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Latest News
7:00 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Air Quality Concerns Surface After South Louisiana Explosions

Credit NBC33-TV, via WWL-TV
The explosion and fire at the Williams olefins plant.

Air quality concerns surface after chemical explosion.

The sight of smoke billowing over three separate explosions in south Louisiana within a week may have caused some concern about air quality. Officials are confident that there was no health danger. Others aren’t so sure.

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WRKF
12:44 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Fisherman, Sciencists Continue Clashing On Miss. River Diversions

State plans to restore the coastline are trying to mimic the way the Mississippi built the coast. Thousands of years ago the river dumped sediment from the plains upriver into the marsh. But some fishermen are worried the plans will displace the saltwater fish they catch to make a living.

Fishermen voiced their opposition at a community meeting in St. Bernard Monday.

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Red River Radio
9:16 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Lafayette Highlights 73 Restaurants In Eat Local Push

The city of Lafayette has launched its eat local campaign. EatLafayette is in its ninth year of promoting the mom-and-pop restaurants that have put Lafayette on the map as a foodie town. Ben Berthelot, executive director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, has found that over the years more and more local restaurants have pulled together for this campaign.

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WRKF
4:29 pm
Mon June 17, 2013

Board of Ed. To Consider Alternative Funding For 'Course Choice'

Originally published on Wed June 19, 2013 6:22 am

State Supt. John White wants to reallocate $2 million from a state education trust fund to pilot the “Course Choice” program. The program will let students take individual classes elsewhere if their public school is underperforming or doesn’t offer the course they want. The state’s top school board will consider the alternative funding request Tuesday.

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Power Outage
7:01 pm
Fri June 14, 2013

Thousands Without Power In New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans says its workers are trying to restore electrical service to several thousand customers in the city.

Entergy spokeswoman Charlotte Cavell said the cause of Friday's power outages wasn't immediately known.

Between 10,000 and 12,000 customers in New Orleans lost power. Entergy estimates most of the outages will be restored by 9 p.m.

WRKF
4:42 pm
Fri June 14, 2013

Plant Explosion Claims Second Life

Originally published on Fri June 14, 2013 8:22 pm

Thursday’s chemical plant explosion in Geismar, La. has claimed another life. Seven remained hospitalized Friday with burns and respiratory complications.

Williams Companies CEO Alan Armstrong visited with workers and their families Friday. He called the incident a “major” explosion.

“This is a terrible and unprecedented tragedy," Armstrong said. "I’ve talked with a few of our employees and I know they are hurting, however, I’ve also seen and been inspired by their courage.”

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WRKF
3:40 pm
Fri June 14, 2013

The Advocate's Secret Weapon: A Speedy Press

Originally published on Thu June 13, 2013 9:30 am

It's sort of a fluke.

The Baton Rouge paper had been nursing its 1950s era letterpresses for years when it finally had to bite the bullet and invest in a new production facility. The speedy offset press came online in 2006, just as the country headed into a recession and the newspaper industry was tanking.

So when John Georges closed the deal to buy The Advocate in May, it came with one of the newest printing presses in the country.


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WRKF
5:52 am
Fri June 14, 2013

Seeds Planted For Chess Culture In Baton Rouge Schools

Originally published on Sat June 15, 2013 9:59 am

About 200 teachers from 42 schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish district have signed up for workshops this summer to learn how to start chess clubs and use the game in their classrooms. The first batch of teachers capped off their training with a mini tournament Thursday.


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Huey P. Long Bridge Widening
10:04 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

A View From The Top: Huey P. Long Bridge

This Sunday is a big day in the history of a Louisiana landmark. The Huey P. Long Bridge is scheduled to re-open, with three wider lanes of car traffic on each side, and two rail lines running down the middle.

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Latest News
2:39 pm
Thu June 13, 2013

One Confirmed Dead In Geismar Chemical Plant Explosion, Fire

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Louisiana State Police and other officials say a reported explosion touched off a fire at the Williams olefins petrochemical plant in the Ascension Parish town of Geismar Thursday morning. One fatality has been confirmed, and 73 people have been transported from the site with injuries.

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