AT&T has faced heavy criticism for its response to Hurricane Ida and today a PSC member tried to get answers. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Louisiana’s health department is confirming that another child has died as a result of the fourth surge of Covid-19 in the state.  It marks the seventh pediatric death of a child between the ages of 12 and 17.  No other information was released in connection with the death.

More than 26-thousand calls were taken during the first two days for DSNAP interviews. 25 parishes are eligible for disaster food stamps however interviews for the parishes are not held on the same weeks. In an effort to reduce hold times DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard urges callers to visit their webpage and only call on their designated day.

Cut 7 (10) “…the help.”  

To receive DSNAP the first step is to pre-register online, then call in on your specified day.

Congressman Troy Carter is among those who voted Monday to approve the Extending Government Funding and Disaster Assistance Act.  He says the bill provides crucial funding for disaster recovery in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…across this nation.”

The bill is part of a larger package dealing with funding the government and increasing the debt ceiling.

An AT&T representative told the Public Service Commission today the company’s response was immediate and their restoration efforts were robust in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. But P-S-C Member Eric Skrmetta doesn’t believe the customer should be the ones requesting credits for the days without AT&T service

Cut 10 (12)  “…investigation” 

A Benton woman is facing 16 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after a tip led Bossier Sheriff’s investigators to a horse training center behind Benton Intermediate School early Monday. Deputy Rod White says three horses were found dead inside a dump trailer, while 13 additional horses were discovered malnourished and lacking water.

Cut 13 (08) “…things were showing.”

White says the woman, 52-year-old Sandra Blackmon Driscoll, had her bond set at 100-thousand-dollars.

Congressman Garret Graves is concerned for the fate of much-needed federal dollars for hurricane recovery aid in Louisiana.  He says the amount proposed is less than two billion dollars and is earmarked for disasters across the nation.  He minces no words with the move by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to intertwine disaster recovery with substantially increasing the debt limit on federal spending.

Cut 4  (10) “..pill in there.” 

Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the seasonal change. In other words, goodbye warm weather, at least for now. Keim says the fall-like weather will gradually make its way into the state over the next few days.

Cut 9 (07)  “…pouring in here.”

And after the cool front moves through, it’ll be followed by somewhat warmer temperatures moving into the 80s by the weekend.

Entergy is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a five-dollar monthly surcharge for repair work from the 2020 hurricane season and February winter storms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to address proposals to increase debt spending and pass a disaster relief bill, with Senator Bill Cassidy most interested in getting assistance to storm victims in South Louisiana.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Tigeraire the Louisiana startup that created helmet fans for the LSU Tigers has signed on with a major venture capital firm to expand. Brooke Thorington

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

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Entergy Louisiana is seeking to add a $5 surcharge to customer’s bills to pay almost $2.1 billion in repair work following hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta, and February’s winter storms.  Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer says the average customer will pay the monthly surcharge for the next fifteen years.

Cut 4 (09) “…the same thing.”

Entergy presented their surcharge proposal before a Joint Legislative Commerce Committee meeting at the capitol Monday. Entergy customers already pay a monthly surcharge for damages caused by hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Isaac. Charges for Gustav are expected to roll off next year.

Kleehammer says they expect to ask for a similar surcharge for Ida in the future.

Cut 5 (12) “…this year.”

Entergy customers paid monthly surcharges for Katrina and Rita for approximately ten years.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggested the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about their preventative maintenance of utility poles and equipment.

Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”

Entergy submitted the most recent surcharge request for the 2020 hurricanes and this year’s winter storms to the Public Service Commission for approval that won’t be voted on for at least another eight months.

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Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the seasonal change. In other words, goodbye warm weather, at least for now.

Cut 7 (11) “…in some cases.”

The cooler weather is expected to be a welcome relief for those recovering from Ida as they make repairs to their damaged properties.

Keim says this package of relief from the heat should be fairly noticeable.

Cut 8 (08) “…be glorious outside.”

Keim says the fall-like weather will gradually make its way into the state over the next few days.

Cut 9 (07)  “…pouring in here.”

And after the cool front moves through, it’ll be followed by somewhat warmer temperatures moving into the 80s by the weekend, but nothing like the temps of summer that we’ve left behind at least temporarily.

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Senator Bill Cassidy says efforts are underway to pass the disaster supplemental bill before the end of the fiscal year September 30.

Cut 10 (09)  “…not be addressed.” 

He says the federal funding is way overdue and needed to offset the funding needs following the destruction caused to South Louisiana by hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida.

When asked about the pending action on the question of raising the debt ceiling, Cassidy is clear on what in the final analysis needs to be done regardless of what happens.

Cut 11 (11) “…for disaster relief.”

Cassidy says there’s one thing that he doesn’t want Senator Majority leader Chuck Schumer to do when it comes to getting support for a disaster relief package.

Cut 12 (12) “…doesn’t do that.”

Cassidy prefers a separate disaster relief bill that he seems confident will pass both chambers of Congress.

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A Louisiana startup company that created interior helmet fans for the LSU football team when they added face shields for COVID has signed with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm as their lead investor. Jack Karavich is the founder and CEO of Tigeraire the company that created the helmet fans known as the Cyclone.

Cut 13 (09) “…all the time.”

General Catalyst, the venture capital firm behind Venmo, Airbnb, and TikTok is now investing in the hot new company that keeps players cool. This makes Tigeraire the first company in the state to ever attract a seed round investment from a Global Top 50 Venture Capital firm.

Karavich says LSU football players use the Tigeraire Cyclone during practice and game time.

Cut 14 (11)  “…their best.”

Karavich says the two fans in the helmet produce the equivalent of up to a 25 mile per hour breeze over a player’s face and for the players that like to wear visors, they’ve been able to tweak the fans to help reduce fogging.

Since Tigeraire began making headlines, Karavich says LSU alums in the construction industry have even requested a Cyclone model for hardhats to help keep their workers cool.

Cut 15 (09)  “…year actually.”

In addition to LSU, Karavich says they just sent a shipment of Cyclone fans to starters at Texas A&M.

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After three games, LSU sophomore defensive end BJ Ojulari leads the nation in sacks with 4.5. He recorded 2.5 sacks in the win over Central Michigan. Ojulari says he’s picked up great pass-rushing skills from fellow teammates and coaches…

Cut  16 (22) “…to get better.”

LSU senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says on how Ojulari has gotten better since arriving on campus…

Cut 17 (21) “…coming in.” 

Through three games, LSU is averaging just three yards a carry and they have 257 rushing yards a game. But Quarterback Max Johnson liked what he saw from the running game in the second half of Saturday’s game against Central Michigan as freshman Corey Kiner performed well…

Cut 18 (14)”…be fun.”

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The ULM football team celebrated its first win since November 23rd, 2019 when the Warhawks beat Jackson State 12 to seven on Saturday. Coach Terry Bowden says ending a 12-game losing streak was great, now it’s time to start winning some Sun Belt games…

Cut 19 (25)  “…with Troy.” 

ULM has started Rhett Rodriguez in the first two games, but Chandler Rogers played in the second half in Saturday’s win against Jackson State. Rogers only completed one pass but helped the offense move the ball by running the ball. Bowden has not announced a starter for Troy

Cut 20 (30)  “…downfield” 

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit over extended outages caused by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has the story…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Thorington”

A 15-year-old girl is in custody in Caddo Parish for allegedly making a threat over social media.  Sheriff Steve Prator says students and staff reported a bomb threat against Byrd High School yesterday afternoon.  A full sweep of the campus was made but no bomb was found. Authorities say the teen used another classmate’s social media account to make the threat. She’s charged with terrorizing.

Two lawsuits are now making their way through state court that allege that mandates issued by Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of the Lourdes Regional Medical Center violate the state constitution by forcing nurses and staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says the court filing is a first step in trying to halt the implementation of the vaccine mandate for the hospital workers named as plaintiffs in the lawsuits.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

State Representative Tanner Magee of Houma told a legislative committee Monday that 13-thousand homes in Terrebonne Parish have been destroyed or significantly damaged by Ida.  Magee says while FEMA has offered an alternative housing option for Ida victims in Terrebonne, he says that option doesn’t exist at the present.

Cut  11 (10)  “…parish is booked.”  

The post-Ida misery continues. State Representative Tanner Magee of Houma told a legislative committee Monday that 13-thousand homes in Terrebonne Parish have been destroyed or significantly damaged. He says 68-percent of residences along the dividing line of the parish are not habitable, and owners are working through the difficulty

Cut 9 (08) “…make shift structure” 

Two lawsuits are now making their way through state court that allege that mandates issued by Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of the Lourdes Regional Medical Center violate the state constitution by forcing nurses and staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says the court filing is a first step in trying to halt the implementation of the vaccine mandate.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from some of the utility’s customers. As many as 902-thousand lost power following the storm. Attorney Juan LaFonta says Entergy has failed to upgrade lines in the past even when recommended to do so, thus making them more vulnerable during a storm.

Cut 5 (12) “…monopoly going.”

Entergy says it doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

The mayors of Shreveport and Lake Charles have made a friendly wager that their city can get more residents vaccinated for COVID than the other. Mayors Adrian Perkins and Nic Hunter have set Halloween as the deadline to get the most first dose vaccinations. Both say the vaccine is the answer to ending the pandemic

Cut 14 (10) “….loved ones” 

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is participating in the Moderna pediatric COVID vaccine trial. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A 15-year-old girl is in custody in Caddo Parish for allegedly making a threat over social media.  Sheriff Steve Prator says students and staff reported a bomb threat against Byrd High School yesterday afternoon.  A full sweep of the campus was made but no bomb was found. Authorities say the teen used another classmate’s social media account to make the threat. She’s charged with terrorizing.

After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from some customers. More than 900 thousand lost power following the storm. Juan LaFonta is one of the attorneys’ representing plaintiffs in the case.  He says the suit is seeking to recover damages for losses that include food that was spoiled due to lack of power and even electrical equipment that was harmed when power was restored.

Cut 4  (10) “…transmission lines.” 

Two lawsuits are now making their way through state court that allege that mandates issued by Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of the Lourdes Regional Medical Center violate the state constitution by forcing nurses and staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  Attorney Jimmy Faircloth.

Cut 6 (06) “…what this is.” 

Ochsner is not commenting due to pending litigation and Lourdes says it believes it’s taken appropriate measures to mitigate risks associated with the pandemic.

A Pfizer vaccine trial for children indicates promising results. Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the FDA asked Pfizer to extend the pediatric vaccine trial by two months so they would have more data to review, even though there is great anticipation to allow those ages five to eleven to be vaccinated.

Cut 7 (11) “…too important.”  

A lot of trees fell victim to Hurricane Ida’s wrath as way too many property owners know about firsthand. But, Whitney Wallace, an LSU AgCenter Forestry and Wildlife agent, says the AgCenter, along with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, is continuing to assess the dollar damage with the biggest economic impact expected to be to the agricultural infrastructure and timber.

Cut 4  (10) “…course Tangipahoa Parish.” 

There are growing concerns of permanent population loss in the southeastern coastal parishes after Hurricane Ida. Demographer Greg Rigamer says Ida was a devastating blow and it will be very difficult for Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes to recover. Since Katrina, the area has suffered devastating effects from Gustav, Isaac, and now Ida. Rigamer says right now he’d guess up to a hundred thousand could leave the coastal parishes permanently.

Cut 13 (08) “…southeast Louisiana.”

Terrebonne Parish is continuing its recovery efforts more than three weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up the coastal area.  Parish spokesman, Mart Black, says Ida left Terrebonne Parish completely in the dark, but today only 16-percent of utility customers don’t have electricity. He gives credit to the power companies…

Cut 10 (09)    the parish” 

He says the hope is to have power restored to everyone whose home or business can safely receive it by September 29^th.

Terrebonne Parish is continuing its recovery efforts more than three weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up the coastal area.  Parish spokesman, Mart Black, says while most of the power is back and water has been mostly restored, housing for storm victims is the biggest problem.

Cut 9 (10) “…into the parish” 

Black says that after Ida hit the Terrebonne Parish was left in the dark, and today at least 16-percent of Entergy customers still don’t have electricity.

St. John the Baptist Parish is undergoing several hurdles with recovery from Hurricane Ida. But, Parish President Jaclyn Hotard notes the parish broke ground on a levee this year that’s expected to be completed in 2024. She says a completed structure would have made a difference with Ida.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

The $750-million levee is being paid for with a combination of federal and state funds.

There are growing concerns of permanent population loss in southeastern coastal parishes after Hurricane Ida. Demographer Greg Rigamer says he expects a good number of coastal parishes residents will choose not to return. Since Katrina, the area has suffered devastating effects from Gustav, Isaac, and now Ida. Rigamer, who is a New Orleans resident, says right now he’d guess up to a hundred thousand could leave the area permanently.

Cut 13 (08) “…southeast Louisiana.”

Beginning today, residents in ten Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for disaster food stamps. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says those with last names starting with A-to-F in East Baton, Iberia, Orleans, St. Tammany, Washington and five other parishes can call the L-A Help-U Customer Service center to apply and be interviewed…

Cut 7 (06) “..quickly as possible.”

Applicants for DSNAP interviews should call 1-888-524-3578 and have financial and personal information available.

St. John the Baptist Parish is undergoing several hurdles with recovery from Hurricane Ida. But, Parish President Jaclyn Hotard notes the parish broke ground on a levee this year that’s expected to be completed in 2024. She says a completed structure would have made a difference with Ida.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

Beginning today, residents in ten Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for disaster food stamps. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says those with last names starting with A-to-F in East Baton, Iberia, Orleans, St. Tammany, Washington and five other parishes can call the L-A Help-U Customer Service center to apply and be interviewed…

Cut 7 (06) “..quickly as possible.”

Applicants for DSNAP interviews should call 1-888-524-3578 and have financial and personal information available.

LSU Researchers have developed a new model to determine if the Gulf Coast will see an active hurricane season. It looks at atmospheric temperatures in the spring. Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences assistant professor Paul Miller says they researched weather data back to 1980 and compared atmospheric temperatures from previous hurricanes.

Cut 11 (12) “…hurricane season (x2).”

Louisiana is offering hunters the chance to win money by assisting the state in its surveillance efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. LDWF Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says hunters and taxidermists will be entered into a contest to win up to $1000 when they submit the animal’s head with at least three inches of neck to any LDWF Field Office.

Cut 15 (09)  “…great news.”

Hunters will also need to provide details of WHERE the sample buck was bagged.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there’s a major issue the state is still dealing with. He says some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses to policyholders if there was not an official evacuation order in place. He says he has the power to override an insurer’s refusal to provide such coverage during a declared emergency such as that ordered by the governor.

Cut 4  (10) “…contracts that exist.” 

Houma Police are mourning the loss of one their own. 21-year old Austin Bush was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning after his car struck a log and ended up in a drainage basin and became fully submerged. Police Chief Dana Coleman fondly recalls Bush’s goal to serve the public when he interviewed for the job.

Cut 6 (06) “…his community.” 

Coleman says Bush was just weeks away from completing the cadet academy.

Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder has some harsh words for FEMA and their lengthy delay in reimbursement for school construction in Calcasieu Parish due to hurricanes Laura and Delta. Schroder says the delay has forced the state bond commission to approve an emergency request for $50-million to help the school system resume construction.

Cut  11 (09)  “…with FEMA.”  

Schroder says FEMA has only remitted $116 thousand of the Calcasieu Parish School Board’s nearly $300-million in reimbursement requests.

LSU is a 20 point favorite tomorrow night when they host Central Michigan. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron is not expecting an easy game. He says the Chippewas have run the ball well in their two games this season

Cut 9 (11) “…Nichols”