A Ruston family is suing their son’s private school; alleging it turned a blind eye to severe and violent bullying that went on for months. Kevin Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit from customers over the extensive power outages that occurred after Hurricane Ida. Entergy previously stated approximately 902,000 customers lost power after Ida made landfall on August 29th. The suit seeks to represent everyone who lost power.

Governor Edwards is in Washington DC to request urgent federal assistance for residents impacted by hurricanes Ida, Laura, Delta, and Zeta along with other natural disasters over the last year. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says the Governor wanted to meet with leaders in hopes to speed up assistance.

Cut 14 (10)  “…of the damage.”

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center conducts its first COVID vaccination trial. They are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in children. Site Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Hsia (Shaw) says with school back in session and the highly transmissible Delta variant the vaccine is needed in younger children.

Cut 9 (08)  “…kids vaccinated.”

Since August 19^th children ages five to seventeen have had the majority of COVID cases in the state

At least two dozen attorneys general, including Louisiana’s Jeff Landry, are joined together in opposition to President Biden’s plan to mandate private sector companies of more than 100 employees require workers to get a Covid-19 shot, submit to weekly testing, or be fired. Landry believes Biden has forgotten the U.S. is a republic, not a monarchy.
Cut 10 (09) “…and protect ourselves.”
Governor John Bel Edwards says he favors doing the right thing when it comes to protecting the public from COVID
Cut 12 (07) “…thing to do.”

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Entergy, claiming the energy provider was negligent in making sure its infrastructure can withstand a powerful hurricane. About 25-thousand utility customers remain without power from Ida.

Cedar Creek in Ruston is facing a lawsuit from the parents of a former student who claim the school did not do enough to stop the bullying that took place against their child for months. The suit alleges the bullying reached the level of sexual battery on multiple occasions in 2020 and 2021. The school acknowledges the plaintiff was bullied but says there’s no evidence of a sexual battery. The attorney for the plaintiff Wes Bearden…
cut 6 (10) “…jury”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is participating in a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children. Associate Professor Daniel Hsia (Shaw) says the trial will last one year…
cut 8 (11) “….side effects”
Hsia says so far side effects among those ages six to eleven in the Moderna trial are similar to those observed in adults.

Governor Edwards is in Washington DC asking for urgent federal assistance for residents impacted by hurricanes since 2020 along with other natural disasters. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A phone number set up to take calls from families seeking Disaster food stamps was overwhelmed yesterday making it difficult for many Ida storm victims to apply. DCFS assistant secretary Shavana Howard says they were receiving 250 to 350 calls per second. DCFS says they have addressed the issue.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 23 of his fellow attorneys general is calling on the President to reverse his plan to require large private-sector companies to mandate the COVID vaccine to their employees. Landry says Americans should have choices, but Governor John Bel Edwards says…
cut 13 (11) “…from others”

A Ruston private school is being sued by the parents of a former student who alleges being victimized by bullies for months. Attorney Wes Bearden says the abuse his clients’ son sustained while attending Cedar Creek School went on for more than eight months, and was both physical and psychological.
Cut 4 (12) “…the rear end.”
Cedar Creek says as soon as they became aware of the bullying, the school launched an investigation that resulted in the expulsion of five students.

There’s a lot of talk of legal action in the news today. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and other Republican Attorneys General are threatening to sue the Biden Administration if the President follows through with a plan to require private employers with more than 100 employees to mandate the COVID vaccine…
cut 11 (07) “…to court”
In Ruston, parents have filed a lawsuit against Cedar Creek School claiming their child was bullied both physically and psychologically and the school neglected to provide protection from the abuse…
cut 5 (06) “…this kiddo”
That’s Attorney Wes Bearden. But the school says their own investigation resulted in the expulsion of five students and there’s no evidence that some of the more heinous acts against the plaintiff ever occurred.

Also, Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit from customers over the extensive power outages that occurred after Hurricane Ida.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is participating in the Moderna pediatric COVID vaccine trial. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, Pfizer says its vaccine works in children from five to eleven years old. Pfizer plans to ask for authorization in the United States soon.

A Ruston family is suing their son’s private school; alleging it turned a blind eye to severe and violent bullying that went on for months. Kevin Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is participating in the Moderna pediatric COVID vaccine trial. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor Edwards is in Washington DC asking for urgent federal assistance for residents impacted by hurricanes since 2020 along with other natural disasters. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A Ruston private school is being sued by the parents of a student who alleges being victimized by bullies for months. Allegations the school denies. Wes Bearden is the attorney for the couple. He says the abuse his clients’ son sustained while attending Cedar Creek School in Ruston went on for more than eight months, and was both physical and psychological.

Cut 4 (12) “…the rear end.”

Cedar Creek School says they conducted their own investigation of the allegations and, as a result, five students were expelled. However, they say there is no evidence of some of the more heinous acts the plaintiff says were committed against him. Bearden says the private school took tuition money from the family and neglected to provide protection from the abuse.

Cut 5 (06) “…against this kiddo.”

The lawsuit alleges the boy was frequently beaten, urged to commit suicide, and even sexually assaulted with foreign objects. Bearden says the Cedar Creek School, the alleged bullies, and their parents are named as defendants in the suit. He says his clients seek unspecified damages and want an eventual jury trial.

Cut 6 (10) “…of the jury.”

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LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center conducts its first COVID vaccination trial. They are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in children. Site Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Hsia (Shaw) says participants can expect a minimum of two blood draws.

Cut 7 (10) “…actual vaccine.”

Hsia says they’ve already enrolled enough children ages six to eleven and by the end of the month, they’ll register ages two to five, and next month children ages six months to less than two years. The trial will last one year, and they will monitor antibody responses to the vaccine.

Cut 8 (11) “…side effects.”

Hsia says so far side effects among those ages six to eleven in the Moderna trial are similar to those observed in adults.

Since August 19^th children ages five to seventeen have had the majority of COVID cases in the state, followed by 18- to 29-year-olds. Hsia says with school back in session and the highly transmissible Delta variant the vaccine is needed in younger children.

Cut 9 (08)  “…kids vaccinated.”

For more information, you can contact Penning Biomedical Research at 225-763-3000

The Pfizer vaccine is already approved for Emergency Use for ages 12 to 15.

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At least two dozen attorneys general, including Louisiana’s Jeff Landry, are joined together in opposition to President Biden’s plan to mandate private sector companies of more than 100 employees require workers to get a Covid-19 shot, submit to weekly testing, or be fired.  Landry believes Biden has forgotten the U.S. is a republic, not a monarchy.

Cut 10 (09)  “…and protect ourselves.” 

Landry says Biden can expect a legal battle if he follows through with his Covid mandate for larger employers.

Cut 11 (07) “…him to court.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he favors doing the right thing when it comes to protecting the public at large from Covid-19.

Cut 12 (07) “…thing to do.”

Edwards is adamant about protecting citizens from the dangers of the coronavirus.

Cut 13 (11) “…dangers from others”

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Governor Edwards is in Washington DC to request urgent federal assistance for residents impacted by hurricanes Ida, Laura, Delta, and Zeta along with other natural disasters over the last year. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says the Governor wanted to meet with leaders in hopes to speed up assistance.

Cut 14 (10)  “…of the damage.”

Tingle says among the requests, Edwards will be asking for assistance with unmet housing needs and flexibility in match for public assistance. Tingle says the with multiple natural disasters the Governor can show demonstrate several unfunded needs.

Cut 15 (12)  “…recently.”

After a disaster, municipalities are faced with several immediate costs for example overtime for first responders and debris removal. Often, they will receive federal matching funds to help offset the costs. Tingle says Edwards will be asking for flexibility with that funding.

Cut  16 (12) “…facilities.”

Last week Calcasieu Parish had to request a state bond to continue the construction of schools because they have yet to receive requested federal funding.

The governor will return to the state on Thursday.

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In his fifth collegiate start, LSU quarterback Max Johnson threw five touchdown passes in a 48-21 win over Central Michigan. It was the best performance of the season for the Fighting Tigers. But Coach Ed Orgeron still sees areas where his sophomore quarterback can improve

Cut 17 (18) “…quick.” 

In Saturday’s win over Central Michigan, four different wide receivers caught at least five passes. Orgeron says it’s good to have a number of guys who can make plays in the passing game…

Cut 18 (20)”…heartbeat.”

LSU’s “D” is facing a challenge this Saturday going up against Mississippi State. Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers threw for 419 yards in a loss to Memphis. Orgeron says he’s seen his defense get better since the season-opening loss to UCLA…

Cut 19 (19)  “…this Saturday.” 

A Pfizer vaccine trial for children indicates promising results. Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the FDA asked Pfizer to extend the pediatric vaccine trial by two months so they would have more data to review, even though there is great anticipation to allow those ages five to eleven to be vaccinated.

Cut 7 (11) “…too important.”  

A lot of trees fell victim to Hurricane Ida’s wrath as way too many property owners know about firsthand. But, Whitney Wallace, an LSU AgCenter Forestry and Wildlife agent, says the AgCenter, along with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, is continuing to assess the dollar damage with the biggest economic impact expected to be to the agricultural infrastructure and timber.

Cut 4  (10) “…course Tangipahoa Parish.” 

There are growing concerns of permanent population loss in the southeastern coastal parishes after Hurricane Ida. Demographer Greg Rigamer says Ida was a devastating blow and it will be very difficult for Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes to recover. Since Katrina, the area has suffered devastating effects from Gustav, Isaac, and now Ida. Rigamer says right now he’d guess up to a hundred thousand could leave the coastal parishes permanently.

Cut 13 (08) “…southeast Louisiana.”

Terrebonne Parish is continuing its recovery efforts more than three weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up the coastal area.  Parish spokesman, Mart Black, says Ida left Terrebonne Parish completely in the dark, but today only 16-percent of utility customers don’t have electricity. He gives credit to the power companies…

Cut 10 (09)    the parish” 

He says the hope is to have power restored to everyone whose home or business can safely receive it by September 29^th.

Concerns are growing that Hurricane Ida’s fierce wind and water damage will result in population loss in southeastern Louisiana. Demographer Greg Rigamer says Ida was a devastating blow and it will be very difficult for Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes to recover…:

CUT 12(12)      “…the basis”

Rigamer guesses up to a hundred thousand could migrate away from the region; perhaps even to other states.

Speaking of that devastation from Ida, Governor John bel Edwards will be in Washington DC for the next few days to lobby congress for (quote) “federal assistance to ensure a speedy, full, and robust recovery for the people of southwest and southeast Louisiana who have been devastated by major hurricanes and natural disasters over the last year.” Our state has sustained four hurricanes in the past year.

The Pfizer vaccine trial for children ages five to eleven indicates promising results. Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says parents should be reassured that the FDA will review the data carefully before issuing any type of authorization….:

CUT 08(11)      “…timely”

Since July pediatric cases in the United States have increased by 240-percent.

Terrebonne Parish – among the hardest hit by Hurricane Ida – continues recovery efforts. Parish spokesman Mart Black says water is restored and power back on for all but 16% of residents and businesses. He says housing for storm victims is the biggest problem…:

CUT 09(10)      “…into the parish”

Ida hit the state just three weeks ago.

There are growing concerns that Hurricane Ida could negatively impact the population of southeast Louisiana; much like Katrina did 16 years ago. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Thorington”

Just days after over 20 students at Shreveport’s Southwood High were arrested for fighting, another student is arrested for threatening gun violence at the school. Caddo Parish deputies were alerted Sunday evening to the social media post; threatening a gang-related shooting. A 14-year-old male was arrested and charged with terrorizing.

Terrebonne Parish is still struggling to return to something like normal after the devastation of Hurricane Ida. Parish spokesman Mart Black says utilities hope to have all the power restored by the 29^th. He says garbage pickup has ramped back up and contractors have been hired to clear the curbs of storm debris…:

CUT 11  (10)        “…to permitted sites”

There’s no doubt that Ida took out a HUGE number of trees in its path, as many of you know firsthand. But Whitney Wallace, with Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture & Forestry, says all those downed trees – particularly on the Northshore – have impacted landowners AND agriculture and livestock producers…:

CUT 03  (08)        “…you’re seeing around”

She says this is the worst storm-related tree fall since Katrina.