SUMMARY: Ray Boyer, a longtime Vermilion River resident, faces significant shoreline erosion at his waterfront home, losing about 10 feet over 30 years. He attributes this largely to boat wakes, worsened by high water events when the river is supposed to be closed but isn’t fully enforced. Boyer and neighbors propose solutions like a no-wake zone, increased patrols, and possibly a boat launch fee for funding enforcement, although implementing these is complicated due to jurisdictional limits and funding. Other residents cite runoff and dredging needs. Erosion control efforts include some bulkheads, stormwater management, and trash removal, but no definitive solution exists.

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SUMMARY: As Louisiana faces rising temperatures and soaring energy costs, low-income residents struggle to keep homes safe. Sheryl Doiron, caring for her disabled daughter, relies on the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which the Trump administration labeled “unnecessary” and has defunded by firing federal staff. In 2022, over 17,000 Louisiana households received LIHEAP aid, critical for seniors and vulnerable populations during extreme heat or cold. Yet funding faces uncertainty as Congress negotiates. Local agencies have long waiting lists amid limited resources. Advocates warn cuts could cause hardship and deaths, emphasizing energy assistance as a vital lifeline for those in crisis.

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SUMMARY: A heatwave continues with feels-like temperatures exceeding 110°F through Tuesday, particularly in the metro area under an extreme heat warning. Relief depends on increased rainfall, typically tropical, expected midweek as an upper-level ridge shifts west. This will bring a 60% chance of rain and thunderstorms Wednesday through Friday, helping to cool temperatures slightly. The eastern U.S. may see below-average temps late July to early August due to upper troughing. Despite heat, tropical storm activity remains minimal with no significant developments expected over the next week. Rain chances taper off by the weekend, with hotter, drier conditions returning Sunday and Monday.

A break from the extreme temps and better rain chances returning Wednesday

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