Twenty years ago today, thousands of people took shelter at the Superdome before Hurricane Katrina unleashed catastrophic damage across southeast Louisiana. The general manager of the Dome at the time, Doug Thornton, rode out the storm in the iconic stadium and witnessed portions of the roof being torn off. A weary Thornton remembers the helicopter ride out of New Orleans

Cut 11 (11) “…my home.”

One reason why the Dome was used as a shelter of last resort, because residents of metro New Orleans only had a couple of days to evacuate from the storm. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasting the track of hurricanes has improved greatly in 20 years…

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

There are two college football games in north Louisiana tonight. ULM begins the second season of the Bryant Vincent era by hosting St. Francis, an FCS School from Pennsylvania.

Northwestern State opens the season by hosting Alcorn State. Second year head coach Blaine McCorkle has a scouting report on the Braves…

Cut 21 (11) “….big up front”

Kick-off is at 7 PM In Turpin Stadium.

The 90^th annual Shrimp and Petroleum Festival gets underway tonight in Morgan City. Festival President Charlie Solar Junior says there will be several events through Labor Day weekend, including a shrimp cook-off Saturday morning.

Cut 5 (06) “…do the contest.”

Solar says all the shrimp sold and consumed at the festival this year will be domestic.

The EPA says the soot and smoke residue from the Smitty’s Supply plant explosion in Roseland poses no imminent threat to public health. But area residents are concerned and the oil and lubricant business is facing several different lawsuits claiming last Friday’s incident has resulted in a health risk.

Another major sporting event is coming to New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Patient Rights Advocate 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. The American Hospital Association says the P-R-A report blatantly mischaracterizes hospitals compliance. But Beth Branley says the report clearly points out that most Louisiana hospitals are failing to comply with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule…

Cut 10 (12) “…many hospitals”

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…

Cut 5 (07) “…more homes built.”

The big news in north Louisiana this week is that Radiance Technologies is building an 80-million dollars microchip packaging site in Ruston. The 40-thousand square foot facility is expected to employ 150 workers. Mayor Ronny Walker hopes Louisiana Tech grads get some of those jobs.

Cut 4 (10) “…around our country.”

Construction is expected to begin next spring with expected completion in the summer of 2027.

Patient Rights Advocate 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. The American Hospital Association says the P-R-A report blatantly mischaracterizes hospitals compliance. But Beth Branley says the report clearly points out that most Louisiana hospitals are failing to comply with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule…

Cut 10 (12) “…many hospitals”

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.”

The Saints kick off the regular season September 7^th at home against Arizona.

LIV Golf will have a tournament in New Orleans next year. The three-day event will take place at the South Course at New Orleans’ City Park, which will be renovated by former LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman. Among the big names expected to play in the tournament is Gulf Coast native Bubba Watson, and he said he can’t wait to play in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…to get here.”

Louisiana Economic Development says the event will generate 40-million dollars to the local economy.

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 create about 150 jobs.

A nonprofit organization known as Patient Rights Advocate 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 Hospitals Association says the Patient Rights Advocate report blatantly mischaracterizes hospitals compliance.

Another major sporting event is coming to New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports two more people have died from a flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus. That’s now six people who have died from the pathogen. L-D-H says the last two fatalities involve people who ate oysters at two separate restaurants, one in Louisiana and the other in Florida.

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.”

As part of our continuing coverage on the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we spoke with former Governor Bobby Jindal, who remembers the battles with the federal government over recovery dollars. He says in 2010 the state finally received 474-million dollars to replace the city’s closed Charity Hospital, which  was used to build a new academic medical center in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (08) “…even before Katrina.”

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 South Course at New Orleans City Park Bayou Oaks will be renovated by LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman.

In Tangipahoa Parish, 54-year-old Barry West is facing four counts of attempted murder after he allegedly shot at another vehicle striking a 17-year-old woman in the head, who was seven months pregnant. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child…

Cut 4 (09) “…we speak.”

But Sticker says the 17-year-old mother is on life support and it’s believed the shooting was sparked by road rage.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has finally decided on a starting quarterback for week one against Arizona on September seventh. It will be Spencer Rattler. Moore explained why this afternoon…

Cut 20 (08) “…showed up”

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Willis Knighton Health is now a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Doctor Lane Rosen says this is great news for northwest Louisiana because it gives Willis Knightons’ patients the resources of The Mayo Clinic at no additional cost…

Cut 11 (13) “….to seven days