A proposal to rename the stretch of I-10 that runs from Texas to Mississippi the “Who Dat Nation Highway” sees it’s scope substantially pared back. Matt Doyle has more.
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The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote today on the contract of new Athletics Director Scott Woodward and the amendments of Coach Will Wade’s contract. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor Edwards says the path of destruction left by a deadly EF-3 tornado in Ruston is some of the worst, concentrated damage he’s seen while in office. Matt Doyle
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A New Orleans Senator’s bill to rename the I-10 the “Who Dat Nation Highway” has it’s ambitions significantly reduced after lawmakers discover the stretch of road has already been dedicated to veterans.
Wesley Bishop amended the bill to call for three plates saying “Welcome to the Who Dat Nation” to be placed underneath some existing road signs.
The plates would be paid for by private donors.
Bishop says before filing the legislation, he was not aware that the entirety of the I-10 from Jacksonville, Florida to Santa Monica, California, had already been dedicated to something a bit more prominent than a football team.
The amended version of the bill cleared committee, but not without some raised eyebrows. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long ultimately supported the bill, but not before raising questions about just how this kind of proposal makes us look to the rest of the nation.
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The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote on the contracts of two major figures in the school’s athletics. The first is that of the new Athletic Director Scott Woodward. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Woodward’s six-year contract is valued at $8 million, with a starting annual salary of $1.1 million and seeing it bumped to $1.5 in years five and six.
Cut 7 (08) “…commitment to Woodward.”
Woodward’s contract is not only more lucrative than his predecessor on the base pay, but if Woodward is still on board in 2025, he receives a quarter million dollar bonus, and after six years, that’s a half million. Moran says it’s a testament to LSU’s dedication to Woodward.
Basketball coach Will Wade’s contract is also being amended as part of his reinstatement. Wade has agreed to waive his quarter million dollar performance bonuses earned in the most recent season. Also, Moran says if the NCAA finds that Wade has committed a level one or level two violation, LSU can send Wade packing.
Cut 9 (08) “…this past season.″
In the event that NCAA punishments come down on the athletics department for anything that happened prior to Woodward taking over, Woodward’s contract is automatically extended for two years at a rate of $1.5 million annually.
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Governor Edwards was on-hand to survey the devastation in Ruston in the wake of a freak EF-3 tornado that cut a deadly path Thursday morning through the hometown of Louisiana Tech University.
Edwards says pictures from the ground just don’t do the damage justice, and for a state used to floods and hurricanes, it’s unusual to see such a precise path of destruction.
Edwards has declared a state of emergency while officials get a full handle on the scope of the damage that cut across several northern parishes.
The Governor says while going through the city, there was one moment in particular that shocked him.
Two people in Ruston died when a tree fell on their house, and search and rescue teams are still out and about ensuring no one else has been hurt by debris or collapsed houses. Edwards says Louisiana’s first responders can be trusted to get the job done right.
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Attorney General Jeff Landry is welcoming other AG’s from around the nation to an event in Lafayette this week that address their roles following a disaster. Landry says often times AG’s play a very pivotal role as the chief legal officers of their state, and sometimes have to wear many hats.
Cut 13 (08) “…is properly done.”
Landry says following natural disasters, the Attorney General also works in consumer protection as people will come to an impacted area and pretty upon those that are going through tough times.
Cut 14 (10) “…their law enforcement.”
Of the topics up for discussion, Landry says the event will address how to handle the medical needs of those impacted.
Cut 15 (09) “to medical conditions.”
The event is not only addressing natural disasters, but is discussing an AG’s role following events such as active shooter situations.
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LSU’s freshman pitcher Cole Henry will not pitch this weekend when the 14th ranked Tigers visit Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says Henry has developed soreness in his pitching elbow. The coach says the plan was for Henry to start tonight and move Zack Hess back to the bullpen
Mainieri says they don’t believe the injury to Henry is serious and an MRI on the elbow came back clean…
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The Saints only have one pick in the first four rounds and six overall, with two in the sixth and two in the seventh. Payton says they can also add to the roster through undrafted free agents