An AT&T representative told the Public Service Commission today the company’s response was immediate and their restoration efforts were robust in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. But P-S-C Member Eric Skrmetta doesn’t believe the customer should be the ones requesting credits for the days without AT&T service

Cut 10 (12)  “…investigation” 

A Benton woman is facing 16 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after a tip led Bossier Sheriff’s investigators to a horse training center behind Benton Intermediate School early Monday. Deputy Rod White says three horses were found dead inside a dump trailer, while 13 additional horses were discovered malnourished and lacking water.

Cut 13 (08) “…things were showing.”

White says the woman, 52-year-old Sandra Blackmon Driscoll, had her bond set at 100-thousand-dollars.

Congressman Garret Graves is concerned for the fate of much-needed federal dollars for hurricane recovery aid in Louisiana.  He says the amount proposed is less than two billion dollars and is earmarked for disasters across the nation.  He minces no words with the move by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to intertwine disaster recovery with substantially increasing the debt limit on federal spending.

Cut 4  (10) “..pill in there.” 

Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the seasonal change. In other words, goodbye warm weather, at least for now. Keim says the fall-like weather will gradually make its way into the state over the next few days.

Cut 9 (07)  “…pouring in here.”

And after the cool front moves through, it’ll be followed by somewhat warmer temperatures moving into the 80s by the weekend.

Congressman Garret Graves is pulling no punches in his concern for the fate of much-needed federal dollars for hurricane recovery aid in Louisiana.  He says the amount proposed is less than two billion dollars and is earmarked for disasters across the nation.

Cut 3 (10) “…not a chance.”

And, Graves says a “poison pill” in the mix is that the funding is tied to legislation to increase the national debt without limit that’s being sought by the Biden Administration.

Entergy Louisiana wants to add a $5 surcharge to customer’s bills to pay almost $2.1 billion in repair work following the 2020 hurricanes and February’s winter storms.  Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer says the monthly surcharge is for fifteen years.

Cut 4 (09) “…the same thing.”

A cold front has moved through Louisiana, creating cooler, breezy, and drier conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the relief from the heat should be noticeable…

Cut 8 (08) “…be glorious outside.”

The cooler temps are a welcome relief for those recovering from Ida as they make repairs to their damaged properties, and there are also no tropical threats for the Gulf of Mexico.

The Louisiana startup company Tigeraire that created interior helmet fans for the LSU football team has signed with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm as their lead investor. And since Tigeraire began making headlines, CEO and Founder Jack Karavich says LSU alums in the construction industry have even requested a model for hardhats.

Cut 15 (09)  “…year actually.”

The House voted to continue a resolution to fund the government through December 3^rd and raise the $28 trillion debt ceiling. Senator Bill Cassidy says efforts are also underway to pass the disaster supplemental bill before the end of the month but Cassidy says he hopes Senator Majority leader Chuck Schumer won’t attach disaster relief to the resolution to raise the debt ceiling.

Cut 12 (12) “…doesn’t do that.”

Senator John Kennedy is the only Republican who’s stated he plans to vote for the bill for relief funds even if it raised the debt ceiling.

A Louisiana startup company that created interior helmet fans for the LSU football team has signed with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm as their lead investor. Jack Karavich is the founder and CEO of Tigeraire the company that created the helmet fans known as the Cyclone.

Cut 13 (04) “…all the time.”

Entergy Louisiana is seeking to add a $5 surcharge to customer’s bills to pay almost $2.1 billion in repair work following hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta, and February’s winter storms.  Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer says the monthly surcharge is for fifteen years.

Cut 4 (09) “…the same thing.”

The surcharge was discussed at a joint legislative commerce committee where Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggested the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about preventative maintenance.

Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”

The U-S House has approved a spending bill that contains billions of dollars in disaster relief aid. Money that Louisiana would like to use to help 2020 storm victims rebuild their homes. But the legislation would also increase the debt ceiling and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says Republican Senators will not go for that…
cut 10 (09) “…the Senate”
Louisiana’s junior U-s Senator John Kennedy says he’ll vote for the legislation because he says Louisiana needs the assistance.

Just in time for the first day of fall, a cold front has moved through that will lower our temperatures and humidity….
cut 9 (07) “….pouring in here”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says temperatures will struggle to get into the 80s today.

Entergy is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a five-dollar monthly surcharge for repair work from the 2020 hurricane season and February winter storms. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has learned two companies in southeast Louisiana plan to lay off workers in November. Custom steel pipe manufacturer, Stupp Corporation, is laying off more than 45 employees at its manufacturing facility in Baton Rouge and Railserve is closing its plant in Hahnville, which will result in the loss of 66 jobs.

On Capitol Hill, a House-approved funding bill is headed to the Senate that contains 28-billion dollars in disaster relief money for states like Louisiana, but the measure also raises the debt ceiling. Dave Brannen has more from Senator Bill Cassidy
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

DCFS says since Monday they’ve received 11-thousand calls from residents who are applying for disaster food stamps. There’s an alphabet system for when people in certain parishes should apply, but officials say some folks are calling on the wrong day. The DCFS website has the schedule.

Entergy representatives have told state lawmakers that utility customers can expect to see additional fees to help pay for all of the damage done to their power system during the last two hurricane seasons. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggests the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about their preventative maintenance of utility poles and equipment.
Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”
Entergy says they do replace poles and other infrastructure as it ages.

Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the first day of fall…
Cut 7 (11) “…in some cases.”
Keim says humidity levels will rise again over the weekend.

The U-S House has passed a funding bill that contains 28-billion dollars in disaster relief funds that would go to states like Louisiana, but the measure also raises the 28-trillion dollar debt ceiling. The Senate is expected to block the legislation because Republicans do not want to raise the debt ceiling. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy…
cut 11 (11) “…disaster relief”
Senator John Kennedy says he’ll vote for the bill because he says his state needs the help.

A cold front has moved through Louisiana, creating cooler, breezy, and drier conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 8 (08) “….be glorious outside”
There are also no tropical threats for the Gulf of Mexico.

Entergy Louisiana customers can expect higher fees that will go towards paying for the rebuilding of the power distribution system following last year’s hurricanes. The utility provider is proposing a five-dollar surcharge for the next 15 years and Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer told a legislative hearing that they expect a similar surcharge for Ida in the future…
cut 5 (12) “….this year”

LSU football players have cooling fans in their helmets thanks to an invention by a tech startup company based in Baton Rouge called Tigeraire…
cut 14 (11) “….their best”
Tigeraire CEO Jack Karavich says the Cyclone consists of dual blowers that fit between the padding inside a football helmet. A firm from Silicon Valley has made a major investment into Tigeraire.

Entergy is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a five-dollar monthly surcharge for repair work from the 2020 hurricane season and February winter storms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to address proposals to increase debt spending and pass a disaster relief bill, with Senator Bill Cassidy most interested in getting assistance to storm victims in South Louisiana.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

_________________________________________

Tigeraire the Louisiana startup that created helmet fans for the LSU Tigers has signed on with a major venture capital firm to expand. Brooke Thorington

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________________

Entergy Louisiana is seeking to add a $5 surcharge to customer’s bills to pay almost $2.1 billion in repair work following hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta, and February’s winter storms.  Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer says the average customer will pay the monthly surcharge for the next fifteen years.

Cut 4 (09) “…the same thing.”

Entergy presented their surcharge proposal before a Joint Legislative Commerce Committee meeting at the capitol Monday. Entergy customers already pay a monthly surcharge for damages caused by hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Isaac. Charges for Gustav are expected to roll off next year.

Kleehammer says they expect to ask for a similar surcharge for Ida in the future.

Cut 5 (12) “…this year.”

Entergy customers paid monthly surcharges for Katrina and Rita for approximately ten years.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggested the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about their preventative maintenance of utility poles and equipment.

Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”

Entergy submitted the most recent surcharge request for the 2020 hurricanes and this year’s winter storms to the Public Service Commission for approval that won’t be voted on for at least another eight months.

________________________________________

Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the seasonal change. In other words, goodbye warm weather, at least for now.

Cut 7 (11) “…in some cases.”

The cooler weather is expected to be a welcome relief for those recovering from Ida as they make repairs to their damaged properties.

Keim says this package of relief from the heat should be fairly noticeable.

Cut 8 (08) “…be glorious outside.”

Keim says the fall-like weather will gradually make its way into the state over the next few days.

Cut 9 (07)  “…pouring in here.”

And after the cool front moves through, it’ll be followed by somewhat warmer temperatures moving into the 80s by the weekend, but nothing like the temps of summer that we’ve left behind at least temporarily.

____________________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says efforts are underway to pass the disaster supplemental bill before the end of the fiscal year September 30.

Cut 10 (09)  “…not be addressed.” 

He says the federal funding is way overdue and needed to offset the funding needs following the destruction caused to South Louisiana by hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida.

When asked about the pending action on the question of raising the debt ceiling, Cassidy is clear on what in the final analysis needs to be done regardless of what happens.

Cut 11 (11) “…for disaster relief.”

Cassidy says there’s one thing that he doesn’t want Senator Majority leader Chuck Schumer to do when it comes to getting support for a disaster relief package.

Cut 12 (12) “…doesn’t do that.”

Cassidy prefers a separate disaster relief bill that he seems confident will pass both chambers of Congress.

___________________________________________

A Louisiana startup company that created interior helmet fans for the LSU football team when they added face shields for COVID has signed with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm as their lead investor. Jack Karavich is the founder and CEO of Tigeraire the company that created the helmet fans known as the Cyclone.

Cut 13 (09) “…all the time.”

General Catalyst, the venture capital firm behind Venmo, Airbnb, and TikTok is now investing in the hot new company that keeps players cool. This makes Tigeraire the first company in the state to ever attract a seed round investment from a Global Top 50 Venture Capital firm.

Karavich says LSU football players use the Tigeraire Cyclone during practice and game time.

Cut 14 (11)  “…their best.”

Karavich says the two fans in the helmet produce the equivalent of up to a 25 mile per hour breeze over a player’s face and for the players that like to wear visors, they’ve been able to tweak the fans to help reduce fogging.

Since Tigeraire began making headlines, Karavich says LSU alums in the construction industry have even requested a Cyclone model for hardhats to help keep their workers cool.

Cut 15 (09)  “…year actually.”

In addition to LSU, Karavich says they just sent a shipment of Cyclone fans to starters at Texas A&M.

_________________________________________

After three games, LSU sophomore defensive end BJ Ojulari leads the nation in sacks with 4.5. He recorded 2.5 sacks in the win over Central Michigan. Ojulari says he’s picked up great pass-rushing skills from fellow teammates and coaches…

Cut  16 (22) “…to get better.”

LSU senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says on how Ojulari has gotten better since arriving on campus…

Cut 17 (21) “…coming in.” 

Through three games, LSU is averaging just three yards a carry and they have 257 rushing yards a game. But Quarterback Max Johnson liked what he saw from the running game in the second half of Saturday’s game against Central Michigan as freshman Corey Kiner performed well…

Cut 18 (14)”…be fun.”

____________________________________________________

The ULM football team celebrated its first win since November 23rd, 2019 when the Warhawks beat Jackson State 12 to seven on Saturday. Coach Terry Bowden says ending a 12-game losing streak was great, now it’s time to start winning some Sun Belt games…

Cut 19 (25)  “…with Troy.” 

ULM has started Rhett Rodriguez in the first two games, but Chandler Rogers played in the second half in Saturday’s win against Jackson State. Rogers only completed one pass but helped the offense move the ball by running the ball. Bowden has not announced a starter for Troy

Cut 20 (30)  “…downfield” 

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit over extended outages caused by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has the story…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Thorington”

A 15-year-old girl is in custody in Caddo Parish for allegedly making a threat over social media.  Sheriff Steve Prator says students and staff reported a bomb threat against Byrd High School yesterday afternoon.  A full sweep of the campus was made but no bomb was found. Authorities say the teen used another classmate’s social media account to make the threat. She’s charged with terrorizing.

Two lawsuits are now making their way through state court that allege that mandates issued by Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of the Lourdes Regional Medical Center violate the state constitution by forcing nurses and staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says the court filing is a first step in trying to halt the implementation of the vaccine mandate for the hospital workers named as plaintiffs in the lawsuits.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

State Representative Tanner Magee of Houma told a legislative committee Monday that 13-thousand homes in Terrebonne Parish have been destroyed or significantly damaged by Ida.  Magee says while FEMA has offered an alternative housing option for Ida victims in Terrebonne, he says that option doesn’t exist at the present.

Cut  11 (10)  “…parish is booked.”