Venture Global is investing more than $10 billion in a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Never at a loss for words, Louisiana Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell shares his feelings on LSU hiring Brian Kelly to lead the football program. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Louisiana is getting a shot at having clean drinking water where it may not exist for one reason or another. More from Dave Brannen:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Venture Global announces they are investing more than $10 billion in a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company already has a $7-billion facility in Calcasieu Parish and the new plant has an added feature.

Cut 4 (12) “…the world. “

The new facility will be known as CP2, Calcasieu Pass Two. Pierson says there will be approximately 200 direct high paying jobs at the new facility, plus more than 800 indirect jobs at the plant.

Cut 5 (12) “…2.300 jobs.”

Pierson says they are pleased to see Venture Global make yet another investment in Louisiana, in addition to their existing facilities in Calcasieu and Plaquemines Parishes.

Cut 6 (11) “…this facility.”

The facility is part of Governor Edwards’ initiative of net-zero emissions by 2050. ________________________________________________________

Never at a loss for words, Louisiana Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell shares his feelings on LSU hiring Brian Kelly to lead the football program. Kelly’s contract – including incentives – is  worth over $10-million dollars a year. Campbell says he finds it all troubling…:

Cut 7 (08) “…I don’t think that.”

The north Louisiana PSC member says he’s been an LSU fan and season ticket holder for 40 years, so he’s not speaking against the school … but he questions LSU’s priorities..:

Cut 8 (08) “…not enough on academics.”

Most of the LSU coach’s compensation comes from private funding. But Campbell feels investing over $100-million in a ten-year coaching contract is unwise and sends a poor message about LSU…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…I don’t agree.”

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Monroe Representative Patricia Moore, who also serves on the House Transportation Committee says she’s hopeful a portion of the federal infrastructure funds will go towards easing congestion along Interstate 20 between Monroe and West Monroe. She says widening the bridge over the Ouachita River is vital for future growth.

Cut 10 (08)  “…look at.”

Moore says when there’s an accident on the bridge it causes major gridlock and the addition of an extra lane in both directions could be extremely helpful.

Cut  11 (06)  “…I-20.”  

Moore acknowledges there are several transportation projects needed, especially in southern Louisiana, before her district is prioritized but she’s hopeful assistance for Monroe and West Monroe is even being discussed. Cut 12 (07) “…two weeks.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana will be receiving $101-million this fiscal year in federal infrastructure funding for addressing the state’s clean water needs. He offers up some of the known problems:

Cut 13 (14) “…with raw sewage.”

He says the federal dollars will help local officials lacking the tax base to do it have the additional funds to make the needed repairs in order to provide clean water to the residents. A portion of the funding is expected to be earmarked for the replacement of lead pipes, though Cassidy says that’s not something he’s heard concerns about.

Cut 14 (10)  “…time supporting that.”

Cassidy says if there are problems with lead pipes, he’s all for funding the problem. According to Cassidy, the issues of clean water are a statewide problem. Cassidy explains how the 101-million dollars in funding will be allocated.

Cut 15 (13)  “..nature to it.”

The infrastructure act provides additional funding each year through 2026, which means Louisiana can expect similar water infrastructure funding for the next four years. _______________________________________________

After a solid victory over Florida A-and-M in the opening round of the F-C-S playoffs, Southeastern Louisiana is on the road for the second round as they will face James Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia tomorrow. The Lions lead the F-C-S in scoring, averaging 47 points per game, but S-L-U Coach Frank Scelfo says J-M-U has one of the best defenses in the country…

Cut  16 (16) “…heck of a matchup.”

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The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns play for a Sun Belt Conference championship game on Saturday in their home stadium as they host Appalachian State at 2:30 on Saturday. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says there are a lot of schools wishing they could be playing for a title this weekend…

Cut 17 (20) “ of that” 

Back on October 12th, the Cajuns handled App State rather easily beating the Mountainers 41-13. Napier says that game has no impact on Saturday…

Cut 18 (18) “..some turnovers”  

This is the third Sun Belt championship game for the Cajuns, but the first time they’ve hosted. Napier is counting on Cajun nation to make a difference…

Cut 19 (14)  “..on Saturday”  

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The LSU men’s basketball team is 8-0 but Coach Will Wade is not happy with his team. He’s displeased with the 17 turnovers in Wednesday night’s 66-51 win over the Bobcats and the lack of offensive rebounding will not be tolerated…

Cut 20 (20) “.missed 26 shots.” 

The Tigers’ next game is Saturday, December 11th in Atlanta against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Many of you may still be able to score a hundred bucks just for getting your first COVID shot in Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

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Louisiana is beginning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to improve water systems in small towns and rural parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Louisiana’s Shot for $100 program is continuing through the end of December with more than 34-thousand 100-dollar debit cards distributed so far to those receiving their initial COVID-19 vaccination. Sheree Taillon heads up the program and says college students are rolling up their sleeves in fear of classes being canceled if they don’t.

Cut 3 (10) “…climbed very quickly.”

The new Omicron variant of COVID is also expected to increase the response to the Shot for $100 program.

Taillon says the Louisiana Department of Health has partnered with an independent pharmacy group to expand the Shot for 100 program in harder-to-reach areas.

Cut 4 (08) “…the vaccination program.”

College students will be eligible for the Shot for $100 program and one debit card whether it’s their first or second shot.

Cut 5 (08) “…for one card.”

The deadline for college students is still December 10^th, not through the rest of the month as it is for the general public.

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With oil prices dropping of late, Louisiana drivers and others nationwide are hoping that’ll mean a drop in gasoline prices, sooner rather than later. Triple A’s Nick Chabarria says it usually takes a while for the transition to lower prices to show up at the pump.

 Cut 6 (07) “..pump as well.” 

The statewide average price of regular stands at three-10 a gallon in Louisiana, down two cents from a week ago. The barrel price of oil has dropped almost 15-dollars from a week ago.

Chabarria says despite the price drop for a barrel of crude, he says it’s a little difficult to tell how much savings you’ll realize and when you gas up your vehicle.

Cut 7 (10) “…savings for drivers.”  

Chabarria is optimistic that gas prices will continue slowly dropping as the price of oil declines.

Cut 8 (07) “…at the pump.”

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A Legislative Budget Committee has approved the spending of 23-million dollars in federal money that will be used to modernize very old water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. House Appropriations Chair Jerome Zeringue says this round of money will fund 29 projects, but there’s more work to be done…

Cut 9 (08) “…those projects.”

Zeringue says they currently have about 300-million dollars to spend on improving water and sewerage systems that are about 100 years old.  He says they plan to approve more projects for funding early next year…

Cut 10 (11)  “…that’s available”

Local governments must apply for the funding and they need to show a need for upgrading their water systems. Zeringue says the dollars to pay for these projects is the result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021…

Cut  11 (12)  “..maintain it.”  

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Thanksgiving Weekend state police responded to 15 fatal crashes. Troop C’s area alone in southeast Louisiana, last month there were 13 deaths from fatal crashes. So, they are working with several agencies like Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre in hopes of curbing impaired driving.

Cut 12 (09) “…commit a murder”  

Webre, along with other law enforcement officers, says they can’t do it alone, they need the public to contact them when they see an impaired driver behind the wheel.

Cut 13 (07) “…to intervene.”

Troopers say more than half of fatal crashes involve impaired drivers and distracted driving from things like cell phones is responsible for a growing number also.

Troop C Commander Lanny Bergeron says you’ll see an increased presence of law enforcement in the area in hopes of reducing the recent increase of fatal crashes.

Cut 14 (08) “…to combat.” 

Webre says the pandemic along with residents coping with the difficulties from Hurricane Ida have resulted in many turning to alcohol and drugs to manage their stress. They also want to find ways to help individuals with addiction.