The first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification was today. Brooke Thorington has more from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________
As sales of electric-gas hybrids soar, one of the leaders in electric vehicle components in making a major investment in Central Louisiana. David Grubb has more…
______________________________________
The Governor and Lt. Governor are joining forces to help clean up the state with the Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification. The first meeting took place today and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the blight issue is embarrassing.
Nungesser says the Governor is raising awareness among state department heads in hopes of bringing more attention to the growing issue. The task force includes representatives from state police, sheriff’s departments, district attorneys, and chambers and they’ll meet monthly.
Nungesser says he’s even tried an experiment in his home parish of Plaquemines to discourage littering by placing trash cans along stops leading to Highway 23.
Nungesser says there are laws on the books and fines attached to littering offenses, but they aren’t being enforced, and community service to pick up trash is not being implemented by judges for those with DUI offenses.
_______________________________________
A former Livingston Parish teacher pleads guilty in a child sex crimes case and agrees to testify against her ex-husband who is accused of committing disturbing crimes against kids. Cynthia Perkins pled guilty to three charges, including second-degree rape and production of child pornography. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office is working the case…
As part of the plea deal, Cynthia will be called as a witness in Dennis Perkins’s trial, which is set to begin in May. Landry believes her testimony against the former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy will seal his fate…
Authorities say Cynthia assisted Dennis Perkins in the sexual assault of a juvenile, filming a juvenile while bathing and lacing desserts with his semen that were handed out to school children in 2019. Her attorney Paul Scott says Cynthia is eager to tell a jury Dennis manipulated her to commit these disturbing acts…
Cynthia Perkins will be officially sentenced to 41 years in prison on Friday.
_______________________________________________
Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old female for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her 14-year-old ex-boyfriend. Sergeant L’ Jean Mckneely says they learned of the potential crime after an administrator for the website rent-a-hitman-dot-com reached out to their detectives…
Cut 9 (10) “…yesterday afternoon.”
The arrestee was booked into juvenile detention for Solicitation for Murder. McNeely says the rent-a-hitman-dot-com website is used by law enforcement for these types of cases…
Cut 10 (10) “…to kill someone”
_________________________________________________
Syrah Resources announced today that it is investing $176 million to expand its Syrah Technologies graphite processing facility in Vidalia, making Louisiana one of the leaders in the market for electric vehicle component production in the United States. Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says Syrah has been a great corporate partner and the impact of the expansion will be felt throughout the area.
Cut 11 (12) “….business as well.”
Syrah wants to develop the first facility of its type in the United States and says it chose Louisiana for its commitment to new technology and sustainable development. Syrah has already lined up one very high-profile client, and Craft says Vidalia is ready to compete on a global scale as Syrah continues to grow.
Cut 12 (12) “…looking really up.”
Sales of electric cars have skyrocketed over the past few years, with gasoline-electric hybrid purchases jumping by 76 percent in 2021. That means a greater demand for parts. With Syrah’s plant creating the raw materials used in batteries, Craft says Vidalia has the capability to bring in other related businesses that can take advantage of the unique benefits his city can provide.
Cut 13 (13) “….we can supply.”
The expansion is expected to create 36 new jobs with average annual salaries of $69 thousand, with LED estimating an additional 52 indirect jobs created.