This Sunday marks five years since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, creating a huge humanitarian crisis. We know that mistakes were made in the response, but have those lessons been learned? Current Fema boss, Craig Fugate says the disaster agency would do a better job if there was another Katrina. But one Homeland Security expert still has concerns. And most Americans don't think the government is prepared for another Katrina or other large scale natural disaster. The survey by the Pew Research Center found 57 percent of Americans say the country is no better prepared for a Katrina-like crisis than it was five years ago. What do you think?
It's a sight that disturbed animal lovers all over the world... A woman caught on camera dumping a cat in a garbage can. Why would she do such a thing? That's the question everyone wants to know. But so far, no one's getting any answers. You've probably seen the video by now. It's been posted all over the world on the internet. Now the media is camped outside of the British woman's home, she's been bombarded by television reporters, and now the British Humane Society is looking into the incident. In the video the woman walks up to the unsuspecting animal... lightly pets it... and then calmly picks the cat up, lifts the cover, and dumps the cat in the garbage can. What do you think about the woman's actions? Do you think it was a poor idea of joke? And what kind of punishment, if any, should she get?
Not much these days!... According to some parents who are upset about the reduced size of Calcasieu school lunches. The Calcasieu Parish School system is cutting back on spending this year. And your child's lunch tray falls under those cut backs. This year, the district is serving smaller portions than in years past. According to school officials, in the past they were serving almost double what the USDA requires to be served. But now they've reduced their servings to the minimum requirements in order to deal with a shrinking budget. While this may help the district save money, some parents are questioning whether it was in the best interest of the students to cut back on nutrition. What do you think about the lunches our children are served in school cafeterias?
Yet another lakefront development proposal is being brought before the Lake Charles City Council. The latest idea combines a Branson, Missouri and Disney World type of destination. The Mardi Gras Boardwalk is the vision of several parties: including an executive from Disney World and famed New Orleans Mardi Gras float construction artist Blaine Kern. The proposal would sit on the area of land just North of the Civic Center and wrap around all the way to Veteran's Memorial Park. One of the interesting elements of the plan would also make the Lakefront home to the largest ferris wheel in America. The development also calls for a 300 luxury suite hotel and 50 condos, and an amphitheatre that could seat five thousand people for a variety of shows including Broadway productions. The City Council is expected to discuss this latest propopsal at their agenda meeting later today. What's your reaction to these latest proposals for lakefront development? And is a large ferris wheel your idea of lakefront development?
We're a big step closer to getting a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. That's because replacing the bridge is now a top project with the state. That's according to an official with the State Department of Transporation and Development. Bobby Hennigan told the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury last night that replacing the old bridge is now at the top of the state's "to do" list. One big reason is that other big projects like I-49... or Highway 171 have been completed. Replacing the bridge would cost more than 400 million dollars. And Hal McMillin and other police jurors want the project to include the much talked about Westlake overpass. There's also more work planned on the current bridge, including new lights in the New Year. Replacing the old I-10 bridge is our "Hot Topic." Give us your thoughts about the project?
One piece of the puzzle in downtown development was put into place Wednesday night. The Lake Charles City Council approved building a new city court building at the site of the old Sears Automotive on Mill Street. Mayor Randy Roach says the building will cost 4.5 million dollars. The Home Mortgage Trust Authority will be issuing bonds up to three million dollars... Which leaves a funding gap of over a million dollars. The Mayor says the court is working with other agencies in the area to find other sources of funding for the project to make up the million dollar funding gap. What do you think of the idea of building a new City Court building at that site?
By now most of you have heard how President Obama has gotten involved in the debate over a proposed mosque near Ground Zero. And the political groups are lining up on both sides... either supporting or strongly disagreeing with what he had to say. It was at a White House observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, where President Obama said "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country." He added "that includes the right to build a place of worship" in lower Manhattan. The President's reasoning is that to do anything less than support the Muslims' right to build this Mosque would be undermining the principles this country was founded upon. The President says a nation built on religious freedom... must allow it. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is applauding President Obama for supporting the right of developers to build the mosque near ground zero. But Republican Congressman Peter King of New York feels the President is wrong, calling it "insensitive and uncaring." King says it will needlessly offend many people who have suffered. What is your reaction to the proposed mosque at ground zero and the President's statements?
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