A survey finds that excitement over this Sunday’s Big Game has dipped. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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A wastewater containment wall in St. James Parish is in danger of failing, and could potentially release into the Blind River….
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The loss of excitement in Sunday’s Super Bowl is not just contained to Louisiana. A national poll shows compared to last year, the number of people intrigued with the big game is down quite significantly. Pollster Ron Faucheux says last year, 21% of those polled had a high interest in the game, but this year is a different story.
Cut 3 (08) “…year to another.”
Faucheux says the decline in the interest in the NFL has been going on for quite some time on a number of different measurements, and says he believes this year’s drop is tied to the NFC Championship mishap.
Half of those polled have zero interest in the game, which is up from 45% last year. Faucheux says ultimately, this could be a concern to the league if it becomes a concern to advertisers.
Cut 5 (05) “…audience is there.”
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Don’t tell Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry the NBA franchise plays second fiddle to the Saints. A recent report said one reason for Anthony Davis’ trade demands is that the Saints are more of a priority for ownership. Following Wednesday’s loss to Denver, Gentry stood up for owner Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom, and what they’ve done for the basketball team…
Gentry points to the world-class practice facility the Bensons built for the team. He says it really upsets him that people would think the Pelicans are treated like second class citizens…
Cut 7 (08) “…but supportive” (2x)
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A section of gypsum containment wall in St. James Parish holding back 720 million gallons of acidic and lightly radioactive wastewater is in danger of failing, potentially releasing contaminated water into the nearby Blind River, which feeds Lake Maurepas. The 139 acre, 30-40 foot deep lake of waste is the by-product of a Mosaic fertilizer plant. Department of Environmental Quality Spokesperson Greg Langley.
The Mississippi River is also visible from the wastewater lake.
The initial discovery was made by a farmer who grew sugar cane adjacent to the acidic pool of wastewater. A few weeks ago he noted the wall had been creeping outward, and Langley says further review confirmed that.
Langley says they’ve begun trying to sure up the gypsum wall with additional dirt, and are moving nearly 10 million gallons a day to other containment areas on the property to lower the pressure on the wall.
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The Diocese of Baton Rouge released the names today of 37 clergy members who have been credibly accused of abuse involving children. Bishop Michael Duca says hopes this will help the abuse victims whose lives were violated and a chance for the diocese to re-establish trust
Duca says he’s heard some victims share their stories and there are no words to express the depth of their sadness and shame. He imagines today could be a difficult day for victims who never came forward
Duca says the list is not a final piece when it comes to child abuse, but rather a foundational change in how the Church responds to future allegations…
Baton Rouge is the third diocese to reveal the names of clergy who have been credibly accused of abuse. New Orleans and Houma are the other two.
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A 16-year-old Houma boy is dead after 74-year-old Lawrence Legnon allegedly ran a stop sign yesterday afternoon on LA 311. Authorities do not know if either of the drivers were intoxicated, and charges have yet to be filed. State Police Trooper Jesse LaGrange says they do not know why Legnon ran the stop sign shortly before the wreck.
Toxicology tests on both drivers are pending.
LeGrange says drivers need to exercise caution when approaching stop signs, particularly at dusk or night times.