The attorney for nearly 200 nursing home patients who were moved to a dirty, hot warehouse as Hurricane Ida approached is protesting a judge’s decision to settle a class action lawsuit in the case. Marsanne Golsby has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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All of Louisiana’s U.S. House members have won re-election, without need of a runoff. We got some reaction from some, as the results came in…:

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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No drama on election night in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An attorney for nearly 200 nursing home patients who were housed in a hot filthy, warehouse during Hurricane Ida says a judge’s decision to settle a class action lawsuit is extremely unfair. Before Ida hit, nursing home owner Bob Dean moved more than 800 elderly and frail people from his nursing  homes into the warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish.

Attorney Morris Bart represents 180 of those patients in individual lawsuits. He adamantly opposes the settlement, handed down by a Jefferson Parish judge.

Cut 4 (06)  “…people who died.”

Attorneys estimate between one and two hundred of those patients have died since Ida. Dean is facing multiple criminal charges in connection with the incident.

Cut 5 (09) “…urine and feces.”

Bart says the class action lawsuit superseded the individual lawsuits and the settlement was forced on his clients over his objections. He estimates each patient would only receive around $10,000 at the most if the settlement stands, in a case he says is worth six figures for each patient. Dean’s attorneys argue he can’t afford to pay more.

Cut 6 (09)  “…in Georgia.” 

One of Dean’s attorneys says he’s lost everything. Court records say Dean has dementia, short-term memory issues, and bipolar disorder.

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One of Louisiana’s six U.S. House members got to relax on watch Election Night. That’s because District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson, of Shreveport, was re-elected by default when no one chose to run against him. Johnson says he’s humbled by that, and he looks forward to getting to work in a Republican-led Congress in 2023…:

Cut 7 (08) “…to the people again.”

Johnson says he wants to work to revitalize Louisiana’s oil & gas industry and he’ll work to ease inflation for everyone. He says he hopes gridlock can be avoided over the next two years, with the President vetoing every bill sent his way…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…be repeated now.”

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Incumbent Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow has won re-election to a 2^nd term in office. Letlow took an early and broad lead Tuesday night and her four challengers – two fellow Republicans and two Democrats – never drew close. Letlow says she is thrilled to go back to D.C. in 2023 as part of a GOP House majority…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…new IRs agents.”

Letlow will have a seat on the prestigious House Appropriations Committee, where all federal spending plans begin…:

Cut 10 (08) “…do just that.” 

Letlow says she’ll also work to improve education.

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As expected, Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy won a second term in office, receiving over 60-percent of the vote. Kennedy says the margin of victory takes his breath away…

Cut  11 (12)      my gratitude” 

Democrat and Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers finished second in the race, receiving about 17-percent of the vote and Democrat Luke Mixon got 12-percent. Kennedy congratulated his opponents for the campaigns they ran and left his supporters at his election night party with this message…

Cut 12 (15) “…grab for it.” 

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No major surprises on election night in Louisiana as U-S Senator John Kennedy won re-election to a second term without the need of a run-off. Twelve people signed up to challenge Kennedy, but he still received over 60-percent of the vote. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says his Democratic challengers lacked funding…

Cut 13 (10) “…decent race.”

Congressman Clay Higgins faced some opposition to his bid for a fourth term. Fellow Republican Holden Hoggatt received the endorsement of two former Congressmen and U-S Senator John Breaux. But Pinsonat says rural voters in southwest Louisiana back the former law enforcement officer…

Cut 14 (12)  “…Lake Charles”

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter was elected to his first full-term into office. The Democrat received over 75-percent of the vote as he defeated a lone challenger, Republican Dan Lux. Carter says he’ll work for all parties in his district that covers New Orleans, the River Parishes and parts of Baton Rouge…

Cut 15 (12)  “…people of Louisiana”

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The Matt McMahon era of LSU basketball tips off tonight against UMKC. The former Murray State coach inherited a program with only two returning players from last year’s tournament team. McMahon and his staff put together an impressive recruiting class of both transfers and incoming freshmen in a short time in hopes of avoiding a full rebuild. McMahon still has yet to name the starters for tonight but has emphasized the importance of guys earning their spots…

Cut  16 (14)  “…zero minutes a game”

With players responsible for over 90% of points scored for the Tigers last year gone, McMahon expects some growing pains for the young Tigers squad. He says he won’t be too hung up on mistakes in the season opener but a lack of energy and effort is inexcusable as he tries to establish a new culture in Baton Rouge…

Cut 17 (14) “…great joy.”

Tigers fans will be excited to see one new face returning to the team this year. Illinois transfer Adam Miller joined the Tigers last year as a highly anticipated addition before suffering a season ending leg injury. The number 5 freshman scorer in the Big 10 will make his LSU debut in his first game in 19 months. McMahon praised his talent and resilience in his journey back to the court…

Cut 18 (14) “…to do so.” 

Tip-off is at 7:00

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LA Tech beat Middle Tennessee 40-24 this week to improve to 3-6 on the season. Bulldogs quarterback Parker McNeil had an effective outing in his return from injury with 285 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. McNeil has struggled with injuries this season, but Head Coach Sonny Cumbie says he’s one of the toughest players he’s ever coached…

Cut 19 (18) “….his toughness”

The Bulldogs will travel to San Antonio Saturday to face defending Conference USA Champs, UTSA. The Roadrunners are undefeated in conference play behind the stellar play of quarterback Frank Harris who has a perfect 158.3 QBR. Cumbie says it will be a tall task to stop the explosive UTSA offense…

Cut 20 (19) “…his arm”

Kick off in San Antonio is at 2:30

A controversial move by the Louisiana Republican Party last night. The group’s executive committee voted to endorse Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor eleven months before the election. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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After the second high-profile death of an infant, the Department of Children and Families Services was alerted beforehand that he was in possible danger, Secretary Marketa Garner Walters defends her agency. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “… I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Republican Party executive committee voted last night to endorse Attorney General Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race. LA Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford called it historic—and controversial.

Cut 3 (12) “…same thing.” 

Alford says people are upset because the Republican State Central Committee canceled a larger endorsement meeting and the executive committee met digitally last night.  But Alford questions how much the endorsement actually means.

Cut 4 (13) “…in Louisiana politics.” 

Alford says this is a sign of Landry flexing his political muscles a year away from the election. And he believes the Louisiana Republican Party will benefit from Landry’s fundraising skills.  But with all that, he thinks the endorsements might actually backfire. He recalls the 2015 governor’s race when frontrunner David Vitter was hammered by other GOP candidates.

Cut 5 (11) “…repeat of that.” 

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The Department of Children and Family Services is under fire again after news of another infant fentanyl overdose death.  Days before one-year-old J’ahrei Paul of Baton Rouge’s Halloween death, the agency received an anonymous report he was in possible danger. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters was asked by reporters why they waited until Saturday to issue a press release.

Cut 6 (07)  “…can say them. “

Walters says ongoing staffing shortages and a 32-percent increase in child welfare cases in the last six months in the Baton Rouge area alone, are among the reasons this case fell through the cracks.  After telling a Senate Health and Welfare Committee in September the agency had a fail-safe program in place, following the June death of a two-year-old who died of a fentanyl overdose death, Walters says one person will now oversee the assignment of child welfare cases.

Cut 7 (06)  “…of response.”

At the September committee meeting, DCFS presented a seven-step plan to improve the agency’s response to child welfare cases which included the hiring of more caseworkers after the agency experienced a recent decline of approximately 500 employees.  New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes has been extremely critical of Secretary Walters and continues to call for her resignation. Walters says she has no plans to leave her post.

Cut 8 (07)  “…be right here. “

DCFS is holding hiring fairs in an effort to increase the number of employees to handle the ever-growing child welfare caseload.

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It’s getting dark earlier now that we are back on Central Standard Time, and that can make driving home in the evening a little tricky. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says a study done several years ago by Stanford University suggests there is a real, measurable effect of time changes on motorists…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…Savings Time ends.”

Lambert says the drive home will be happening during twilight hours, when visibility is lessened. He says motorists can help avoid accidents with just a few simple steps…:

Cut 10 (11) “…when it’s dark.” 

Lambert says there is statistical increase in traffic accidents on the Monday after a time change; especially when “falling back” to Standard Time.

A lot of folks walk or job in the late afternoon / early evening hours. Lambert has some advice for them to help drivers avoid them. He says, first: where light or reflective clothing…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…against the traffic.”

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There was no multistate Powerball winner Saturday, so the jackpot for tonight’s drawing is a bona fide record setter. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison…:

Cut 12 (06) “….jackpot lottery ever.” 

The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.9-Billion; the largest lottery game jackpot in U.S. history. Annison says excitement is building over the chance to become an instant millionaire…:

Cut 13 (10) “… very exciting times.”  

A single ticket winner selecting a lump-sum cash payment would collect just over $929-million. Annison says tickets sales always surge as the jackpots swell…:

Cut 14 (10)  “..14.4-million.” 

He says at least 25-percent of the money spent here in Louisiana on any and all lottery tickets goes to a help fund K through 12 education.