Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc, one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Matt Doyle has the story.
_______________________________
With the arrival of October comes the start of the final two months of hurricane season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
________________________
For the second Governor’s race in a row top polling Republicans are attacking each other despite calls from the state party to focus all efforts on John Bel Edwards. Matt Doyle has the story.
________________________
Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Attorney John Carmouche calls the settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc. a huge victory for those that live in coastal parishes.
Carmouche says nearly all of the money goes toward restoration efforts for coastal marshes and wetlands, which often serve as a buffer from hurricanes and flooding. The settlement could set the standard on future litigation with other oil and gas firms.
Cut 5 (10) “…along the coast.”
The settlement requires the approval or 12 coast parish governments, an approval Carmouche believes could be reached in the coming months. Freeport’s deal would require a $15 million payment at first, with the company disbursing money over 22 years.
Cut 6 (08) “…for both parties.”
____________________
October is typically quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says historical data reflects favorably for the month as the average is having two named storms to make landfall on the Bayou state.
Cut 7 (07) “…hurricanes really drop.”
Keim says once the state makes it through Halloween, the chances of a named storm drops significantly.
Cut 8 (08) “…5 or 6 years ago.”
Keim says the last two months of hurricane season are typically more active for the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico or the east coast due to steering currents shifting.
_______________________
We’re two weeks from the primary and recent independent polls show the biggest question remaining is whether Governor Edwards can avoid a run-off with top polling Republican Eddie Rispone.
Ralph Abraham used to be the Republican favorite, but that’s changed. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Abraham’s fundraising woes finally caught up to him.
This month’s campaign finance report shows Rispone with 6.3 million on hand, Governor Edwards with 5.7 million, and Abraham with 1.4 million.
Rispone appears to have vaulted Abraham thanks to a series of attack ads calling Abraham disloyal to the President. Pinsonat says the attacks were effective.
The state party warned Republican candidates not to attack each other in the primary, because it would lead to another term for Democrat Edwards.
Governor Edwards continues to creep closer to winning outright in the primary, but Pinsonat says his campaign must be concerned about numbers in the upper 40’s.
The primary is set for October 12th, with a potential run-off scheduled for November 16th.
_____________________________
The Saints’ defense shuts down an explosive Cowboys offense to give the Black and Gold a 12-10 win in front of the home crowd.
Dallas was held to just 257 yards and one touchdown after coming into the game the league’s second most prolific offense. Coach Sean Payton is proud of the gritty performance.
Two time rushing leader Zeke Elliot was contained for just 35 yards on the night.
The Saints offense was crippled by repeated penalties on the offensive line, and QB Teddy Bridgewater just couldn’t crack the endzone. Payton says the self-inflicted wounds are unacceptable.
Bridgewater’s 193 yards through the air makes it two weeks in a row the formerly explosive passing game has failed to crack 200 yards.
There were a few questionable calls throughout the game on pass interference. Payton says while he appreciates the new option to challenge, he’s seen too many coaches blow a time out on the attempt.
New Orleans takes on Tampa at home next Sunday.
________________________
____________________________________________