Louisiana is taking part in National Fire Prevention Week through this Saturday.  Ashley Rodrique with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the theme this year is to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” such as when a smoke alarm goes off.

Cut 3 (08) “….then call 911.”

Statistics from 2020 show there were 79 fire-related deaths and only about a dozen structures had working smoke alarms.

The Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans is weighing in on a Covid-19 pill that manufacturer Merck says will reduce hospitalizations and fatalities. Dr. Julio Figueroa says when it comes to treatment for Covid-19, the Merck experimental pill will likely be more successful the earlier it’s ingested after the virus is discovered.

Cut 8 (06) “…the most effect.”

Flood insurance rates are going up, starting with new policies this month and then on April first for renewed policies. It’s estimated that 80-percent of flood insurance policies in Louisiana will see increases. Senator Bill Cassidy says some will see a 100-percent flood insurance rate hike, which he says will lead to many dropping coverage. He says it’s the law of diminishing returns…

Cut 14 (07)  “…becomes non-sustainable.”
Louisiana’s Congressional delegation lobbied the White House to delay the flood insurance premium hikes, but it didn’t produce any results.

Louisiana’s restaurant industry continues to face hardships from a lack of business because of the continuing Covid pandemic.  Louisiana Restaurant Association president Stan Harris says New Orleans eateries continue to suffer…

Cut 10 (11)  “…at top line.” 

Harris says most restaurants surveyed don’t expect to ever return to the pre-pandemic levels.

Owning a restaurant in Louisiana that’s been slammed by hurricanes and a continuing Covid pandemic is a tough go.  Dave Brannen reports.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

Ochsner Health has informed its employees they will be charged a fee if their spouse or domestic partner is on the system’s health insurance and not vaccinated against COVID-19. The hospital system says the fee is similar to what’s in place for tobacco users, who pay more for coverage to offset tobacco-related illness expenses.

State health officials are urging folks to not forget about getting an annual flu vaccine shot, as well as the COVID vaccine. LDH resident flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says last year saw a record low number of Louisiana flu cases, and coronavirus precautions were a big contributor…:

Cut 4 (07) “…when they were sick.

The flu vaccine is readily available at most doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies, and parish health centers.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is unhappy with huge premium increases coming for those on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA’s Risk Rate 2.0 – which took effect October 1^st – will mean huge increases in the cost of flood coverage for those who live closest to water, and for many who do not. Cassidy says the hikes are unrealistic and about 20% of those covered under NFIP just cannot afford it…:

Cut 13 (08) “…dropping their coverage.”

DSNAP has been extended due to high call volume. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they understand the frustration among callers, and they’re pleased they’ve received federal approval to extend call-in days.

Cut 6 (08) “…fourth week.” 

Phase three will end October 9^th and then those with the last names beginning with A-L can call in on October 11^th. Surnames M-Z on October 12^th and all names on October 13^th.

Extinction happens and Robert Dobbs with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the ivory-billed woodpecker is among nearly two dozen birds, fish, and other species that have now been declared extinct.

Cut 3 (05) “…Louisiana since 1944.”

And that was in the Tensas River area in northeastern Louisiana.

State Education officials are giving school districts the ability to decide if a student who may have been exposed to COVID to quarantine or not. Superintendent Cade Brumley says any students who ARE quarantined for possible exposure will receive a screening. It will be up to each school system to decide on a quarantine.

Cut 13 (05) “…can consider

Sports betting across the 55 parishes in Louisiana that approved it remains on hold after an expected mid-September start-up delayed by Hurricane Ida. Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says it’s important for sports betting in the Bayou State to be fully compliant with state law.

Cut 30 (10)  “…get it right.” 

Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

The deadline to apply for the Blue Roof Program has been extended to October 15^th. For more information, you can visit Blueroof.us or call 1-800-ROOF-B-L-U. The original deadline was today but it’s been extended for two weeks.

The U-S House could vote today on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill. It appears New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Louisiana House member to cast a yay vote.

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana.”
But Republicans say the legislation is too expensive and not enough dollars are going to traditional infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground and strengthen the state’s power grid that was severely impacted during February’s winter storms and Hurricane Ida. However North Louisiana Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expressing optimism that FEMA will soon begin the effort of hauling in trailers for Hurricane Ida displaced homeowners to temporarily live in while they repair their property.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

26-year old Jake Guidry of Thibodaux faces second-degree murder charges in the death of his infant daughter. After a welfare check Tuesday on Guidry at the request of the child’s mother, authorities found the child in the rear cargo area of Guidry’s car. Bond is set at one million.

Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says about 70-thousand students across southeast Louisiana are out of school because of damaged classrooms. St. Charles Parish Superintendent Kern Oertling says they will need federal help to put their schools back together…

Cut 11 (13) “…twenty million dollars.”
And schools in southwestern parishes – hit hard by Hurricane Laura in 2020 – are still struggling to regain normalcy. Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says he’s had to postpone 50 recovery projects because the school system is still awaiting federal recovery money.

Cut 13 (11) “…we’re out of cash.”

It’s been a month since Ida stormed ashore leaving thousands homeless at its landfall.  There’s still no clear indication when contractors will begin hauling trailers in, given that requests for proposals are just going out. Governor Edwards seems cautiously optimistic that Ida victims may see some of the trailers being brought into places like Terrebonne Parish over the next week.

Cut 5 (12) “…relates to trailers.”

LDH says the fourth COVID surge has severely impacted 14 pregnant women. Of the 14 cases, six mothers and 10 unborn children have died. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of unvaccinated pregnant mothers to COVID.

Cut 7 (10) “…heartbreaking cases.”

State lawmakers heard from Louisiana school superintendents about their continued challenges in recovering from Hurricane Ida AND from Laura last year. St. Charles Parish Superintendent Kern Oertling says 19 schools will reopen next week, but the parish’s two high schools Destrehan and Hahnville will have to merge temporarily.

Cut 10 (08)  “…on these campuses.” 

Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says students have been back for quite some time, but the long-term damage is evident. He says he’s glad the system bought all the 55-gallon waste cans available at Sam’s.

Cut 12 (07) “…every time it rains.”

Bruchhaus says he’s had to postpone 50 recovery projects because the school system is still awaiting federal recovery money

Thirty days after Hurricane Ida, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports nearly eight thousand customers are without power as a result of the Category 4 storm. Entergy Louisiana VP of Distribution Operations John Hawkins says some of their customers are still not able to accept power because of damage to their homes…

Cut 3 10) “…their lives.”

Gas prices usually decline in the fall, but that’s not the case this year. According to the Louisiana Triple-A, the statewide price for a regular gallon of gasoline is $2.90, about eight cents higher than a month ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the big culprit in keeping pump prices high is the price of crude oil…

Cut 9 (09) “…of the year” 

He says 16-percent of crude production in the Gulf of Mexico is still shut down because of Ida and Nicholas.

More and more Blue Roofs are being installed on homes after Hurricane Ida’s devastation, but as Dave Brannen reports, the application deadline is Thursday.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Governor Edwards will have a 1 pm press conference this today, he will give updates on hurricane Ida recovery and COVID. He’s also expected to make an announcement concerning the statewide mask mandate which expires on Wednesday.

The application deadline for the federal Blue Roof Program is quickly approaching for those still looking to protect their properties after Hurricane Ida.  Lt. Colonel Robert Warren Green says contractors have already installed at least 10-thousand no-cost Blue Roofs in the parishes impacted by Ida, and they’re moving at a pretty rapid pace.

Cut 5 (12) “…we’ve had installed.”

The deadline is September 30^th.

The FBI is out with a report that shows the murder rate climbed nearly 30-percent last year. That’s the largest jump in six decades when the agency began recording crime statistics. Criminologist Peter Scharf, with the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, tells us the rate is even higher locally.

Cut 7 (10) “…of criminal justice.”

So far there’s only been guidance for a booster shot for the Pfizer COVID vaccine and not the other two, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson used in the United States. While some data might indicate less of a need for a Moderna booster, Tulane epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says it’s hard to compare the long-term efficacy of the vaccines at this point.

Cut 13 (11) “…they have.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is encouraging Mardi Gras krewes to vaccinate before the 2022 carnival season.  Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says the news is encouraging and the more people who are vaccinated the more likely we are to have a safer Mardi Gras and with the pandemic and two catastrophic hurricane seasons, there’s a great need to let loose and catch some beads.

Cut 12 (11) “…we do.”

A missing two-year-old from Baton Rouge was found dead in Hancock County Mississippi on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

In St Francisville, questions remain unanswered as to why a murder-suicide suspect was able to hide out at his estranged wife’s property for hours before he killed her and then himself, but his ankle monitor never alerted authorities to his whereabouts. 63-year old Marshall Rayburn had a restraining order to stay away from Peggy Rayburn but on September 20^th he killed her and then himself.

32-year-old Ureka Black of Shreveport, the woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge Friday is back in the state after being arrested in Texas. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says they aren’t releasing a motive of why allegedly threw her infant son and five-year-old son into the water, which killed the infant.

Cut 9 (05) “…the counts” 

She faces second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges and bond has been set

38-year old Patrick Waddle of Schriever is being held on a four-million-dollar bond after a Saturday night shooting on Bull Run Road that left one neighbor dead, and another man injured and a trooper wounded.  Waddle is charged with murder, attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at troopers. Trooper Ross Brennan says Waddle eventually surrendered after fleeing into a wooded area early Sunday morning.

Cut 5 (07) “…further incident happened.”

51-year-old Lisa Eschete (Ah-schet) was killed.

38-year old Patrick Waddle of Schriever is being held on a four-million-dollar bond after a Saturday night shooting on Bull Run Road that left a woman dead, one man injured and a trooper wounded. Responding troopers were fired on as they arrived, and Waddle drove off wounding one.

Cut 3 (07) “…he passed them.”

Trooper Ross Brennan says Waddle eventually surrendered after fleeing into a wooded area.  The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the initial shooting that killed 51-year-old Lisa Eschete (Ah-schet). Waddle is charged with murder, attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at the troopers.

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.

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 some locations are open…

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 the donation can create healthcare access for about one thousand Medicaid members per year per student…

Cut 14 (09)  “…Louisiana forward.”
Students interested in applying should visit LCTCS foundation-dot-org.