DOTD unveils a new website to get public input on the statewide transportation plan. Teiko Foxx has more…
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Timber generates $10 Billion per year for Louisiana’s economy but this year’s drought and fires are having a devastating impact. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Passage of Amendment 3 on the November 18th ballot would allow local parish governments the ability to give first responders a tax break. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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State Transportation is making it easier for Louisianans to give input on infrastructure and transportation projects through a new website. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says latransportationplan-dot-la-dot-gov details the state’s transportation plan and infrastructure landscape through 2055.
The website will also allow DOTD to engage the public as they update several modal plans including updates to aviation, freight, and rail plans. Mallett says the user-friendly portal features straightforward navigation and it gives individuals the opportunity to provide their thoughts on future projects…
Cut 5 (12) “…transportation plan.”
The last time the statewide transportation plan was updated was in 2015. Mallet says the goal is to provide more opportunities to identify areas where improvements are critical.
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More than 200 jobs are coming to the Acadiana region with the announced expansion of Infinity Valve & Supply. Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter says the expansion will allow Infinity to provide oil and gas companies with more environmentally friendly alternatives to current practices.
Infinity Valve & Supply was founded in 2002 and has been in Youngsville since 2008. Ritter says the $1.1 million investment to increase production of the new air compression division and expansion of the facility is a huge win for the city.
The creation of 68 new direct jobs from the expansion is expected to have an average annual salary of $52,000. Ritter says the state’s incentive package played a significant role in the expansion and he believes it’s a good use of state funds.
The company also owns Infinity Operators, an energy service company that was founded in 2018. It specializes in oil and gas property management, operations, and maintenance services.
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The Timber Industry generates $10 Billion per year for Louisiana’s economy according to Robbie Hutchins, a forester with the LSU Ag Center. Hutchins says wildfires engulfed more than 50,000 acres of Louisiana forests costing the state millions…
Hutchins says the costs to the Bayou State go beyond just logging. He says the timber industry employs about 45,000 people directly and is indirectly responsible for 40,000 jobs.
Hutchins says we’re not out of the wildfire threats yet. We still need some significant rain.
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Amendment 2 on the November 18th ballot would allow money allotted to inactive special funds to be transferred into the state’s general budget. President of the Public Affairs Research Council Steven Procopio says the amendment focuses on six inactive funds…
Cut 13 (10) “…the constitution.”
State Treasurer John Schroder supports Amendment 2 and says it will help simplify the State Constitution.
Those special funds include the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund, Higher Education Louisiana Partnership Fund, Millennium Leverage Fund, Agricultural and Seafood Products Support Fund, First Use Tax Fund, and the Louisiana Investment Fund for Enhancement.
Passage of Amendment 3 would allow local governing authorities the ability to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for qualified first responders. Similar to a homestead exemption, first responders could receive an additional exemption.
Procopio says proponents believe the tax exemption for qualified first responders, for example, police and firefighters, would be a recruiting and retention incentive…
Cut 15 (05) “…salary increase.”
Early voting ends Saturday and due to the state holiday, early voting will not be available on Friday.
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Three National Championships have passed since LSU had its magical 2019 season and LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly is anxious to bring LSU back to the pinnacle of college football again. Kelly says the team’s ability to be bad or great is all about the Tigers’ commitment to excellence week in and out. Something they will need to do in order to reach Coach Kelly’s goal of 10 wins this season.
Cut 16 (24) “…more this week.”
Even though Coach Kelly is focused on Florida this week, his long-term goal is to make LSU an elite program in the nation that finishes and wins games against teams like Alabama. Coach Kelly left Notre Dame to build LSU into a great football team, not just a good or competitive one.
After Saturday’s defensive struggle and heartbreaking loss to Alabama, Coach Kelly’s focus is not on any offseason moves for LSU, but its matchup against the Gators. Kelly left no doubt where his and the players’ focus will be on Saturday.
Cut 18 (19) “…beating Florida.”
The Saints forced five turnovers in their 24-17 win over the Chicago Bears. After recording just seven interceptions last season, New Orleans has an NFL-high 12 interceptions. Coach Dennis Allen says it’s been more of an emphasis this season…
The Saints had a chance to take a ten-point lead in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s win. But Blake Grupe’s 47-yard field goal hit the left upright. The rookie is 18-of-23 on field goals but Allen says there are no plans to try out any other kickers…