Some reality TV at its most dramatic can be seen on Animal Planet this weekend as Louisiana wildlife agents rescue people and animals from the impacts of Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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Scammers are making the rounds, trying to rip off FEMA with fraudulent claims related to Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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This weekend Animal Planet will be airing Louisiana Law: In The Eye Of Hurricane Ida. Ed Pratt with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries tells us it’s a broad stroke look at what wildlife agents did during the storm to help victims and Ida’s impact on them too.

Cut 3 (08) “….rescue other people.”

The show, which follows the agents’ missions before and after Ida’s landfall, airs Sunday at 8 p.m. and will also stream on Discovery+.

Pratt indicates the show is impactful only in a way that can visually be appreciated.

Cut 4 (07) “…to higher ground.”

Pratt says in one instance a family was dealing with extensive damage to their home, and while not wishing to be rescued, they did ask for something so simple as a broom for cleanup purposes.

Cut 5 (10) “…said a broom.”

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and at the beginning of the pandemic many had to delay their annual screenings, but Ochsner Health Radiologist Maverick LeBlanc says for the most part patients have returned to their getting their annual mammograms.

Cut 6 (11) “…screening mammogram.” 

Leblanc says earlier detection increases your survival rate.

LeBlanc says if for some reason you’ve noticed a change in your breast since your last mammogram to always notify your healthcare provider so they can schedule a mammogram.

Cut 7 (11) “…checked out.”  

Annual mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 but LeBlanc says no matter your age if you notice anything out of the ordinary to contact your physician.

LeBlanc says even though some cancers grow faster than others it’s always best to have annual screenings, so radiologists can compare your previous screenings and he highly encourages women to return to regular screenings if they haven’t already.

Cut 8 (12) “…affected.”

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Scammers are filing false Ida claims with FEMA on homes in the state in an effort to collect money. FEMA spokesperson Nate Custer says they send out inspectors to check on claims and when they knock on the door some homeowners tell them they’ve never filed with the agency.

Cut 9 (10) “….scam from FEMA” 

The FEMA inspector will then file a report that a false claim has been filed on your property and you can also call their Disaster Fraud Line at 1-866-720-5721

Custer says the fraud perpetrated by scammers against FEMA after Ida can hurt the legitimate owner of a home seeking assistance from the agency

Cut 10 (10)  “…do all along.” 

Custer says these scammers need to know that local authorities are looking into their efforts to rip FEMA off and cause problems for actual Ida victims.

Cut  11 (12)  “…if you will.”  

To report scams, fraud and identity theft you can contact the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

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LSU will try to knock off an undefeated Kentucky team on Saturday night when they face the 16th ranked Wildcats in Lexington. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says it’s not a fluke that Kentucky is 5-and-0 on the year….

Cut 12 (12) “..zone play”  

LSU ranks 128th in the country in rushing the football. Orgeron says his offensive line is capable of opening holes for the running games, he believes there needs to be more of a commitment to a ground game…

Cut 13 (13) “..the ball”

Kentucky has been very good at stopping the opposing team’s running game, holding opponents to just over 100 yards rushing a game. Wildcats coach Mark Stoops expects LSU to try and run the football, so they will load the box with defenders…

Cut 14 (12) “..explosive runs” 

The latest annual economic outlook for Louisiana’s future is a mixed bag as we hear from reporter Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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An online survey of more than 10-thousand conducted by LSU and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls find most Americans comply with COVID precautions. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine trials are taking place in Louisiana to see how children 5 to 11 years old react to the medication.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Economist Loren Scott is out with his annual economic outlook of where Louisiana’s economy is headed. He tells us his team expects the state to add 110-thousand jobs over the next two years.

Cut 4 (11) “…to then shutdown.”

So, in essence, Scott says the state should get all of the jobs it lost due to the pandemic shut down by the end of 2023.

As for the addition of new jobs in the state, Scott says New Orleans should do well and Baton Rouge will be getting a big shot in the arm from a major project.

Cut 5 (09) “…win for us.”

And Scott says there are upwards of eight billion dollars in industrial projects that have been announced that he believes will occur.

Scott says cities located north of I-10 may not do as well in the economic area, while Lake Charles, located along I-10, is struggling to dig itself out of a hole from Covid and some devastating storms.

Cut 6 (10) “…May of ’21.”

He says one of the problems for Lake Charles is that only a trickling of federal dollars has slowly come into the city more than a year out from the storms.

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A joint survey led by researchers at LSU and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls shows that most Americans routinely take precautions against COVID, except when they are at home. LSU Sociology professor and co-director of the study  Wesley Shrum says a large majority of those surveyed comply with the 32 specific precautions listed to help prevent catching COVID.

Cut 7 (07) “…pandemic.”

The online survey, of more than 10-thousand that took place over 13 days in August, indicates that most Americans comply with wearing face masks, social distancing, and handwashing. Of the approximate 250 in the survey that contracted COVID, Shrum says they trace their illness to their own home.

Cut 8 (10) “…live with.”

While Schrum acknowledges the survey findings might be surprising due to media attention on those who protest compliance, but he says another key takeaway is what those surveyed do in public versus private and how it is impacting their ability to catch COVID.

Cut 9 (11)  “…live with.”

Shrum says despite political differences most Americans are following the recommended precautions, but as far as social distancing in their home it’s extremely difficult to avoid people you live with.

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After being closed to the public for more than a year Louisiana’s only chimpanzee sanctuary Chimp Haven is holding a series of events so the public can learn more about the unique facility. Communication Specialist Diane Radloff says the sanctuary offers a refuge for more than 300 chimps who were in research laboratories before.

Cut 10 (11)  “…the wild.” 

Radloff says the Chimp Chat series is a two-hour event where participants can learn more about the sanctuary and receive an exclusive tour.

Cut 11 (08) “…admission is $75.”

Chimp Haven is located 22 miles southwest of Shreveport within the Eddie D. Jones Nature Park in Keithville. Radloff says visitors will not only get a glance at the Chimp Life on the 200 acres…

Cut 12 (10) “…chimpanzees.”

For more information on the Chimp Chat series, you can visit ChimpHaven.org

Event dates and times are October 22nd 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., October 23rd 10 a.m. to noon, November 13th 10 a.m. to noon, and 2. p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Ochsner is taking part in a vaccine trial that could lead to children ages 5-11 years old getting Pfizer COVID shots. Dr. William Lennarz, System Chair for Pediatrics for Ochsner Health, says the shot is different in the amount administered to this group of children.

Cut 13 (10) “…I’m referring to.”

While final results and FDA approval will depend on the total of the vaccine being administered at Ochsner and other sites around the country Dr. Lennarz knows of no adverse problems with the children receiving the shot in Louisiana thus far.

Cut 14 (08)  “…effects in children.”

As to what happens with the results for the vaccine trial at Ochsner, Lennarz says those will be considered along with results from other locations in the nation.

Cut 15 (10)  “…value is there.”

And Dr. Lennarz believes it’s important for the 5-to-11 age group to receive the Covid vaccine saying they’re the most vulnerable group and critical to addressing the further spread of the virus.

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14th ranked Southeastern Louisiana heads down to Thibodaux tomorrow to take on 25th ranked Nicholls at John L Guidry Stadium. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the Colonels have a three-headed monster on offense, quarterback Lindsey Scott, receiver Dai’Jean (day-jhon) Dixon, and running back Julien Gums…

Cut  16 (23) “…productive player.”

Gums needs 103 yards to become the school’s all-time leading rusher. Scelfo says defensively they need to keep Scott in the pocket because his legs are also a weapon…

Cut 17 (11) “..pretty quick.” 

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The Saints are at the Washington Football Team on Sunday. In four games this season, Quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown for just 613 yards. There’s talk that Coach Sean Payton doesn’t trust Winston enough to let him throw more passes. Winston says it’s his job to fit in…
Cut.. 18 (22)”…earn it.”

Through four games this season, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan is still looking for his sack. Jordan says he’s not caught up on individual stats, especially after a poor performance by the defense last week…

Cut 19 (22)  “…defensive line.” 

The long-anticipated disaster relief funding receives passage in DC. Kevin Gallagher has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A wedding attended by about 150 people in Abbeville is drawing more attention to such gatherings being potential super-spreader events for the coronavirus.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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AstraZeneca is hoping their monoclonal antibody treatment will receive emergency use authorization in the effort to help end the pandemic. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The long-awaited disaster relief funding has been approved by Congress and Senator Bill Cassidy says there’s about $600-million allotted for southwest Louisiana.

Cut 4 (11) “…not enough.”

As for Hurricane Ida disaster-related funding, Cassidy estimates there’s around a billion for the state.

Cut 5 (10) “…December.”

Cassidy says while there are funds in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that could be used to assist southwest Louisiana, he admits it’s going to be an uphill battle on Capitol Hill to get additional funding for housing-related to Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Cut 6 (06) “…shall do so.”

Republican congressmen Steve Scalise and Mike Johnson were the only members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to vote against the funding resolution, which passed the Senate, 65-35, and the House, 254-175.

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State health officials are confirming a Covid-19 outbreak at a wedding in Abbeville late last month. It happened on September 25 at the L’Eglise with about 150 people in attendance. Several people developed Covid symptoms and tested positive for the virus.  Dr. Tina Stefanski, medical director for Region 4 of the Office Public Health says efforts were undertaken to contact all of the attendees.

Cut 7 (08) “…importantly get tested.”

Dr. Stefanski says there is concern that wedding attendees could further spread what has been an all too often deadly virus.

Cut 8 (10) “…home get tested.”

According to Dr. Stefanski, the best way to protect yourself against Covid-19 in group gatherings like the Abbeville wedding is to get vaccinated, especially if you are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

Cut 9 (09)  “…your best protection.”

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Another offering in the fight against COVID is seeking Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. Astra Zeneca’s first-of-its-kind antibody treatment is used as a preventative from the virus. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Lucio Miele says data in the AZD7442

Cut 10 (06)  “…months.” 

Miele says the monoclonal medication will not be marketed as a substitute for the vaccines but more of an ancillary for those who are unable to be vaccinated because they have cancer or a compromised immune system…

Cut 11 (09) “…the vaccine.”

The drug is a laboratory-made version of the virus-blocking antibodies that help fight off infections and Miele says so far it’s been shown to be long lasting thus will reduce the number of injections one would need.

Cut 12 (10) “…sars COVID-2.”

The FDA has already authorized three other antibody drugs, including two that can be given after a COVID exposure. The AstraZeneca injection is meant to be given as a preventative for COVID.

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A medical center in Louisiana is leading the nation in using innovative robotic technology to diagnose lung cancer. Baton Rouge General pulmonologist Dr. Michael Sanchez says the new Monarch Platform can mean earlier, more accurate detection of lung cancers or pre-cancerous nodules. He says manual bronchoscopes can only be guided so far into the body…:

Cut 13 (11) “…without it.”

Use of Monarch was recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Baton Rouge General wasted no time in getting the platform online. Dr. Sanchez says the robot will lead to safer & quicker diagnoses…:

Cut 14 (08)  “…different lesions.”

(He says a quicker diagnosis leads to greater potential for curing the lung cancer)

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Currently, low-dose CT scans are the primary method of diagnosis. Dr. Sanchez says the robotic Monarch Platform can move in ways a human guiding a scope simply cannot…:

Cut 15 (05)  “…lot more precision.”

(Monarch was installed Tuesday at B.R. General and should be in service on patients by early November.)

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LSU let one get away last Saturday when they lost to Auburn at home for the first time since 1999. Tigers center Liam Shanahan says they can’t dwell on that defeat with a trip to 16th ranked Kentucky on Saturday

Cut  16 (15) “…upcoming week.”

The offensive line has been a weakness for this team, but Shanahan believes they are close to executing at a much higher level…

Cut 17 (14) “..we can do.” 

LSU is a three-point underdog heading into Saturday’s game against Kentucky. The Wildcats are 5-0 on the season, but Shanahan says the Tigers are not lacking confidence…

Cut.. 18 (15)”…beat them.”

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ULM is getting ready to host Georgia State this Saturday at 7 PM. The Warhawks enter the contest with a 2-and-2 record after getting crushed by 15th ranked Coastal Carolina 59 to 6 last week. ULM coach Terry Bowden says Coastal was the more talented team…

Cut 19 (18)  “…didn’t match up.” 

Bowden says quarterback Rhett Rodriguez will not play again this week after suffering a collapsed lung on September 26th. He says Chandler Rogers will start again at quarterback this Saturday after throwing for just 100 yards against Coastal…

Cut 20 (11)  “…can do.”