NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

It’s Friday, and time for the Coastal News Roundup. This week, the hotly contested Bayou Bridge Pipeline is finally complete. Plus, an update on two environmental lawsuits. WWNO’s Travis Lux got all the details from Sara Sneath, environment reporter for Nola.com/The Times Picayune.

The New Orleans Saints didn’t jump in on the first day of the free agency period, but they’ve been steadily adding depth to their roster, with former Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook being the newest addition. He joins return specialist Marcus Sherels, center Nick Easton, defensive tackle Malcom Brown, defensive end Mario Edwards and running back Latavius Murray as newcomers. As the focus begins to turn toward the NFL Draft, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Saints beat writers Josh Katzenstein and Luke Johnson discussed both offseason topics in their weekly Dat Chat Facebook Live Q&A. Other topics of discussion include Sean Payton’s successful petition for changes to instant replay, how the Atlanta Falcons are shaping up, and where in the world is columnist Jeff Duncan?

Owners of 38,468 properties in flood zones AE and VE in unincorporated parts of Jefferson Parish will see their flood insurance premiums fall 5 percent after May 1. That’s because FEMA has upgraded Jefferson’s community rating from Class 6 to Class 5, recognizing better floodplain management. Here, listen to the news conference announcing the change.

Cornerstone Chemical Co. won a reprieve Wednesday, March, 20, 2019, when the Jefferson Parish Council decided not to revoke its permit to build a $100 million cyanide plant near Waggaman. Instead, arrangements were quickly made for the company to explain its controversial plans to an alarmed public next week, before the council reconsiders the matter April 3.

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune New Orleans Saints beat writers Josh Katzenstein and Luke Johnson discuss Mark Ingram's deal with the Baltimore Ravens, what the team's prospects are at tight end and evaluate the team's moves after the first week of free agency.

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune New Orleans Saints beat writers Josh Katzenstein and Luke Johnson break down the team's early stages of free agency: the departure of Mark Ingram, signing of Latavius Murray, re-signing of Wil Lutz and more.

NOLA.com/Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan and reporter Chris Dabe review the New Orleans Saints' controversial overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game.

NOLA.com/Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan and Saints beat writer Josh Katzenstein preview the New Orleans Saints' NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

NOLA.com/Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan and Saints beat writer Josh Katzenstein preview the start of NFL free agency and how the New Orleans Saints plan to attack it.

NOLA.com/Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan and reporter Chris Dabe preview the New Orleans Saints' offseason plans with the NFL Scouting Combine under way and free agency looming.

A hydrogen cyanide plant that Cornerstone Chemical Co. wants to build near Waggaman, Louisiana, is the subject of WWNO radio's Coastal News Roundup program on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Reporters from WWNO and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune discuss the week's coastal environment news.

On this week's Coastal News Roundup, WWNO's Travis Lux talks with Nola.com | The Times-Picayune reporter Sara Sneath about an invasive species lurking in Bayou St. John. Also, how a fertilizer plant in St. James Parish is preparing for the possible collapse of a retention pond holding acidic wastewater.

Reporters Tristan Baurick of NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune and Travis Lux of WWNO discuss the week's coastal news. On tap this week: an elusive marsh bird and a conference devoted to oil spill science in the Gulf of Mexico.

After director Robin Beaulieu, pictured here, and chief animal control officer Mimi Olsen were suspended from their jobs at the Jefferson Parish animal shelter, a parade of speakers addressed the Parish Council about them on Feb. 6, 2019.