The U.S. House is scheduled to vote this week on a Senate-approved one-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson says the bill’s passage will mean about $6-billion for Louisiana infrastructure projects. That’s over a billion more than the state would normally get in federal funds over five years. He says passing the bill will mean real progress for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (13) “…can invest in”

Some kids in the Lafourche Parish school system will head back to classes today, but not all. Superintendent Jarod Martin indicates it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube initiative getting at least some of the schools back open after the devastation from Ida and some buildings just aren’t ready for students to come back.

Cut 11 (07) “…to be sharing.”

Booster shots are now available for some who received two doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine at least six months ago. LDH says those who are 65 and older, along with those 18 and older with an underlying health condition, or those who live or work in a high-risk setting are eligible. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while boosters are significant, they will not end the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…be vaccinated.”

Healthy Blue and Louisiana Community and the Technical College System are offering a scholarship program to help healthcare students complete their degrees and pay for supplies. LCTCS Spokesperson Quinton Taylor says to apply visit LCTCS.edu and look for the Healthy Blue Scholarship link.

Cut 15 (12)  “…spring semester.”

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson hopes the U.S. House will give final passage to a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill this week…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

There are progressive lawmakers pushing to vote first on a three-point-five trillion-dollar social welfare and climate bill. Republicans are in opposition to that legislation.

The search for a missing two-year-old girl from Baton Rouge ended yesterday when Nevaeh Allen’s body was found in Hancock County, Mississippi. The mother’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner has been arrested.

Some kids in the Lafourche Parish school system are back in class today, but not all. Superintendent Jarod Martin indicates it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube getting at least some of the schools back open after the devastation from Ida. But, bells will ring at some locations today…
Cut 10 (12) “…Ward Middle School.”
Terrebonne Parish plans on re-opening some of its schools on Wednesday.

Thanks to a 90-thousand dollar donation from Healthy Blue, students seeking a career in healthcare at a Louisiana Community and Technical College system school can receive either a 250 or 500 dollar scholarship. LCTCS spokesperson Quintin Taylor says Healthy Blue believes this donation will create healthcare access for about one thousand Medicaid members per year per student…
cut 14 (09) “…Louisaina foundation”
Students interested in applying should visit LCTCS foundation-dot-org.

A vote is expected in the US House this week on a one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the legislation would mean an additional six billion dollars over the next five years for the state…
cut 5 (12) “…rail investment”
But the legislation has been linked to a social spending bill that Republicans oppose, which puts the infrastructure bill in jeopardy.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to adults who are at increased risk…
cut 9 (10) “…undue risk”
State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says if you have questions call the vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774

It’s finally back to school today for some students in Lafourche Parish. Dave Brannen has more
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Saints are back at the team’s training facility in Metairie after spending the last month in Texas. Despite being displaced, the Black and Gold are 2-and-1 after beating the Patriots 28-13 yesterday. New Orleans will host the winless New York Giants at the Ceasars Superdome this Sunday.

A missing two-year-old from Baton Rouge was found dead in Hancock County Mississippi on Sunday. The child’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner, has been arrested. And court records show the Shreveport mother accused of tossing two of her kids into Cross Lake on Friday has a lengthy criminal record. One of the children died, the other was rescued.

Booster shots for the Pfizer COVID vaccine are now available in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The U.S. House could vote today on a Senate-approved one-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson says the bill will be a boon to Louisiana’s road & bridge needs and he’s encouraged it received bipartisan support in the Senate…:
Cut 4 (10) “…generations and decades.”
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may push back today’s scheduled vote of the infrastructure bill to later this week. House Republicans oppose the measure because it’s linked to a social spending bill.

Some schools in Lafourche Parish reopen today for the first time since Hurricane Ida. Lafourche school superintendent Jarod Martin says some schools are still not ready to re-open, so many students will attend classes at a different school…
cut 12 (12) “…Meadow Lower Elementary”

Shreveport police say a woman is accused of throwing two of her own children off the Cross Lake Bridge late Friday morning.  Eureka Black is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Emergency responders found one of the children dead in the water, while a second was rescued and is expected to recover from non-life threatening injuries.  Black was arrested near Waskom after fleeing the scene.

LSU AgCenter experts say the state’s agriculture industry suffered at least 584-million dollars in damages as a result of Hurricane Ida. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says timber was hit the hardest as a total of 168-thousand acres of trees were affected costing the industry more than 300-million dollars

Cut 6 (09) “…to be salvaged” 

Guidry says about 50-percent of the total estimated volume of damaged timber is in Tangipahoa Parish.

There were several tense exchanges during a Joint Medicaid Oversite Committee meeting Friday where River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot questioned Louisiana Department of Health Attorney Stephen Russo about nursing home evacuation plans. The meeting came weeks after hundreds of nursing home residents were crammed into a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse resulting in several deaths

Committee members stated after the tragic evacuation to the ill-equipped warehouse in Independence will need to be addressed with legislation.

Abbeville Senator Bob Henssgens…

Cut 14 (03) “….the problem” 

Organizations including Schoolplies are working to help kids get back in school after Hurricane Ida’s devastation in parishes that include Terrebonne and Lafourche.  CEO Allie Casey says hundreds of school supply kits will be given away this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College along LA-311. Casey says work to put the kits together with everything from pencils to notebooks and erasers for the first day of school has been made less easy without power to their office.

Cut  11 (10)  “…a crazy time.”  

A woman driving a van with Texas plates is in custody in northwest Louisiana after Shreveport police say Ureka Black threw two of her children off the Cross Lake bridge late Friday morning.  Rescue workers found one child dead in the water and the other was taken to the hospital and is said to have non-life-threatening injuries and will recover. Black’s charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

There were several tense exchanges during a Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee meeting Friday where lawmakers questioned LDH’s attorney about plans for nursing home evacuations.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

State police have issued a Level II Endangered Missing Child Advisory after a 2-year-old girl, Nevaeh Allen, went missing from her residence in the Belaire neighborhood of Baton Rouge. The child was last seen by her stepfather yesterday afternoon when he took a nap at the residence around 1 p.m. When the siblings arrived home from school at approximately 4:15 p.m., the apartment door was open and the child was missing. She is believed to be in imminent danger. The black female with black hair and brown eyes was last seen wearing a yellow dress with pineapples and no shoes.

Organizations including Schoolplies are working to help kids get back in school after Hurricane Ida’s devastation in parishes that include Terrebonne and Lafourche.  CEO Allie Casey says hundreds of school supply kits will be given away this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College along LA-311. After the giveaway, Casey says they will continue to work virtually to get more supplies into the hands of students.

Cut 10 (06)  “…the efforts going” 

The LSU AgCenter estimates Hurricane Ida produced 584-million dollars in damages to the state’s agriculture industry. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Shreveport police say a woman is facing charges. She’s accused of throwing two of her own children off the Cross Lake Bridge late Friday morning.  Eureka Black is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Emergency responders found one of the children dead in the water, while a second was rescued and is expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries.

A north Larose neighborhood that endured a ten-foot storm surge is dealing with almost a foot of sludge and standing water. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the Industrial Park neighborhood was inundated with muck and mud from marsh waters that made it over the levees.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the back.”

Chaisson says the Corps of Engineers, municipal crews, and private contractors are working to help clear roads, drainage ditches in addition to resident’s yards. He expects it will take another three weeks.

Organizations including Schoolplies are working to help kids get back in school after Hurricane Ida’s devastation in parishes that include Terrebonne and Lafourche.  CEO Allie Casey says, that in partnership with the United Way of South Louisiana, hundreds of school supply kits will be given away tomorrow.

Cut 9 (12) “…back to school” 

Classes begin Monday and the weekend event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College

There were several tense exchanges during a Joint Medicaid Oversite Committee meeting Friday where River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot questioned Louisiana Department of Health Attorney Stephen Russo about nursing home evacuation plans. The meeting came weeks after hundreds of nursing home residents were crammed into a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse resulting in several deaths

Cut 12 (12) “….anywhere there.”  

A north Larose neighborhood that endured a ten-foot storm surge is dealing with almost a foot of sludge and standing water. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the Industrial Park neighborhood was inundated with muck and mud from marsh waters that made it over the levees.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the back.”

He says crews are working in the neighborhood to assist with the mud.

Organizations including Schoolplies are working to help kids get back in school after Hurricane Ida’s devastation in parishes that include Terrebonne and Lafourche.  CEO Allie Casey says, that in partnership with the United Way of South Louisiana, hundreds of school supply kits will be given away this Sunday

Cut 9 (12) “…back to school” 

The weekend event will take place Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College.

LSU AgCenter experts say the state’s agriculture industry suffered at least 584-million dollars in damages as a result of Hurricane Ida. Economist Kurt Guidry says about 139-thousand acres of sugarcane are projected to have somewhat lower yields due to storm damage. He says much of the affected sugarcane is recovering, but it will come at a price…

Cut 7 (07) “…35-million dollars”