Tropical Storm Nicholas is whipping through southeast Texas, slowly heading towards Louisiana.  Nearly the entire the state is seeing rainfall, with south Louisiana experiencing heavier rainfall and stronger storms. Stacey Denson with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the center will be over Louisiana tomorrow. She says expect lots of steady rain, some flash flooding and then… some improvement in a couple days…:

CUT 11  (11)         “…we’re currently seeing”

As Nicholas and the threat of heavy rainfall moves into Louisiana, Southwest parishes prepare for the hit. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they are prepared in case any residents find themselves in peril….:

CUT 03(12)        “…may need”

Mancuso says they also have the National Guard in place to assist with any rescues if needed.

FEMA is offering Hurricane Ida victims help with the expense of generators or chainsaws. Dave Brannen reports…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Dave Brannen”

A Baton Rouge shop owners goes viral in a video of her and a shoplifter wrestling for a bag of stolen goods. Abby Bullock owns the Wanderlust by Abby boutique, and says she wasn’t about to let the unidentified thief out with over $800 in merchandise. Video of the kerfuffle has been viewed over 360-thousand times.

One of the hundreds of nursing home residents, who were evacuated for Hurricane Ida but taken to a warehouse with little creature comforts, is suing the homes’ owner and the state Health Department. Baton Rouge Lawyer Ron Haley represents Darlene Franklin, of New Roads. He says she not only lived in a Bob Dean-owned home; she used to work for him…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…a victim”

Several of those evacuees died. Dean’s operational licenses have been pulled. So far no official statement from Dean or LDH.

A Tangipahoa Parish man is arrested for allegedly threatening an out-of-state power line repairman with a gun. TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis says it happened Friday on Highway 445, after 35-year-old Kendrick James messed with a utility crew…:

CUT 06  (12)        “…a utility worker”

A flash flood watch for southwest Louisiana, as Tropical storm Nicholas makes its way toward the Texas Gulf Coast. We can expect a lot of rain as Nicholas comes inland, then turns to the northeast. National Weather Service forecaster Donovan Landreneau says how much rain will all depend on how those rain bands lay out…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…even 20 inches”

Nicholas’s current forecast track will take it just west of Houston, then turn toward Louisiana.

LSU is preparing to kick out students who did not meet entry requirements that they have at least the first of two Pfizer COVID 19 vaccination shots, OR fill out an opt-out form and have regular testing. The deadline to provide that proof to the university passed last Friday. Students who did not comply with the requirements will be disenrolled from the university, a portion of their tuition reimbursed.

Tropical Storm Nicholas is headed up the Texas Gulf Coast, and will almost certainly affect Louisiana as it makes its inland. Dave Brannen reports we should expect lots of rain…:

CUT 01  (34)        “… Dave Brannen”

The alligator that reportedly attacked and killed a Slidell man has been captured. St. Tammany deputies report the 12-foot long monster was unusually big around and found very near where 71-year-old Tim Satterlee Sr. disappeared August 30^th. It did have human remains inside. Those will be identified.

A Baton Rouge lawyer says he’s suing the owner of the nursing homes who evacuated hundreds of residents from Hurricane Ida, but took them to an allegedly sub-standard warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish. Attorney Ron Haley says his client, Darlene Franklin of New Roads, was among hundreds crowded into the warehouse, left on mattresses on the floor and deprived of food and water for two days…:

CUT 11  (12)        “…there did”

Haley’s also named the state Department of Health as a plaintiff along with Baton Rouge businessman Bob Dean.

St Tammany Sheriff’s deputies say an out-of-state utility repairman has been hit and killed by a drunk driver. The lineman’s identity is withheld until his family are notified. He was hit when an SUV driven by Slidell resident John Kite hit a men working, sign and plowed through several orange cones. Kite was not badly hurt, but tested positive for alcohol impairment. He’s initially charged with suspicion of vehicular negligent injuring. An investigation is underway.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida also names the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(32)        “…Thorington”

West Monroe Police arrest a man for yelling at cars. Officers found 46-year-old Robert Clinton Jones. Jones sweating profusely, acting erratically and shouting at traffic. Officers suspected drugs and found a small amount of meth on him. He’s a guest of the parish now.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares an emergency state ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas, whose effects should be with us for several days. Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says expect excessive rain and storm surge in coastal regions…:

CUT 03(11)      “…feet above normal”

He says only the storm’s rain bands will tell how much rain we get.

Deputies in Tangipahoa Parish say a Loranger man committed aggravated assault when he reportedly brandished a gun and threatened a power lineman . TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis says 35-year-old Kendrick James refused to yield to a line team trying to restore power; that’s when the gun came out. Travis says harassing a utility worker is no way to get the power on faster..:

CUT 08(12)      “…save us”

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discusses changes to his agency, as it comes under fire for allegedly not properly investigating cases of troopers using excessive force. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Jeff Palermo”

FEMA is stationing mobile registration centers in Ascension Parish where those impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for federal assistance in-person. Sites in Donaldsonville, Gonzales and Sorrento will be up and running by Tuesday and open daily from 8 until 6.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve been made aware of over 100 birds covered in oil due to a spill from the Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. How long they’ll be there depends on the bird and its condition…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…than that”

He says never to try to help oiled wildlife yourself. Rather call LDWF and let them know where to find the animal.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is not happy with President Biden’s plan to mandate companies with 100 or more workers force them to get COVID shots. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack say about a quarter of their membership would be affected..:

CUT 06  (11)        “…like this before”

He says vaccinations are a good idea, but should not be mandated.

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis held a lengthy press conference to discuss allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he did not hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors. Clary has been cleared and Davis explains why…:

CUT 12             (14)      “…this finding”

Clary HAS been removed from the prestigious LSU on-field Trooper security detail.

Police in Natchitoches have make an arrest in the Thursday shooting death of a juvenile. The suspect – also a juvenile – was taken into custody today and charged with 2^nd Degree murder. Natchitoches Police credit a concerned citizen with the tip that solved the crime.

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at GOHSEP, says 20 years on, the biggest threat we face from terrorists is cyberattacks which can cripple major companies and infrastructure…:

CUT 04             (12)      “…their knees”

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry does NOT like President Biden’s proposed mandate that all U.S. companies with 100 or more employees force their workers to get the COVID vaccine. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack says that would put businesses in a very tough position…:

CUT 08             (10)      “…are subjected to”

He says Biden’s plan could potentially cause more companies to relocate outside the U.S.

The Biden Administration’s plan to require Covid-19 vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees is drawing strong opposition from LABI.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01             (30)      “…Brannen”

A young dolphin found swimming in a drainage canal in a Slidell neighborhood has been successfully rescued. Officials believe it was pushed inland through an estuary during Hurricane Ida and became trapped. After determining the animal was healthy and unharmed it was released off the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has located more than 100 oiled birds due to a spill from the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the spill is associated with Hurricane Ida’s path. He says there’s a fair bit of oil near the levee that surrounds the refinery….:

CUT 09             (05)      “…if we can”

Wiebe says if you find an oiled bird or any animal do not try to rescue it yourself, call LDWF and give them the location of the animal.

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says policies and procedures implemented since 9-11 have made a difference….:

CUT 03                 (12)        “…major incidents”

Entergy reports more progress made in getting the lights back on for hundreds of thousands of folks affected by Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen has more…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Dave Brannen”

Police in Natchitoches are investigating the fatal shooting of a juvenile this morning. Police Corporal John Greely says they were called to Highland Park Drive just after dawn…:

CUT 12  (06)        “…gunshot wound”

The victim’s identity has not been released.

Despite the fact the U.S. has been hit by numerous natural disasters during the COVID pandemic, The American Red Cross perseveres. Hurricanes, wildfires, and more have put the non-profit into action over the past 18 months. Red Cross President & CEO Gail McGovern says they’re fortunate the public remains engaged and donate to help. What’s more she says 90% of their workforce are volunteers…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…volunteers”

The Louisiana SPCA says it has picked up several stray animals after Hurricane Ida. In order to reunite as many families as possible, the LASPCA has started a dedicated section on its website to display animals currently being held as strays. You can visit the website at www.louisianaspca.org/strays. Hurry, In many cases you only have three days to retrieve your pet

Entergy says the lights are back on for another large number of the utility company’s customers. Entergy’s Phillip May says 682-thousand of the 902-thousand customers who lost power to Hurricane now have power restored.  The BAD news, he says is in Lafourche, St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes … where it will take a while longer. May says lineman are working diligently..:

CUT 10  (11)        “…Hurricane Ida”

After the disaster, in comes the American Red Cross to do whatever it can to help. Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern says they helped shelter about 40-thousand, and are serving about 60-thousand meals a day…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…clobbered”

To donate to help, go to RedCross.org.

Congressman Steve Scalise says Louisiana congressional delegates are united in working to get a disaster relief package for Hurricane Ida, but also for Hurricane Laura and Delta in southwest Louisiana last year. He says it is highly likely this would be a stand-alone package and not tied up in the federal infrastructure bill being considered…:

CUT 07  (05)        “…other unrelated things”

He says the relief package will need to be in the billions of dollars.

FEMA reminds you that you may be eligible for Critical Needs Assistance for expenses in coping with the hurricane. Things like food, water, prescription drugs, medical supplies and more. Call 800-231-FEMa or online at DisasterAssistance.gov

Southeast Louisiana will get federal help with recovery from Hurricane Ida, but folks in southwest Louisiana are still awaiting help for damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta last year. Congressman Steve Scalise says the state’s delegation is working to get a separate funding package for both. He says it will need to be billions, though…:

CUT 06  (08)        “…development block grants”

He feels such a relief & rebuilding package shouldn’t be mixed with a massive national infrastructure bill.

The state Department of Health reports 4900 new cases of coronavirus and 77 recent deaths. Currently just over 1800 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 and 364 are on ventilators. Meanwhile, nearly 2-million Louisianans HAVE gotten full COVID vaccinations.

The American Red Cross is doing what it does best; aiding with hurricane recovery. Brooke Thorington had more…:

CUT 01  (30)        “Thorington”

Natchitoches Police are investigating the deadly shooting of a juvenile this morning in a local neighborhood. Corporal John Greely…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…in Natchitoches”

The victim’s age & identity have not yet been released.