Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far, fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program.

Cut 3 (11) “..growing out there”

Baton Rouge native Haley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux overcame bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport was one of Arceneaux’s instructors.

Cut 9 (10) “…one of them.” 

Arceneaux is 29.

More than 13,000 have died from COVID in Louisiana and the increase has changed business as usual for the funeral industry. Funeral Director Zondra Wright with Charbonnet Funeral Home in New Orleans says early in the pandemic most of their burials were nursing home patients and older adults with comorbidities

Cut 11 (07) “…has changed.”

Wright says most nursing home patients are vaccinated and now they are burying people in their 40s, 50s and 60s

Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those who for whatever reason are shunning COVID-19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug. Cassidy says it is hard to understand why someone would choose ivermectin as their choice to battle the coronavirus.

Cut 14 (09)  “…and its complications.”

Cassidy says he personally knew people who refused the vaccine but took ivermectin but still died.

Nicholas continues to inch his way into the Bayou State and he’s bringing plenty of rainfall with him. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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There is more progress to report on getting electricity flowing once again to Entergy customers in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida.  Here’s Dave Brannen with an update.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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As the pandemic rages on those in the funeral industry have seen changes among those they are burying, and their loved ones are faced with even more concerns. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Nicholas continues to inch into the Bayou State today and is dropping significant amounts of rainfall along his journey. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the slow movement of Nicholas allows the system to saturate the area.

Cut 4 (09) “…the problem.”

As Nicholas continues on its east, northeastwardly track, Keim says bands of rain will only continue to increase rainfall totals for southwest and central parts of the state.

Cut 5 (07) “…occurred.”

Keim says if we could spread the rain out it would be much better but the bands of rain and slow movement with Nicholas are making this system more problematic.

Cut 6 (06) “…of time.”

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Entergy continues to make progress in getting power restored to the more than 900-thousand that were left in the dark by Hurricane Ida.  More than 90-percent of Entergy’s customers have had their power restored post-Ida. John Hawkins, the utility’s Vice President of Distribution Operations, sums up the situation this way.

Cut 7 (05) “…is unprecedented.”

The utility reported Tuesday that all but 87-thousand customers are still waiting to get their electricity back on.

Hawkins praised the thousands of linemen and other utility workers for the speed of repairing Entergy’s electrical system and notes how Entergy keeps learning from previous storms how to effect repairs faster when the next storm hits.

Cut 8 (12) “…the next event.”

Hawkins says Entergy has been able to make significant progress in the heavily impacted river parishes, Bayou Region, and I-55 corridor.

Cut 9 (09) “…of work there.”

In all, Hawkins says Ida damaged more than 30-thousand poles, 36-thousand spans of wire, and about six thousand transformers.

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More than 13,000 have died from COVID in Louisiana and the increase has changed business as usual for the funeral industry. Funeral Director Zondra Wright with Charbonnet Funeral Home in New Orleans says the fourth wave of COVID has made it extremely difficult for some families to plan a funeral for a loved one.

Cut 10 (11) “…will recover.” 

Wright says business has been consistent since March of 2020 and before the pandemic they averaged nine to eleven funerals a week, she says they can easily do that many in a weekend now.

Early in the pandemic, Wright says most of their burials were nursing home patients and older adults with comorbidities

Cut 11 (07) “…has changed.”

And now they are burying those with COVID in their forties, fifties, and sixties.

Wright who grew up in the funeral home business says relatives often talked about the Spanish Flu pandemic and told her she too would most likely experience something similar one day. Since March of 2020, those in the funeral industry have remained busy and Wright fears things are not letting up anytime soon.

Cut 12 (09) “…Christmas 2021”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those who for whatever reason are shunning COVID-19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug.

Cut 13 (10) “…FDA approved vaccine.”

Cassidy says if anything, there are far lower hospitalizations and deaths for those who have been vaccinated, versus the number of deaths for those hospitalized with the coronavirus and who had relied on ivermectin.

Cassidy says it is hard to understand why someone would choose ivermectin as their choice to battle the coronavirus.

Cut 14 (09)  “…and its complications.”

Cassidy says, unlike the Covid-19 vaccines that have saved lives, he’s fully aware of the outcome of using ivermectin to battle the virus.

Cut 15 (07)  “…and who died.”

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron announces running back John Emery is out for the rest of the season as he’s been ruled academically ineligible. Orgeron did not provide any specifics on what resulted in Emery being ruled ineligible. There are some asking how could this happen? Orgeron says lack of communication is not a problem…

Cut  16 (14) “…all around.”

Freshman Jack Bech has been a bright spot for the offense. The freshman from St. Thomas More has caught five passes in his first two games. Boutte knew Bech would have an impact on this team as a freshman

Cut 17 (18) “…catch it.”  

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ULM will welcome Deion Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers to Malone Stadium on Saturday for the Warhawks home opener. The Tigers are off to a 2-0 start and have been receiving national attention because Coach Prime is leading the program. ULM football coach Terry Bowden says Sanders has raised the talent level at J-S-U

Cut 18 (25)”…for us.

Deion played for Terry Bowden’s dad, Bobby Bowden at Florida State so they will use this game to honor the late great coach. Both teams will wear decals in honor of Bowden on their helmet. Bobby Bowden died last month and Terry already misses their morning phone calls…

Cut 19 (21)  “….she can watch.” 

Tropical Storm Nicholas is whipping through southeast Texas, slowly heading towards Louisiana. Stacey Denson with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says a flash flood watch is in effect for the southern half of the state…

Cut 10 (07)   15 inches possible.” 

Denson says it might not be until Thursday until weather conditions improve

Parish offices and schools are closed today in Calcasieu Parish in anticipation of flooding from Nicholas and even though it’s extremely tempting to view damage left by a storm, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso highly encourages residents to refrain from sightseeing because vehicle traffic can force water into homes in low-lying areas and that’s when most accidents occur.

Cut 5 (10) “…stranded.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to act if flooding rains from Tropical Storm Nicholas materialize as expected.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodriquez says there are numerous assets ready for the call to service as heavy rains from Nicholas sweep across the state.

Cut 7 (12) “..home fire stations”  

FEMA is providing reimbursements for generators and/or chainsaws for those in Ida affected parishes and there are certain criteria that must be met. If FEMA doesn’t approve your request for reimbursement agency spokesman Nate Custer says there is an appeal process.

Cut 13 (10)    ought to get”

Entergy reports that more than 90-percent of their customers have had their power restored post-Ida. Approximately 87-thousand Entergy customers are still without service.

Tropical Storm Nicholas is whipping through southeast Texas, slowly heading towards Louisiana.  Nearly the entire 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 of the storm will not reach the Bayou State until tomorrow.

Cut 9 (06) “…we’re currently seeing.” 

And that would be light to moderate rainfall with some heavy pockets of rain now and then, with the potential for localized flooding.

While schools and government buildings in Calcasieu Parish are closed today in hopes of keeping motorists off the road, Sheriff Tony Mancuso says first responders however and the National Guard are at work ready to assist if needed.

Cut 4  (07) “…that happen.” 

Mancuso also highly discourages residents from sightseeing after the storm as a courtesy to first responders.

There’s help from FEMA available to those who qualify for reimbursement of generator or chainsaw purchases related to Hurricane Ida.  Agency spokesman Nate Custer says there are guidelines for say the maximum payout of 800-dollars for a generator.

Cut 12 (07) “of the disaster”  

And, in certain conditions, FEMA will provide a reimbursement of up to 250-dollars for chain saws needed to deal with trees downed blocking access to homes due to Ida.

The 504-pound alligator suspected of killing a 71-year-old Slidell man the day after Ida made landfall has been captured. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Lance Vitter says Sheriff Randy Smith promised the family of Timothy Satterlee, Sr. that they would do all they to locate his body.

Cut 13 (11) “…captured.”

Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving slowly inland bringing the threat of rain over the next two says to the Bayou State. Nicholas made landfall early this morning along the southeast Texas coastline and has the potential to cause flooding in southwest Louisiana today. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they are prepared in case any residents find themselves in peril.

Cut 3 (12) “…may need”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to take action if flooding rains from Tropical Storm Nicholas materialize as expected.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrique says the staging of dozens of boats for potential water rescues took place Monday.

Cut 6 (10) “…come about first.” 

Boat teams are prepared to act and move wherever rescue efforts are needed.

Another tropical system is set to dump large amounts of rain on Louisiana over the next couple of days with Governor Edwards advising the public to stay aware of this dangerous situation.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

Governor Edwards will have a press conference at 3:30 today with an update on Tropical Storm Nicholas.

19-year old Kevione Faulk, a student worker on the LSU football staff and daughter of running backs coach Kevin Faulk has died. She died on Monday and a cause of death is not known at this time.

Another tropical system is set to dump large amounts of rain on south Louisiana over the next couple of days with Governor Edwards advising the public to stay aware of this dangerous situation.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

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Tropical Storm Nicholas has made landfall in Texas, but he’s also expected to leave his calling card on the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The 504-pound alligator that claimed the life of a 61-year old Slidell man has been located, two weeks after he was last seen in knee-deep water outside his home in Avery Estates. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards says to expect Tropical Storm Nicholas to be downgraded to a depression as it enters southwest Louisiana, but noting that it doesn’t take a named storm to bring dangerous conditions to the state.

Cut 4 (05) “…the primary concern.”

Edwards says you don’t have to go back all that far to know that a depression can be as troublesome as a named storm.

Cut 5 (12) “…significant property damage.”

The rains that Tropical Storm Nicholas will bring to the state, even as a depression, could exacerbate the problem of getting more of Ida storm victim out of the dark after weeks without power.

Cut 6 (11) “…period of times.”

At last count, 119-thousand customers had still not had their power restored after the massive destruction to energy systems in south Louisiana.

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Tropical Storm Nicholas made landfall along the Texas coastline this morning and State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system has the potential of bringing storm surge as far east as Rutherford Beach and but the largest impact it will have on Louisiana is rainfall amounts.

Cut 7 (08) “…Mississippi.”

While in the Bayou State, Keim says Nicholas will weaken to a Tropical Depression but says the system to leave its calling card on the Bayou State in the form of rain.

Cut 8 (10) “…the track.”

Keim says while the eye of the storm is only expected to be in the state for a day, we will feel effects for a number of days. He says even though it’s only expected to be a Tropical Depression widespread rain and flash flooding will be an issue.

Cut 9 (06) “…to us.”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue is taking steps to provide state tax relief following Hurricane Ida. LDR Secretary Kimberly Lewis says the department is granting automatic filing extensions to both individual and business taxpayers in the 25 parishes placed under a disaster declaration by the governor.

Cut 10 (09) “…and severance taxes.” 

The automatic extended due date to file is now September 3, 2022.  However, Lewis says it is not an extension to pay any taxes due.

Kimberly Lewis, who heads up the Louisiana Department of Revenue, says LDR is granting automatic extensions until January 3^rd for the filing of excise, franchise, income, and severance taxes because of Hurricane Ida. In addition, individuals may also be eligible for state sales tax refunds to personal property destroyed by a natural disaster.

Cut 11 (09) “…on our website.”

The state Department of Revenue is waiving Louisiana’s diesel fuel penalty for selling or using tax-exempt dyed diesel fuel.  As with a similar step by the IRS, the penalty relief will remain in effect through at least Wednesday.

Cut 12 (08) “…lack of fuel.”  

That includes streamlining the process to obtain a license to import fuel into the state until supplies reach pre-hurricane levels.

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The 504-pound alligator suspected of killing a 71-year-old Slidell man the day after Ida made landfall has been captured. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Lance Vitter says Sheriff Randy Smith promised the family of Timothy Satterlee, Sr. that they would do all they to locate his body.

Cut 13 (11) “…captured.”

The alligator was located on Monday, two weeks after Satterlee was last seen. It was the victim’s 68-year-old wife that last saw him being attacked by the gator. She tried to assist but was unable and then she traveled to a nearby highway for assistance because 9-1-1 was not operational.

Vitter says to have Satterlee survive, Katrina, COVID, and then Ida to only be killed by an alligator while he checked on his property is even more tragic.

Cut 14 (10)  “…to the community.”

After the alligator was captured, it was killed with permission granted by wildlife authorities, and they discovered what appears to be human remains inside the alligator’s stomach, and they will work with the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office to verify that they are those of Satterlee.

It has yet to be determined if Satterlee’s death will be considered a storm-related fatality, but Vitter says the knee-deep water under the victim’s home was a factor in his death.

Cut 15 (07)  “…underwater.”

Satterlee was known for his volunteer work in the community along with disaster response by cooking meals for storm victims.

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron announces running back John Emery is out for the rest of the season as he’s been ruled academically ineligible. Orgeron did not provide any specifics on what resulted in Emery being ruled ineligible. There are some asking how could this happen? Orgeron says lack of communication is not a problem…

Cut  16 (09) “…great job.”

LSU was without three starting offensive linemen in the McNeese game. Xavier Hill, Maron Martinez and Charlers Turner started in the place of Cam Wire, Chasen Hines and Austin Deculus. Orgeron says the new guys fought hard…

Cut 17 (20) “…whole camp.”  

LSU will host Central Michigan this Saturday. The Chippewas lost by ten points to Missouri two weeks ago and through two games this season they are averaging 239 rushing yards a game. They are led by last year’s MAC freshman of the year Lew Nichols, who has 214 rushing yards

Cut 18 (24)”…low and hard”

The 504-pound alligator suspected of killing a 71-year-old Slidell man the day after Ida made landfall has been captured. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Lance Vitter says Sheriff Randy Smith promised the family of Timothy Satterlee Senior that they would do all they to locate his body.

Cut 24 captured:12

The alligator was located this morning, two weeks after Satterlee was last seen.

Southwest Louisiana is under a Flash Flood Watch as Tropical Storm Nicholas heads up the southeast Texas coast.  Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says it’s too early to say just which areas of the state will be subjected to the heaviest of rainfall as Nicholas is predicted to twist to the northeast as it exits Texas.

Cut 5 (10) “..threat is there.”

Baton Rouge attorney Ron Haley has filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during hurricane Ida. The suit names nursing homeowner Bob Dean and the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Haley’s client is Darlene Franklin.

Cut 10 (10)    a victim.” 

Haley says LDH should be held responsible since they approved the evacuation plan in which seven have now died.

35-year old Kendrick James of Loranger is charged with aggravated assault of a utility worker after branding a gun and threatening a lineman. Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office Chief Jimmy Travis says this is not the first incident involving harassment of utility workers. He says one man even threatened the power company over the phone.

Cut 7 (11) “…somewhat normal”  

Southwest Louisiana is under a Flash Flood Watch as Tropical Storm Nicholas heads up the southeast Texas coast.  Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says it’s too early to say just which areas of the state will be subjected to the heaviest of rainfall as Nicholas is predicted to twist to the northeast as it exits Texas.

Cut 5 (10) “..threat is there.”

35-year old Kendrick James of Loranger is charged with aggravated assault of a utility worker after branding a gun and threatening a lineman. Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office Chief Jimmy Travis says this is not the first incident involving harassment of utility workers. He says one man even threatened the power company over the phone.

Cut 7 (11) “…somewhat normal”  

Baton Rouge attorney Ron Haley has filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during hurricane Ida. The suit names nursing homeowner Bob Dean and the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Haley’s client is Darlene Franklin, who is currently in a nursing home in New Roads.

Cut 10 (10)    a victim.” 

Haley says LDH should be held responsible since they approved the evacuation plan in which seven have now died.

The Saints started the 2021 season with an impressive 38-3 victory over the Green Bay Packers in a game held in Jacksonville, Florida Linebacker Demario Davis hopes their win over one of the top teams in the NFC is uplifting for those who are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida…

Cut 13 (09)    we’re one”

Most of Southwest Louisiana is under a Flash Flood Watch as Tropical Storm Nicholas heads up the southeast Texas coast.  Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says the amount of rain the Bayou State could see could climb as high as 20 inches and storm surge could be an additional problem.

Cut 3 (11) “..feet above normal.”

In Tangipahoa Parish, a Loranger man is charged with aggravated assault of a utility worker after branding a gun and threatening a lineman. TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis says it happened Friday evening on Highway 445 after 35-year-old Kendrick James refused to yield to a utility crew restoring power.

Cut 6 (12) “…of a utility worker.” 

More than two weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up southeast Louisiana, for the most part, the lights still aren’t back on for homes and businesses in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.  Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May, the repairs will be slow going for the time being.

Cut 13 (11) “…get back on.”

According to the Louisiana Public Service Commission as of this morning, 119-thousand customers remain without power.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it looks as if COVID hospitalizations peaked in mid-August during the 4^th wave, but he worries progress could be lost due to families having to shelter outside their homes during Ida. Kanter says while the numbers are encouraging, we must remain vigilant with COVID mitigation.

Cut 12 (11) “…future increases.”  

LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack opposes the Biden administration’s policy requiring employers with 100 or more workers to require COVID vaccines. Waguespack says mandating vaccinations is not the role of the federal government.

Cut 7 (10) “..should be doing”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discussed 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 failed to hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors and has since been cleared. Davis denies an AP report he personally visited the Union Parish D-A in an effort to keep troopers involved in Greene’s death were not criminally charged…

Cut 13 (08)    of my employees”

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 9 (05) “…if we can.” 

The oiled birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. Wiebe says their stay there depends on the condition of the bird.

According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical wave off the Atlantic coast of Central America has a 70-percent chance of formation in the next two days. By late in the weekend heavy rains could reach the western gulf coast including coastal Texas and Louisiana through mid-week. The significant rainfall could result in flash flooding for the Bayou State.