Jindal sidesteps questions about sinkhole visit

Gov. Bobby Jindal today dodged questions about whether he’ll visit the site of a massive sinkhole that has swallowed 9 acres of land in swampy Assumption Parish, The Associated Press reports. Residents displaced since August have criticized the governor for never having traveled to see the sinkhole or speak with the families. Asked today if he’ll go to the site, Jindal reiterated that he is getting constant updates from state agencies overseeing response efforts. He pledged to hold Houston-based Texas Brine accountable for the damage and to make sure people are compensated for their losses. But the governor wouldn’t directly answer repeated questions about checking out the sinkhole in person. Scientists say the sinkhole formed following the failure of an underground salt cavern operated by Texas Brine, which extracted brine and piped it to nearby petrochemical facilities.