Last week it was frozen precipitation but this week it’s much milder with a deluge of rainfall. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________________________
Louisiana’s new Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary is looking to modernize the state agency. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
______________________________________________
Louisiana’s 6th District has become the state’s 2nd Majority Black district. Colleen Crain has more on who might represent the new district.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
______________________________________________
What a difference a week can make, from arctic cold temperatures to mild weather and plenty of rain. In classic El Nino fashion, LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says a system that’s lingering in the western Gulf of Mexico will continue to move inland and bring us a tropical deluge of rain.
Cut 4 (09) “…wet conditions.”
Our high temperatures will reach the upper 60s across northern parishes and in the 70s along the southern parishes. Lows will only drop into the mid-50s to lower-60s this week because of cloud coverage. But it’s the rainfall amounts that Keim says will be significant this week.
Cut 5 (06) “…inches of rain.”
He says central Louisiana is expected to receive the majority of the rainfall and the excess precipitation should improve the state’s drought. Currently, Keim says 92 percent of the state is still experiencing some level of drought.
Cut 6 (06) “…situation.”
Keim says fortunately the rainfall totals should be spread out over a period of days versus hours and that will help saturate the soil and provide runoff to improve water levels across lakes and rivers in Louisiana.
___________________________________________
Louisiana’s new Congressional Map creates a diverse 2nd Majority Black district that runs diagonally across the state cutting through sections of parishes from Caddo to East Baton Rouge and changing the 6th district from majority Republican to majority Democrat. With elections coming this fall, LSU Political Science Professor, Robert Hogan says…
Cut 7 (10) “…Democratic district.”
Political insiders weren’t surprised that Garret Graves’ district was sacrificed in the map supported by Governor Landry since Graves backed Landry’s opponent in the gubernatorial race and wasn’t overly supportive of Steve Scalise’s run for US Speaker of the House. Many speculate Senator Cleo Fields will challenge Graves and Hogan believes he could win…
Cut 8 (09) “…African-American district.”
Hogan says the new 6th district cuts across a large part of the state and getting a handle on the wants and needs of such a diverse population of votes will be difficult for any candidate and while Graves is the incumbent…
Cut 9 (09) “…to Republicans.”
____________________________________________________________________
Louisiana’s new Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan wants to bring a great customer service experience to hunters and fishermen. Sheahan says since taking on her new role two weeks ago, she’s been meeting with staff to see how the state agency can run more efficiently…
Cut 10 (10) “…this department.”
Sheahan comes to Louisiana after working for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in various leadership positions. She’s only 26 years old and the Ohio State alumnus believes she can bring fresh ideas to the department…
Cut 11 (10) “…in the past.”
Sheahan says she’s committed to making the Sportsmen’s Paradise as great as it can be…
Cut 12 (12) “…them better.”
___________________________________________________________
It’s standard procedure during carnival season for State Troopers to assist New Orleans Police but this time, the extra officers will stay on after Fat Tuesday. Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer, Lt. Melissa Matey says they anticipate sending more than 130 troopers to the Crescent City for Mardi Gras.
Cut 13 (06) “…of New Orleans.”
During his campaign, Governor Jeff Landry promised to address rising crime, and that included increasing law enforcement in the state’s largest city. Matey says it’s a partnership with Attorney General Liz Murrell’s office, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Matey says the goal is for State Police to have a permanent presence in New Orleans….
Cut 14 (09) “…finalized plans.”
Over the years the number of police officers in New Orleans has dwindled, which Matey says is a problem across the country. She says recruiting individuals to a career in law enforcement has become more difficult. And to fill vacancies elsewhere in the state when troopers are relocated to New Orleans, Matey says the department will increase recruitment.
Cut 15 (11) …our state.“
Matey says they are also going to hold a transitional academy for potential troopers who already have law enforcement experience to increase the number of troopers in the state in addition to the traditional academy.