Three groups are coming together to challenge Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to build seven new gas plants for Meta’s new A-I data center in Richland Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
____________________________________________
State Farm is giving 136-million dollars in dividends back to Louisiana policyholders. Kace Kieschnick reports.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
____________________________________________
With the recall effort against East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards falling way short, what does that mean for the two statewide efforts? Kace Kieschnick reports.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
___________________________________________________
The Department of Children and Families has a new website. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says the department decided to redesign the website after developers had discovered that it was difficult to find anything on the site as they were making basic improvements to it.
Harris says DCFS was able to simplify the website in part because there are less things that users have to navigate to.
Cut 5 (09) “…easier to navigate.”
As such, users are able to quickly locate information on child welfare services, family support programs, foster care, adoption and other key services. Harris says just like nearly every other reputable website these days, the new DCFS website is also mobile-friendly.
Cut 6 (14) “…your cell phone.”
_______________________________________________________
A trio of groups is joining forces in challenging Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to build seven new gas plants for Meta’s new A-I data center in Richland Parish through Governor Landry’s “Lightning Speed” initiative. Susan Stevens Miller, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, says Entergy and Meta are trying to ram through these gas plants by leveraging their political influence.
Cut 7 (13) “…long-term impacts.”
Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says even though Entergy and Meta have said time and time again that they will pay the entire cost of this infrastructure buildout, they cannot be taken for their word.
Cut 8 (14) “…protection pledge – zero.”
Burke’s comments come days after Entergy CEO Phillip May shared a letter stating that Meta has embraced the Ratepayer Protection Pledge and is committed to paying the entire cost of the infrastructure required for the facility.
Paul Arbaje (ar-BAH-hay), a senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, says the Public Service Commission needs to step up to protect ratepayers once and for all from any costs related to these data centers.
Cut 9 (11) “…the data center.”
________________________________________________
If you held a State Farm auto insurance policy before the end of last year, be on the lookout for a check in the mail. State Farm is issuing policyholders in Louisiana a special dividend of around 138 dollars per vehicle on the policy. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says dividends like this one are not uncommon.
Cut 10 (08) “…that money back.”
State Farm is Louisiana’s largest auto insurer, and 136-million dollars in dividend payments will be issued in total. Temple says any refund is good money, and any money back in the pockets of consumers is a blessing.
Cut 11 (09) “…other than insurance.”
If your auto insurance is through a different company, Temple says you may get your turn eventually.
Cut 12 (12) “…of fewer accidents.”
He says a big part of that reduced number of claims is thanks to modern safety features. Eligible State Farm customers with an email on file will receive an email between now and early September asking to select a payment method.
___________________________________________________
With the recall effort against East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards coming up way short, what does that mean for the efforts against Governor Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says since Landry and Murrill are much more closely aligned with the Trump administration, certain voters may be more motivated to act against them.
Still, Hogan says the fact that the Edwards recall effort got less than five-percent of the signatures needed to get the issue before voters underscores the sheer difficulty of launching a recall campaign against any elected official in Louisiana.
Cut 14 (13) “…signatures are needed.”
Hogan says even if the organizers fall short of their goal of getting the Landry or Murrill recalls before voters, even launching their efforts is mission accomplished for them.
Cut 15 (09) “…a grassroots organization.”
The same people behind the Edwards recall effort are behind the Landry and Murrill recall campaign.
_______________________________________
LSU football players report for fall camp today. It will be head coach Lane Kiffin’s first preseason camp with the Tigers, and LSU’s rebuilt roster will need to build chemistry fast, especially on the offense. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says it starts with quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Kiffin brought in nine transfers and three freshmen wide receivers for Leavitt to throw to. Guilbeau says one or two of the newcomers in that crowded, talented room are going to separate themselves.
Cut 17 (17) “…be thinking about.”
Guilbeau says LSU’s roster is as talented as any on paper and Kiffin is a genius, but Tiger fans can’t expect a perfect season with how difficult LSU’s schedule is. They have back-to-back matchups with Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M in September, and Alabama and Texas in November.