BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer The $3 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion has long been seen as the linchpin of the state’s 50-year coastal master plan. Now, Louisiana's biggest-ever coastal restoration project is gone, with officials saying the cost of the plan was just too great. "At the end of the day, it's just something that we just could not afford, no way, shape or form," said Tony Alford, the chair of Gov. Jeff Landry's advisory commission on coastal issues. Coastal advocates have argued that the scale of the project was necessary to meet Louisiana's severe land-loss crisis and expressed concern that the plan was being abandoned. Read more about what's next for the coast. A master plan for revamping downtown Baton Rouge is in the formative stages, and developers continue to seek input from residents and the business community on how to help the area compete with other commercial and entertainment districts. One area of interest: making the city's riverfront more attractive. Read more about ideas for rejuvenating downtown. Earlier this week, we celebrated World Snake Day, which came with experts urging residents to learn more about their slithery neighbors and the key role they play in the local ecosystem. But remember, some of those reptiles come with warning labels. Seven venomous snakes call Louisiana home, including coral snakes, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes and copperheads. Read about how to keep yourself safe around those dangerous reptiles. | 