Terrebonne Parish does not have a fully functioning hospital since Hurricane Ida came ashore on August 29th. Terrebonne General sustained considerable roof, water, and electrical damage and Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says the Chabert Medical Center in Houma took a significant hit from the storm

Cut 12 (12) “services there”  

There’s great news today for southwest Louisiana residents awaiting much-needed federal dollars for ongoing repairs from Hurricane Laura last year.  Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the White House is requesting Congress send two-point-three-billion-dollars to the region.

Cut 6 (07) “…huge step forward.” 

Hunter says it’ll be a while before the funds are sent due to the number of people that must sign off.

The October primary election could be delayed a month. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the hurricane has created hurdles for the October 9^th primary and while he’s heard from several civic groups in support of postponing the election, he admits he has received feedback from some candidates and advertisers who are not in favor of the postponement.

Cut 5 (10) “…importance.”

The governor is expected to make a decision very soon.

Ten days into the restoration effort, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 345-thousand utility customers in southeast Louisiana are without power. That’s down from more than one million outages after Hurricane Ida roared through the Bayou State. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says they hope to make significant process in St. Charles Parish soon

Cut  11 (12) “..of power.”  

There’s a high probability the October primary in Louisiana will be postponed to November due to Hurricane Ida. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan is to move the primary from October 9^th to November 13^th and the November 13^th election to December 11^th and while October 9^th might seem like enough time there are a number of deadlines that fall before an election.

Cut 4  (12) “..an issue.” 

The governor is expected to decide on the election postponement very soon.

Ten days into the restoration effort, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 345-thousand utility customers in southeast Louisiana are without power. That’s down from more than one million outages after Hurricane Ida roared through the Bayou State. Over 94-percent of the utility customers in Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist Parishes are without power.

The Louisiana Department of Health has taken further action against the owner of the seven nursing homes that evacuated over 800 residents to a Tangipahoa warehouse ahead of Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen has more…

Voicer  3

Senator John Kennedy traveled to southeast Louisiana Tuesday to see the damage firsthand and talk with residents in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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The state may have to consider postponing the October 9^th primary election, which includes three legislative seats, a mayoral election in New Orleans, and two Constitutional amendments. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Ardoin issued a statement that a number of local election officials and civic groups have expressed support for rescheduling the October 9 and November 13 elections.

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The Louisiana Department of Health is taking action after the deaths of at least seven nursing home patients who were among several hundred evacuated to a Tangipahoa warehouse because of Hurricane Ida.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (40)  I’m Dave Brannen” 

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The adverbs to describe the massive destruction left behind by Hurricane Ida are almost endless, Senator John Kennedy who visited Houma and Thibodaux on Tuesday called the damage “breathtaking”, coupled with a lot of “misery”.

Cut 4 (10) “…2005 with Katrina.”

He says he’s thankful we didn’t see a greater loss of life as with Katrina and the less damage and death in New Orleans because the levees held.

Senator Kennedy says that as storm victims deal with short-term problems such as power outages and no internet, housing will be a long-term setback for many.

Cut 5 (11) “…place to live.”

Kennedy says the state’s congressional delegation is together with Governor Edwards on doing a stand-alone bill to provide supplemental disaster housing relief for south Louisiana and those in the northeast hit hard by Ida.

After meeting Tuesday with Ida storm victims in Houma and Thibodaux and helping deliver supplies to them Kennedy appeared ready to admonish President Biden if he didn’t deliver on his promise to do all he can to help victims of Ida.

Cut 6 (07) “…what we need.”

In the meantime, Kennedy is urging people to access the federal government’s Blue Roof program to get their storm-damaged roofs covered with tarps before future rains cause more problems.

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Many displaced Ida residents are waiting on the approval of DSNAP or the disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says for DSNAP to go into effect it is designed to unfold in a sequence due to lack of power and accessibility. The first stage is points of distribution sites for food.

Cut 7 (05) “…assistance.”

The second stage includes distributing household products from their various partners. Walters says it’s a thought-out process because you can’t send out DSNAP cards immediately following a hurricane and or disaster.

Cut 8 (11) “…a reason.”

Walters says they do expect to begin sending out DSNAP funds very soon and she highly encourages you to preregister. Louisiana is also unique and piloted the first virtual SNAP registration during the pandemic.

Cut 9 (11) “…mail to you.”

To receive DSNAP information you can call 2-1-1 or text DSNAP to 898-211.

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Second Harvest Food Bank of Louisiana which serves the greater New Orleans area says they’ve been extremely busy post-Ida both with receiving donations and distributing food.  Second Harvest Spokesperson Jay Vise says they are helping people in some of the most hurricane-impacted areas of southeast Louisiana.

Cut 10 (11) “…as possible.” 

Vise says they’ve also seen donations and assistance come in from all over the US along with food donations from other food banks to help assist those in need from Hurricane Ida. For example donations from Feeding America Foodbanks in Texas, Florida, and middle Tennessee.

Cut 11 (11) “….as well.”

All of the Feeding America Food Banks in the state have been extremely active with the pandemic and now with Ida response.  Vise says they’ve been out to heavily impacted areas like LaPlace and Lafourche providing aid and they are only able to do so due to donations.

Cut 12 (07) “…so much.”  

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The Louisiana Department of Health is taking formal action against seven nursing homes that the state alleges failed to properly evacuate hundreds of nursing home residents as Hurricane Ida approached.  LDH executive counsel, Stephen Russo.

Cut 13 (11) “…to their residents.”

And as such, Russo says the licenses of all seven facilities are being revoked and their Medicaid provider agreements have been terminated.

Hundreds of nursing home residents were evacuated to a warehouse facility in Tangipahoa Parish where conditions in the structure were eventually found by inspectors to have severely deteriorated.  Russo says an initial attempt at inspecting the warehouse was rebuffed.

Cut 14 (11) “nursing homeowner.”

Russo held back on litigating the case in the media, with the evacuation possibly linked to as many as seven patient deaths.

Cut 15 (09)  “..was not met.”

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La Tech is looking forward to Saturday’s home opener against Southeastern Louisiana after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and losing to Mississippi State 35-34. Bulldogs quarterback Austin Kendall says the offense stalled after scoring a touchdown early in the fourth quarter

Cut  16 (16) “…Southeastern.”

Kendall says he wants to be more consistent on offense this week…

Cut 17 (19) “…off.”  

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said after Saturday’s loss to UCLA that he was taking the responsibility for the loss to Bruins. On Tuesday, he talked about the adjustments the coaches have made. LSU could not run the ball against UCLA. Orgeron says they are putting different type of run plays into the playbook

Cut 18 (20)”…help them out.”

Just like last season, LSU gave up big plays in the passing game as the Tigers had trouble covering the crossing routes that UCLA ran. Orgeron believes they’ll defend crossing routes better in the future

Cut 19 (19)  “…fixed that.” 

Orgeron’s defense will go up against Cody Orgeron. Coach O”s son is the starting quarterback for the Cowboys. Ed Orgeron on facing his son…

Cut 20 (25)  “…blocked better.” 

Cody Orgeron threw for a career-high 361 yards in a season-opening loss to West Florida last

Lafourche Parish is continuing to struggle to get its power back on and communications back to some semblance of normal.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Dave Brannen” 

A two-year-old that was reported missing on Labor Day afternoon was found later in the deceased in a swimming pool. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the toddler was located at The Reserve at White Oak apartment complex in Baton Rouge. The case remains under investigation and deputies presume the boy drowned.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are without power. In Orleans Parish, about a quarter of Entergy customers are without power. Entergy VP for Distribution Operations John Hawkins says restoring power to Algiers and Venetian Isles in New Orleans will take some time. He says Venetian Isles is a total rebuild…

Cut 10 (12)    to be replaced” 

The average price per gallon for regular gas in the Bayou State stands at $2.88. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says prices are starting to stabilize but meeting demand has been the biggest hurdle in the state since Ida, especially in areas with power outages. Redman says distribution is the problem.

Cut 7 (09) “…areas”  

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are without power. Power is out for at least 95-percent of the customers in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes. But Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says electricity is flowing again in LaPlace

Cut 9 (08) “…progress” 

Power to the people is still slow to come for a lot of folks in Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne. He says that low water pressure has been also a problem outside the Thibodaux area but most of that has been corrected.

Cut 4  (10) “..in the evening” 

Some Hurricane Ida storm survivors are receiving 500-dollars from FEMA after registering for disaster aid…

Cut 11 (09) “….advantage of this..”
FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says critical needs assistance goes to individuals displaced from their primary residence to help pay for life-sustaining items, like water, food, infant formula, medicine, and fuel.

SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages that affected at least half the residents in the parish. Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at Department of Children and Family Services, Shavana Howard says the USDA approved the waiver.

Cut 13 (11) “…month of August.”

She says they should see that benefit on their card by September 11^th.

Power to the people is still slow to come for a lot of folks in Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne.

Cut 3 (12) “…spotty at best.”

The state health department and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office are looking into the evacuation of over 800 nursing home residents from seven different facilities to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish. Even though L-D-H approved plans to evacuate nursing home residents to that site, state health officials say the plan was not properly executed. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s not easy to evacuate a nursing home, but dozens of facilities did it successfully…

Cut 8 (10) “…safely.”

Power outages from Hurricane Ida have spurred talk of moving power lines underground. Public Service Commission Chairman Doctor Craig Green says he supports studying the feasibility of moving equipment underground, but it will take federal assistance because Louisiana utility customers already believe their rates are high…

Cut 6 (12) “…the table.”

SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at DCFS Shavana Howard says the benefit should be available on their SNAP card by September 11^th and if you aren’t in the 18 parishes but lost power…

Cut 14 (11) “dcfs.la.gov/SNAPstorms.”

Progress continues to be made in getting the power restored after Hurricane Ida. But many are asking why can’t utility companies just move the infrastructure to distribute power underground. Don Molino reports it’s not that easy

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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If you live in a parish impacted by Hurricane Ida, you might be eligible for immediate critical needs assistance of $500. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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SNAP Recipients in 18 parishes will see an increase in their benefits cared to help with food replacement lost during Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The extensive and lengthy power outages from Hurricane Ida have spurred talk of moving power lines below the surface and building an electrical grid system underground. Public Service Commission Chairman Doctor Craig Greene says the cost would be enormous

Cut 4 (12) “…basis is.”

Greene says an underground power system would also not be the end of power outages…

Cut 5 (06) “…panacea.”

Greene says he supports studying the feasibility of moving equipment underground that supplies homes and businesses, but it will take federal assistance because Louisiana utility customers already believe their rates are high…

Cut 6 (12) “…the table.”

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The Times-Picayune and The Advocate reports the Louisiana Department of Health approved Bob Dean’s plans to evacuate as many as 700 nursing home residents to a warehouse in Independence, but L-D-H says the plan was not properly executed for Hurricane Ida. Governor John Bel Edwards had this to say about the situation…

Cut 7 (10) “…hotel room.”

Over 800 nursing home residents ended up at the facility in Independence, 20-percent more than what was submitted to the state. LDH says after landfall, backup generators failed, basic care needs were not met and there was a stench of urine and feces throughout the building. Edwards says it’s not easy to evacuate a nursing home, but there were dozens of other facilities that did it successfully

Cut 8 (10) “…safely.”

The state health department says there have been seven nursing home deaths connected to the evacuation and what happened afterward. Edwards says an investigation is ongoing

Cut 9 (09) “…every turn”

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FEMA is providing financial assistance to applicants with immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary residence.  Those needs include but are not limited to water, food, first aid, medical supplies, and fuel for transportation. FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says those in affected parishes should register for $500 critical needs assistance.

Cut 10 (12) “…unmet needs.” 

You can do so by either calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) but be prepared for long hold times or if you have internet access register at DisasterAssistance.gov. Boland says you can receive the funds by whichever method is most convenient.

Cut 11 (09) “….advantage of this..”

Boland says more than 131 thousand have already received the $500 critical needs assistance with FEMA in Louisiana, the majority of which are from Orleans, St. Tammany, and Jefferson Parishes.

Boland highly encourages those in the affected parishes to register to get immediate relief. Even if you aren’t sure if you are eligible Boland says FEMA will make the determination, but the first step is the register.

Cut 12 (11) “…register anyway.”  

The FEMA designated parishes for assistance include Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes.

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SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages that affected at least half the residents in the parish. Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at Department of Children and Family Services, Shavana Howard says the USDA approved the waiver.

Cut 13 (11) “…month of August.”

Howards says the benefit should be available on their SNAP card by September 11^th. Those living in the affected parishes won’t have to do anything.

Cut 14 (11) “dcfs.la.gov/SNAPstorms.”

Howard says DCFS recognizes that the storm did extensive damage and was responsible for widespread power outages.

Cut 15 (07)“…their families.”

SNAP clients may need to provide documentation from their utility providers verifying the power outage.

The eighteen parishes include Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington.

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It’s Orgeron versus Orgeron when LSU hosts McNeese for the Fighting Tigers home opener in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is looking for a good showing after a season-opening loss to UCLA, while Coach O’s son, Cody Orgeron is the starting Q-B for the Pokes

Cut  16 (15) “…let it fly”

Orgeron started three games in 2018 and became the full-time starter in 2019. This past week,  Orgeron threw for a career-high 361 yards in a season-opening loss to West Florida. Cody’s two other brothers currently serve on LSU’s coaching staff and Cody admits during the summer he gave his twin brother Parker the business…

Cut 17 (19) “…this point”  

McNeese went 3-and-4 during a special spring season. Ed Orgeron attended all of those games. Cody says he wasn’t there to scout the Cowboys

Cut 18 (14)”…for once”

The Louisiana Health Department says the operator of the nursing home homes that evacuated over 800 patients to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish failed to communicate with the state about the dire situation and failed to ask for help. Attorney General Jeff Landry is also pointing the finger at the Edwards Administration. Landry says his Medicaid Fraud Unit was never notified…
cut 14 (12) “…nursing home Patients”
Six nursing home residents evacuated to that facility in Tangipahoa Parish have now died.

A tropical disturbance in the Gulf is expected to stay south of Louisiana and head for Florida, according to forecasters. But the system could bring a significant amount of rain to the Bayou State mid-week The heaviest rain is possible is expected to fall south of Interstate 10.

While southeast Louisiana is in dire need of power and housing for displaced residents, it’s been over a year for southwest Louisiana residents who still need permanent housing after hurricanes Laura and Delta. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s disappointing…

Cut 9 (09) “…we need.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says President Biden told him he’s committed to providing housing for Hurricane Laura and Delta victims in the next federal spending bill that needs to be approved by October 1st. Cassidy says he also spoke with Biden about the proposed infrastructure bill, which has billions dedicated to helping mitigate the power hurdles the state is facing.
Cut 7 (12) “…from power lines.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says his office is launching its own investigation into the deaths of several nursing home residents who were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish that was not equipped to house over 800 residents. Landry says he wants to know the facts that led to these deaths

Cut 12 (07) “…the movement”  

The state health department reports six nursing home residents evacuated to the Tangipahoa facility have died The Advocate reports LDH approved the warehouse as an evacuation site, but a spokesperson for the state’s health agency says the plan was not executed properly.

After the President’s visit to Louisiana to tour devastation left in the path of Hurricane Ida, Senator Bill Cassidy says Biden has pledged assistance to both southeast and southwest Louisiana.

Cut 6 (09) “…to both.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is putting out a call for volunteers or donations to assist with storm recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ida.  Nungesser says volunteers will be needed for an extensive period of time and people can find volunteer opportunities at volunteerlouisiana.gov/disaster-services

Cut 4 (09) “…kind of service”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state has supported southwest Louisiana as much as fiscally possible but the bulk of the funding the area desperately needs for permanent housing must be approved by Congress

Cut 11 (08) “…southwest Louisiana.”

Ida is now the fifth hurricane to impact the Bayou State during the pandemic and the fifth most powerful hurricane to hit the U-S.

If you want to donate money or volunteer to help in the Hurricane Ida recovery go to volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov. Dave Brannen has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

For FEMA assistance call 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov. The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed another Ida-related death bringing the storm’s death toll to 13. A 74-year-old man in New Orleans died as a result of the heat

Senator Bill Cassidy says has talked with former New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond, who works with the Biden Administration. Cassidy says their meeting left him hopeful the current administration will assist with the recovery.

Cut 8 (12) “…say that.”

Last January, Louisiana requested $3 billion to address unmet recovery needs after Hurricane Laura.

Hurricane Ida not only jolted southeast Louisiana, but its journey north has also claimed over 45 lives in the Northeast.  With national attention on the hurricane, Governor John Bel Edwards hopes it will rally Congress to approve funding for both areas of the state.

Cut 10 (10) “…in Congress.”