Twenty years ago, people in New Orleans were caught off-guard by Hurricane Katrina, with forecasters originally predicting it was going to make landfall several hundred miles east. Andrew Greenstein reports technology has evolved since then.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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On this day 20 years ago, New Orleans residents who had no place to go walked into the Superdome to take shelter from Hurricane Katrina. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (43) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Is tonight the night that Northwestern State football wins its first game since November of 2022? Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The 90th annual Shrimp and Petroleum Festival gets underway this evening in Morgan City. It’s a celebration of two of Louisiana’s biggest industries; but last year, genetic testing done at five vendors that claimed to be selling local shrimp found that four of them were actually selling imported shrimp. Festival President Charlie Solar Jr. says there will be no such shenanigans this year – all shrimp is required to be domestically caught, and organizers will make sure of that.

Cut 4 (07) “…their shrimp from.”

Solar says there will be several events through Labor Day, including a shrimp cook-off Saturday morning.

Cut 5 (06) “…do the contest.”

There will also be live music and plenty of activities for kids. Solar says the best part is it costs absolutely nothing to get in.

Cut 6 (06) “…a gate charge.”

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Twenty years ago, people left work on Friday afternoon, not thinking that Hurricane Katrina was going to upend their lives that Monday. That’s because back then, Katrina’s original forecast track had it making landfall over Pensacola, Florida. However, a very sudden westward shift in its track brought it over New Orleans instead, causing the widespread destruction that the city is still trying to recover from to this very day. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says technology has evolved in the last two decades — and so has hurricane forecasting.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the storm.”

Keim says they even have drones that fly into the hurricanes that gather more data than the airplanes do. Keim says predicting where the storms go and how strong they will be has also gotten a lot more precise in the last two decades.

Cut 8 (15) “…going to go.”

Keim says another thing forecasters are doing now that they weren’t doing 20 years ago is what’s called ensemble forecasting – essentially doing many runs of a potential hurricane track with very slight variations in the initial conditions.

Cut 9 (15)  “…might potentially happen.”

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Twenty years ago today, thousands of people entered the Superdome to take shelter from Hurricane Katrina, before it destroyed thousands of homes and businesses and took numerous lives. The next morning on August 29^th, Katrina’s fierce winds peeled off sections of the Superdome roof. Doug Thornton was the general manager of the Dome at the time.

Cut 10 (12) “…helpless.”

The helpless feeling would last as it took several days before those who rode out the storm in the Superdome were bused to Houston. A weary Thornton remembers the helicopter ride out of the city and he couldn’t believe the devastation he saw.

Cut 11 (11) “…my home.”

But Thornton would return and led the effort to get the iconic stadium ready for football in September of 2006. He says it was not easy as the repairs were expensive and getting the necessary materials and workers was also difficult.

Thornton gives credit to the late Kathleen Blanco, who was the governor at the time. He says Blanco was feeling pressure from the public to use federal recovery dollars to rebuild damaged hospitals, schools, roads and bridges

Cut 12 (11) “…could be built.”

FEMA, the state of Louisiana and the NFL paid for the repairs to the Dome. Saints fans and many Louisiana residents will tell you it was worth the 336-million-dollar cost as the Saints won their first game back and the franchise had its best season to date, reaching the NFC title game, lifting the spirits of many.

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We now know how 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez died. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick made the announcement during a brief news conference yesterday afternoon.

Cut 13 (14)  “…then subsequently drowned.”

(Bryan Vasquez died from blunt force due to an alligator and subsequently drowned.)

Kirkpatrick says she has formerly requested that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries eradicate nuisance alligators, and that work started yesterday afternoon.

Cut 14 (14) “…was going on.”

Bryan was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home on August 14th, 12 days before his body was found. Kirkpatrick says the circumstances surrounding Bryan’s disappearance is ongoing.

Cut 15 (14) “…made aware of.”

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The LSU football team has no shortage of wide receivers this season after bringing in multiple transfers and several key veterans returned. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says the Tigers will be fun to watch with all the talent around him.

Cut 16 (16) “…the football.”

Some of the weapons that Nussmeier will have on the offensive side are tight ends Bauer Sharp and Trey’Dez Green. Nussmeier says that he believes in both players’ abilities to execute, particularly in the receiving game.

Cut 17 (17)  “…they’re winning.”

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The ULM Warhawks kick off their season tonight against Saint Francis in Monroe. Head coach Bryant Vincent enters his second year with the program and says that his team is in a much better place this time around.

Cut 18 (08) “…the field.”

ULM ranked 128^th out of 133 in passing offense last season, averaging just over 134 yards in the air. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Aidan Armenta will take control of the Warhawks offense. Vincent says that Armenta has all the attributes needed to help the team go far.

Cut 19 (17) “….do it.”

We now know how 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez died. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick made the announcement this afternoon.

Cut 13 (14)  “…then subsequently drowned.”

Bryan’s body was found in a lagoon near the house he disappeared from 12 days earlier. 

A nonprofit organization says a recent study found that only six out of 39 hospitals in Louisiana comply with a 2019 Executive Order calling for greater transparency in pricing and quality of services. Beth Branley, who’s a supporter of Patient-Rights Advocate-dot-org, says if you’re getting surgery at a hospital, get the costs before your visit – and that information should be provided to you….

Cut 11 (11) “…procedure.”

LIV Golf announces that it’s going to play a tournament in New Orleans’ City Park in late June of next year. Among those expected to play is Gulf Coast native Bubba Watson, who says he can’t wait to play in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…to get here.”

The tournament is expected to support 11-hundred jobs and deliver an estimated 40-million dollars to the local economy.

The mayor of Ruston says he hopes the upcoming Radiance Technologies microchip packaging site will help Louisiana Tech graduates stay in Louisiana. It’s expected to create about 150 jobs with an average salary of about 85-thousand dollars – and Mayor Ronny Walker hopes those jobs will be filled locally.

Cut 4 (10) “…around our country.”

The Orleans Parish coroner says the 12-year-old boy who was found dead 12 days after disappearing from his home died from blunt force trauma caused by an alligator. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says Bryan Vasquez subsequently drowned in a lagoon not too far from his home.

Smitty’s Supply in Roseland is facing at least five lawsuits because of last Friday’s explosion and fire at the oil and lubricant plant. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LIV Golf is coming to New Orleans. Governor Landry was on hand to announce that the South Course at New Orleans’ City Park will host a LIV Golf tournament June 26th through the 28th of next year. During the announcement, Landry said New Orleans was meant to host a golf tournament like the ones LIV Golf puts on.

Cut 6 (10) “…again and again.”

The course where the tournament will be held is being renovated by former LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman.

The mayor of Ruston is beaming with pride over the announcement that Radiance Technologies is building a microchip packaging site in the city. Mayor Ronny Walker says the company’s arrival will spur future economic development in the city.

Cut 3 (09) “…components of this.”

The facility is expected to be up and running in the summer of 2027.

This just in to the Louisiana Radio Network newsroom – the Orleans Parish Coroner has ruled that the 12-year-old boy found dead yesterday morning died of blunt force caused by an alligator and a subsequent drowning. Bryan Vasquez disappeared from his home on August 14th, and his body was found by the United Cajun Navy yesterday. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the investigation is still ongoing.

A nonprofit organization says a recent study found that only six out of 39 hospitals in Louisiana comply with a 2019 Executive Order calling for greater transparency in pricing and quality of services. Beth Branley is a supporter of Patient-Rights Advocate-dot-org…

Cut 9 (09)  “…but it’s not.”

The American Hospital Association says hospitals and health systems have invested significant time and resources to comply with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule.

New Orleans will be hosting a LIV Golf tournament in late June of next year. The event announcing the tournament had an atmosphere more akin to WWE wrestling than professional golf, and LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said fans attending the tournament can expect much of the same.

Cut 7 (08) “…it is fun.”

The event is expected to support 11-hundred jobs and deliver an estimated 40-million dollars to the local economy.

In Ruston, the 2027 opening of the Radiance Technology microchip packaging plant will mean 150 jobs with an average salary of 85-thousand dollars a year. Mayor Ronny Walker says that’s also expected to spur additional businesses coming to the city, and one big challenge with all that is figuring out where all those new employees are going to live.

Cut 5 (07) “…more homes built.”

As an East New Orleans community continues to grieve the death of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, the investigation into his death continues. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says while investigators are not implicating foul play, they’re not ruling it out either.

Cut 4 (10) “…we’ve been told.”

SeaD Consulting continues auditing local restaurants throughout the state which claim to serve Gulf shrimp; and of the 24 it surveyed in Slidell, it found that 21 were telling the truth. Co-founder Dave Williams says it’s more important than ever that people who eat and enjoy shrimp know where their shrimp comes from.

Cut 12 (15) “…job triply important.”

We continue to reflect on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Bobby Jindal represented Louisiana’s first Congressional district when Katrina came ashore leaving much of southeast Louisiana destroyed. Jindal remembers the outpouring of support from regular citizens, but the federal government was slow to react.

Cut 7 (11) “…red tape.”

And the winner is – Spencer Rattler! Saints coach Kellen Moore says Rattler solidified the starting quarterback role after his performances in practice and against the Broncos last Saturday.

Cut 15 (15) “…some games.”

Former Governor and Congressman Bobby Jindal was a major figure in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Jeff Palermo spoke with Jindal as he reflected on the 20^th anniversary of the costliest national disaster in U-S history.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A recent audit shows that nearly all independent restaurants in Slidell who say they serve Gulf shrimp are telling the truth. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Saints head coach Kellen Moore has named second-year player Spencer Rattler as the team’s starting quarterback. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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As an East New Orleans community continues to grieve the death of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, the investigation into his death continues. Bryan was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window. The United Cajun Navy found his body in a lagoon near his home yesterday. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says while investigators are not implicating foul play, they’re not ruling it out either.

Cut 4 (10) “…we’ve been told.”

When Bryan was discovered missing, there was no Amber Alert issued. Superintendent Kirkpatrick says his disappearance did not rise to the level that justified an Amber Alert.

Cut 5 (10) “…that he wasn’t.”

Kirkpatrick says investigators are being very thorough in their investigation into how Vasquez disappeared and how he died.

Cut 6 (08) “…for Ring cameras.”

Kirkpatrick says they’re also investigating why it took police five hours to respond to the initial call that Bryan was missing. She says people have every right to be angry about that, and NOPD needs to regain the public’s trust.

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We continue to reflect on the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Bobby Jindal represented Louisiana’s first Congressional district when Katrina came ashore leaving much of southeast Louisiana destroyed. Jindal remembers the outpouring of support from regular citizens, but the federal government was slow to react.

Cut 7 (11) “…red tape.”

Jindal was sworn in as governor in 2008 and he remembers the battles with the federal government over recovery dollars. He says one example is the 474-million dollars owed to the state to replace the closed Charity Hospital in New Orleans. The former governor says that money was used to build a new academic medical center in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…even before Katrina.”

There are reports that 600-million dollars in federal aid appropriated for Katrina remains unspent. Jindal blames government red tape.

He says the immediate aftermath of Katrina was a dark time for the state and the recovery was hard, but gives a lot of credit to the people of Louisiana for making the Bayou State what it is today.

Cut 9 (12)  “…come back stronger.”

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A recent audit of independent seafood restaurants in Slidell shows that nearly all of them which advertise that their shrimp comes from the Gulf of Mexico are telling the truth. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting conducted genetic testing on shrimp from 24 restaurants that claimed that their shrimp was locally sourced, and it found that 21 of them were telling the truth. Co-founder David Williams says he’s not surprised that restaurants in Slidell – and New Orleans – have high rates of locally-caught shrimp.

Cut 10 (14) “…depends on it.”

Williams says when they conduct the genetic test, they look for a certain species of shrimp that is not found in waters off the Louisiana coast.

Cut 11 (12) “…the Gulf Coast.”

Williams says especially in light of the massive recall of shrimp imported from Indonesia that investigators say could be radioactive, it’s more important than ever that people who eat and enjoy shrimp know where their shrimp comes from.

Cut 12 (15) “…job triply important.”

Under Louisiana law that took effect at the start of this year, restaurants and food suppliers are now required to clearly state whether the seafood they serve is imported or not.

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Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will be the team’s starting quarterback for week one against the Arizona Cardinals. Rattler won a tight competition over rookie Tyler Shough. Moore says Rattler was more consistent during training camp and in preseason games.

Cut 13 (12)  “…for us.”

Moore says the Saints will benefit from Rattler in his second season in the league as he has improved his decision-making while still finding a way to do what the coaching staff asks of him.

Cut 14 (13) “…the football.”

Moore says Rattler solidified the starting role after his performances in practice and against the Denver Broncos.

Cut 15 (15) “…some games.”

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Louisiana Tech football will start its season Saturday night as it hosts Southeastern Louisiana. Head coach Sonny Cumbie is holding off on naming a starting quarterback until later this week. The battle is down to Evan Bullock, Trey Kukuk (Q-kuhk) and Blake Baker. Cumbie says there are a few things he is taking into account before making the decision.

Cut 16 (15) “…around them.”

Cumbie says facing Southeastern Louisiana will not be an easy task. He says his team has to play physical and smart in order to start the season in the win column.

Cut 17 (16)  “…football game.”

Senior linebacker Kolbe Fields says opposing teams will have trouble when they play in Ruston.

Cut 18 (14) “…make it out.”

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Southeastern Louisiana has also not named a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech. Coach Frank Scelfo (CELL-foe) says it will be either Carson Camp or Kyle Lowe, and both are expected to play against the Bulldogs. Scelfo is eager to see how they perform.

Cut 19 (24) “….championship.”

Southeastern Louisiana barely missed out on the FCS playoffs last season after going 6-1 in Southland play. The Lions finished second to Incarnate Word. Scelfo says the goal this year is to win the Southland and earn an automatic bid to the playoffs.

Cut 20 (19) “…last year.”

A 17-year-old mother is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A sad end to the search for a 12-year-old New Orleans boy. The United Cajun Navy found the body of Bryan Vasquez in a lagoon near his home. Bryan was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window.

As cleanup efforts continue in Tangipahoa Parish from the chemical plant explosion in Roseland, there are concerns over the environmental impact of the incident. Dr. Rustin Reed, an environmental expert at Tulane University, says even though the current estimated concentration level of pollutants is low, those in vulnerable groups should take extra precautions for the time being.

Cut 13 (12)  “…someone may have.”

Reed says when driving, the filter inside of your vehicle will only go so far in protecting you from harmful emissions from an explosion like the one from Friday afternoon.

Cut 14 (08) “…gases or vapors.”

The fire, meanwhile, is nearly fully contained, and Smitty’s Supply says it will rebuild.

A sad end to a search for a 12-year-old New Orleans boy. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says searchers found Bryan Vasquez dead in a lagoon near his home. 

Cut 6 (09) “…into the marsh.”

Vasquez was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window.

A 17-year-old pregnant woman is fighting for her life after being shot in what police are calling a road rage incident. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says there were two drivers tailgating and brake-checking one another, and it culminated with 54-year-old Barry West shooting into a vehicle and hitting the teen in the head. Sheriff Sticker says the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 5 (05) “…tailgaiting who.” (2x) 

West is charged with four counts of attempted second degree murder. The teen gave birth to her child in the hospital.

As cleanup efforts continue in Tangipahoa Parish from the chemical plant explosion in Roseland, there are concerns over the environmental impact of the incident. Dr. Rustin Reed, an environmental expert at Tulane University, says whenever there’s an explosion at a plant that manufactures oil and lubricants like Smitty’s Supply, there will be emissions of certain kinds.

Cut 12 (10) “…types of things.”

A game changer in healthcare in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as Willis Knighton Health has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Dr. Lane Rosen, the medical director of radiation-oncology at Willis Knighton, says the partnership with The Mayo Clinic will allow Willis Knighton to take its services to the next level.

Cut 10 (10) “…is just huge.”

A 17-year-old mother is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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What health impacts are coming out of the chemical plant explosion in Tangipahoa Parish? Andrew Greenstein talked with an environmental expert for some insight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 17-year-old, who was seven months pregnant, is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was in a vehicle with three other passengers in the Ponchatoula area and that vehicle was tailgating and brake-checking with another vehicle driven by 54-year-old Barry West. Sticker says West got upset and shot at the other vehicle, striking the 17-year-old in the head…

Cut 3 (09) “…human life.”

Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child…

Cut 4 (09) “…we speak.”

But the mother is on life support, while West is in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on four counts of attempted second degree murder and those charges could be upgraded if the victim passes away. She’s currently on life support. Sticker says the investigation is ongoing

Cut 5 (05) “…tailgaiting who.” (2x) 

Sticker calls it a senseless tragedy.

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A sad end to a search for a 12-year-old New Orleans boy. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says searchers found Bryan Vasquez dead in a lagoon near his home.

Cut 6 (09) “…into the marsh.”

Vasquez was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window. Kirkpatrick says the investigation is now a death investigation, and it is in the early stages. She says foul play has not been ruled out.

Cut 7 (12) “…includes foul play.”

There was a five-hour delay from the time Vasquez was reported missing to the time New Orleans Police first responded. Kirkpatrick says that’s also being thoroughly investigated.

Cut 8 (10) “…that time delay.”

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A game changer in healthcare in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as Willis Knighton Health has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Dr. Lane Rosen, the medical director of radiation-oncology at Willis Knighton, says The Mayo Clinic has very strict standards in choosing the medical facilities it chooses to partner with.

Cut 9 (08)  “…selected Willis Knighton.”

Dr. Rosen says the partnership with The Mayo Clinic will allow Willis Knighton to take its services to the next level.

Cut 10 (10) “…is just huge.”

Rosen says the partnership gives Willis Knighton’s patients the nationwide resources of The Mayo Clinic at no additional charge.

Cut 11 (13) “…to seven days.”

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As cleanup efforts continue in Tangipahoa Parish from the chemical plant explosion in Roseland, there are concerns over the environmental impact of the incident. Dr. Rustin Reed, an environmental expert at Tulane University, says whenever there’s an explosion at a plant that manufactures oil and lubricants like Smitty’s Supply, there will be emissions of certain kinds.

Cut 12 (10) “…types of things.”

Dr. Reed says as such, even though the current estimated concentration level of pollutants is low, those in vulnerable groups should take extra precautions for the time being.

Cut 13 (12)  “…someone may have.”

Reed says when driving, the filter inside of your vehicle will only go so far in protecting you from harmful emissions from an explosion like the one from Friday afternoon.

Cut 14 (08) “…gases or vapors.”

The fire that resulted from the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland is now 98-percent contained. The Department of Environmental Quality has been continuously monitoring air quality from the beginning. Governor Landry says had it not been for Mother Nature, the surrounding area would never have been covered in soot.

Cut 13 (14)  “…was utterly toxic.”

Starting today, the Secretary of State’s Office will be demonstrating several new potential voting systems as it prepares to replace its current outdated voting machines. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says all six systems it’s testing have a paper element to them.

Cut 4 (11) “…auditability of paper”

One of the toughest lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina was the need for an improved flood protection system. Jeff Palermo reports the federal government reacted by spending 14.5 billion dollars…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Just hours to go until NFL teams, including the Saints, need to get their rosters down to 53. The Saints started paring their roster down by cutting veteran running back Cam Akers.