Connect with us

Louisiana

There’s no money to reopen Highway 90 linking LA and MS. More elected officials urge action.

Published

on

There’s no money to reopen Highway 90 linking LA and MS. More elected officials urge action.


Another group of St. Tammany Parish elected officials have joined in the push to speed the reopening of a stretch of U.S. 90 at the Louisiana-Mississippi state line.

Commonly known as Highway 90, it runs across south Louisiana but has been closed near the border with Mississippi since 2022 because of the bad condition of a series of bridges that cross various legs of the Pearl River.

The St. Tammany Parish Council recently passed a resolution urging the state Department of Transportation and Development to move quickly to replace the bridges and reopen the stretch of highway. It also asks state and federal authorities to designate Highway 90 as an “auxiliary hurricane evacuation route.”

The state highway department closed it after inspectors said the bridges, which date to the early 1930s, were structurally unsound and unsafe for vehicles.

Advertisement

The highway department has said it plans to replace the bridges, but doesn’t have a timeline. Money, of course, is the big issue: The highway department says replacing all the bridges could cost upwards of $350 million.






Advertisement

The West Pearl River bridge on U.S. 90, that connects Louisiana and Mississippi, has been closed for more than a year. 




The Parish Council’s resolution, adopted at the council’s September meeting, follows similar urgings by the northshore’s legislative delegation. Area elected officials have pointed out that Highway 90 is an especially important alternative east-west roadway when wrecks snarl the nearby Interstate 10 and that it is also a vital route during hurricane season.

“Right now there’s just not any money available,” DOTD spokesperson Daniel Gitlin said.

Advertisement

Gitlin said DOTD understands the project is important and is working to expedite the design, but that at some point money will have to be allocated for it.

“We are fully engaged and cooperating. We’re open to any conversations,” he added.

In August, DOTD put out a notice seeking possible takers for the old bridges. Since they are in the state’s Historic Bridge Inventory, there is federal money available for companies or agencies that will commit to removing the bridges and finding a new use for them.

The St. Tammany Council’s resolution, sponsored by Council members David Cougle, Pat Burke and Jeff Corbin, notes that the council has no authority over DOTD but adds that it does speak for the people of St. Tammany.

The resolution was adopted in a 13-0 vote.

Advertisement



Source link

Louisiana

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Published

on

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.


Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. 

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. 






Advertisement

New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says


These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order: 

  • West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000; 
  • Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000. 

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order: 

  • Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000; 
  • Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000; 
  • Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
  • and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

on

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63


PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

Advertisement

Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
————————————————————
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.

Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers

Advertisement

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Subscribe to our Youtube channel





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Louisiana

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

Published

on

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race


BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.

Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.

According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.

A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.

Advertisement

“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.

Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.

Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.

“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.

Advertisement

Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending