Two Senate bills aimed at ending the government shutdown crashed and burned today as the historically long government shutdown drags on, and now Food banks are facing a possible hunger crisis in part because of it. Jay Vise, spokesman for Second Harvest Food Bank, who serves hundreds of food pantries across south Louisiana, encourages donations beyond just food as people are in need of many different supplies at this time.
Cut 11 (13) “appreciated as well.”
Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says nearly 300-million is federal dollars from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act….
Cut 6 (09) “…desperately needed.”
The other 55-million dollars for coastal work comes from state surplus money.
Two are dead following a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the Lady Cajuns head softball coach. A Houston man and 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also a volunteer softball coach at UL-Lafayette, were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says Glasco and 45-year-old Kenneth McNeil died at the scene and alcohol tests on all of the drivers involved are pending.
Cut 4 (07) “…no alcohol present.″
Gossen says 67-year-old William Rawlings of Killeen, Texas, was behind the wheel of the of the semi that caused the accident. Charges are pending.
The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C. Perkins says gathering with other mayors will help him as he tackles some of Shreveport’s infrastructure problems