TALK 107.3 : Baton Rouge

Emissions Settlement

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

PCS Nitrogen to cut emissions from Geismar plant

GEISMAR, La. (AP) — PCS Nitrogen has agreed to reduce air emissions from phosphoric acid production at its Geismar plant. The decision came as part of a settlement in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. EPA and DEQ alleged that PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer LP violated the Clean Air Act by introducing phosphoric acid scrubber effluent into its cooling towers. Warren Stroman, the general manager at the Geismar plant, said Thursday the company decided to settle the suit by agreeing to reduce emissions and pay a fine, rather than continuing toward trial. EPA officials
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Sinkhole Monitoring

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:25:00 +0000

DOTD installs enhanced equipment at sinkhole

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State officials have installed enhanced monitoring equipment along Louisiana 70, near the Assumption Parish sinkhole. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says the improvements will provide broader observation and greater accuracy in measuring the area for movement and subsidence. DOTD will be able to use data from the monitoring systems and alert responders via its Traffic Management Center in Baton Rouge to any significant movement or changes in the area near the site.
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Hurricane Forecast

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:24:00 +0000

NOAA predicts another busy hurricane season

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Federal forecasters are predicting yet another busy hurricane season.Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 that strengthen into hurricanes and 3 to 6 that become major hurricanes. The prediction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is more than what's considered an average Atlantic season. Last year was the third-busiest on record with 19 named storms. Ten became hurricanes and were two major storms, with winds over 111 mph. That included Sandy, which caused $50 billion in damage even though it lost hurricane status when it made landfall in New Jersey. The last time
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Entergy Settlement

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:32:00 +0000

PSC approves settlement with Entergy Gulf States

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State regulators have approved a settlement that would lower Entergy's profit margin, pay a refund and roll back rates for about 92,000 natural gas customers in Baton Rouge. Under the terms of the settlement approved Tuesday, Matthew Kahal, the regulatory economist hired to advise the Public Service Commission on the case, says the rate paid for natural gas each month will drop about 2.5 percent. In addition, Entergy will refund a modest amount, probably less than a dollar for the typical residential customer. The exact amount depends on when the settlement is implemented. The key issue is the
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Buford Pusser Award

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:40:00 +0000

State police commander receives national award

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson has received the Buford Pusser National Law Enforcement Award for his efforts to promote partnerships among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Edmonson traveled to Adamsville, Tenn., over the weekend to receive the award at the 25th annual Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival Law Enforcement Memorial and Awards Ceremony. Edmonson was nominated by Madison County, Tenn., Sheriff David Woolfork. The award is given annually to "deserving officers who have exhibited both heroism and leadership in law enforcement." The award is named after Buford Pusser, who served as sheriff of McNairy County, Tenn.,
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Ascension Utilities

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:38:00 +0000

Ascension considers getting into utility business

GONZALES, La. (AP) — Ascension Parish government officials, already trying to pull together the early pieces of a parish-wide sewer system, also have been investigating the possibility of getting into the natural gas and water business. Parish President Tommy Martinez has been meeting with an economic development consultant for several months about buying natural gas from pipelines running through the parish and selling it at a profit to industrial users along the Mississippi River. In March, the Parish Council also authorized Martinez to sign an exploratory agreement with a startup venture firm wanting to tap unused saline aquifers under the parish. Backers envision
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Flood Risk Meeting

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:34:00 +0000

Corps to discuss hurricane protection study

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers will meet Tuesday with residents about a study that looks at ways to reduce the risks from hurricane and storm surge in St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes. Residents will be able to learn more about the study process, proposals now under analysis, potential benefits and the impact of project construction. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall, 1905 W. Main St. in Lutcher.
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New Orleans Oyster Festival

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:45:00 +0000

St Helena-Emergency Director

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:35:00 +0000

St Helena official heading to hurricane conference

GREENSBURG, La. (AP) — St. Helena Parish's new director of emergency preparedness will attend her first hurricane preparedness conference in June. Interim Director Rita Allen, who was appointed to the position April 23, received Police Jury approval Tuesday to attend the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association's 2013 Gulf States Hurricane Conference in New Orleans. Allen, who formerly served as the parish tourist commission's office manager, was appointed interim director of St. Helena's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness following the departure of former OEP Director Jessica Strickland. Strickland resigned from the post effective March 22. She did not give a reason for her
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Costco-Baton Rouge

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Baton Rouge council to vote on Costco deal

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Costco Wholesale could open in Baton Rouge in a year if the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council approves the creation of an economic development district on Wednesday to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area.The superstore is planning a $38 million capital investment into its 150,000-square-foot warehouse on Dawnadele Avenue at the former Coca-Cola bottling facility.The city-parish and Costco have negotiated the creation of the Dawnadele Economic Development District, which would rebate $7 million of local sales taxes, plus interest, back to Costco to pay for infrastructure improvements and demolition costs.William Daniel, chief administrative
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BRAC makes the top 10

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:09:00 +0000

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber recognized as a top economic development organization.

Baton Rouge, La. – Every year, Site Selection Magazine names their top ten economic development organizations, and once again Baton Rouge makes the list. This marks the fourth consecutive year they have been named. Adam Knapp, President of the Chamber told Talk 107.3fm's Brian Haldane that they are on an unprecedented streak. "We've been on a record run" he said. Knapp continued, "To achieve this once is huge, to do it four years in a row has never been done by a metro our size before." Knapp noted that a streak of four years in a row is usually reserved
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The Belle Of BR Free Friday Night Concert Series

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:48:00 +0000

The music continues at Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel through the New Year. From soul to swamp pop, the Belle will host a wide variety of the best musicians every Friday night. The free concerts willtake place in the Atrium every Friday at 8pm. “These events offer our customers an opportunity to enjoy great music and relax with friends,” said Mike Donovan, Belle Director of Marketing. “Our goal is providecustomers with the total entertainment experience, from gaming to dining and entertainment.”In addition to showcasing the talents of the areaʼs best live bands, the BelleConcert Series will also feature food
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Voluntary Evacutaion Order For Parts Of St. James Parish

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 18:18:00 +0000

Listen to audio from The St. James Parish President Timmy Russell about a voluntary evacuation of Brooks Aptartment complex
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Radiation "Not A Concern"

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 19:40:00 +0000

DEQ is keeping a close eye on the sinkhole

Rodney Mallett from the Department of Environmental Quality says his office has done a good amount of testing on the sink hole at Bayou Corne in assumption Parish. He tells Matt and Brian there is some "naturally occuring radioactive material" in the ground, but after extensive tests of the air around the sink hole, "it was all background levels, and not a concern." Rodney also said that they've taken samples of the slurry itself for further testing, but added when his department went in for the testing there wouldn't be a problem. He said, "we kinda knew going in there
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LBI Show 6/9/2012

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Listen to this weeks show by clicking on the Podcast Button to the right! Click Here For A List of Past Shows
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American Idol-Louisiana

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Westlake, neighbors gear up for AI and Ledet

WESTLAKE, La. (AP) - Westlake singing sensation Josh Ledet is among the Top 6 performers on this season of American Idol and family and friends in his hometown this week are hoping to push him into the Top 3. Members of Team Josh will host a viewing party Wednesday at the Westlake Multi-Purpose Complex, where friends and family will gather to watch the performance and cast votes afterward. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The City of Westlake donated the facility, a big screen and surround-sound system to watch the show. Food and door prizes will be provided as well
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Earth Day 2012

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Earth Day is April 22nd Noon to 830pm. Admission is free. Click HERE for a complete program of the event!
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Historic Legislation Awaits Signature

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Jindal education overhaul gets final passage

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has won his bid to overhaul the shape of public education in Louisiana. The House gave final legislative passage Thursday to Jindal's proposals. The bills will make it tougher for teachers to reach the job protection called tenure, establish a statewide voucher program for private school tuition, make it easier to create charter schools, expand online schools and restructure public financing of education. Approval of minor Senate changes to the two bills came in 60-43 and 60-42 votes, giving Jindal significant triumphs early in the three-month legislative session, over strong opposition from
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No Boot For You (w/ audio from sen JP Morrell)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:29:00 +0000

Bill to stop red light camera tickets from going to collection agencies gets shot down

State Senator JP Morrell's SB 102, which would've prevented municipalities from turning red light camera tickets over to collection agencies, gets shot down in Committee. Senator Morrell wanted to boot the car instead of dinging the credit of the car's owner. Senator Morrell joined Matt and Brian just before the session started to talk about why he was proposing this bill. The full audio of that interview is available under the headline pic.
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AIDS

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:38:00 +0000

Baton Rouge area's AIDS rate tops in nation

(AP) - The Baton Rouge metro area ranks No. 1 in the nation in its rate of AIDS cases after ranking second the past two years. That's according to 2010 data released Wednesday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Baton Rouge has a rate of 33.7, which means 33 out of every 100,000 people have AIDS. Miami is second, Jackson, Miss., is third with a rate of 29.2; and Baltimore is fourth. According to the CDC data, the New Orleans metro area is fifth with a rate of 26.2. The Rev. A.J. Johnson, executive director and founder
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