Thirty days ago Ida made landfall and left just under a million Entergy customers in the dark. Brooke Thorington has more on restoration…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Terrebonne residents left homeless from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida are still waiting for viable temporary housing.  More from Dave Brannen:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Dave Brannen”  

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Thirty days after Hurricane Ida, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports nearly eight thousand customers are without power as a result of the Category 4 storm. Entergy Louisiana VP of Distribution Operations John Hawkins says some of their customers are still not able to accept power because of damage to their homes…

Cut 3 (09) “…their lives.”

Grand Isle and Port Fourchon are amongst the hardest-hit areas and Hawkins says for those coastal communities it is an entire rebuild versus a restoration.  He says crews are working 16-hour days in an effort to give them some normalcy as soon as possible.

Cut 4 (11) “…restored”

Hawkins says while work in those hardest-hit areas will remain ongoing throughout the year, he believes customers will have service long before however they will continue to harden the grid.

Hawkins says part of the restoration includes replacing equipment with more robust gear to withstand hurricane-strength winds of up to 150 miles per hour. A month out from landfall, Hawkins says they wouldn’t have been able to have the lights back on for as many customers as they do without the assistance of out-of-state crews.

Cut 5 (11) “…quicker.”

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Thousands of Terrebonne Parish residents are still having to resort to tents or storm debris as a shelter following the landfall of Hurricane Ida a month ago today.  Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his efforts to find decent temporary housing for his constituents have been frustrating.

Cut 6 (12) “…my entire life” 

He says the feds are making moves to get trailers sent to Terrebonne Parish, but the process is a red tape battle.

Magee is critical of FEMA for its failure to move quickly on the mobile home alternative to temporary housing, relying instead on apartments and hotel rooms.

Cut 7 (12) “…at temporary housing”  

On a positive note when it comes to temporary housing, Magee says FEMA has sent out a request for proposals for 10-thousand trailers to be located in Terrebonne Parish but says it’ll be a waiting game.

Cut 8 (08) “..actual real trailers”

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Gas prices usually decline in the fall, but that’s not the case this year. According to the Louisiana Triple-A, the statewide price for a regular gallon of gasoline is $2.90. About eight cents higher than a month ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the big culprit in keeping pump prices high is the price of crude oil…

Cut 9 (09) “…of the year” 

Redman says 16-percent of crude production in the Gulf of Mexico is still shut down because of Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas. He says uncertainty in the economy is also keeping oil prices elevated…

Cut 10 (12)  “..stubornerly high” 

Redman says most Louisiana refineries are running again, so hopefully, gas prices will stabilize and possibly decline as demand falls…

Cut  11 (10)  “…the reality ”  

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The latest trend for job seekers is to add their vaccination status to their resume and/or job application. According to an August Wall Street Journal survey of more than a thousand hiring managers, 70-percent prefer to hire vaccinated individuals. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says your vaccination status is almost like a credential now.

Cut 12 (07) “….about safety.”  

Rosa says he feels as if employers are going to rally around the vaccination movement and we will see more workplaces requiring workers to be fully inoculated.

Cut 13 (10) “…workforce.”

The survey also noted that a third of hiring managers say they are automatically eliminating resumes that do not address vaccination status. Rosa says legally an employer can’t ask if you are vaccinated but you can volunteer the information.

Cut 14 (11) “….about.” 

The vaccination status trend is also being observed on social media as jobseekers are adding their vaccination status to the top of their professional profiles on LinkedIn.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s indoor mask mandate for another four weeks. Edwards says the states’ overall COVID-19 outlook is improving, but baseline numbers are still too high

Cut 15 (10) “…of that” 

The governor is encouraged the number of new cases and COVID hospitalizations have fallen below one-thousand from a high of three-thousand. But he says the state’s level of COVID 2.5 times what the CDC considers high. He says the state’s mask mandate includes K-through-12 schools and college campuses

Cut 16 (12) “..are masked.” 

A missing two-year-old from Baton Rouge was found dead in Hancock County Mississippi on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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For the first time in over two months, the state health department reports there are less than one thousand COVID patients in Louisiana hospitals. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Don Molino”  

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A Schriever man is held on a four-million-dollar bond after a Saturday night shooting on Bull Run Road that left a woman dead and a man wounded. State troopers responding to the scene were fired on as they arrived and 38-year-old suspect Patrick Waddle drove off, wounding one of the troopers.

Cut 3 (07) “…he passed them.”

Trooper Ross Brennan says the injured trooper was treated for head injuries and released from the hospital. Waddle eventually surrendered after fleeing into a wooded area.  The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the initial shooting that left 51-year-old Lisa Eschete dead. Waddle is charged with her murder, attempted first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at the troopers.

After turning his vehicle into a private drive with troopers in chase, Trooper Ross Brennan says a trooper opened fire as Waddle exchanged gunfire with them and ran into a wooded area.

Cut 4 (09) “…a wooded area”

Waddle was not injured by the trooper’s gunfire.

It wasn’t until early Sunday morning that officers were able to take Waddle into custody and take him to jail.

Cut 5 (07) “…further incident happened.”

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After spending nearly a month away from their facilities in Metairie because of Hurricane Ida, the Saints are back home and preparing to play the New York Giants in the Superdome this Sunday. The team arrived back in New Orleans following its win over New England. Wide receiver Marquez Callaway….

Cut 6 (09) “…going home” 

Before Ida’s destructive landfall, the Saints evacuated to the Dallas area and held most of their practices on the campus of T-C-U. Linebacker Demario Davis says it was not easy being away from home

Cut 7 (10) “…own bed”  

Davis is excited to play in a packed Dome this Sunday against the winless Giants…

Cut 8 (08) “..for it”

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The Shreveport woman accused of throwing her children off the Cross Lake Bridge in Shreveport Friday is back in the state after being arrested in Texas. Corporal Chris Bordelon with the Shreveport Police Department says they aren’t releasing a motive of why 32-year-old Ureka Black allegedly threw her infant son and five-year-old son into the water, which killed the infant.

Cut 9 (05) “…the counts” 

According to a press release from the Shreveport Police Department, detectives gathered video evidence at the scene while interviewing potential witnesses that proved crucial in identifying the suspect. Bordelon says they aren’t releasing details of what witnesses told authorities.

Cut 10 (12)  “…ongoing.” 

The five-year-old child was taken to Ochsner LSU Health with life-threatening injuries that have now been downgraded. The infant was pronounced dead on the scene.

Black faces second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges and bond has been set. Bordelon says now that the suspect at the Shreveport Jail…

Cut  11 (10)  “…video arraignment. ”  

The suspect was arrested without incident in Waskom, Texas Friday evening.

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While it’s a long shot at a get-rich scheme, tonight’s your chance to become an instant multi-millionaire with the right set of Powerball numbers.  Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery Corporation says the jackpot for the drawing is near historic.

Cut 12 (06) “….Powerball jackpot ever.”  

The cash payout will total just over 392-million-dollars. Thanks in part to the new Monday night drawings, Chopin says Powerball sales are up about 20-percent during the first three months of this fiscal year.

Chopin says no one nationwide has won the Powerball jackpot since early summer.

Cut 13 (08) “…in this cycle.”

Chopin says history could be made if someone in Louisiana won the Powerball jackpot tonight, something that hasn’t happened since 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “….Louisiana Lottery history” 

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson hopes the U.S. House will giving final passage to a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Booster shots for the Pfizer COVID vaccine offer are now available in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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It’s finally back to school today for some students in Lafourche Parish. Dave Brannen has more

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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The U.S. House is scheduled to vote today on a Senate-approved one-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson says the bill will be a boon to Louisiana’s road & bridge needs and he’s encouraged it received bipartisan support in the Senate…:

Cut 4 (10) “…generations and decades.”

Wilson says this bill is only about infrastructure and the jobs that come with it. Some opposed to the bill worry there is abundant spending on what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls “human infrastructure”. Wilson says 19 Senate Republicans voted for this bill, and they wouldn’t have if it contained loads of so-called “pork”…

Cut 5 (12) “…rail investment.”

Wilson says the bill’s passage will mean about $6-billion for Louisiana infrastructure projects. That’s over a billion more than the state would normally get in federal funds over five years. He says passing the bill will mean real progress for Louisiana…:

Cut 6 (13) “…can invest in”

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Booster shots are now available for some who received two doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine at least six months ago. The Louisiana Department of Health says those who are 65 and older, along with those 18 and older with an underlying health condition, or those who live or work in a high-risk setting are eligible. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while boosters are significant, but it will not end the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…be vaccinated.”

The new booster shot guidance for those who received the Pfizer vaccine is effective immediately. In an effort to remove any barriers Kanter says you only need to self-attest for the booster shot and there’s no need for a prescription.

Cut 8 (09) “…before.”

Booster guidance differs from the third shot criteria, for those with immunocompromised systems for example cancer or organ transplant recipients, it’s recommended they receive a third shot. Kanter says the booster shot criteria allows a larger number of individuals to receive an extra dose to increase waning efficacy.

Cut 9 (10)  “…undue risk.”

If you have any questions about the booster shot you are encouraged to ball the vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774

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Some kids in the Lafourche Parish school system will head back to classes today, but not all. Superintendent Jarod Martin indicates it’s a bit of a Rubik’s Cube initiative getting at least some of the schools back open after the devastation from Ida. But, bells will ring at some locations today.  For example…

Cut 10 (12)  “…Ward Middle School.” 

Martin says quite a few school buildings just aren’t ready for students to come back.

Cut 11 (07) “…to be sharing.”

The Lafourche superintendent says in some cases it seems a bit confusing for the operation of some schools in the district.

Cut 12 (12) “…Meadow Lower Elementary.”

It’ll be later next month before some schools in Lafourche will be able to open their doors to students.

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Healthy Blue and Louisiana Community and Technical College System are offering a scholarship program to help healthcare students complete their degrees. LCTCS Spokesperson Quinton Taylor says even students on a full-tuition scholarship might have difficulty paying for supplies like scrubs or a stethoscope while in school.

Cut 13 (12) “…coming back.”

Taylor says they are very grateful that Healthy Blue notices the need for more healthcare workers and offers scholarships to assist with supplies. He says they are looking forward to more students being able to benefit from the financial assistance.

Cut 14 (09)  “…Louisiana forward.”

To apply for the $250 scholarship for part-time students and $500 for full-time students, Taylor says you can visit the LCTCS.edu website and look for the Healthy Blue Scholarship link.

Cut 15 (12)  “…spring semester.”

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LSU’s defense executed its game plan well on Saturday in a 28-25 win over Mississippi State. The Tigers gave up an SEC record 623 passing yards last year to the Bulldogs and were determined to limit the big plays this time around. Coach Ed Orgeron says they wanted to make sure they kept everyting in front of them, so they only rushed three players on passing downs

Cut  16 (16) “…it worked.”

LSU allowed 371 passing yards on Saturday but the average gain per play was just 5.5 yards. Linebacker Damone Clark had 15 tackles….

Cut 17 (14) “..to the end.” 

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ULM has won back-to-back football games since November 2018 as the Warhawks upset Troy 29-16 to snap an eight-game Sun Belt losing streak. The Warhawks were 23.5 point underdogs entering the game, but Coach Terry Bowden’s team pulled off one of the biggest victories of his coaching career

Cut 18 (17)”…level today.”

Andrew Henry rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown and Rhett Rodriguez threw a TD. The defense returned an interception for a touchdown and also had a safety.

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For the first time since 1995, the Saints won in Foxborough as the Black and Gold defeated the New England Patriots 28-13. New Orleans leaned on its defense as they intercepted rookie quarterback Mac Jones three times. Safety Malcolm Jenkins had a pick-six. Jenkins says they know the defense is the team’s strength..

Cut 19 (17)  “…beat.” 

The Saints offense did not turn the ball over. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for only 128 yards, but he tossed two touchdown passes. Alvin Kamara rushed for 89 yards and Taysom Hill scored a rushing touchdown. Winston is pleased they came away with a win…

Cut 20 (20)  “…great win” 

The LSU AgCenter estimates Hurricane Ida produced 584-million dollars in damages to the state’s agriculture industry. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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There were several tense exchanges during a Joint Medicaid Oversite Committee meeting Friday where lawmakers questioned LDH’s attorney about nursing home evacuations plans. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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A north Larose neighborhood that endured a ten-foot storm surge is dealing with almost a foot of sludge and standing water. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the Industrial Park neighborhood was inundated with muck and mud from marsh waters that made it over the levees.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the back.”

Chaisson says the Corps of Engineers, municipal crews, and private contractors are working to help clear roads, drainage ditches in addition to resident’s yards. He expects it will take another three weeks.

Another issue parish officials are facing is getting answers from FEMA on long-term housing expectations. Chaisson says after posting his frustration on social media he’s now getting feedback.

Cut 4 (08) “…long-term housing.”

After almost four weeks since Ida made landfall, Chaisson says he completely understands that residents are frustrated and tired, but he tries to encourage them to remain hopeful.

Cut 5 (10) “…and better.”

_____________________________________

LSU AgCenter experts say the state’s agriculture industry suffered at least 584-million dollars in damages as a result of Hurricane Ida. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says timber was hit the hardest as a total of 168-thousand acres of trees were affected costing the industry more than 300-million dollars

Cut 6 (09) “…salvaged” 

Guidry says about 50-percent of the total estimated volume of damaged timber is in Tangipahoa Parish.

Guidry says about 139-thousand acres of sugarcane or a quarter of the state’s total cane crop are projected to have somewhat lower yields due to storm damage. He says much of the affected sugarcane is recovering, but it will come at a price…

Cut 7 (07) “…35-million dollars”  

Guidry says sugar mills will also lose revenue due to hurricane damage and the interruption in operations.

There is also a lot of fresh produce and ornamental horticulture growers in southeast Louisiana. Guidry says the estimated damage for these producers is 9.5 million dollars as a lot of greenhouse roofs were damaged.

Cut 8 (10) “..to sell”

He says the livestock death toll from Ida is 22, but farm structures and fences need to be repaired and older livestock producers have indicated they are getting out of the business.

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Organizations including Schoolplies are working to help kids get back in school after Hurricane Ida’s devastation in parishes that include Terrebonne and Lafourche.  CEO Allie Casey says, that in partnership with the United Way of South Louisiana, hundreds of school supply kits will be given away this Sunday

Cut 9 (12) “…back to school” 

Classes begin Monday and the weekend event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College along LA-311.

After Sunday’s school kits giveaway, Casey says they will continue to work virtually to get more supplies into the hands of students.

Cut 10 (06)  “…the efforts going” 

Be sure to visit Schoolplies.com on the web for more information where can find out how to donate school supply items or students and parents can receive assistance with school supply needs.

Casey says work to put some 600 school supply kits together with everything from pencils to notebooks and erasers for the first day of school has been made less easy without power to their office.

Cut  11 (10)  “…a crazy time.”  

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There were several tense exchanges during a Joint Medicaid Oversite Committee meeting Friday where River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot questioned Louisiana Department of Health Attorney Stephen Russo about nursing home evacuation plans. The meeting came weeks after hundreds of nursing home residents were crammed into a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse resulting in several deaths

Cut 12 (12) “….anywhere there.”  

Russo told the committee to view a nursing home’s evacuation plan they can request to see it through their local emergency preparedness office.

More than 800 patients from seven nursing homes owned by Bob Dean were transported to a warehouse with mattresses on the floor, that took in up to eight inches of water. Talbot questioned Russo as to why patients from the Orleans, Jefferson, Terrebonne, and Lafourche parish nursing homes were sent to Tangipahoa when storm models indicated it was in Ida’s path.

Cut 13 (09) “…advice of counsel.”

LDH and Dean are facing lawsuits filed by family members of and nursing home residents.

Committee members stated after the tragic evacuation to the warehouse in Independence and questions over the approval process, along with the decision to move patients to an area within the storm’s projected path inland will need to be addressed with legislation.

Abbeville Senator Bob Henssgens…

Cut 14 (03) “….the problem” 

While in DC meeting with lawmakers about disaster relief for 2020 and 2021 Governor Edwards was asked about what’s being done to address immediate housing needs for those impacted by Ida. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana National Guard is still busy at work helping those victimized by Hurricane Ida almost four weeks ago.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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A federal grand jury indicts former Monroe area State Police trooper Jacob Brown for the May 2019 flashlight beating of a man during an arrest. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Louisiana State Police are taking part in this Saturday’s national program to check child passenger seats. Sergeant James Anderson says the event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon.

Cut 4 (11) “…they’re installed properly.”

Officials say that 75-percent of children are in a safety seat that’s the wrong size or type or improperly installed.  The National Seat Check is being held in nine locations around the state.

Trooper Anderson says the focus will be on helping participants with the proper installation of a child seat.

Cut 5 (12) “…to be installed.”

Sergeant Anderson says that in many cases the child seats are not being correctly utilized.

Cut 6 (11) “…not being used”

Locations for the free car seat inspection can be found on the website, www.lsp.org.

________________________________________

Hurricane Ida left an estimated eight thousand homes unlivable and some of those individuals are living in tents and rubble where their homes once stood. Thousands of others are displaced. Governor John Bel Edwards says his administration is pushing FEMA to speed up the decision-making on long-term housing for these individuals…

Cut 7 (09) “…available to that.”

Edwards says it’s not as if FEMA isn’t helping because the agency is currently assisting 25,000 with transitional shelter via hotel rooms and there’s also essential lodging for those in impacted areas. Edwards says FEMA will decide on the next phase and it could be a combination of structures.

Cut 8 (09) “…and barges?”

Edwards says FEMA is currently housing 25-thousand displaced Hurricane Ida survivors in hotels away from home. He understands many of those would like temporary housing set up on their property, but will be FEMA’s decision.

Cut 9 (11)  “…look like (x2).”

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Thousands of Louisiana National Guard members are still on the job helping victims of Ida in the southeast coastal communities. Spokesperson Noel Collins tells us what some of the citizen-soldiers are doing to assist in the recovery.

Cut 10 (09)  “…generator support missions.” 

Collins says many of the guard members have been working to get commodities to those in need.

Cut 11 (11) “…bags of ice.”

More than three weeks after Ida made landfall, the guard is still helping out in many ways, but the number of soldiers still on duty has diminished significantly according to Collins.

Cut 12 (11) “…thousand service members.”

She says the guard still has 12 points of distribution for meals, water, ice, and tarps operating in four parishes, down from 80 pods at the start statewide.

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A federal grand jury indicts a former Monroe area State Trooper for excessive force in the May 2019 roadside beating of arrestee Aaron Bowman. Jacob Brown’s bodycam footage shows his striking Bowman 18 or more times with his MagLite. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s important to remember a federal indictment is not for committing a violent crime.

Cut 13 (09) “…jurisdiction over that.”

Brown’s indictment is for “deprivation of rights under color of law”. Meche says the prosecutor will need little more than the video to convince a jury of Brown’s guilt, but there are avenues Brown’s legal counsel could take to clear him.

Cut 14 (10)  “…a mile long.”

If convicted of the deprivation of rights charge, Brown could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250-thousand. Meche says this is a great example of how cops wearing body cameras leads to more and better transparency. He says Brown’s defense has its work cut out for it.

Cut 15 (13)  “…gonna be the key.”

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LSU’s defense has spent this week getting ready for Mississippi State’s air raid offense. The Bulldogs threw for an SEC-record 623 yards against the Tigers in last year’s season opener. After missing the last two games with an injury, safety Jay Ward is expected to play. Defensive end BJ Ojulari says having Ward on the field means a lot for the Tigers…

Cut  16 (16) “…him back.”

Ojulari believes they are better on defense this year

Cut 17 (15) “…same page.” 

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Louisiana Tech looks to rebound from a tough loss last weekend when they host North Texas in the Conference USA opener. The Bulldogs fell to 1-and-2 on the season when SMU hit on a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game to beat Tech last Saturday. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it was a gut punch, but hopefully something they can learn from

Cut 18 (23)”…get better.”

Holtz says North Texas is an explosive team on offense…

Cut 19 (13)  “…corp.” 

Governor Edwards says there are two measures in the works in both chambers of Congress to fund disaster relief. Brooke Thorington has more from his DC trip.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Hurricane Ida delivered another devastating blow to the state’s seafood industry. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards has been in DC this week meeting with lawmakers in hopes of getting disaster relief funding for the state. He says he feels it’s been a productive week and measures have been introduced in both chambers for disaster relief for the nation as a whole for 2020 and 21.

Cut 3 (11) “…which state.”

Edwards says there’s significant help in the bills and not just in Community Development Block Grant dollars for housing needs. He says there’s also funding for the Corps of Engineers, emergency work on highways and bridges, fisheries, and money for crop and timber losses

Cut 4 (11) “…grant portion.”

The governor says the main focus of this trip is to secure funding for unmet housing needs after the 2020 hurricanes and while there he’s also laying the foundation for Ida needs as well.

Cut 5 (07) “…Louisiana.”

The governor has been meeting with decision-makers since Monday and today is his last day in DC

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Hurricane Ida delivered another blow to the state’s seafood industry, which annually produces millions of pounds of fish, shrimp, crabs, and oysters. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Ida’s 150-mile per hour winds on the southeastern coast of Louisiana caused major damage to boats and docks

Cut 6 (12) “…damaged” 

Restaurants are reporting a lack of oysters as oyster beds are closed. Nungesser says the state health department needs to test the waters, so hopefully, they will open soon. He says shrimpers could face a longer recovery…

Cut 7 (06) “…were sunk”  

Nungesser says fishermen will need federal assistance in order to bounce back from this destructive hurricane.

Cut 8 (11) “..the most”

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The state department of transportation has re-opened the westbound lanes on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, but eastbound lanes remain closed as a result of an 18-wheeler catching on fire last night. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s been a busy week of bridge inspections…

Cut 9 (12) “…as we speak” 

Wilson says the eastbound lanes of the bridge will remain closed until further notice to complete an inspection of the bridge.  Meanwhile, DOTD has temporarily opened two lanes to I-10 East to the East flyover ramp and two lanes to the I-210 eastbound to I-10 westbound flyover to help ease the severe traffic congestion.

The DOTD Secretary suspects that the damage was confined mostly to the deck of the bridge compared to an earlier fire near I-310 in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 10 (08)  “…burn as long” 

Wilson says fire damage to the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge is being checked out by inspectors.

Cut  11 (09)  “…it back up.”  

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Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is taking the state’s GOP congressmen to task. He said they voted earlier this week against a continuing resolution to keep the government running with a higher debt ceiling even though the legislation included 28-billion-dollars in emergency relief for Louisiana and elsewhere.

Cut 12 (09) “….all against it”  

Campbell says the Republican members voted three times in favor of raising the debt ceiling when Trump was president, and he believes helping Louisiana recover from the state’s destructive hurricanes is more important than party loyalty.

Campbell says he doesn’t believe hurricane victims, including those in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes slammed by Ida, would tell you at this time that they care about party politics, they just want help

Cut 13 (09) “…the Republican Party.”

The spending bill containing billions for hurricane relief and other disasters around the nation passed the House on Tuesday night. Campbell lambasts the Louisiana GOP delegation for their “no” votes given the number of people hurting from hurricane devastation in the state.

Cut 14 (09) “….have to do” 

The Department of Children and Family Services is urging those calling in for DSNAP interviews to do so on their assigned day. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

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”  

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Congressman Garret Graves is pulling no punches in his concern 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.

Cut 3 (10) “…not a chance.”

And, Graves says a “poison pill” in the mix is that the funding is tied to legislation to increase the national debt without limit that’s being sought by the Biden Administration. The debt is currently more than 28-trillion and recent requests would push it to 45-trillion.

Garret 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.” 

Congressman Troy Carter is among those who voted Tuesday 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.

Carter says there is funding in the continuing resolution to help with South Louisiana’s long-term recovery efforts.

Cut 6 (08) “…in the past.” 

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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. Howard says she understands it’s frustrating to sit on hold for an hour only to be told to call back on your assigned day. Besides their webpage, another way to find your day to call is by…

Cut 8 (11) “…using.”

Howard also recommends downloading LA Wallet to reregister for DSNAP and you’ll need your social security number, proof of income, resources, and disaster expenses to preregister. Calling in on your assigned day is not pre-registration and if you miss your interview day, they are holding makeup days.

Cut 9 (10) “…the alphabet”(x2) 

Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP.

For more information visit dcfs.louisiana.gov/dsnap and visit their FAQ page.

__________________________________

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” 

Skrmetta also expressed disappointment that AT&T could not provide information on how many contractors they brought in to restore service.

Cut  11 (11)  “…unacceptable answer”  

Skrmetta also believes AT&T should have an outage map that’s easily accessible to customers, similar to the one Entergy has for power outages.

But he says one of the biggest headaches for his office is that AT&T is failing to meet with its customers and his office has received numerous calls on this issue…

Cut 12 (12) “….your customers”  

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A Benton woman faces 16 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after a tip led Bossier Sheriff’s investigators to a horse training center behind Benton Intermediate School. Deputy Rod White says three horses were found dead inside a dump trailer, while 13 additional horses were found to be 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.

White says the surviving horses were living in deplorable conditions.

Cut 14 (05) “….stalls were unkept” 

White says the charges against Driscoll are all felonies.

Cut 15 (12) “…were taken away” 

Driscoll was booked into the Bossier Maximum Security Facility, while the surviving horses were transported to another local horse owner to be boarded.

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit over extended outages from Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The difficult times continue for those in Terrebonne Parish left without a roof over their head from destructive Hurricane Ida.  Dave Brannen reports it’s a situation upsetting to State Representative Tanner Magee.

Cut 2 (28)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from customers. As many as 902-thousand lost power following the storm. Juan LaFonta is one of the attorneys’ representing plaintiffs in the case.

Cut 3 (10) “…went down.”

La Fonta says the suit is seeking to recover damages for losses that include things like 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.” 

As of Monday LaFonta says they have seventeen plaintiffs, but they expect the number to grow as more people join the class-action lawsuit.

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 issued a statement that they will not comment on pending litigation.

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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.” 

There are a total of 83 plaintiffs in the two cases that under the mandate issued by the hospitals could face termination if not vaccinated.

Faircloth says those suing, who he calls “frontline heroes” and being “vilified” for not getting the vaccine.

Cut 7 (12) “…drive public policy.”  

Ochsner is not commenting on the lawsuit but they say data and science show the efficacy of safety of the vaccines. Lourdes says it believes it’s taken appropriate measures to mitigate risks associated with the pandemic.

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 filed in the 15^th Judicial District Court.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

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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) “…makeshift structure” 

Magee says the situation was and remains critical with FEMA saying temporary structures could arrive within the next month and lashed out at apartment owners who gave renters just over a week to vacate damaged residences, offering no options of where they were to go.

Cut 10 (11)  “…be thrown out” 

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.”  

Magee criticized those who made a decision by September 3^rd, four days after Ida’s landfall, that people would have to vacate apartments hit by the storm regardless of the amount of damage.

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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. The two mayors posted an online video announcing the challenge. Perkins says both cities win if the vaccination rate increases.

Cut 12 (09) “…Louisiana.”  

Despite the ongoing hurricane recovery in southwest Louisiana, Hunter feels Lake Charles residents are up to the challenge.

Cut 13 (11) “…your doctor.”

Each Monday the mayors will update vaccination progress on their respective social media pages. Both Perkins and Hunter say the vaccine is the answer to ending the pandemic

Cut 14 (10) “….loved ones” 

Mayor Hunter will serve up a captain’s seafood platter from Steamboat Bill’s in Lake Charles should Shreveport prove victorious, and Mayor Perkins will pony up stuffed shrimp from Orlandeaux’s Café in Shreveport if Lake Charles wins.

Terrebonne parish, among the hardest hit by Ida, is still working around the clock to return to a sense of normalcy, though that’s expected to take years to accomplish.  An update from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’mDave Brannen.” 

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There are concerns that Ida could impact the population in southeast Louisiana, similar to Katrina 16-years ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A lot of trees fell victim to Hurricane Ida’s wrath as way too many property owners know about it firsthand. But, Whitney Wallace, an LSU AgCenter Forestry and Wildlife agent, says the damaged and felled trees, particularly on the North Shore, have impacted landowners and agricultural and livestock producers.

Cut 3 (08) “…you’re seeing around.”

Wallace 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.” 

Wallace says landowners are pretty familiar with having to deal with downed trees, the worst most recent example prior to Ida was all the timber that Katrina felled 16 years ago.

Cut 5 (11) “…as we can.”

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The Pfizer vaccine trial for children ages five to eleven indicates promising results. Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says there’s been a significant increase in COVID cases among that age group especially with school back in session.

Cut 6 (11) “…individuals.” 

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.”  

In the pediatric trial, children were given the same vaccine as adults, but at a lower dosage. Hassig says parents should be reassured that the FDA will review the data carefully before issuing any type of authorization.

Cut 8 (11) “…timely.”

Since July pediatric cases in the United States have increased by 240-percent.

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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 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.

Black says one thing that’s getting back to normal in Terrebonne is residential garbage pickup, and he says a contractor is working to clear the curbs of storm debris stacked up by homeowners.

Cut  11 (10)  “…to permitted sites.”  

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There are growing concerns of permanent population loss in 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.

Cut 12 (12) “…the basis.”  

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 coastal parishes permanently.

Cut 13 (08) “…southeast Louisiana.”

The recent population shift however should not impact voting districts. Rigamer says the numbers for redistricting that will be discussed by lawmakers next year are based on the 2020 Census data.

Cut 14 (09) “…redistricting” 

In New Orleans, more than half of the population left after Katrina close to 250 thousand. Rigamer says he believes the population in non-levee protected parishes will diminish after Ida.

The three-week interview process for DSNAP benefits related to Hurricane Ida victims gets underway today and wraps up on October 9^th. Dave Brannen spoke with DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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Researchers at LSU have created a prediction model for hurricanes in the gulf. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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State wildlife agents want deer hunters to help in detecting a fatal illness spreading through herds across the south. Kevin Gallagher reports you COULD win some cash.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Like other parishes in southeast Louisiana, St. John the Baptist Parish is undergoing several hurdles with recovery from Hurricane Ida. Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says about 90-percent of the parish has power and their water systems have been restored but they remain under a boil water advisory.

Cut 4 (08) “…advisories soon,”

As for regular debris removal, so far, the parish has removed 150-thousand cubic yards of debris.

Hotard says like other surrounding parishes one of the biggest obstacles they are facing is the great need to speed up household trash pickup and to assist she’s issued an emergency bid to have trash removed ASAP.

Cut 5 (10) “…to say it nicely.”

Hotard says FEMA is embedded in the parish assisting residents with their applications and they are also beginning to see progress with the blue roof program. She says nineteen have been installed so far of the more than two thousand requested.

The parish broke ground on a levee this year that is expected to be completed in 2024. Hotard says a completed structure would have made a difference with Hurricane Ida.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

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

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Starting today, households in ten Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for disaster food stamps. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says residents 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.

Howard says DSNAP interviews will take place six days a week through October 9th. She says check the Department of Children and Family Services website for the day you can apply…

Cut 8 (08) “…DSNAP”

Howard says DSNAP benefits are available to those who live in one of the 25 parishes declared a federal disaster area. She says disaster food stamps are designed to help Ida victims buy groceries due to lost income or damages as a result of the storm.

Cut 9 (08)  “…at your expenses.”

You can pre-register at www.dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP

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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 while NOAA and Colorado State University both issue storm predictions their outlook pertains to all Atlantic storms not specifically those impacting the gulf.

Cut 10 (12) “…Gulf of Mexico.” 

Miller says they researched weather data all the way back to 1980 and compared atmospheric temperatures from previous hurricanes.

Cut 11 (12) “…hurricane season (x2).”

Miller when they were able to identify the pattern of previous gulf atmospheric temperatures and the number of storms that made landfall in the Gulf.

Cut 12 (07) “…upcoming season.”

Miller says looking at atmospheric temperatures to predict hurricanes in the gulf appears to be more accurate for predicting gulf storms. Miller hopes in addition to NOAA and CSU that LSU will be added to the upcoming hurricane forecast.

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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 a sample from a mature buck harvested this deer season…

Cut 13 (12) “…they so chose”

Bordelon says submitting a sample of your deer for research could win you a gift card for $1000 or $500. CWD has not yet been detected among Louisiana’s deer herd but has been in most of our bordering states. He says LDWF is being vigilant to determine IF Louisiana deer are affected…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…across the state.”

Bordelon says to submit the animal’s head with at least three inches of neck to any LDWF Field Office. He says samples from doe season will not be collected…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…great news.”

Hunters will also need to provide details of WHERE the sample buck was bagged. More information is online at “LWF.Louisiana.gov”.

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As good as the Saints in their week one win over Green Bay, they were just as bad yesterday in a 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans had just 128 yards of total offense and they hit Quarterback Jameis Winston 11 times and sacked him four times. Winston was also intercepted twice. Coach Sean Payton takes the blame for the loss

Cut  16 (16) “…football game.”

Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead says communication problems led to the pressure the Panthers defense put on Winston…

Cut 17 (19) “…communication”  

The Saints did not have eight offensive assistants at the game because of COVID protocols. Running back Alvin Kamara says the players can’t use that as an excuse…

Cut 18 (17)”…it is what is.”

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LSU Quarterback Max Johnson threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns as the Fighting Tigers offense came to life in a 48-21 win over Central Michigan. Freshman Deion Smith had two touchdown catches and fellow freshman Jack Bech had a great-handed one-handed grab in the end zone. Bech believes they can build momentum from Saturday’s performance

Cut 19 (20)  “…the field.” 

Kayshon Boutte was LSU’s leading receiver with six catches, but the Tigers showed off their depth at wide receiver as Smith, Bech and Devonta Lee each had five catches. Brian Thomas had two catches for 50 yards. Quarterback Max Johnson says an adjustment on offense helped them spread the ball around…

Cut 20 (12)  “…throughout the game”