Kelly Connelly

Fisherman, Sciencists Continue Clashing On Miss. River Diversions

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:44:00 +0000

State plans to restore the coastline are trying to mimic the way the Mississippi built the coast. Thousands of years ago the river dumped sediment from the plains upriver into the marsh. But some fishermen are worried the plans will displace the saltwater fish they catch to make a living.

Fishermen voiced their opposition at a community meeting in St. Bernard Monday.

Plant Explosion Claims Second Life

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:42:00 +0000

Thursday’s chemical plant explosion in Geismar, La. has claimed another life. Seven remained hospitalized Friday with burns and respiratory complications.

Williams Companies CEO Alan Armstrong visited with workers and their families Friday. He called the incident a “major” explosion.

“This is a terrible and unprecedented tragedy," Armstrong said. "I’ve talked with a few of our employees and I know they are hurting, however, I’ve also seen and been inspired by their courage.”

The damaged plant still isn’t secure.

Chemical Plant Explodes in Geismar

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:23:00 +0000

UPDATED 9:22 p.m. CST:

The injured count is up to 77 and a 29-year-old man is dead after a chemical explosion in Geismar, La. Thursday.

300 people were evacuated from the Williams Olefins plant, which produces over a billion pounds of propylene and ethylene a year for use in the production of other chemical and plastic products. It was propylene that caught fire after the explosion.

Survey Says LA Swift Shutdown Could Hurt Jobs

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:52:00 +0000

State plans to shut down the low-cost bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans may harm economic ties between the cities.

According to a survey released Wednesday by The Center for Planning Excellence, more than half of LA Swift riders use the service to get to and from work.

Funding from the Federal Transit Authority for LA Swift runs out at the end of the month. The bus began running on federal dollars as a recovery measure after Hurricane Katrina.

Legislative Session Wrap-Up: What Sticks, What Doesn't

Kelly Connelly — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:12:00 +0000

State lawmakers cheered the end of the 2013 legislative session Thursday.

WRKF’s Kelly Connelly has been following every twist and turn over the past 2 months. News Director Amy Jeffries spoke with Kelly about her time covering the session.

Budget Passed, Legislature Adjourns For The Session

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:06:00 +0000

In the final hours of the legislative session, lawmakers have passed a $25.4 billion budget compromise to finance the state for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The Senate approved the deal with a 38-1 vote. The House voted 104-0 Thursday and the deal has Gov. Bobby Jindal’s backing.

The budget includes a $69 million increase for local school districts and teachers sought by House Democrats.

State Budget Deal Reached, Final Vote Awaits

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:07:00 +0000

After lawmakers negotiated for days, Gov. Bobby Jindal was the first to call a press conference, at around 7 p.m. Wednesday, to announce the budget deal had been reached.

According to The Advocate, the conference was premature — many representatives had yet to talk to their delegations and the final papers had yet been signed.

Budget Deal Reached, Final Vote Awaits

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:41:00 +0000

After lawmakers negotiated for days, Gov. Bobby Jindal was the first to call a press conference, at around 7 p.m. Wednesday, to announce the budget deal had been reached.

According to The Advocate, the conference was premature — many representatives had yet to talk to their delegations and the final papers had yet been signed.

Money-Generating Bills Hostage To Budget Reforms

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:11:00 +0000

The fate of next year’s budget rests in the hands of a few legislative leaders, picked by the chambers’ chairs to sort things out behind closed-doors.

This year is a little different than years past.

First, the House changed some rules so that more voices could be at the table for the final negotiations.

Lawmakers Scurry To Keep Bills From Dropping Dead

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:07:00 +0000

Monday lawmakers and lobbyists hustled across the rotunda that connects the chambers to assemble the votes to keep their bills alive, lest they fall victim to “Drop Dead Day” at the Capitol.

Sound ominous?