State Treasurer John Schroder says he’s extremely angry with FEMA and their lengthy delay in reimbursement for school construction in Calcasieu Parish due to hurricanes Laura and Delta. Schroder says the delay has forced the state bond commission to approve an emergency request for $50-million to help the school system resume construction. He says after two bad hurricanes a year ago, it is time for FEMA to send the money…:

CUT 13(10)      “…school system”

LSU is a 20-point favorite Saturday night as they host Central Michigan. Nevertheless, Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s not expecting an easy win. The Tiger enter the game ranked 93^rd nationally in offense and Coach O says he wants to see improvements on that side of the ball…:

CUT 10(13)      “…right now”

Twenty-two high school students arrested Thursday and Friday for brawling at Caddo Parish’s Southwood High. Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Roldan says all the students arrested were charged with disturbing the peace, except one; a male student also charged with battery on an assistant principal…:

CUT 16(07)      “…process”

All the students face possible expulsion from school.

Police in Houma are mourning the Thursday death of rookie Officer Austin Bush, who was killed when his patrol unit hit a log in the road and careened into a drainage basin; becoming completely submerged. Houma Chief Dana Coleman says Bush only ever wanted to serve the public…:

CUT 06(06)      “…his community”

Officer Bush was only 21 years old.

As south Louisiana works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida nearly three weeks ago, State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses to policyholders if there was not an official evacuation order in place…:

CUT 03                 (11)         “…the present time”

Donelon says he is expecting some companies to take legal action to nullify his order to pay.

State Treasurer John Schroder is miffed that FEMA has yet to reimburse Calcasieu Parish for school construction made necessary by Hurricanes Laura & Delta last year. The school board there has requested $50-million to resume rebuilding. Schroder says, if FEMA doesn’t step up, state bond money will be required…:

CUT 12                  (06)        “…the bond”

He feels, after two hurricanes, FEMA needs to do its job and help Calcasieu out.

State health officials report a sixth Louisiana child has died during Louisiana’s fourth COVID surge. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02                 (30)        “…Palermo”

The state begins a new round of disaster food assistance Monday for folks affected by Ida. DSNAP benefits will be loaded onto Louisiana Purchase food cards, and applicants can begin applying next week in ten parishes. Check with the DCFS website for more information. “dcfs.la.gov”.

Over 20 students at Caddo Parish’s Southwood High school have been arrested in the past two days, after huge fights broke out on campus BOTH days. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Roldan says nine deputies responded to the school Thursday to a brawl at the student center…:

CUT 14                  (05)        “…call for backup”

This morning, another group of eight – girls between 14 and 17 – tied it up. All charged with disturbing the peace and face possible expulsion. One male student was charged with battery on an assistant principal.

Houma police mourn the loss of one of their own; 21-year-old rookie Officer Austin Bush crashed his police unit into a drainage basin, where it was completely submerged. Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman says all Bush ever wanted to be was a cop…:

CUT 08                  (07)        “…of the team”

State Treasurer John Schroder has some harsh words for FEMA and their delay of reimbursing the Calcasieu Parish School Board. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01             (31)      “…Thorington”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is among 24 state attorneys general threatening a group lawsuit if President Biden goes through with a mandate that all employers with 100 or more worker REQUIRE them to get a COVID vaccination. The AGs say that is an unconstitutional overstep by the White House.

The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says the vaccination rate among employees has increased to 81-percent since their announcement of mandatory vaccinations and the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29^th…:

CUT 06             (11)      “…leave Ochsner”

Some feel mandating vaccines could lead to staffing shortages when medical facilities need them worst.

Happy Birthday Governor John Bel Edwards, who turns 55 today. The 56^th Governor of Louisiana says after his term is over he’ll return to private life, and NO he doesn’t see himself running for the White House…:

CUT 09             (09)      “…with that”

State health officials report just over 1600 new cases of coronavirus; the lowest daily number since mid-July. Why is that? Ochsner Chief medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart feels the 4^th surge and the emergence of the Delta variant made a lot more people want the vaccine…:

CUT 13            (07)      “…caution”

Hospitalizations from COVID are at 1431. A great number of those are un-vaccinated.

A movie first set to be filmed in New Orleans has been relocated to Shreveport, due to the destruction of Hurricane Ida. Sony Line Producer, Wendy Williams, says “Heart of a Lion” follows the life of boxer George Foreman….:

CUT 03             (06)      “…until he’s 45”

The film will employ well over a thousand extras and other local jobs in Shreveport.

State health officials report the lowest daily count of new COVID cases since mid-July. 1663 new cases, with hospitalizations having dropped statewide to 1431. Dr. Robert Hart is Chief Medical Officer for Ochsner says the emergence of the Delta variant – which was the cause of the 4^th surge – reminded us to mask up and maintain distance from others…:

CUT 14  (12)        “larger settings”

Ochsner Health has mandated its employees to get vaccinated or file for an exemption and undergo frequent testing. The company has hit about 81-percent compliance, but the deadline is coming at the end of October. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the mandate is necessary to protect both patients and employees…:

CUT 07  (08)        “…our patients”

A movie that was set to be filmed in New Orleans, has moved production to Shreveport thanks to Hurricane Ida. Sony Films line producer Wendy Williams says more than 1500 local jobs will be created…:

CUT 05  (06)        “…number of extras”

The film is “Heart of a Lion”; the story of pro boxer George Foreman. The devastation of Hurricane Ida made it impossible to begin filming on schedule in the Crescent City. Sony expects to spend millions in Shreveport during production.

A former employee at the Wal-Mart – reportedly the one in Carencro – has gone viral with a video of her quitting her job … over the storewide public address system. The Not Suitable for Work video contains some salty language as Beth McGrath calls her store manager a pervert, shames two other managers for turning a blind eye and accuses the company of being a terrible place to work; with heartless labor practices and pay. So far no official comment from Wal-Mart.

Ochsner Health says it now has 81-percent of its employees vaccinated against COVID, but the deadline to reach total vaccination is looming. Here’s Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02  (32)        “…Thorington”

State Police report a Houma city policeman was killed this morning in a Terrebonne Parish car crash. Troop C says 21-year-old Officer Austin Bush was driving his police unit on State Highway 648, when he hit a roadside log and careened into a ditch filled with water. The crash is under investigation.

Happy Birthday to Governor John Bel Edwards, who turns 55 today. When asked about the milestone during his monthly “Ask the Governor” statewide radio show, Mr. Edwards said he plans to continue to serve the state once his term ends in 2023… but not in politics…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…as well”

COVID-19. The state reports over 1600 new cases this week; the lowest weekly new case count since mid-July. Hospitalizations have dropped to just over 1400. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart credits the wearing of masks AND the recent increase in vaccinations…:

CUT 12  (10)        “….into places”

Just under about half of the state’s people have been vaccinated.

Louisianans with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further weather damage. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says rains from Nicholas cause additional problems, and tarps that many home & business owners have so far used fall short of the FEMA Blue Roof Program standard…:

CUT 03                  (11)        “…growing out there”

Disaster food stamps – also called D-SNAP benefits – will soon be available for those hit hard by Hurricane Ida and in need of food. Shavana Howard, with the state Department of Children & Family Services, says online application for the food benefits will start Monday…:

CUT 07                  (08)        “…the disaster”

Here’s the URL: dcfs.la.gov/dsnap

29-year-old Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux makes history tonight as the youngest American ever launched into space. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02                  (32)        “…Thorington”

A Shreveport woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in an elder fraud scheme in east Texas. 45-year-old Monica Ruiz, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on March 24th and was sentenced Tuesday to 97 months in prison. Officials say she impersonated other people or used fake personas to convince people to send her money for made-up ailments. Over the course of the scheme, Ruiz obtained more than $4-million.

The federal government gives Louisiana approval to run a disaster food stamp program. More from LRN’s Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01                  (32)        “…Jeff Palermo”

Automobile prices are spiking again and you can blame Hurricane Ida for it. The storm’s winds and water destroyed thousands of cars and trucks; many of them on dealer lots awaiting sale. The laws of supply and demand apply, so as inventories dwindle … prices go higher. Fortunately many people have insurance to cover the replacement cost.

The Chief Civil Deputy for the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office, Debbie Dollar, has been arrested for malfeasance and theft. State Police Trooper Michael Reicardt says Dollar stole thousand from the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office; money collected for various fines and fees. Reicardt says the 58-year-old’s bond is set at $35-thousand, which is a pretty good sum…:

CUT 14                  (08)        “…really”

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux makes history this evening as the youngest American to ever go into space. The 29-year-old will be part of the Inspiration 4 mission to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Asst. Professor Lindsay Ferrington, of LSU Health – Shreveport, was one of her instructors…:

CUT 09                  (10)        “…one of them”

Hayley’s other great accomplishment is beating bone cancer.

The storm named Nicholas. A Category One hurricane when it hit the Texas coast, now downgraded to a tropical depression, but still expected to drop huge amounts of rain across Louisiana for the next couple of days. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the National Guard is standing for rescues, should they be needed … and other first responders are standing by…:

CUT 04                  (07)        “…that happen”

Calcasieu is asking motorists to stay off the roadways now through Wednesday evening.

Did you have to buy a generator because of Hurricane Ida? How about a chainsaw? FEMA is offering up to $800 reimbursal for either, with some restrictions. Spokesman Nate Custer…:

CUT 12                  (07)        “…of the disaster”

This is for purchases made between August 25^th and September 25^th. For details, go to DisasterAssistance.gov.

Nicholas continues to make its way eastward across Louisiana; expected to give us a healthy dowsing of rain and possible flash floods. National Weather Service forecaster Stacy Denson…:

CUT 09                  (06) “…we’re currently seeing”

Some meteorologists expect we’ll see Nicholas break up and fizzle out over our state within the next 24 to 36 hours.

And, just in time for Nicholas…utility company Entergy reports they have restored power to about 90% of their customers left powerless by Hurricane Ida. It took 15 days to get this far, but Ida was the 5^th strongest storm to ever hit the U.S.A. Entergy says, as of this morning, about 87-thousand customers remain without power. The storm originally killed power for over 900-thousand Entergy accounts. They hope to have ALL power restored by the month’s end.

Nicholas made landfall as a Category One Hurricane along the Texas coast during the overnight hours and it threatens to produce flooding rains in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01             (31)      “…Jeff Palermo”

State Police at Troop E report an 11-year-old boy from Trout was killed in a car crash on state Highway 773 in La Salle Parish. Troopers say the car’s 17-year-old driver went off the roadway and hit several trees. Despite the child passenger being belted in, he was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office stands ready to help should Tropical Storm Nicholas dump flooding rains on Louisiana. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Marshal Butch Browning’s agency feels well prepared to respond to whatever rescues are needed as Nicholas moves through…:

CUT 08             (06)      “…first responder partners”

Officials in Calcasieu Parish are asking residents to please stay off the roads unless your travel is absolutely necessary.

If you had to buy a generator or a chainsaw after Hurricane Ida, FEMA is offering you some help. Spokesman Nate Custer says the maximum reimbursal is $800, and there ARE some restrictions that apply…:

CUT 14             (11)      “…from your home”