Louisiana

Louisiana officials remind truckers about ban on commercial vehicles

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Louisiana officials remind truckers about ban on commercial vehicles

Officials in Louisiana are reminding truckers about a ban on commercial vehicles in a construction zone along Interstate 20.

Citing “numerous recent crashes involving 18-wheelers,” the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recently issued a statement reminding drivers of the ban on semis currently in place on I-20 through Bossier City, La.

According to the agency, these crashes have created road closures that “often last for several hours” and, along with hindering construction, are “significantly impacting traffic flow in the region.”

Since construction began in September 2023, all motorists have been encouraged to use I-220 as a detour. However, in December, the decision was made to ban big trucks in the work zone. This would give Louisiana State Police the ability to issue a citation to truckers who ignore the detour.

The impetus for the ban was the start of phase 2 of the construction project, which saw “concrete barriers and more narrow bridge crossings,” making it difficult for truckers to squeeze through.

The Louisiana DOT said digital message boards are placed ahead of each I-220 interchange in Shreveport and Bossier City alerting commercial vehicles not to enter I-20. The agency added that despite this, hundreds of truckers choose to ignore the warnings each day.

“When some of these truck drivers drive through, they think as a professional driver that they can safely navigate this,” DOT spokesperson Erin Buchanan told KSLA News. “Many of them do, hundreds make it through every day… But all it takes is one roadway departure crash or one jackknife of these large trucks to just put us in complete disarray as far as our transportation system goes.”

Buchanan said lanes in the construction zone have been narrowed from the standard 12 feet to around 9.5 feet.

“An 18-wheeler is about 8.5 feet wide on average,” she said. “So they have about 6 inches of wiggle room on each side if they’re going to insist on traveling through.”

As for those who roll the dice and get caught, state law specifies they could face fines up to $500. Since the ban went into effect, Louisiana State Police have issued “more than 200 warnings and citations” to truckers who have ignored the detour.

Louisiana DOT said that when the stretch of interstate currently under construction is at full capacity, between 70,000 and 100,000 vehicles travel it per day. The rehabilitation project is expected to be completed in late 2025. LL

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Louisiana

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

Published

5 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

(KMDL-FM) You might not have realized it, but you’re on a roller coaster. No, not the kind of roller coaster you look forward to riding, but the kind of roller coaster only Mother Nature can devise in the form of Louisiana’s annual up and down weather conditions, also known as spring.

READ MORE: Louisiana Parishes That Have the Most Tornadoes

Much of Louisiana was affected by strong storms with heavy rains and gusty winds during the day on Saturday and extending into Sunday morning. By later afternoon yesterday, conditions had improved, and it looked as though the work and school week would be off to a much calmer start.

Heavy Rain Possible in Louisiana To Start the Work Week

The start of the work and school day will be much calmer; however, the ride home on this first day of “extra sunlight” thanks to Daylight Saving Time will include a decent chance of showers and storms. Oh, and there are already reports of thick fog.

So, after a foggy start this morning, you could be picking up kids from school or driving yourself home from work in a torrential downpour. And you’ll get to do all of this while you’re mentally addled from the twice-a-year time change.

Rain chances are listed at 50% for this afternoon, but they do taper off quickly after the sun goes down. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a slight risk of an excessive rain event for portions of Louisiana later today. The area of concern is generally along and well north of US 190.

When Is The Next Threat of Severe Storms in Louisiana?

Tuesday should be a cloudy but breezy and warm day. Then on Wednesday, the rain chances and the next threat of severe storms will move into Louisiana.

weather.gov/lch

The Storm Prediction Center outlook for Wednesday’s severe weather potential suggests that the northern and central sections of the state might be more at risk for stronger storms than the I-10 corridor might be.

READ MORE: Who Is Appearing at Patty in the Parc in Lafayette?

We will know more about that potential later this morning when the SPC updates its forecast. The outlook for the remainder of the week, including the Patty in the Parc Weekend event in Downtown Lafayette, looks to be spectacular.

Patty in the Parc Entertainment 2011-2025

Gallery Credit: Dave Steel

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Louisiana

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

Published

17 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

RICHLAND — Tech companies could receive significant tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground in the state.

According to a report by The Advocate, Meta officials told state officials in 2024 that they would need significant tax breaks while negotiating the $27 billion data center project currently being built in North Louisiana.

Based on projections of Louisiana’s tax exemptions and the expected expenditures of the companies, state and local governments could potentially give billions in tax breaks to the tech giants.

Several states, including Louisiana, have seen backlash to data centers as residents worry about potential rising electric costs and strain on water systems.

Virginia is currently debating whether or not to repeal tax exemptions for the tech companies, as it has cost state and local governments in Virginia $1.9 billion in 2024 alone.

The tax break exempts data centers from state and local taxes for multiple things data centers require, including servers, chillers, electric infrastructure and construction costs.

The scale of the data center projects, which include tens of billions in spending, coupled with Louisiana’s sales tax of 10%, means tax breaks could be worth huge amounts.

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Louisiana

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Gov. Jeff Landry speaks at an event Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, La., held to announce that Amazon plans to build data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. He is joined by Roger Wehner, left, vice president of Economic Development for Amazon, and Matt Vanderzanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure.

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