BATON ROUGE – Visitors is an on a regular basis headache for the residents of Baton Rouge. A number of tasks are being finished by DOTD to assist remedy the town’s congested roadways, together with a brand new Mississippi River Bridge.
“We now have a 3 pronged method for coping with site visitors in Baton Rouge. Considered one of which is to widen I-10 by means of city. Second is a south bridge and third is a north bypass. We’re centered on the I-10 widening undertaking and the south bridge as soon as these are underway we’ll look into the north bypass,” DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda mentioned.
The bridge comes with a large price ticket of $1.5 billion {dollars}. Thus far the undertaking has obtained $300 million in state funds funding. Nevertheless, the funds alone won’t cowl the price of the bridge.
“Will probably be a toll bridge and people tolls are anticipated to generate from $250-300 million, so we do have a good sum of money. It isn’t sufficient to do the entire thing but it surely’s an excellent place to begin,” Kalivoda mentioned.
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The undertaking has been narrowed down to 3 potential websites for the bridge and is at the moment within the environmental impression section to find out which website is the most secure and only route.
“These must undergo intensive environmental analysis earlier than narrowing it right down to what’s referred to as the popular different. Throughout the subsequent 12 months we’ll have a most popular different recognized after which we are able to go forward and full the environmental course of and transfer on to implementation,” Kalivoda mentioned.
The environmental impression of one of many proposed websites is drawing concern from residents of Iberville Parish like Laura Comeaux. She says that one of many websites would put her cypress forest in danger.
“I am hoping that once they get boots on the bottom and actually do the environmental assessment, that they see this forest for themselves and determine to get rid of it as one of many three choices and to think about the general public’s opinion and the non-public landowner as extremely as they do the business,” Comeaux mentioned.
A location for the bridge is anticipated to be selected by the Summer season of 2024.
RANKIN Co., Miss. (WLBT) – The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department reports that they have been called to the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility for an alleged overdose.
The Rankin County Coronor, David Ruth, confirmed to WLBT staff that he was called to the scene to recover a body. He said he was unable to comment on the cause or manner of death until he performs an autopsy.
The Department of Health also says they have been called by the facility for a hazmat situation.
More law enforcement vehicles were seen by WLBT crews entering the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility as authorities continue to investigate a death at the prison.
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Details are currently limited. WLBT has reached out to the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a statement on the situation but have yet to hear back.
WLBT 3 on your side will update with information as it is made available.
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STARKVILLE – Mississippi State debuted 41 new players against Eastern Kentucky, including 23 transfers. But one of the biggest transfer portal additions wasn’t on the field and may not be again this week.
Senior receiver Kelly Akharaiyi was left off Mississippi State’s depth chart that was released and coach Jeff Lebby didn’t provide much clarity on the situation either.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Lebby said at Tuesday morning press conference. “We need to be patient with him. We hope he has a good week and can create some confidence for himself more than anything. But I’m not ready to say he’s going to be available.”
Akharaiyi was one of the transfers most were looking forward to seeing in Lebby’s fast-paced, passing offense. But he was held out of season-opener for what was thought to be a minor injury. However, his uncertain status might be a sign of a more serious injury?
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Or is Lebby playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham? We’ll found out soon enough.
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen looks to pass against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
QB1 – 2 Blake Shapen, 6-1, 210 lbs., Sr. QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr. or – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels defensive back Sam Robertson during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr. RT2 – 55 Leon Bell, 6-8, 325 lbs., R-Jr. RT3 – 78 Amari Smith, 6-7, 325 lbs., R-Fr.
DT1 – 22 Kedrick Bingley-Jones, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr. – or – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr. DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.
DT1 – 35 Kalvin Dinkins, 6-2, 315 lbs., So. – or – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr. DT2 – 92 Eric Taylor, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr. – or – 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.
DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr. DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr. – or – 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.
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Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr. – or – 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. JLB2 – 36 Donterry Russell, 6-4, 225 lbs., So.
MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.
DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. – or – 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.
FS1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So. FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.
SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr. SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr. – or – 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) runs the ball against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 6 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona State and Mississippi State both had dominant wins in the season-opening weekend and now have a tougher challenge when they face each other on Saturday night. The Sun Devils are trying to build off an impressive 48-7 win over Wyoming and prove they might be a factor in the Big 12 race. Arizona State has never beaten an SEC opponent. Mississippi State plays its second game under new coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs beat Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in their season opener..
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KEY MATCHUP
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen vs. the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the second play of their opener when Zyrus Fiaseu picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone. It was one of two interceptions on the day for Arizona State. Shapen had a great debut against Eastern Kentucky but will face a much tougher defense on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: Shapen had a terrific first game with the Bulldogs, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 44 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. The 6-foot-1 senior played the previous three college seasons at Baylor with mixed success. Shapen has thrown a TD pass in 12 consecutive games dating to this time at Baylor in 2022.
Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo led a balanced rushing attack against Wyoming, gaining 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. Skattebo was a do-it-all player for Arizona State last year, spending time at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Sun Devils might not need him to be as versatile this season, but he’s still a threat from just about anywhere on the field.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi State had six different players score touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. … The Bulldogs’ 93.7 passing grade in the opener was the second-best mark in all of the FBS, trailing only Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. … Mississippi State’s Kevin Coleman Jr. returned five punts for 117 yards last week. … Arizona State was credited with just two missed tackles on defense in the opener, tied for the third-lowest tally among FBS schools. … Skattebo is 270 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career. He is 342 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 and 202 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000.
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