Louisiana
Louisiana Groups Push for State Supreme Court to Review Formosa Plastics’ Air Permits Case
Today, community and environmental groups filed an application asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to grant review and overturn legal errors in an appeals court decision that upheld the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s decision to issue air permits for Formosa Plastics’ massive petrochemical complex in St. James Parish. The appeals court decision reversed a sweeping ruling against LDEQ that vacated Formosa Plastics’ permits by a state trial court in 2022.
RISE St. James, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Healthy Gulf, No Waste Louisiana, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, and the Sierra Club continue the fight to vacate the air permits that would allow Formosa Plastics to build the largest petrochemical complex of its kind in the country, emitting more than 800 tons per year of toxic air pollution — including known human carcinogens such as ethylene oxide, and releasing more carbon dioxide in the air than three coal-burning power plants.
“The community of St. James will not be a sacrifice zone for Formosa Plastics,” said Sharon Lavigne, founder of RISE St. James. “If built, Formosa Plastics giant chemical complex would triple the already high levels of toxic pollution that is already in our air from existing chemical plants. We have a right to clean and healthy air and we will not stop fighting for it. We hope the Louisiana Supreme Court will hear our case.”
“From the first moment Formosa plastics was announced, it was clear that this project was a terrible idea — bad for St. James Parish and a catastrophe for Louisiana,” said Anne Rolfes, Director of Louisiana Bucket Brigade. “We are committed for the long term to protecting our state from the pollution, the injustice, and the illness that Formosa Plastics would bring. Formosa is not even allowed to be built in its home country of Taiwan. If it’s illegal to build there, it should be not be allowed in Louisiana.”
“Louisiana has a track record of permitting highly toxic facilities without considering the communities who were there first. That’s why we have a ‘Cancer Alley,’” said Julie Teel Simmonds, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’ll do everything possible to stop this dangerous project.”
Cory Dennis, who served as Jeff Landry’s campaign manager in last year’s governor’s race, is the new executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party.
Dennis’ appointment will give Landry a key lieutenant to help oversee the party’s activities at a time when the new governor is pushing the Legislature to expand his already considerable powers in state policy matters.
Dennis, who has worked for Landry in various positions since moving to Louisiana from Maryland in 2020, is the first African American to serve as the party’s executive director.
At the state party meeting in April, Dennis was only one of two African Americans in the room when the 230 state central committee members selected Derek Babcock, an insurance company owner from Livingston Parish, to replace Louis Gurvich as the Louisiana GOP chair. Landry endorsed Babcock and others in their races for the state central committee.
“I’m not there as his inside man,” Dennis said of the governor. “I’m there to help Derek and the rest of the executive committee move the party forward. I think you’ll see the party continue to grow, get stronger and be more influential.”
The state party played an important role in Landry’s campaign by giving him an early endorsement. That put the party machinery behind him and allowed big donors to make six-figure contributions to the party that could be used to elect him.
Dennis, 31, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He worked for Republicans in Maryland before moving to Louisiana to work for Landry.
Rhett Davis, a long-time party fixture, will continue in his role as an influential outside consultant.
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Teachers are still feeling the effects of the pandemic years later, contributing to reduced retention rates and the teacher shortage in Louisiana and across the country.
Charity Leblanc, school-to-work coordinator and Union representative at Salmen High School in St. Tammany Parish, says time is one of the biggest factors contributing to teacher stress.
“I dealt with some things this morning that someone didn’t get done in a timely manner, kind of fell on me, I had to take care of it at the last minute. If there was a better way and a better system for that, it would’ve worked itself out,” Leblanc said.
According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.
Leblanc says the extra tasks coupled with a lack of support causes teachers to reach a breaking point.
“Everybody has 50 things to do, and trying to manage all of that is very difficult,” Leblanc said. “I’ve seen people leave in a couple of months because this is not what they thought it was.”
East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Chief of Human Resources Dr. Nichola Hall suggests having additional in-classroom staff could take some tasks off teacher’s plates.
“They just want to be teachers, they just want to teach and nurture folks to be successful, so if anything, I could do from that lens, that would be the biggest impact is how much more support can we put, physical support in the classroom,” Dr. Hall said.
With all the burdens placed on teachers, Dr. Hall emphasizes the importance of uplifting teachers. East Baton Rouge School System is hosting its annual Spring Fling Recruitment Fair on Saturday.
“Part of the celebration is recognizing, so tomorrow at Spring Fling, we will have a fitness instructor there to work us out, smoothies will be on deck, along with yogurt,” Dr. Hall said.
Dr. Hall hopes more gestures like these will remind teachers of their impact on the next generation.
East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Spring Fling Recruitment Fair is Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jefferson Terrace Academy, 5601 Upton Drive.
Applicants should bring a resume, reference letters, official transcripts, and certifications. To register, click here.
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BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (KPEL News) – A tragic incident occurred on Thursday, April 25, 2024, as a collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist claimed the life of 66-year-old Shelton J. Edmond of Breaux Bridge.
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office received a distress call at around 9:00 p.m. from a motorist reporting the crash, which transpired in the 1300 block of Zin Zin Road.
Initial investigations revealed that the driver of the vehicle was traveling westbound on Zin Zin Road when the collision took place. Simultaneously, Edmond, also traveling westward on his bicycle, was struck by the vehicle.
Deputies on the scene noted that the bicycle lacked a rear light or reflector, and Edmond was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident. However, impairment on the part of the driver was ruled out as a contributing factor.
Despite the swift response of emergency services, Edmond was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Breaux Bridge Police Department and State Police for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation. As authorities continue their inquiries, the community mourns the loss of a beloved individual and emphasizes the importance of road safety for all travelers.
This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.
You can also use the KPEL app to submit a news tip, share a traffic update, or chat directly with our on-air team.
Be sure to bookmark our latest site, wearelafayette.net, where we provide more local news coverage as well as lifestyle and community features.
To report errors, omissions, or other concerns regarding the content above, send emails to news@kpel965.com.
6 Car Issues That Will Get You Pulled Over in Louisiana
These routine traffic stops help prevent accidents, enforce regulations, and identify potential issues with vehicles. Addressing minor infractions contributes to overall public safety and ensures vehicles meet basic standards on the road.
Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham
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