An HBO documentary looks at Katrina but from the perspective of children who lived through it. Brooke Thorington has more from the filmmaker of Katrina Babies.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

It’s been one year since Hurricane Ida made landfall – devastating Lafourche Parish. Kevin Gallagher reports on the parish’s recovery…:

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

The annual late summer swarms of love bugs are showing up in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby says there’s no escape.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

________________________________________________

It was 17 years ago today when Hurricane Katrina made landfall, and filmmaker Edwards Buckels’ documentary “Katrina Babies,” tells a story many haven’t heard, it’s from the perspective of children who lived through it. Buckles says he found a common theme when he interviewed others like himself.

Cut 4 (08)  “…of New Orleans.”

And while the city has rebuilt, Buckels says the emotional well-being of the children who lived Katrina and lost their homes, sense of community, and security, for many, remains adrift. Buckles says it was when he asked himself why the city is so overrun with crime, that it inspired his documentary.

Cut 5 (08) “…that film.”

For himself and others in the film, Buckels says it’s been therapeutic to finally talk about their experience. He hopes it’s an example going forward to recognize that children often hide and bury their trauma and if not addressed it can manifest itself later.

Cut 6 (07)  “…single day.”

“Katrina Babies” is now streaming on HBO/Max.

________________________________________________

Today marks one year since the landfall of Category 4 Hurricane Ida. Lafourche Parish was among those hit hardest by the storm’s winds and storm surge. A year later, Parish President Archie Chaisson says (and he uses the term loosely) “we’re getting back to normal”

Cut 7 (10) “…recovery process.”

Chaisson says about 25-hundred households in Lafourche still live in temporary housing. He says areas that looked like a war zone in Ida’s aftermath, are starting to look more normal again.

Cut 8 (10)  “…recreational activities.”

Chaisson says many homeowners are still struggling with their insurance companies to get their homes rebuilt. Others are finding new coverage, after having been dropped by one of the many companies to exit Louisiana. He says Lafourche just received a $50-million Community Development Block Grant to help with rebuilding

Cut 9 (11)  “…like that.”

_______________________________________________

New research from LSU shows that climate change had a big impact on flooding from Hurricane Harvey, which caused massive flooding in Houston in 2017.  LSU sociology professor Kevin Smiley is the study’s lead author.

Cut 10 (09) “…from climate change.”

But Smiley says the study goes even further. For the first time, scientists have found that climate change-fueled flooding hit low-income Hispanic neighborhoods the hardest.

Cut  11 (09)  “…Latino residence” 

Smiley says low-income neighborhoods grew up along Houston’s waterways and petrochemical corridor. Smiley says the study points researchers in the direction of future studies to see if similar impacts occur in other cities.

Cut 12 (10) “…damage from flooding.” 

Smiley says there’s a clear climate and environmental justice story about the location of poor neighborhoods.

________________________________________________

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s an explosion of love in the air. Love bugs. LSU etymologist Aaron Ashbrook says love bugs are prolific procreators.

Cut 13 (07) “..larvae in there.”

That’s 100 to 350 larvae. From one mating. Ashbrook says the summer’s heavy rains make welcome environments for the baby bugs.

Cut 14 (03)  “…much better”.

He says we have a lot of large swarms this year because of moist leaves and other organic matter. And he adds as much as they are a nuisance, they aren’t a threat to humans. In fact, they’re an important part of the food chain.

Cut 15 (07)  “…I think.”

Ashbrook says they mate for twelve hours, but after they detach the female lays eggs and then they die.

________________________________________________

We are now less than a week away from Brian Kelly making his debut as the head coach of the Fighting Tigers. Kelly has brought in dozens of new players. One of those guys is cornerback Mekhi Garner, who transferred in from U-L Lafayette…

Cut 16 (16)  “..this staff.”

Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse is also a new edition. The Shreveport native transferred in from Oklahoma State and he can’t wait to wear the Purple and Gold in New Orleans….

Cut 17 (07) “..ready to go” 

LSU’s biggest strength is its defensive line and linebacker Greg Penn the Third says it’s an impressive group, especially at defensive tackle…

Cut  18 (13)“…playing good”

_____________________________________________________________    

The preseason schedule is over and now the Saints need to get their roster from 83 to 53-player by three o’ clcok on Tuesday. Coach Dennis Allen believes after the cuts are made, he’ll have a very solid group…

Cut 19 (19) “…got that”

The Saints concluded the preseason with a 27-10 win over the Chargers on Friday. Jameis Winston returned to the field for the first time since tearing his ACL last October. Allen says Winston looked sharp as he led the team down the field on a touchdown drive…

Cut 20 (22) “ …together” 

A preliminary settlement in the class-action lawsuit against Bob Dean and the botched nursing home evacuation during Hurricane Ida has been reached. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The attorney for a woman who was refused an abortion in Louisiana even though her fetus has an unformed skull is calling on the legislature to hold a special session and clarify the law. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announces a 25-million dollar grant from the federal government that will go towards cleaning up abandoned wells. D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges says they can begin spending the money on October 1st

Cut 3 (10) “…really well” 

D-N-R says Louisiana’s orphaned well count is around 45-hundred. That number has grown considerably in recent years due to operators going out of business or abandoning the site due to state regulations.

Courreges says the federal funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the federal government has indicated states will receive additional funding in the coming months….

Cut 4  (11) “…dealing with.”

Most of the orphaned wells are in north Louisiana with 31 hundred of the 45-hundred current abandoned well sites in the Shreveport and Monroe areas. Courreges says these wells become an environmental hazard over time…

Cut 5  (09) “..methane.”

DNR is seeking qualified contractors to plug, cap and reclaim these orphaned wells.

________________________________________________

A preliminary settlement has been reached in the class-action lawsuit against Bob Dean over the evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to a warehouse last year during Hurricane Ida. Blair Constant, one of the attorneys representing patients, says a trial date of October 3^rd has been set.

Cut 6 (09) “…the court.” 

Which equates to approximately $17- thousand for each patient.

The class-action lawsuit is seeking restitution for the 843 nursing home residents who experienced deplorable conditions at the Tangipahoa warehouse after the category 4 storm made landfall a year ago Monday. Constant says reaching a settlement in such a short time frame is rare.

Cut 7 (08) “…from now.” 

Family members of some of the nursing home patients appeared at a news conference Thursday and while many said no amount of money can make up for the suffering caused by Dean, Constant says they hope this keeps others from suffering in the future.

Cut 8 (08) “…happen again.”

Dean has since lost his nursing home licenses and is also facing other civil and criminal lawsuits.

______________________________________________

Attorney Ben Crump is calling on the state Legislature to hold a special session to address the state’s abortion ban law. Crump represents Nancy Davis who was denied an abortion in Louisiana despite being told her baby had Acrania, a lethal condition for the fetus in which the skull does not fully form. Crump says this is the type of medical exemption in which an abortion should be allowed in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…actually clear.”

Davis says doctors were afraid of being charged criminally if they performed the abortion, so she’s going out of state next week to have a two-day procedure. Davis appeared at the press conference with her partner and three children. She says the ordeal has been heartbreaking and mentally exhausting.

Cut 10 (06) “..this diagnosis” 

Louisiana law imposes harsh penalties on doctors who perform newly-illegal abortions. Doctors can face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Crump says the Legislature needs to act as soon as possible because of other women in similar situations who will suffer if the law isn’t changed.

Cut 11 (10)  “.beautiful mother”

The governor’s office has not said if Governor Edwards is considering calling a special session to clarify the law.

___________________________________________________

A petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office, as she faces criticism for a taxpayer funded trip to France.  Also Cantrell showed up in court in support of a 14-year-old convicted carjacker and his family. Stephanie Uddo was one of his victims, and says Cantrell’s appearance was an unpleasant surprise…:

Cut 12 (09) “….for us.”  

The recall petition claims that Cantrell has shown a “failure to put New Orleans first and execute the responsibilities of the position.”

Wednesday afternoon, Cantrell addressed growing anger about her choice. She said the teen’s family asked for her support. Of the victims, Cantrell said, “I did say God bless you, that means something to me, may be not to you, but that means something to me.” Uddo says that felt to her like an attack, and she feels victimized all over again…:

Cut 13 (10) “as a weapon.” 

The mayor says she “didn’t take sides”, but Uddo disagrees. Uddo says Cantrell reached out to the perpetrator and his family, but never her. The mayor’s office says she didn’t know how. Uddo says Cantrell apparently didn’t want to

Cut 14 (13)  “..poor explanation.” 

Uddo and other victims would like an apology from Cantrell. The recall effort must garner signatures from 20% of people eligible to vote in Orleans Parish within 6 months to get on a ballot.