A 100-million dollar lawsuit against mining company Freeport-McMorRan, who is accused of damaging the coast, has been finalized. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Eight constitutional amendments are on the November 8^th ballot. Today we look at Amendment Four with the Public Affairs Research Council. Kevin Gallagher has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Shreveport Republican Representative Alan Seabaugh wants to create the Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force to study how to address the issue. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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After a three-year delay, the state and several south Louisiana parishes have finalized a 100-million dollar legal settlement with Freeport-McMoRan over damages the mining company did to the coast.  Attorney John Carmouche represents six of the coastal parishes involved in the suit…

Cut 4 (10)  “…suit is about”

This is one of dozens of lawsuits seeking monetary damages against oil and gas companies over damage to coastal wetlands. A federal court has determined such cases should be heard in state court. Carmouche expects other oil companies will seek to settle…

Cut 5 (08) “…it can be accomplished.”

Several parish leaders like Lafourche President Archie Chaisson and Terrebonne president Gordon Dove oppose the lawsuits. Dove called the settlement a money grab by trial lawyers and has praised the oil and gas industry for providing good paying jobs.

But Carmouche says these lawsuits are holding back the oil and gas development and the industry will prosper once these suits are settled…

Cut 6 (11)  “..many, many years.” 

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A new program from the LSU AgCenter Flavors of Health nutrition initiative encourages people to use herbs and spices instead of salt because it is a healthier option.

AgCenter nutrition specialist and registered dietitian Elizabeth Gollub (Gull-ub) says salt has a lot of sodium which is associated with high blood pressure.

Cut 7 (11) “…blood pressure.”

Gollub says the AgCenter has started a new program called “A Taste of Herbs and Spices.” She says nutrition agents will work with community partners to distribute flyers about a different herb or spice each month

Cut 8 (14)  “…and oregano..”

Gollob says if the program is a success they will feature different herbs and spices next year. She says herbs and spices are not only healthier but also nutritious.

Cut 9 (11)  “…think about..”

For more information postings will become available within the coming days at LSUAgCenter.com just click food and health tab.

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Early Voting for the November 8^th election continues through next Tuesday. There are 8 constitutional amendments on the ballot and today, we examine Amendment 4. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says this amendment pertains to receiving a huge water bill through no fault of your own. He says state law dictates a utility cannot donate anything of value to customers…:

Cut 10 (07) “…44-million dollars.” 

Voting YES on Amendment 4 would allow your water company to waive a high water bill caused by a problem that was not with your home or your plumbing…:

Cut  11 (10)  “…pick-up the charges.”

Voting NO on C.A.4 would keep things as they are now. Procopio says some may feel giving such waivers will only make water costs rise for everyone to compensate for the loss. He says there are other possible concerns as well…:

Cut 12 (07) “…and who doesn’t.” 

As always, PAR does not make recommendations on how one should vote; they merely seek to inform. More information on the amendments is online at “PARLouisiana.org.”

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Shreveport Republican Representative Alan Seabaugh plans to file legislation to create the Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force to study the dramatic rise in violent crime and the best way lawmakers can address the issue.

Cut 13 (11) “…going forward.”

Seabaugh believes the 2017 criminal justice reforms, also referred to as the Justice Reinvestment Act which resulted in the state’s prison population being reduced is a contributing factor to the increase in crime.

Cut 14 (12)  “…law and order.”

As for support for the creation of a task force, Seabaugh says he’s received positive feedback, especially from law enforcement.

Cut 15 (08)  “…drafting the legislation.”

Seabaugh plans to introduce the Violent Crime Task Force legislation in April.

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Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen announced yesterday that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will continue to be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward. Week one starter Jameis Winston exited earlier this year after struggles with a nagging back injury suffered in week two but has now made his return to play. Even with his recovery Allen and the coaching staff said they made a performance-based decision to stick with Dalton indefinitely. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the coaching staff has confidence in Dalton’s ability to run the offense efficiently…

Cut 16 (10)  “…Jameis can do.” 

After a slow start to the season, Dalton helped to improve the Saints’ offense to third-best in the NFL with 398 yards per game. In four starts, Dalton has thrown for 946 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions and Allen said he’ll retain his starting spot as long as that success continues. Detillier warns that if the production decreases and turnovers continue, Dalton could be at risk of returning to his backup role…

Cut 17 (13) “…Jameis Winston” 

The ups and downs of the offense have been the story of the Saints’ underwhelming season so far with injuries to key players such as Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas, and the quarterback situation has received much of the attention. Detillier, however, believes that more emphasis should be placed on the underperforming Saints defense that ranked top in the NFC last year in points allowed…

Cut 18 (15) “…of the football.” 

Despite the sluggish start, the Saints are still only one game out from first in a disappointing NFC South and will host the Raiders in Caesar’s Superdome at noon this Sunday.

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The Ragin’ Cajuns will visit Southern Miss tonight after their 38-18 victory over Arkansas St. Cajuns coach Mike Desormeaux says that the team will need to be disciplined in a quick turnaround, but it’s a big opportunity for the defending Sun-Belt champs…

Cut 19 (13) “…right now.”

The Cajuns sit half a game behind the Golden Eagles in the Sun-Belt standings. Coach Desormeaux said this Southern Mississippi team is playing smart football right now, but it was their defense specifically that jumped off the film…

Cut 20 (12) “…with the defense.”

Kickoff is tonight at 6:30

Southeastern Louisiana University will check Lake Maurepas’ ecosystem before a controversial project begins to inject greenhouse gas emissions deep beneath the lake. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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According to Walgreens’ flu tracker, Louisiana leads the country in cases. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Tomorrow, Southeastern Louisiana University will begin providing independent scientific monitoring of the Lake Maurepas ecosystem. The goal is to see where the lake stands before Air Products begins its project to inject captured carbon emissions into wells deep beneath the lake.

Dan McCarthy is the dean of Southeastern’s College of Science and Technology.

Cut 3 (11) “..recognize changes” 

McCarthy says they will monitor the health of fish, check the condition of the wetlands, and take water samples. He says in January, they will begin using sophisticated technology to continually upload data to the school’s computers.

Cut 4 (10) “…going on.” 

McCarthy says that information will be public record, so anyone will be able to see it. Air Products is seeking permission to build a $4.5 billion “blue hydrogen” plant in Ascension Parish. Instead of sending the greenhouse gases from the plant into the air, the company proposes to inject C02 into wells beneath Lake Maurepas. The company has given Southeastern a grant to cover the costs of the monitoring.

Cut 5 (05) “..for permitting.” 

Air Products has said if it gets the permits, the earliest it would begin pumping C02 beneath the lake would be 2026.

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Louisiana shrimpers say their industry is in dire peril. They say rising fuel costs, lax testing of imports, and most of all, competition from foreign imports are the culprits. Acy Cooper is President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

Cut 6 (08)  “…can produce” 

Cooper says this more than two billion pounds imported shrimp is coming into U-S, a number that keeps rising. He says an estimated 1.6 billion pounds of shrimp are consumed each year by Americans.

Cooper says the imported shrimp is not only bad for the economy, but it’s also bad for consumers’ health. He cites a Consumer Reports study on shrimp safety.

Cut 7 (11) “..trash coming in”

The federal government regulates seafood imports. Louisiana has a law requiring imported shrimp and crawfish to be labelled, but has no ability to stop the imports.

Cut 8 (09)  “..and disappear.”

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Flu cases are on the rise across the country and according to Walgreens’ flu index, Louisiana is at the top of the list with cases. Dr. Glennis Gray with the Louisiana Office of Public Health says the last two years there was a dramatic decline in flu cases due to COVID restrictions but that’s changed this year.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the flu.”

An annual flu shot is recommended for those 6 months and older. LDH is holding several vaccine events where in addition to a flu shot you can get your COVID vaccine or booster also.

Gray encourages you to get your flu shot especially with the holidays coming up and after social events were discouraged the last two years the flu is certainly making a comeback.

Cut 10 (09) “…a rage.”

Gray says that an annual flu shot reduces your chances of catching the flu by 40 to 60%, it also reduces severe symptoms and possible hospitalization.

An uptick in flu cases is also causing some local schools to close due to outbreaks and Gray says while the flu is being transmitted across the state, they are seeing spikes in heavily populated areas

Cut 11 (07)  “…our universities.”

For a vaccine event near you visit LDH’s website or vaccines.gov

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly says he was surprised to see the fans rush the field following Saturday’s 45-20 come-from-behind victory over Ole Miss. Kelly says State Troopers told him the student section was spilling on to the field…

Cut 12 (09) “…that bad”

LSU was fined 250-thousand dollars by the SEC because it was the third time in recent history fans came onto the field following an LSU win. The last time they did it was in 2018 when the Tigers defeated Georgia.

Fines collected by the conference go into the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund.

Kelly says the win over previously unbeaten Ole Miss was a good win for his program, but didn’t think the students would celebrate by coming onto the field

Cut 13 (14) “..win more” 

You can bet LSU fans will rush the field if they beat sixth ranked Alabama on November 5th.