Louisiana
Advocates: Killing Louisiana’s largest coast project might prove ‘impossible’
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Supporters of Louisiana’s costliest and most controversial coastal restoration project argue the state would face significant hurdles should it decide to cancel the project.
“Where we live, the water is coming up and the land is sinking and we are so fortunate to have this giant river that we can use,” said Kimberly Reyher, Executive Director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
For decades, Reyher and other coastal restoration advocates have dreamed of putting the Mississippi River to work, mimicking the power of the river to build land.
The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project would channel up to 70,000 cubic feet of river water and sediment per second — over 523,000 gallons– into Barataria Bay.
The project aims to build 28 square miles of land over 30 years, though computer models project that total would fall to 21 square miles after 50 years due to factors such as subsidence and sea-level rise.
In December 2022, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority the necessary permits to build Mid-Barataria.
However, Plaquemines Parish recently ordered work on the project stopped while a parish lawsuit works its way through the courts.
A separate lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in New Orleans by the International Marine Mammal Project, contends that the Army Corps’ approval of the project violates the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act.
COAST IN CRISIS
The administration of Governor Jeff Landry has sent mixed signals about its commitment to Mid-Barataria in recent weeks, citing the lawsuits and the project’s estimated $2.9 billion cost.
“There is a better way to do things without sacrificing our fishing industries and our culture and our heritage,” said charter boat captain George Ricks, who has spearheaded opposition to the project from many fishermen who fear the effects of freshwater entering the bay.
“We killed more dolphins during the Bonnet Carre Spillway opening than the BP oil spill,” Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser said at last month’s CPRA board meeting. “Nobody’s ever going to tell you that.”
Nungesser argues the state could spread the money more evenly around the coast without the project’s more damaging effects.
“Everybody who represents a parish at this meeting should be outraged,” Nungesser said.
However, many of the project’s supporters argue the state may find it challenging to re-direct the money.
Funding for the diversion flows, in three large pots of money, from fines and court settlements associated with the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The largest chunk of that money, $2.26 billion, was provided by the federal and state trustees overseeing the oil spill settlement.
The money is aimed at restoring resources damaged during the spill.
For that reason, diversion supporters argue the state would find it difficult to simply wave a magic wand and redirect the funding.
Rehyer said channeling the money into other areas would be, “very complicated, possibly not possible.” Ricks argues that the CPRA could find a way to re-purpose the money.
“You could take that corridor that they built now for the Mid-Barataria Diversion and put a sediment pipeline and pump sediment in,” Ricks said. “We all want the sediment.”
Some critics have suggested building a smaller diversion as a compromise, but even that gets complicated since the Army Corps would have to sign off on any changes.
Through the permitting process, the Corps analyzed alternatives to the diversion, including ones that would send less water into the bay. At 70,000 cubic feet per second, the diversion would carry sediment into the surrounding waters.
However, computer modeling suggests a smaller flow of water might lack the velocity to deliver sediment while producing some of the same negative effects on fisheries and marine life. In other words, a smaller project might produce the same harmful effects without the benefits.
By Nungesser’s estimate, Louisiana has already spent over $300 million on project design, engineering, and early construction.
If it pulls the plug on the project, there has even been speculation the state might have to pay back the boards that control the money.
Louisiana has used hundreds of millions of oil spill dollars to restore barrier islands, and over the last year, the two largest marsh creation projects in history.
“Dredging builds land now. Land you can walk on that protects our communities,” Ricks said.
Reyher argues a diversion would have more lasting power, steadily delivering sediment for decades to come.
“As soon as you turn the dredge off, the land starts to sink,” Reyher said. “So, we can’t dredge our way out of this.”
CPRA Chairman Gordon Dove has said a comprehensive report on the various aspects of the diversion was being prepared for Gov. Landry.
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Faith leaders and politicians paid tribute at a funeral Saturday to eight children who were killed in a mass shooting last month in Louisiana.
The victims of the April 19 shooting in Shreveport included seven siblings who were shot by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin.
The service on Mother’s Day weekend at Summer Grove Baptist Church began with a long procession of mourners slowly filing past eight white caskets with large photos of the children next to them. Gold crowns and bouquets of white flowers were placed on top of the closed caskets. A choir behind the altar and individual singers performed throughout the service.
“In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good,” Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, said in opening remarks.
The funeral’s pamphlet contained tributes to each of the children, who ranged in age from 3 to 11. Some of them had affectionate nicknames: 3-year-old Jayla Elkins was “Jaybae;” Kayla Pugh, 6, was called “K-Mae,” and 10-year-old Mar’Kaydon Pugh was “K-Bug.”
Six-year-old Khedarrion Snow had “a sweet and loving heart,” and “though his life on earth was short, his light was mighty,” according to the pamphlet. Layla Pugh, 7, was “bright, intelligent, bold, and full of love” and enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins.
Pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell reminded family and community members trying to make sense of the shootings that “God is still on the throne.”
“To ask the question, ‘Why is this fair, God? How could you, Lord?’ He’s still God,” Burrell said. “The same God that healed you from the stuff that you don’t want to tell nobody about. But he is a God that doesn’t have to give us all the clues. Just know that he makes no mistakes.”
The children’s father, Shamar Elkins, used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. His wife, who was seeking a divorce, and another woman were wounded in the shooting that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood.
Elkins died after fleeing and a police pursuit. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.
An investigation remains ongoing into the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.
During the service, other speakers included Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who acknowledged that “there are no words sufficient to ease this pain,” while Councilman James Green implored audience members to collectively “take off our funeral face” because “this is a celebration” of the children’s lives.
Indeed, churchgoers often stood clapping their hands in response to singers and speakers. The children’s names were read or shown several times throughout the service, where Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed the city’s condolences.
“May we honor them by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared,” Arceneaux said.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff over the next week at the Capitol and state government buildings. A message read from Landry said the victims “were the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms. They were full of promise and found joy in the simplest things, such as dancing, playing outside and sharing laughter with family and friends. Their futures were bright and held great promise.”
“It is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of those lost by standing together against such senseless violence.”
Among those in attendance was former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose political career was cut short by a 2011 assassination attempt.
“She just wanted to come and just let the family know that this pain is not just in Louisiana,” said U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Louisiana. “This pain is all across the nation.”
Buses were made available afterward to transport mourners to a graveside burial. At the conclusion of the church service, Kimble prayed for healing to begin.
“Help us as we move from this spot,” he said. “Because we know, oh God, grief is only temporary. And if we’ll put our hands in your favor, you’ll lead us through this.”
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert Friday for a 76-year-old New Orleans man who has been missing since Wednesday.
Elbert Welch was last seen in the 1700 block of Holiday Drive on May 6 at approximately 11 a.m. State police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 6:54 p.m. Friday on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department.
Welch is a white male with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He is 5′10″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt, black pants and a blue baseball cap.
Family reports that Welch has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.
Welch is believed to be walking on foot in an unknown direction.
Anyone with information regarding Welch’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department, 4th District, at (504) 821-2222 or dial 911. All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.
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Watch UL Diamond sports HCs talk wins and losses vs Troy, Coastal Carolina
Hear from UL softball and baseball HCs, Matt Deggs and Alyson Habetz following SBC play where Cajuns softball swept Coastal Carolina and baseball loss 2-1 to Troy.
Pressure is back on for Louisiana baseball, especially on the weekend in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (30-19, 12-12) dropped their final midweek game of the season, losing 9-6 to the University of New Orleans in extra innings. Now, the Cajuns are back on the road for SBC play, needing every win they can get to better their chances of snagging a regional spot. They travel to Appalachian State for what will likely be a chilly three-game series against the Mountaineers.
Seventh-year head coach Matt Deggs will go with junior Cody Brasch to start Game 1, a spot the right-hander is becoming accustomed to. Saturday’s are for Andrew Herrmann, the most reliable of the Cajuns’ arms through the year. App State will start junior righty Nick DiRito on Friday, followed by junior righty Gage Peterson and junior lefty Tanner Nolan to close out the series.
Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajuns baseball in its SBC series vs App State (28-18, 15-9), including time, TV schedule, live score and streaming information.
Watch Louisiana baseball vs App State on ESPN+
Louisiana baseball vs App State live score
What channel is Louisiana baseball vs App State on?
TV: None
Livestream: ESPN+
Radio: Varsity Network, 96.5 FM
Louisiana vs. App State will be available live on ESPN+ streaming service for the teams’ ninth SBC series of the 2026 college baseball season. Matt Present will provide commentary from Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
What time does Louisiana baseball play App State today?
- 5 p.m. Friday, May 8
- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9
- 12 p.m. Sunday, May 10
The Louisiana vs. App State series starts at 5 p.m. Friday at Beaver Field in Boone, N.C., followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the series at noon on Sunday.
Louisiana baseball vs App State weather update
Friday’s matchup will be played in semi-cloudy weather with sunshine throughout the day. It’ll be a high of 62 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Winds will get up to about five to 10 mph, and there is less than a 7% chance of rain in the afternoon. Saturday’s game will be played in warmer weather with a high of 67 degrees, followed by Sunday’s high of 73 degrees.
Louisiana baseball vs App State history
Series record: Louisiana leads 14-9
In Lafayette: Series tied 6-6
In Boone: Louisiana leads 6-3
Louisiana’s last win: April 2, 2023 (6-0)
App State’s last win: April 1, 2023 (8-5)
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
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