooper encourages people who are eligible to donate blood to please do so to ensure their supply does not run out…
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