As the size of the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over how much it could cost utility ratepayers. Jeff Palermo reports.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
____________________________________________
Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will indeed be a Saint this season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
____________________________________________
A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
___________________________________________________
Governor Jeff Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer important to Louisiana as it once was. But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette, says the New Orleans region has more influence on the state’s economy than any other metro area in the state.
Cut 4 (12) “…state tax revenues.”
New Orleans does not have the population or the number of jobs it had pre-Hurricane Katrina. But Barnes says New Orleans is still a huge driver and has the largest concentration of economic activity in the state. Barnes says that’s why it’s still important that the state makes sure that New Orleans succeeds.
Landry made his comment that New Orleans is not as important as it once was at the announcement of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar investment into the Richland Parish A-I data center. Barnes says the data center is great, but…
Cut 6 (11) “…the state economy.”
___________________________________________________
As the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over whether utility ratepayers will be stuck with the bill. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy says she doesn’t exactly trust Meta and Entergy when they say they will cover all the costs of the electricity needed to power the massive facility.
Cut 7 (10) “…shifted to residents.”
Governor Landry responded to that claim by saying unlike Louisiana, other states were not prepared for the infrastructure demands of such a large data center. DiLaura also notes that the contract between Meta and Entergy does not cover the lifespan of the gas plants they’re building.
Cut 8 (11) “…beyond 20 years.”
Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, whose city is one parish to the west of the data center, says he’s confident that Meta and Entergy will keep their end of the bargain and not stick ratepayers with the bill.
Cut 9 (08) “…State of Louisiana.”
Mayor Ellis says Meta and Entergy keeping their promises is essential for future data center projects, which he says are huge economic drivers, especially in rural areas.
Cut 10 (12) “…future power generation.”
___________________________________________________
Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Nola.com’s Matt Paras (“Paris”) says in an offseason where the Saints lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, it’s good to see a veteran star return.
Cut 11 (10) “…people are happy.”
Injuries and offensive struggles have limited the once-explosive running back in recent years. Paras says he expects Etienne to step into more of a leading role in the backfield but hopes the offense finds ways for Kamara to contribute.
Cut 12 (12) “…that skill set.”
___________________________________________________
A man and woman from Houma are arrested on allegations of physically and sexually abusing children. Investigators with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office say 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is the perpetrator and is behind bars on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Deputy Blake Tabor says Tucker is facing a slew of charges.
Tabor says what’s especially disturbing is that Tucker passed himself off as someone who children could trust and confide in.
Cut 14 (10) “…of Society Ministries.”
In addition, detectives say 47-year-old Sharotta Lewis witnessed the abuse and failed to report it. She was arrested on charges similar to the ones Tucker is facing, and she’s also being held on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Tabor says this remains an active investigation.
Cut 15 (09) “…to come forward.”
_______________________________________
Grambling is picked to finish second in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll behind defending champs Prairie View A&M. Third-year head coach Mickey Joseph says he tried to lead a balanced attack when he arrived at Grambling, but now he knows the team’s identity.
Grambling is coming off a 7-and-5 season last year. Two of the Tigers’ four SWAC losses came by just one point. Offensive lineman Alexander Vigil says the G-men need to play complementary football to win close games.
Cut 17 (16) “…the other team.”
Southern, meanwhile, is fifth in the preseason poll after a 2-and-10 season last year. The Jaguars welcomed Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the program’s new head coach. Faulk says it was perfect timing that he was looking to be a coach, and the Jaguars needed one.
Cut 18 (20) “…happen than Louisiana.”
Defensive back Herman Brister is a preseason All-SWAC first-team selection. He says he expects this year’s group to be a different team with Faulk at the helm.