7-25-18
LAFAYETTE MAYOR PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX SAYS LAFAYETTE NEEDS TO CONFRONT ITS NEED FOR POWER GENERATION AND CAPITAL UPGRADES, WHICH COSTS MONEY. AT A MEETING OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AUTHORITY LAST NIGHT, HE EXPLAINED WHY HE SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT WITH NEXTGEN TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT COMPANY TAKING OVER MANAGEMENT OF LAFAYETTE UTILITIES SERVICE. ROBIDEAUX SAYS A SERIES OF EVENTS, INCLUDING THE AUTHORITY’S DECISION IN FEBRUARY NOT TO ISSUE 240 MILLIION DOLLARS IN BONDS AND DIRECTOR TERRY HUVAL’S DECISION TO RETIRE, LED HIM TO LOOK INTO PRIVATIZING ELECTRIC SERVICES. ROBIDEAUX SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF L-U-S.
THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AT CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOLS. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAYS THEY ARE ON SCHEDULE WITH SOME EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS ON AUGUST 14TH, WHILE OTHERS WILL, AS EXPECTED, CONTINUE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE PROJECTS ARE AT GILLIS AND COMBRE FONDEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND AT THE BRENDA HUNTER HEAD START SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS ANTICIPATING AN INCREASE OF 350 STUDENTS OVERALL FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
CITY LEADERS IN MAURICE MET LAST NIGHT TO CONSIDER A FALSE FIRE ALARM ORDINANCE. JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.
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Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is offering ways he says the corrections department could carry out death sentences in the state, continuing his clash with Gov. John Bel Edwards over capital punishment. Landry sent a letter Tuesday to Edwards suggesting a switch in the drug used for lethal injection or using the Louisiana State Penitentiary’s pharmacy to make the drug, a process known as compounding. The Democratic Edwards’ administration says the Republican attorney general’s suggestions for “policy changes” are unworkable. Natalie LaBorde, corrections deputy assistant secretary, says drug companies refuse to sell their products for executions.
THE BROUSSARD POLICE DEPARTMENT EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT THE PEARL DRIVING SCHOOL IN BROUSSARD. THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A COMPLAINT ABOUT INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE BY THE OWNER, 60-YEAR-OLD ROY THOMPSON. HIS HOME IN EUNICE WAS ALSO SEARCHED. THOMPSON TELLS KLFY TV THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO THE ALLEGATIONS.
A SULPHUR MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSING AND DISTRIBUTING IMAGES OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON OF STATE POLICE SAYS THAT, AS A RESULT OF AN UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET A SEARCH WARRANT FOR A SULPHUR RESIDENCE. THEY FOUND EVIDENCE THAT 28-YEAR-OLD NICHOLAS LEE SIMPSON POSSESSED IMAGES OF CHILD SEX ABUSE. ANDERSON SAYS SIMPSON ADMITTED TO DOWNLOADING THE IMAGES AND SHARING THEM.
CRIME STOPPERS OF ACADIA PARISH IS ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN SOLVING A RECENT HOMOCIDE. SHERIFF K-P GIBSON HAS MORE.
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Louisiana’s job market slackened in June, as unemployment rose and employer payrolls fell. The state’s jobless rate rose to 4.7 percent from 4.6 percent in May. It was the unemployment rate’s third straight monthly increase, although it remained below the June 2017 rate of 5.2 percent. The number of unemployed Louisianans rose by 4,000, topping 100,000 for the first time since September.
