On the 13th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in history, Kevin Barnhart speaks with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele on how Hurricane Katrina changed emergency management planning.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
__________________________________
The Bayou State looks to grow agricultural tourism after the Lieutenant Governor took a trip to Iowa. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Connor Ferrill”
__________________________________
Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.
__________________________________
Today marks the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into southeast Louisiana as a Category three storm, killing over 1,000 people along the Gulf Coast and leaving much of the New Orleans area under water for days. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says Katrina was a milestone event for emergency planners.
Cut 4 (07) “…strategies for recovery.”
Steele says one of the biggest changes was the establishment of LWIN Radio Network, which was needed because of the communications breakdown that crippled first responders during the storm and the aftermath.
Cut 5 (08) “…that was established”
Steele says just about every phase of emergency management & planning changed as a result of Katrina.
Cut 6 (07) “…technology that’s available.”
_____________________________________________
The city of Ruston will see a new campus of Delta Community College as the state is putting $8 million into the project. President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan says the excitement for the project is high in the area as it means more potential workers for jobs in the area.
Cut 7 (09) “…interstate 20 corridor.”
Sullivan says the facility will house tools needed to prepare its students for the local workforce.
Cut 8 (10) “…well beyond that.”
Sullivan adds the demand is high for skilled workers from area businesses.
Cut 9 (09) “…north central Louisiana.”
_________________________________________
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser made a trip to Iowa with Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain for a tour of the Ag Expo. Iowa has some of the strongest Ag tourism in the country and Nungesser says the goal is to learn from them…
Nungesser says as they expand agricultural tourism the target audience is one you would not expect: Millennials…
Cut 11 (10) “…capitalize on that”
The Lieutenant Governor is implementing new strategies to grow the industry but says there are lots of opportunity for staycations already…
__________________________________
Mississippi’s Legislature has approved a state lottery that will likely end up taking a bite out of Louisiana’s lottery’s that help fund K-12 education. The legislation is backed by Mississippi’s governor, and state legislators who hope to use it for infrastructure funds. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says after Texas approved its lotto in 1991, Louisiana’s finances took a hit.
Louisiana approved its lottery in 1990.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, who backs the move, suspects it could lead to his state pilfering nearly 15 million dollars in tax revenue from Louisiana. Albrecht says one thing is for certain, Mississippi residents will be less likely to buy a ticket in Louisiana.
If the state were to lose cash, it couldn’t just write it off, as the money would be coming out of a constitutionally protected education fund that has mandated funding levels. Albrecht says the lotto brings in a ton of money every year.
If signed by the governor, it’s estimated it would take at least a year for the rival lotto to get up and running.
________________________________________
There’s certainly a curiosity factor heading into Sunday’s season opener between LSU and Miami. Graduate transfer Joe Burrow is set to make his first collegiate start for the Tigers. Hurricanes Coach Mark Richt does have a scouting report on the former Ohio State signal caller…
Miami will have the edge when it comes to experience at the quarterback position, Malik Rosier is in his fifth year on campus and was the starter for the Hurricanes last season. Richt likes how Rosier is developing…
Napier has not named a starting quarterback for Saturday, it will be either Andre Nunez or Levi Lewis. The coach says both guys will play…