As south Louisiana works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida nearly three weeks ago, 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.

Cut 3 (11) “..the present time”

More than a dozen students are facing charges following a fight at Southwood High School at mid-afternoon Thursday.  Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Nine deputies responded to the scene. Fourteen male students were arrested, all accused of disturbing the peace.  One student is charged with battery of a school teacher for punching the assistant school principal during the melee. Another was pepper-sprayed and hand-cuffed for resisting arrest and making threatening statements. He’ll be charged with resisting an officer.

The mass evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to an overcrowded warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish renews calls to revise evacuation plans and oversight. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business shows more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says 86-percent of NFIB members surveyed feel their supply chain issues – and the challenges to making a profit – could continue for another five months or more.

Cut 15 (09)  “…originally started.”

Over 25-percent of NFIB members report significant staffing shortages and losses of sales opportunities due to supply issues.

The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says the vaccination rate among employees has increased to 81-percent since their announcement of mandatory vaccinations and the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29^th.

Cut 6 (11) “…leave Ochsner.” 

The movie “Heart of a Lion” based on the life of boxer George Foreman will now be shot in Shreveport rather than New Orleans because of Ida.  Sony line producer, Wendy Williams, says the film will likely be shot in two blocks.

Cut 4  (09) “…greater Shreveport area.” 

Williams says the film starring Khris Davis, of “Detroit” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” fame, will reflect on Foreman’s life from the time he was 11 until he was 45.  Fifteen hundred extras will be hired locally in Shreveport to take part in the movie.

Today is Governor John Bel Edwards 55th birthday. The state’s 56th governor has nearly two and a half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was quizzed about running for President one day. The governor says he doesn’t see a presidential campaign in his future

Cut 9 (09) “…with that” 

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard, in the four-week period ending August 22ⁿ resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand from the previous four-week period. The organization’s Andrew Muhl says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana is 83-percent and, 48-percent for staff as of August 22^nd.

Cut 14 (10)  “…vaccination rates.”

LSU President William Tate met with the Biden Administration yesterday and briefed the President on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation. 

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Covid hospitalizations are continuing a slow downward spiral in Louisiana. As of yesterday, they were down more than 90 to just over 15-hundred.  It’s been 16 days since an increase in the number of Covid-related hospitalizations in the Bayou. State health officials are reporting more than 23-hundred new cases of Covid-19 across Louisiana and 77 new deaths.

Researchers at Tulane University have developed an inhaled vaccine against bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Jay Kolls, a corresponding author of the study, says the medication may help curb a disturbing death toll.  Kolls says the inhaled vaccine, whether in liquid or powder form, would offer a double-pronged attack against bacterial pneumonia.

Cut 6 (08) “…a T-cell response.”

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22ⁿ resident COVID-19 cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand.  Deaths climbed to 49. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy, Andrew Muhl, says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana is 83-percent, and for staff it’s 48-percent as of August 22^nd.

Cut 14 (10)  “…vaccination rates.”

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program. He isn’t pleased that surrounding parishes that have most of their power back on appear to be at the head of the line when it comes to getting Blue Roof assistance.

Cut 4  (08) “…couple of days.” 

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says D-SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries due to lost income or damages related to Ida.

Cut 6 (11) “…you’re eligible.” 

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux beat bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport says Arceneaux now works as a PA at St. Jude. Ferrington says they are celebrating Arceneaux with a launch party at the school.

Cut  11 (12)  “…nervous.”  

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is charged with malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office

Cut 12 (12) “35-thousand dollars”  

Ida victims with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage because of a lack of Blue Roofs.  And, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us he’s also upset in the slow movement of FEMA to set up temporary long-term housing like mobile homes in Lafourche to house residents as their storm-damaged homes are made habitable after Ida’s wrath.

Cut 5 (09) “…into the parish.”

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard residents who are interested should pre-register and then starting on Monday D-C-F-S agents will begin interviewing applicants to see if they are eligible. She says residents who live in the hardest-hit parishes will go through the interview process during the first full week of October…

Cut 8 (12) “..grocery store openings.”

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux is set to make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where Arceneaux overcame bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport was one of Arceneaux’s instructors. He remembers when she applied to the Physician Assistant Program, and she realized then her potential.

Cut 10 (10)   anything.” 

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office and that she’s been taking money out of a drawer used for fines and fees since January 2020…..

Cut 13 (07)    little more”

Dollar was booked into the Caldwell Parish Jail.

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far, fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program.

Cut 4  (08) “…couple of days.” 

Tonight, 29-year-old Haley Arceneaux, a Baton Rouge native, will be the first cancer survivor and the first person with a prosthesis to journey into space, a crewmember of the Inspiration4 space mission. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport remembers when Arceneaux applied to the LSU Health Shreveport Physician Assistant Program, and she realized then her potential.

Cut 10 (10)   anything.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy isn’t pulling any punches to his non-support of folks turning to the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to battle the Covid 19 virus.  He says, unlike the Covid vaccines that have been approved for use and that have saved lives, he’s fully aware of the outcome of using ivermectin to battle the virus.

Cut 15    (07)   “…and who died.”

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office

Cut 12 (12) “35-thousand dollars”  

Reichardt says Dollar is accused of taking money out of a drawer since January 2020.

As the COVID pandemic rages on, the funeral industry has seen families hold multiple funerals in a short period of time. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU President William Tate will take part in a briefing at the White House this afternoon where he and others will meet with President Biden and his Covid 19 Response Team to discuss the success of mitigation strategies in the battle against the coronavirus.  Tate says LSU’s strategies have worked, noting that more than 82-percent of the university’s student body has been vaccinated, along with monthly testing protocols in place to monitor the presence of the virus on campus.

As Nicholas continues on its east, northeastwardly track, State Climatologist Barry Keim says bands of rain will only continue to increase rainfall totals for southeast and central parts of the state.

Cut 5 (07) “…occurred.”

Keim says the slow movement of Nicholas is allowing the storm to saturate areas of the state, even more so than south Louisiana already is.

Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those who. for whatever reason. are shunning COVID-19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that is used to treat river blindness and intestinal roundworm infection in humans.

Cut 13 (10) “…FDA approved vaccine.”

Cassidy says if anything, there are far lower hospitalizations and deaths for those who have been vaccinated, versus the number of deaths for those hospitalized with the coronavirus and who had relied on ivermectin.

Entergy continues to make progress in getting power restored to the more than 900-thousand that were left in the dark by Hurricane Ida.  More than 90-percent of Entergy’s customers have had their power restored post-Ida. John Hawkins, the utility’s Vice President of Distribution Operations, sums up the situation this way.

cut 23  (05) “…is unprecedented.”

The utility reported Tuesday that all but 87-thousand customers are still waiting to get their electricity back on.

Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those for whatever reason are shunning Covid19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an antiparasetic drug.

Cut  21     (10)   Fda approved vaccine.

Cassidy says if anything, there are far lower hospitalizations and deaths for those who have been vaccinated, versus the number of deaths for those hospitalized with the coronavirus and had relied on ivermectin.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to take action if flooding rains from Tropical Storm Nicholas materialize as expected.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrique says the staging of dozens of boats for potential water rescues took place Monday in Lafayette. Tthe area of flooding rains is likely to stretch across south Louisiana and she says there are numerous assets ready to respond as heavy rains from Nicholas sweep across the state.

Cut 7 (12) “..home fire stationsl”  

By the way, if you’re hoping to offset the money you’ve shelled out for a generator or chain saw FEMA may be able to offset those expenses.  But, Nate Custer says there are restrictions for reimbursement requests and if denied you can appeal.

Cut 13    (10)   ought to get.

Reimbursement for generators is 800-dollars, and 250 for chainsaws.

Governor John Bel Edwards says to expect Tropical Storm Nicholas to be downgraded to a depression as it enters southwest Louisiana, but noting that it doesn’t take a named storm to bring dangerous conditions to the state.

Cut 4 (05) “…the primary concern.”

The governor says the rains that Nicholas brings to the state could exacerbate the problem of getting more Ida storm victims out of the dark after weeks without power.

Nicholas made landfall along the Texas coastline this morning and State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system has the potential of bringing storm surge as far east as Rutherford Beach.

Keim says Nicholas will weaken to a Depression but expects the system to leave its calling card in the form of heavy rain in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (10) “…the track.”

Keim says while the eye of the storm is only expected to be in the state for a day, he says we’ll feel the effects for a number of days.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is taking steps to provide state tax relief following Hurricane Ida. LDR Secretary Kimberly Lewis says the department is granting automatic filing extensions to both individual and business taxpayers in the 25 parishes placed under a disaster declaration by the governor.

Cut 10 (09) “…and severance taxes.” 

The automatic extended due date to file returns is now January 3, 2022.

The 504-pound alligator suspected of killing a 71-year-old Slidell man the day after Ida made landfall has been captured. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Lance Vitter says Sheriff Randy Smith promised the family of Timothy Satterlee, Sr. that they would do all they could to locate his body.

Cut 13 (11) “…captured.”

The alligator was located on Monday, two weeks after Satterlee was last seen.

Baton Rouge attorney Ron Haley has filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during hurricane Ida. The suit names nursing homeowner Bob Dean and the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Haley says nursing homes in southern parts of the state are required to file an evacuation plan with the state.

Cut 9 (12) “…blows over.” 

State police are investigating a weekend officer-involved shooting.  It occurred Saturday night involving a Shreveport police office at a West 70^th Street address inside the city limits. He had responded to a call for service at a convenience store and wound up chasing 30-year-old Desmond Lewis who fled on foot. After catching up with Lewis, he and the officer got into an altercation, Lewis pulling out a weapon and the officer responding by fatally shooting Lewis.  The officer escaped injury.

Southwest Louisiana is under a Flash Flood Watch as Tropical Storm Nicholas heads up the southeast Texas coast.  Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says the amount of rain the Bayou State could see could climb as high as 20 inches.  Landreneau says rain bands will likely tell the story of how much rain areas of the state will receive from Nicholas.

Cut 4  (08) “…even 20 inches.” 

The Saints started the 2021 season with an impressive 38-3 victory over the Green Bay Packers in a game held in Jacksonville, Florida, because of the devastation in southeast Louisiana from Hurricane Ida. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes and dedicates the victory to New Orleans

Cut 12 (12) “resilience”  

Linebacker Demario Davis hopes their statement win over one of the top teams in the NFC revives hope for those suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida…