SunGas Renewables will build a $2-billion green manufacturing facility in Central Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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With football season starting up again, sports betting will also be picking up. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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The Louisiana Pardon Board has returned the clemency applications filed by death row inmates hoping Governor John Bel Edwards would commute their sentence to life without parole. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The announcement of a green manufacturing facility coming to central Louisiana is welcome news.  SunGas Renewables will build a $2 billion facility in Pineville at the former International Paper Mill site. Louisiana Central President and CEO Jim Clinton says facility construction will create more than a thousand jobs.

Cut 4 (09)  “…indirect jobs.”

Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree says it’s a huge announcement for Central Louisiana and the City of Pineville for a piece of property he says has been dormant for close to 14 years.  He says SunGas Renewables is a $2-billion investment for the area…

Cut 5 (12)   “…marine fuels.”

It will be used by Denmark-based Maersk, the second-largest container shipping company in the world.

Dupree says landing SunGas Renewables is a collaborative effort among several organizations and the existing infrastructure and ports make the location ideal for the green methanol production facility.

Cut 6 (07)  “…this manufacturer.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and the facility should open in 2027.

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Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Louisiana ranks top ten nationally for the amount of money wagered in legalized sports betting based on population size. Johns says they saw a bump in June thanks to LSU’s run to a College World Series championship…

Cut 7 (09) “…last year.”

The state received one point seven million dollars in tax revenue for sports betting for the month. Sports betting became legal in 2022 and Johns says it’s been a popular activity for many….

Cut 8 (11) “…of Louisiana.”

Twenty-five percent of the tax revenue from sports betting goes towards early childhood education, ten percent goes to local government and Johns says the rest goes to other projects and gambling addition programs…

Cut 9 (10)  “…advocated for”

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Alexandria Republican Representative Lance Harris announces his candidacy for District 5 of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris is term-limited and has served the last two years as chair of the House Education Committee.

Cut 10 (11) “…educational issues.”

Harris referred to his experience with transparency and accountability for education and his efforts with parents’ rights in school systems.

Among the issues, Harris says he’ll focus on if elected is workforce development and improving literacy rates.

Cut 11 (12)  “…programs.”

Harris also believes the state needs to be more proactive in recruiting and retaining certified teachers in Louisiana. He says that includes compensation and reducing the burden placed on teachers.

Cut 12 (11)   “…that correction.” 

Current board member Ashley Ellis, who’s not seeking re-election, has endorsed Harris to be her successor.

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The Louisiana Pardon Board has decided to return the clemency applications from 56 death row inmates hoping Governor Edwards would reduce their sentence to life in prison. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert says if the Pardon Board took up these petitions they would violate their own rules

Cut 13 (10) “…must be changed.” 

The rules say the Pardon Board can consider clemency petitions from death row inmates if the application was made within one year of their final appeal or if an execution date is approaching.

But the director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel, says what the Louisiana Pardon Board did is unprecedented. She says the board has a history of waiving its rules so death penalty clemency applications are heard

Cut 14 (08)  “…procedural grounds.” 

The Louisiana Capital Appeals Project filed the applications for clemency after Governor John Bel Edwards announced his opposition to the death penalty. Kappel says the governor still has the authority to direct the Louisiana Pardon Board to review the cases

Cut 15 (08)  “…does so.”

But Lampert believes the Pardon Board’s decision to return the clemency petitions puts an end to any hope that these death row inmates can have their death sentences commuted to life in prison without parole. He says even the governor is powerless in this situation…

Cut 16 (11) “…that is no.”

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For the Saints to get back to the playoffs, new starting quarterback Derek Carr will need to have a big year. Carr has been learning the offense since he signed his four-year deal with New Orleans in March and the vet understands the importance of his role…

Cut 17 (20) “…here to do.”

During the first day of training camp, Carr finally got to throw passes to wide receiver Michael Thomas during seven-on-seven drills. The Saints’ new Q-B has a lot of respect for Thomas…

Cut 18 (21) “…done the work.” 

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Anticipation is building for the LSU football season as the Tigers are set to report next week. Everyone always looks forward to seeing the newcomers, but Coach Brian Kelly told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club there are guys that have been on the roster for a while that are ready for a breakout season…

Cut 19 (21) “…make impacts.” 

SEC games are won in the trenches and Kelly likes what he has on the offensive and defensive lines….

Cut 20 (21)  “…outstanding player.”  

Senator Bill Cassidy is urging Louisianans with passport issues to reach out to his office. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The DOTD announces tolls will be needed to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles and  the Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposes the use of tolls. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Despite claims of hiring more staff and authorizing overtime, the State Department is still behind in issuing passports. US Senator Bill Cassidy says his office has received numerous calls from Louisiana residents who’ve missed vacations despite applying in advance and paying extra fees to expedite the process.

Cut 3 (06) “…situation.” 

Cassidy says his office in Baton Rouge has been successful in helping individuals with the passport process and he encourages Louisianans to contact his local office if they are having difficulty.

Cut 4 (07)  “…resolve this.” 

The State Department reportedly receives 400,000 applications a week and says the delays are a result of the pandemic and renewed interest in international travel. Cassidy says several families and individuals have been forced to forgo their travel because their passports did not arrive in time and the results are costly.

Cut 5 (07)  “…go on.”

Cassidy urges those with passport issues to call his office in Baton Rouge at 225-929-7711.

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The Louisiana Motor Transport Association strongly opposes the state department of transportation’s proposal to use tolls to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD says the new bridge will cost $2.1 billion and there’s only 800-million dollars in state and federal funds available, but L-M-T-A Director Renee Amar says legislators can do more…

Cut 6 (11)  “to fund it” 

Amar says existing gasoline taxes are meant to fund DOTD projects, and nowhere else on I-10 from Florida to California is the interstate tolled. She says discussions of the project began years ago with an $800 million budget. The project now has a price tag of over two billion dollars. Amar says the bridge does not have to be that expensive…

Cut 7 (07)  “…much smaller” 

DOTD says its entering negotiations with Calcasieu Bridge Partners, who will manage and oversee construction, maintenance and operations of the new bridge. The state says the new bridge will be lower than the existing one, with more lanes, full shoulders and have roadway lighting.

The Joint Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to review and approve the project. Amar says this committee can stop the toll from being implemented…

Cut 8 (12)  “…vote it down” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget committee today to discuss the financial impacts of climate change on infrastructure. Edwards says the state’s coastal master plan seeks to reduce damage from rising sea levels, coastal land loss and weather events…

Cut 9 (13)  “….today”

Edwards says the 14 billion dollars spent on improved levees in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is an example of how significant government investment can prevent damage to homes and businesses.  He says the levees held up well to Hurricane Ida in 2021. He says more flood control projects like this are needed…

Cut 10 (11)  “…over time.”

Edwards used his appearance before the Senate Budget Committee to push for the passage of the RISEE Act.  The governor says the legislation would result in the state receiving more federal dollars for energy production that takes place in federal waters off of Louisiana’s coast. He says currently the state is not receiving a fair share

Cut 11 (10)  “…Port Fourchon.”