The Louisiana Pardon Board has decided not to act on the 56 clemency applications they received from death row inmates. Dashing their hopes of Governor Edwards commuting their sentence to life without parole. The Board says based on its own rules, they can not take up the cases, because the applications were not made within one year of their last appeal. But Louisiana Capital appeals Project director Cecelia Kappel says they’ve waived this rule before…
cut 14 (08) “….procedural grounds”
Kappel says the governor can request the Louisiana Pardon Board hear the cases, but Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert believes that will not happen….
cut 16 (11) “…this is no”

SunGas Renewables is looking at building a $2 billion clean fuel facility in Pineville at the former International Paper Mill site. SunGas says the facility would manufacture nearly 400-thousand metric tons of green methanol for their customers worldwide. Louisiana Central President and CEO Jim Clinton said SunGas anticipates the creation of more than a thousand jobs at peak construction and more than 100 local jobs during operation
cut 4 (09) “….indirect jobs”
The company expects to make a final investment decision in August 2024, with construction beginning by the end of the year.

Alexandria Republican Representative Lance Harris announces his candidacy for a seat on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris is term-limited as a state lawmaker and has served the last two years as chair of House Education.
Cut 10 (11) “…educational issues.”
BESE member Ashley Ellis, who’s not seeking re-election, has endorsed Harris to be her successor.

SunGas Renewables is planning to build a $2-billion green manufacturing facility in Central Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The CEO of Community Coffee, David Belanger, says he plans to retire next year. Belanger has led the coffee company based in Baton Rouge for the last 13 years. Belanger started at Community Coffee in 1998 as director of operations. Community’s board of directors says the business doubled in size under Bellanger’s leadership.

The Louisiana Pardon Board has returned the clemency applications filed by 56 death row inmates who are hoping Governor Edwards will commute their death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The board decline to hear the cases, because the application was not made within one year of their final appeal of their conviction. Director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says the governor can still request the Pardon Board to review their cases…
cut 15 (08) “….does so”
The governor’s office is not commenting.

Alexandria Representative and chairman of the House Education Committee, Lance Harris, has announced he’s seeking a seat on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris says he would like to pass policies that improve workforce development and literacy rates….
cut 11 (12) “….programs”

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. The project now has a price tag of over two billion dollars and LMTA Director Renee Amar says the bridge does not have to be that expensive…
Cut 7 (07) “…much smaller”
Amar says there’s no doubt a new bridge is needed, but federal and state government should pay for it.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee and used his appearance 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.”
Edwards also testified about the importance of climate change infrastructure and how levees constructed after Katrina have prevented catastrophic damage.

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.”

Big news for Rapides Parish today as Sun Gas Renewables announced it is looking at building a one-point eight billion dollar renewable low-carbon methanol production facility in Pineville. It would manufacture 400-thousand metric tons of green methanol per year for SunGas customers worldwide. The project would create over 100 new jobs.

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 has done is unprecedented. She says the board has a history of waiving its rules so death penalty clemency applications can be heard.

Cut 14 (09)  “…procedural grounds” 

Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Authority, Renee Amar strongly opposes the state department of transportation’s proposal to use tolls to fund a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The Joint Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to review and approve the two-point-one-billion-dollar project. Amar says this committee can stop the toll from being implemented…

Cut 8 (12)  “…vote it down” 

The State Department reportedly receives 400,000 passport applications a week and says the delays are a result of the pandemic and renewed interest in international travel. US Senator Bill 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.”

He says if you need assistance with your passport to call his office in Baton Rouge.

3:30 (15) 6:30 (18) 9:30 (21)

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”  

A 22-year-old Shreveport man was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing a horse, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission. Travious D. Johnson is accused of taking a palomino horse from a pasture without the owners’ permission. The horse was advertised for sale on social media and subsequently sold.

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.”

If it looks like your international travel plans could be disrupted due to passport renewal delays, US Senator Bill Cassidy is urging Louisianians to contact his office. He says he’s received numerous calls from 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.

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.

Governor 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”

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.”

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.

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. The project now has a price tag of over two billion dollars and LMTA Director Renee Amar says the bridge does not have to be that expensive…

Cut 7 (07)  “…much smaller” 

The State Department reportedly receives 400,000 passport applications a week and says the delays are a result of the pandemic and renewed interest in international travel. US Senator Bill 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.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke before the U-S Senate Budget Committee and used his appearance 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.”

Edwards also testified about the importance of climate change infrastructure and how levees constructed after Katrina have prevented catastrophic damage.

In Pineville, the announcement of a $2-billion facility to be constructed at the former International Paper Mill site is welcome news. SunGas Renewals will build a facility that will produce green methanol for marine fuel and create 100 local jobs.  Construction will create more than one thousand jobs and is expected to be completed in 2027.

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/