Governor John Bel Edwards toured the damaged Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish today, which has been closed since a barge carrying a crane slammed into the structure on October 12. The estimated cost to patch up the damage is around $5 million. Edwards says the state will be going after the barge operator to pick up the tab, not only the repairs, but the extra law enforcement costs in redirecting traffic.
Cut 9 (07) “with the repairs.”
Weather permitting, Edwards says bridge will likely be reopened in January 2019.
Alongside the announcement that John Kennedy will announce his gubernatorial intentions by December 1st, the Senator released a poll showing Kennedy leading Governor Edwards 48 percent to 39 percent in a theoretical race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the poll is a reminder that Edwards faces a difficult reelection campaign.
Cut 12 (10) “…so lucky”
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released the results of its latest analysis on national and state-by-state obesity rates among youth and it ranks Louisiana as the fourth worst in the nation. Senior Program Officer for the foundation, Jamie Bussel says there are steps that can be taken to avoid youth obesity.
Cut 5 (08) “…to be physically active.”
The foundation’s data indicates that around 1 in 6 kids age 10 to 17 are obese in Louisiana.
Up to ten additional parents have come forward with information suggesting Benton Elementary School teacher “Perry” Norcross of Bossier City behaved inappropriately with their child. Norcross is facing rape and video voyeurism charges related to two other students. Bossier Parish Sherriff Spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says authorities aren’t ruling out how far back the alleged abuses may have occurred, and are asking anyone, regardless of age, to come forward with information.