Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee today on the financial impacts of climate change on infrastructure. He says the 14 billion dollars spent on improved levees in New Orleans after Katrina is an example of how significant government investment can prevent damage. He says the levees held up well to Hurricane Ida in 2021 and more flood control projects like this are needed…

Cut 10 (11)  “…over time.”

As the State Department continues to report backlogs with passport renewals US Senator Bill Cassidy says his office can assist Louisianans with passports renewals

Cut 4 (07)  “…resolve this.” 

You can call his Baton Rouge office at 225-929-7711

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”  

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association strongly opposes DOTD’s new plan for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Construction and maintenance for the $2.1 billion price tag will be partially funded by tolls. State and federal funds will supply $800 million, but LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar says legislators can do more…

Cut 6 (09) “…to fund it” 

Millions of dollars are available for homeowners who suffered damages from the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes, along with severe storms from May of 2021. But OCD Director Pat Forbes says in order to find out if you might be eligible for these grant dollars the survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov must be filled out first….

Cut 15 (12)  “…from the storm.”
The deadline is August 1st.

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”

And also in DC, 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.” 

If you’re having passport issues you can call Cassidy office in Baton Rouge at 225-929-7711.

The announcement of tolls to help pay for the construction of the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is disappointing for local leaders.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

DOTD will hold a meeting next Tuesday in Monroe to discuss adding an additional lane to I-20 in both directions from US 165 to east of Garrett Road. The new lanes will be located in the existing median. The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Monroe Public Safety Center.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell announces he will retire next year his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Russell has spent 39 years of his life in law enforcement and was sworn in as sheriff in 2012. Russell oversaw the creation of the North Delta Regional training academy which trains officers from over 12 parishes, but Russell says…
Cut 10 (10) “…this department.”

Homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or severe storms in May of 2021 have until Tuesday, August 1st, to fill out a survey to be considered for grant dollars to pay for those repairs, even if they have already completed. Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says more than 33-thousand homeowners have completed the survey at restore.la.gov…
cut 14 (07) “…yet/

If your house was damaged by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or the May 2021 severe storms, August 1st is the deadline to complete a survey in order to be considered for financial assistance.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Edwards is testifying before the U-S Senate Budget Committee this morning. Edwards says he’s there to discuss the fiscal consequences of climate change on infrastructure. The governor says climate change is playing a role in producing powerful hurricanes, heat waves and coastal erosion.

The state department of transportation has announced plans for a new Interstate ten bridge in Lake Charles bridge, but tolls will be needed to build the two-point-one billion dollar project. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry believes more federal dollars should go towards the project and a higher state gasoline tax could also help reduce the need for tolls…
cut 9 (05) “….be fixed”

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell announces he will retire next year, which means voters in Ouachita will elect a new sheriff in the fall of 2024. Russell believes his chief deputy Marc Mashaw should be his successor…
cut 12 (09) “…point in time”
Mashaw has spent the last 11 years as Chief Deputy.

Homeowners impacted by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 or severe storms in May of 2021 have until next Tuesday, August 1st, to fill out a survey in order to be considered for grant dollars to pay for home repairs, reconstruction, or reimbursement of completed repairs. Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the survey can be completed at restore.la.gov…
Cut 13 (11) “…help you.”
Forbes says more than 33-thousand homeowners have completed the survey, but they know there are many more who could be potentially eligible.

Southwest Louisiana officials are expressing concern over the state department of transportation saying tolls will be needed to build the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry…
cut 8 (07) “…up there”
DOTD issued a press release that shows a toll schedule. Local area with a toll tag would pay 25-cents every time they crossed the bridge, but commercial trucks with or without a tag would pay over ten dollars.

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1st to November 30th, but should the season be extended? LSU Climatologist Barry Keim is one of several researchers gathering evidence to lengthen the season, because climate change and better technology is resulting in more named storms before June 1st and after November 30th…
cut 5 (11) “….hurricane season’
Keim says it makes sense to begin hurricane season before June first so residents and emergency officials prepare before June.

The Saints hold their first training camp practice today and fans are eager to see what new starting quarterback Derek Carr can do. Coach Dennis Allen is confident the 32-year-old will do well after getting benched last season in Las Vegas…
cut 30 (08) “…he’s doing”

The state department of transportation says construction could begin next year on a new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge. But local leaders are disappointed tolls would be needed to build it….
cut 2 (33) “….I’m brooke Thorington…

Retired banker Joe Canizaro told the Advocate he expected yesterday’s fundraiser for Former President Donald Trump would raise over two million dollars for his 2024 presidential campaign. The fundraiser was held at Canizaro’s home in Old Metairie. Trump also made a stop at Cafe du Monde.

Hurricane season officially runs from June first through November 30th but LSU Climatologist Barry Keim, along with a group of other researchers believe the official start of hurricane season should begin before June 1st. Keim says over the last nine years, ten preseason storms have formed.
Cut 4 (10) “…indeed occur.”
Keim says climate change is causing warmer sea surface temperatures for a longer period of time, plus technology has improved to detect the formation of tropical storms.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell has announced he will retire next year as he approaches 40 years in law enforcement. Russell has been Ouachita Parish’s Sheriff since 2012 and says everything he’s done was in service of his community…
cut 11 (10) “…for that”

The state department of transportation announces the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles will cost two-point-one Billion dollars and tolls will be needed to build it. Construction could begin as early as next year. Cacasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry is glad the long-awaited new bridge is coming, but he’s not excited about the tolls…
cut 7 (11) “……the country”
DOTD says 800-million in federal and state dollars is available to pay for construction.

Millions of dollars are available for homeowners who suffered damages from the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes, along with severe storms from May of 2021. But in order to find out if you might be available for these grant dollars the survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov must be filled out….
cut 15 (12) from the storm”
OCD Director Pat Forbes says the deadline to fill out that survey is Tuesday August 1st.

Researchers from LSU and other universities, along with weather-related agencies are compiling data that could result in a longer hurricane season. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State prosecutors have added a second criminal charge of felony malfeasance to former Shreveport police officer Alexander Tyler in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man, Alonzo Bagley, earlier this year. In February Tyler was charged with negligent homicide. Both charges call for sentences of up to five years in prison.

The state Department of Transportation announces toll rates for the new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 17-year-old driving a stolen vehicle died in a high-speed chase early this morning. Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says there was also a 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle who survived the crash…

Cut 11 (11)  “…our community.”
In addition to adding former player Jimmy Graham to the roster, New Orleans also added 5-time Pro Bowl guard Trai (Trey) Turner. Turner graduated from high school in New Orleans and was a standout at LSU. The 30-year-old has spent nine seasons in the NFL, the majority with the Panthers and Coach Dennis Allen says he caused problems for his defense…

Cut 13 (14) “…our team.”

A 17-year-old is dead, and a 15-year-old is being treated for injuries after the two were fleeing Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies during an attempted traffic stop around 3 AM. Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says they found stolen items inside the vehicle.

Cut 10 (09)  “…anything good.”

When the teens fled the scene, he says they lost control of the stolen vehicle and crashed into a support beam at a gas station.

The Louisiana Pardon Board did not act during their meeting yesterday on 56 clemency applications from prisoners on death row. Earlier this year Governor Edwards’ stated he opposes the death penalty. Louisiana District Attorneys Association director Loren Lampert is glad the board is not rushing the applications.

Cut 4 (10)  “…railroad” 

A major development in the push to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The state has entered negotiations with Calcasieu Bridge Partners to finance the two-point-one-billion-dollar project. Local officials were hoping tolls would not be needed but DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says area residents who get a toll tag could cross the bridge for less than a dollar once it’s open…

Cut 7 (09)  “…for large trucks” 

The Saints kicked off training camp today and one of the biggest storylines will be who wins the starting outside corner spot alongside Marshon Lattimore. 2021 third-round pick Paulson Adebo and 2022 second-rounder Alontae Taylor have both shown they have what it takes to win the job, and Coach Dennis Allen believes the cornerback room is one of the deepest on the roster…

Cut  14 (12)  “…a lot of others.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board took no action during its meeting Monday on 56 clemency applications from prisoners on death row. Most of the petitions were submitted last month and Louisiana District Attorneys Association director Loren Lampert is glad the board is taking its time…

Cut 3 (11) “…own rules” 

A 17-year-old is dead, and a 15-year-old is being treated for injuries after the two were fleeing Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies after an attempted traffic stop around 3 AM this morning.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the scene.”
Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says they were in a stolen vehicle and the 15-year-old’s injuries are not considered life threatening.

A major development today in the push to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The state has entered negotiations with Calcasieu Bridge Partners to finance the two-point-one-billion-dollar project. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says 800-million dollars in funding will come from federal and state governments….

Cut 6 (10)  “tolling” 
The toll rates will range from 25-cents for local motorists with a toll tag to $12.50 for large trucks. Passenger vehicles from outside of southwest Louisiana would pay up to $3.75 once the bridge opens.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell announces he will not seek re-election and will retire on June 30 next year. Russell has been with the OPSO for almost four decades serving in various roles. Russell has already endorsed Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw as his successor in the October 14^th primary.