LRN PM Newscall May 24

25,000 acres of farmland could be destroyed if the Morganza Spillway is opened in Point Coupee Parish…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

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The Legislature passes a proposal to add an HOV lane to a 15 mile stretch of I12 between Walker and the 10/12 split in Baton Rouge. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

cut 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”  

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It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it took a little later this year, but hot and humid conditions have arrived for the holiday weekend

Cut 3 (11) “…the summer.”

Keim says we can also say goodbye for the time being to low temperatures in the low to mid-60s

Cut 4 (12) “…to stay” 

Keim says not only has the summer heat return, but we’ve hit a dry weather pattern

Cut 5 (10) “…next Thursday”

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An estimated 25,000 acres of farmland is expected to be destroyed if the decision is made to open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. LSU Ag Center county agent Mike Carriere (Carry-aye) says farmers who own property that could soon be swamped by diverted Mississippi River water will take a bath financially…

Cut 6 (05) “…season”

Livestock will also have to relocate which can overcrowd land and drive up hay and feed costs.

Carriere says seepage from the Mississippi along the levees has already brought standing water to fields…

Cut 7 (07) “…this year.”

Carriere says news that the Morganza could possibly open soon comes on the heels of a difficult planting season, because of wet conditions.…

Cut 8 (08) “…spillway”

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A proposal to add an HOV lane to a heavily trafficked stretch of I-12 between Walker and the I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge heads to the Governor’s desk. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey (Err-dee) says this should shave time off the commute of everyone driving in and out of Baton Rouge from the east.

Cut 9 (10) “…right now”

Before any work can begin a study must be completed, and the project OK’d by the feds, but Erdey says expect work to begin sometime in the fall.

HOV lanes are rare in Louisiana, but are all over major cities like Houston. Erdey says DOTD will begin an educational effort to get Bayou State motorists up to speed on the lanes that are not legal for solo drivers.

Cut 10 (11) “…route”

I-12′s large shoulder lanes will be used to create the new lane, signage will be put up along the 15-mile stretch, and heat sensing cameras will be installed to prevent drivers from skirting the law by putting a dummy in the passenger seat…

Cut 11 (10)“ driver”

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A State Police trooper working an I-10 construction zone in East Baton Rouge is recovering from injuries after an alleged drunk driver slammed into the back of his vehicle. L-S-P spokesperson Taylor Scrantz says drivers need to respect trooper and worker safety if they see a cop car’s blue lights on in a construction zone…

cut 12(12)   “…workers””

31-year-old Volha Tryshyna was charged with a DWI, Vehicular Negligent Injuring, and Careless Operation.

After the wreck, the trooper was transported to Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. Scrantz says despite the nasty wreck, a full recovery is expected.

Cut 13 (08) “…in time”

With record numbers of cars expected to be on the road for the Memorial Day weekend, Scrantz is asking all motorists to drive with an abundance of caution, particularly in construction zones…

Cut 14 (11) “…Iberville Parish”