The cleanup from Hurricane Franciene will be extensive in places like Morgan City, where landfall was 30 miles south of the St. Mary Parish city. Franklin Senator Robert Allain says the rain was coming down so hard and so fast that there was no way the pumps could keep up.

Cut 7 (12) “…over 20 inches.”

St. Mary Parish President Sam Jones says Francine was not a massive storm, but it will force many homeowners to repair their roofs and fences.

Governor Jeff Landry along with other state officials surveyed the damage in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes by airplane yesterday. Landry says they were joined by FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell…

Cut 10 (09) “…some weak links”

The biggest need right now is power for those who do not have electricity, 123-thousand customers are without power. The P-S-C says at the storm’s peak there were 450-thousand people in Louisiana.

A Downsville Community Charter School teacher has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot a group of third graders. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Avoyelles Parish Courthouse was evacuated yesterday after a Florida man entered the building with fake plastic guns, carrying packages and bags and wearing items to cover his face. It turned out he did not have any explosives. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff deputies say Jaymes Baker of Mulberry, Florida is upset with civil proceedings in a child custody matter.

125-thousand utility customers remain without power because of Hurricane Francine. It could be until Monday before the power comes back on for some customers in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Assumption parishes. But residents and businesses in St. Bernard, St, Martin and Plaquemines should get their power back today.

Morgan City and surrounding areas have an extensive cleanup ahead of them. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A P-E teacher at Downsville Community Charter School in Union Parish has been arrested after he allegedly got angry with several third-grade students and threatened to shoot them. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates says 70-year-old Robert Mitcham of Ruston admitted to deputies he got overwhelmed and wanted the children to settle down…

cut 14 (06″…very lightly”

Gates says as part of his bond Mitcham is barred from returning to Downsville Community Charter School.

DOTD has been awarded $104 million in redistributed federal funds by the Federal Highway Administration. This redistribution occurs annually, allocating unused federal dollars from other states to those that have met certain requirements and can use the money efficiently. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the dollars will be distributed throughout the state
cut 4 (07) “…areas too”

The state has received an additional 104-million-dollars in federal funds as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s annual redistribution of unused federal transportation dollars. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Morgan City and the surrounding areas have a more extensive cleanup task ahead of them. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Downsville Community Charter School teacher has been arrested for allegedly threatening a classroom of third graders. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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DOTD has been awarded $104 million in redistributed federal funds by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This redistribution occurs annually, allocating unused federal funds from other states to those that have met certain requirements and can use the funds efficiently. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the money will help pay for new roadways, bridges, and other large essential projects…

Cut 4 (09) “…those areas too.”

This year’s redistribution will allow the DOTD to continue making progress on projects that aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and promote efficient transportation. Mallett says the funds are needed due to inflationary pressures…

Cut 5 (10) “…funding.”

Mallett emphasized the importance of these additional funds in accelerating critical projects that will enhance the state’s transportation network. The funding will contribute to existing and future infrastructure projects, Like the larger I-10 rehab in Acadia Parish for over $22 million.

Cut 6 (11) …thousands of people.”

This amount represents the second largest allocation ever received by DOTD, only surpassed by last year’s record funding of 210-million-dollars.

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Cleanup will be an extensive process in places like Morgan City, which was hit especially hard by Francine. Franklin Senator Robert Allain says the rain was coming down so hard and so fast there that there was no way that the pumps in the area could keep up.

Cut 7 (12) “…over 20 inches.”

Some neighborhoods, however, were spared major damage. Senator Allain says Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna and a group of volunteers secured two spare pumps to spare the Lakeside subdivision near Lake Palourde of any major flooding.

Cut 8 (09) “…into Lake Palourde.”

Allain says he was very impressed with how well all agencies worked with one another.

Cut 9 (09)  “…fund that program.”

The storm ripped down power lines, leaving nearly the entire area in the dark.

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Governor Landry, Senator John Kennedy and others took a helicopter tour of Terrebonne Parish to survey the damage left behind by Hurricane Francine. Afterwards, Landry said one purpose is to come up with ways to improve coordination with federal partners like FEMA.

Cut 10 (09) “…some weak links.”

Landry says while damage was extensive, it would have been much worse had investments in hurricane safety not been made years earlier.

Cut 11 (18) “…in this area.”

Senator Kennedy reiterated to those affected by the storm that the state will get the federal money that it’s entitled to under President Biden’s emergency declaration.

Cut 12 (07) “…worry about that.”

Kennedy also expressed his appreciation for FEMA’s cooperation during and after the storm.

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A Downsville Community Charter School PE teacher was arrested Thursday after allegedly threatening a third-grade class. Union Parish Sheriff’s Investigators say 70-year-old Robert Mitcham became angry and told students he had bullets for his gun, and he would bring it to the school and shoot, adding, some of the students would not survive. Sheriff Dusty Gates…

Cut 13 (12)  “…Ruston, Louisiana.”

A parent of one of the frightened students reported the incident to the Union Parish Sheriff’s office Tuesday. Mitchem told authorities he was overwhelmed and wanted the children to settle down. He said he wasn’t threatening them, but Gates says the arrest was appropriate.

Cut 14 (12) “…terrorizing.”

Gates says they must take threats seriously though it is usually students who make threats and unfortunately, act on them.

Cut 15 (06) “…this way.”

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LSU will leave for South Carolina today as the Tigers will kick-off SEC play on Saturday against the Gamecocks. LSU has yet to get its run game on track, but offensive tackle Emery Jones says it’s a point of emphasis

Cut 16 (11)   “…better at it”

This is a big game for the Tigers. They can not afford to start the season 1-and-2 and lose their conference opener. Jones says every game is a pivotal one..

Cut 17 (18) “…win a game”

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Louisiana Tech looks to knock off  a Power Four school when it visits North Carolina State at 11 AM. The Wolfpack are led by quarterback Grayson McCall, who was a dominant signal caller in the Sun Belt when he played at Coastal Carolina. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says this McCall’s fifth year playing college football…

Cut 18 (16)  “…sums thatup.”

N-C State also features a talented receiver in K-C Concepion. Cumbie is interested to see how his defense matches up with last year’s A-C-C Rookie of the Year…

Cut 19 (19) “….different ways” 

Governor Landry and other officials flew over Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes this afternoon. Those three parishes took on the brunt of Francine which made landfall as a Category two storm in Terrebonne. Landry says there’s property damage but he says the bayou parishes were spared from major flooding.

Cut 7 (09) “…doing works.”

Francine knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers. Entergy Louisiana has been working around the clock to assess and repair the damage. President and CEO Phillip May says the challenge ahead is restoring power.

Cut 9 (11)  “…restore power.”

May emphasized Entergy’s commitment to getting electricity back to affected communities as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of both residents and repair crews.

Hurricane Francine came ashore with 100 mile per hour winds, but it will likely be remembered for the flash flooding it caused in southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We now know the name of the pilot who died when his small plane went down in a golf course in Lafayette. The fire department there says he’s 73-year-old Greg Manuel. The plane departed from Lafayette Regional Airport late this morning and crashed in Oakbourne Country Club, directly outside the airport. Manuel was pronounced dead at the scene.

The New Orleans area is drying out from the torrential rains of Hurricane Francine. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says the east bank took on seven to nine inches of rain, some areas got 11 inches which led to flooding…

Cut 3 (06) “…or down us.”

The police chief in Kenner says the flooding from Francine is as bad as it was for Hurricane Katrina.

A Union Parish charter school teacher is arrested for allegedly telling his third grade students that he was going to shoot them. Investigators say 70-year-old Robert Mitcham of Ruston became angry at his students and was trying to settle them down. Mitcham taught at Downsville Community Charter School and has been barred from the campus. He’s charged with terroristic threat.

The pilot of a small plane is killed in a crash in Lafayette. The fire department says the plane crashed upon takeoff near Oakbourne Country Club, which is immediately northeast of Lafayette Regional Airport. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. At this time, it’s unclear why the aircraft went down.

Entergy Louisiana is still trying to assess the damage caused by Francine before giving an ETA on restoration in the hardest hit areas.  

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry publicly thanked a good Samaritan in New Orleans for saving the life of a driver who almost drowned as his pickup truck was sinking in floodwaters. The daring rescue was shown on live TV. The driver went around barriers at the Canal Street Underpass. Landry says, don’t do that.

Cut 15 (07) “…kinds of situations.”

A Downsville Community Charter School teacher was arrested today. Union Parish Sheriff’s Investigators say, after becoming angry with a third-grade class, 70-year-old Robert Mitcham of Ruston threatened students saying he had bullets for his gun, and he would bring it to the school and shoot. He allegedly added some of the students would not survive.  Mitchem told authorities that he was not threatening the children. He said he was overwhelmed and wanted the children to settle down. Mitcham is charged with terrorizing and has been barred from the school.

Louisiana is getting assistance at the federal level for the damage done by Hurricane Francine. President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state and Senator John Kennedy has been working to secure the money needed to help in the recovery effort.

Cut 12 (07) “…we pay taxes.”

Governor Landry and other officials flew over Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes this afternoon. Those three parishes took on the brunt of Francine which made landfall as a Category two storm in Terrebonne. Landry says there’s property damage but he says the bayou parishes were spared from major flooding

Cut 7 (09) “…doing works.”

State officials are trying to get a number on how many households and businesses sustained damages from Francine.

Francine caused widespread power outages across southeast Louisiana, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity. President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana Phillip May is asking for patience and assures residents that crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. While some progress has already been made, full restoration efforts will continue until all residents have power again.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the field.”

A small private aircraft crashed in Lafayette this morning.  Unfortunately, the only occupant of the craft died in the crash that happened upon take-off near Oakbourne Country Club which is just northeast of the Lafayette Regional Airport. The Lafayette Fire Department responded and is conducting an investigation.

Nurses save lives everyday but not always the way Emergency Room Nurse, Miles Crawford did Wednesday night. His rescue of a driver of a pickup truck that was being overtaken by New Orleans floodwaters was captured on live television and Governor Landry took a moment to honor Crawford.

Cut 14 (16) “..Miles for that.”

Television footage suggests Crawford acted in the nick of time.

Hurricane Francine came ashore with 100 mile per hour winds, but it will likely be remembered for the flash flooding it caused in southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says even though the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there that people need to be aware of.

Cut 13 (09) “…sure they’re safe.” 

Hurricane Francine came ashore with 100 mile per hour winds, but it will likely be remembered for the flash flooding it caused in southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Francine has left hundreds of thousands in southeast Louisiana without power and Entergy is still trying to assess the damage before giving an ETA on restoration in the hardest hit areas.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The New Orleans metro area is drying out after Francine dumped several inches of rain in a short amount of time. Jefferson Parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng says the east bank took on seven to nine inches of rain, some areas got 11 inches which led to flooding…

Cut 3 (06) “…or down us.”

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says the flooding from Francine is as bad as it was for Hurricane Katrina….

Cut 4 (10) “…in time.”

Numerous homes have been flooded.

Flash flooding was also an issue in Thibodaux. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says emergency responders had to rescue several people trapped due to rising water…

Cut 5 (09) “…our shelter.”

Most of Lafourche is without power. But Chaisson is optimistic power will be restored sooner than later…

Cut 6 (15) “…what we thought.”

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Governor Landry and other officials flew over Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes this afternoon. Those three parishes took on the brunt of Francine which made landfall as a Category two storm in Terrebonne. Landry says there’s property damage but he says the bayou parishes were spared from major flooding

Cut 7 (09) “…doing works.”

State officials are trying to get a number on how many households and businesses sustained damages from Francine. It’s believed there’s more water damage than wind damage. Landry says the state has been through this before and its people will respond…

Cut 8 (09)  “…back in order.”

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Hurricane Francine has caused widespread power outages across southeast Louisiana, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity. Entergy has been working around the clock to assess and repair the damage.  President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana Phillip May says the challenge ahead is restoring power.

Cut 9 (11)  “…restore power.”

May emphasized Entergy’s commitment to getting electricity back to affected communities as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of both residents and repair crews. May explained that the process might take several days due to the extensive damage, especially in hard-hit areas along the coast.

Cut 10 (02) “…category 2 storm.”

May urges patience and assures residents that crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. While some progress has already been made, full restoration efforts will continue until all residents have power again.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the field.”

May also remind people to stay away from downed power lines and report any emergencies immediately.

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Louisiana is getting assistance at the federal level after President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state. Senator John Kennedy has been working to secure the money needed to help in the recovery effort.

Cut 12 (07) “…we pay taxes.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says even though the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there that people need to be aware of.

Cut 13 (09) “…sure they’re safe.” 

Criswell also urges homeowners to fully document the damage to their properties, including taking photos, and to call their insurance companies as soon as possible to get the claim process started.

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Governor Landry took time this morning to publicly praise the good Samaritan who on live TV rescued a driver whose pickup truck was rapidly getting submerged by flood waters in New Orleans.

Cut 14 (16) “..Miles for that.”

At the same time, Landry, in an indirect way, chided the driver for driving around the barricades at the Canal Street Underpass, putting himself in the predicament in the first place.

Cut 15 (07) “…kinds of situations.”

The TV footage showed that Crawford acted in the nick of time; had he not, the driver would have likely drowned.