The COVID vaccines are getting all the headlines, but state health officials say do not forget about getting your annual flu shots. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Drugmaker Merck says it’s produced a pill that can help keep people sick with COVID-19 out of the hospital. Dave Brannen has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Owning a restaurant in Louisiana that’s been slammed by hurricanes and a continuing Covid pandemic is a tough go.  Dave Brannen reports.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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State health officials are urging folks to not forget about getting an annual flu vaccine shot, as well as the COVID vaccine. LDH resident flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says last year saw a record low number of Louisiana flu cases, and coronavirus precautions were a big contributor…:

Cut 4 (o7) “…when they were sick.”

(However, he says flu has NOT gone away and we should be sure to get immunized)

Dr. Welch says flu shots are needed every signal year to minimize the chances of catching flu, transmitting it to others, or getting very sick if you do catch it. He say the reason for annual shots is the flu viruses have a tendency to frequently mutate…:

Cut 5 (05) “…best protection.”

The flu vaccine is readily available at most doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies and parish health centers. Welch says in a normal year thousands can die from common influenza, and some groups are more susceptible to the virus than others…:

Cut 6 (09) “…diabetes, obesity…”

(Welch says pregnant women are especially at risk from flu, and should be sure to get their flu shot.)

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The Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans is weighing in on a Covid-19 pill that manufacturer Merck says will reduce hospitalizations and cut in half the number of deaths in people recently infected with the coronavirus.  Dr. Julio Figueroa:

Cut 7 (12) “…the hospital yet.”

But, Figueroa says the impact of using the pill to address Covid will first be subjected to an emergency use authorization for further study that could then lead to FDA approval of the drug as an alternative medicine for treating the virus.

Dr. Figueroa says when it comes to treatment for Covid-19, the Merck experimental pill will likely be more successful the earlier it’s ingested after the virus is discovered.

Cut 8 (06) “…the most effect.”

Figueroa says the experimentation results being touted by Merck about the anti-Covid 19 pill that’s taken eight times a day for five days can’t be ignored, but have to be proven further.

Cut 9 (07)  “…that’s substantial.”

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Louisiana’s restaurant industry continues to face hardships from a lack of business because of the continuing Covid pandemic.  Stan Harris heads up the state’s restaurant association and tells us, Big Easy eateries continue to suffer financially..

Cut 10 (11)  “…at top line.” 

Harris says most restaurants surveyed in the state don’t expect to ever return to the pre-pandemic normal.

Harris says when it comes to the bottom line, restaurants in Louisiana aren’t drawing in the business they need.

Cut 11 (08) “…their more profitable.”

Harris says there’s a lot of pressure on restaurant businesses across Louisiana to succeed.

Cut 12 (11) “…lot of stress.”

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is unhappy with huge premium increases coming for those on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA’s Risk Rate 2.0 – which took effect October 1^st – will mean huge increases in the cost of flood coverage for those who live closest to water, and for many who do not. Cassidy says the hikes are unrealistic and about 20% of those covered under NFIP just cannot afford it…:

Cut 13 (08) “…dropping their coverage.”

Cassidy says some will see flood insurance increases of 100-percent or more. He says the result will be fewer NFIP holders at lower risk to spread costs over, meaning those at higher risk pay even more and quite likely drop the coverage. He says it’s the law of diminishing returns…:

Cut 14 (07)  “…becomes non-sustainable.”

The senator says NFIP has been criticized as “federally subsidized insurance for millionaires’ beach homes”, which he says is far from the truth. Cassidy says NFIP data shows the majority of covered homes range in value from $220-thousand to $400-thousand. He says the cost increases are injurious to homeowners and impractical…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…actuarial death spiral.”

(Cassidy and other Senate Republicans brought legislation to delay the NFIP hikes for a year, but it failed to gain traction)

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For the first time since 1999 LSU has lost a home football game to Auburn. The Fighting Tigers let a 13-point lead slip away and lost to the War Eagles on Saturday night 24-19. A nonexistent running game is one reason why the Tigers failed to preserve the lead as Ed Orgeron’s team rushed for just 29 yards

Cut  16 (19) “…one on one.”

Auburn started its rally in the second quarter when quarterback Bo Nix scrambled around for several seconds, avoiding a sack on multiple occasions, and threw a touchdown pass touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown. LSU linebacker Damone Clark…

Cut 17 (14) “…missed tackles.” 

LSU also burned multiple time-outs on offense as they were trying to audible before the play clock hit zero. Orgeron says the coaches have to do a better job of getting the plays in…

Cut.. 18 (15)”…that point”

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The Saints squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead and lost to the previously winless New York Giants 27-21 in overtime. The frustrating loss drops New Orleans record to 2-and-2. Coach Sean Payton hopes they learn from this tough loss

Cut 19 (19)  “…those emotions.” 

The Saints had 405 yards of total offense, but it was the Black and Gold defense that struggled in this one as they allowed Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to throw for 402 yards. A 54-yard touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley started the rally. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says they allowed too many chunk plays……

Cut 20 (14)  “…down the field.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is thankful the state will get some of the 28-billion-dollars in disaster relief funding approved by Congress, but says it falls far short of what southwest Louisiana needs. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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Louisiana has expanded its shot for 100-dollar campaign to anyone who gets a COVID shot in the month of October. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Don Molino”  

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You won’t find Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter jumping for joy with the supplemental disaster relief bill signed into law yesterday.  That’s because only a small fraction of the 28.6-billion dollars earmarked for disaster recovery nationwide will ever make it to southwest Louisiana.

Cut 3 (09) “…10 months ago”

Hunter is not optimistic that the recovery needs after hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta will ever be met as time marches on.

Cut 4 (09) “…a year ago.”

Mayor Hunter appears disheartened by the lack of attention paid the feds have paid to the destruction and misery his town and southwest Louisiana have gone through since last year.

Cut 5 (12) “…on our side.”

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Louisiana food stamp recipients are receiving a historic increase in their monthly benefits. That word comes from Shavana Howard, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support.

Cut 6 (07) “…dollars per person.” 

Howard says that would push the maximum payout for a family of three to 658-dollars a month. The increase is the first cost adjustment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to its Thrifty Food Plan in 45 years.

Howard says upping the monthly maximum for SNAP benefits will give recipients a better shot at affording the cost of a healthy diet and dealing with higher food prices overall.

Cut 7 (08) “…cost more money”  

Howard says this increase in SNAP benefits will help out a lot of people in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (08) “…age of 18”

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Louisiana is expanding the Shot for 100 Campaign. Kim Hood, Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, says during October,  unvaccinated individuals will receive a 100-dollar Visa gift card after receiving their first COVID vaccine shot.

Cut 9 (07) “…you like.” 

This limited-time offer for the general public will end on October 30th. Hood says patients must receive the vaccine at participating community-based sites listed at “shotfor100.com”…

Cut 10 (11)  “…first dose.” 

This campaign was first offered to college students back in August and federal coronavirus relief funds are paying for this initiative. Hood says minors are also eligible for the cash incentive…

Cut  11 (11)  “…incentive”  

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For the first time since November 2019, over 90-thousand fans will file into Tiger Stadium to watch LSU take on an SEC opponent. The Bayou Bengals will host 22nd ranked Auburn at 8 PM on Saturday. Coach Ed Orgeron is looking forward to an electric atmosphere

Cut 12 (12) “..be loud”  

LSU has not lost at home to Auburn since 1999. The War Eagles have yet to announce a starter at quarterback. It could be either Bo Nix or former LSU Tiger TJ Finley from Ponchatoula. LSU defensive coordinator Daronte Jones says are ready for either one…

Cut 13 (08) “..athletic.”

Finley started five games at quarterback for LSU last season, but announced in May he was transferring after finding himself third on the depth chart. Orgeron has nothing but respect for TJ…

Cut 14 (14) “…we compete”  (2x)

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The jackpot for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is the 10th largest in U-S history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the top prize is an estimated 635-million dollars with a cash value of 450-million dollars. Chopin says it’s been nearly four months since someone won the Powerball grand prize

Cut 15 (06) “…summer long” 

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292-million. Chopin says as the jackpot grows, more players get involved…

Cut 16 (12) “..as well” 

Some education officials are miffed about a new Department of Education policy giving parents a say in whether their kids get quarantined for possible COVID exposure. Kevin Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Louisiana ranks 5^th in the nation for most women murdered by men. Brooke Thorington has more on the rankings from the Violence Policy Center.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A stop-gap funding bill that includes nearly 29-billion-dollars for nationwide disaster relief wins passage on Capitol Hill, Senator John Kennedy and Congressman Clay Higgins say the disaster funding is far from what the Bayou State needs.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Some state education officials are unhappy with the idea of giving parents a say-so in whether their kid is quarantined after a possible COVID-19 exposure. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley announced the voluntary policy this week, and New Orleans area BESE member Kira Orange Jones says she’s disappointed.

Cut 4 (11) “…important as this.”

Brumley’s directive states that school systems have a choice of whether or not they implement parental choice when dealing with possible virus exposure and quarantining kids. His concern was the huge number of kids missing school and classroom interaction with classmates. Ms. Jones, who represents District 2 on the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education says Brumley should have run his idea past her group first.

Cut 5 (06) “…its implications.”

Livingston, Ascension and West Baton Rouge school systems have decided to accept Brumley’s policy, and offer the parental choice of quarantine. East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and Bossier have already said they would pass and leave things as they are; making quarantine after possible COVID exposure mandatory. Jones says she’d like to talk with state health officials and medical experts about the policy.

Cut 6 (11) “…communities safe.”

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Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men. The Violence Policy Center says the Bayou State has ranked in the top 10 consistently since 2009. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says a common thread among the southern states in the top ten is access to guns.

Cut 7 (11) “…domestic violence.”

Rand says the ranking states also have a lack of resources for domestic abuse victims in addition to not enough focus on assisting abuse victims.

Another frightening statistic for women in Louisiana is that they are twice as likely to be murdered during or right after pregnancy. Rand says these women are most likely to be killed by their intimate partners.

Cut 8 (08) “…about it.”

In 2016 and 2017 Louisiana ranked second among women murdered by men and the numbers used in the latest rankings are from 2019 and in 2018 ranked 5^th as well. However, Rand says moving from second to fifth is not necessarily an improvement.

Cut 9 (11)  “…real improvements.”

The complication of FBI statistics also shows that black women are twice as likely to be murdered by someone they know compared to white females.

Rand urges lawmakers to adopt laws to enhance the enforcement of federal legislation to remove guns from those guilty of domestic abuse and to give women more resources to protect themselves from their abusers.

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Congress has finally approved long-sought-after disaster recovery dollars. Louisiana and other states will share 28-billion dollars in disaster aid.  Senator John Kennedy says the money is contained in a bill that avoids a government shutdown…

Cut 10 (06)  “…just to Louisiana.” 

No word on the exact dollar amount that will be allocated to Louisiana itself that has suffered through nearly a half-dozen hurricanes since last year, including Laura, and more recently Ida.

Congressman Clay Higgins says while voting for the supplemental disaster relief, he says it falls short of what the state needs from Washington.

Cut 11 (07) “…Louisiana back up.”

Higgins says it took one of Louisiana’s major cities to be hit by a storm like Ida to get a federal disaster recovery funding bill passed.

Cut 12 (08) “…branch into action.”

Higgins says the disaster recovery bill doesn’t go far enough, and he plans to battle on.

Cut 13 (06) “…for enchancements.”

Meantime, Congressman Mike Johnson issued a statement says the disaster relief bill provides a down payment on disaster funding and the legislation was a “haphazard, last-minute attempt to keep the government funded.”

________________________________________

State Climatologist Barry Keim says while we’re on the back end of hurricane season it’s no time to let your guard down.  If history is any indication, we’re not out of the woods yet.

Cut 14 (07)  “…month of October.”

As for the worst hurricane to hit the state during October, It claimed some two thousand lives

Cut 15 (09)  “…at landfall.”

Most of the deaths occurred near Grand Isle from the hurricane that produced a 16-foot storm surge.

Keim says It’s happened before and potentially could happen again where a hurricane waits until the end of October to hit Louisiana. Take, for example, Hurricane Juan.

Cut  16 (10) “…of the month.”

Keim says the state has never been hit by a hurricane in November.

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For the first time since January 2020, the Saints will play in front of a packed house inside the Superdome when they take on the New York Giants. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan doesn’t know what to expect because it’s been so long since they’ve played in front ten of thousands of Who Dats.

Cut 17 (13) “…used to that.” 

Saints Running back Alvin Kamara says it should be an electric atmosphere when they kick off on Sunday…

Cut 18 (15)”…just ready”

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The Ragin Cajuns are looking for their sixth straight road victory in the Sun Belt on Saturday when they visit South Alabama, who is off to a 3-0 start. The Jaguars have been stout on defense, allowing 55 rushing yards per game and the Jaguars are allowing only 15 points a game. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says South Alabama has always been a good defensive team

Cut 19 (19)  “…the tape.” 

South Alabama has wins over Southern Miss, Bowling Green and Alcorn State. They enter this Sun Belt contest coming off a bye week. Napier says having an open week this early in the season can be good or bad

Cut 20 (14)  “…team is.” 

Due to an overwhelming number of calls, DSNAP enrollment has been extended. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Complaints about the work of insurance companies, particularly their adjusters, are keeping folks at the Louisiana Department of Insurance busy more than a month after Hurricane Ida.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Dave Brannen”  

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Extinction happens and Robert Dobbs with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the ivory-billed woodpecker is among nearly two dozen birds, fish and other species that have now been declared extinct.

Cut 3 (05) “…Louisiana since 1944.”

Dobbs says the last confirmed siting of the ivory-billed woodpecker was in the Tensas River area in northeastern Louisiana. The extinction designation this week comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Dobbs says bird lovers haven’t given up altogether on trying to find the ivory-billed woodpecker since its mid-1940s disappearance, but haven’t had any luck.

Cut 4 (09) “…have been confirmed.”

Dobbs says efforts need to be focused on making sure other species of birds and animals don’t disappear from the planet.

Cut 5 (08) “…to this point.”

The ivory-billed woodpecker was added to the endangered species list in the 1960s, before being declared extinct on Wednesday and joining a list of more than 900 extinct species worldwide.

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Due to extremely high call volume, Louisiana has received approval to extend DSNAP. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they understand the frustration among callers, and they are pleased they’ve received federal approval to extend call-in days.

Cut 6 (08) “…fourth week.” 

Phase three will end October 9^th and then those with the last names beginning with A-L can call in on October 11^th. Surnames M-Z on October 12^th and all names on October 13^th.

Of the 110-thousand calls so far seeking DSNAP assistance, almost 81-thousand have been approved.

Walters says DSNAP eligibility is a combination of one’s income and disaster-related expenses. She says the anxiety related to a mindset of “I lost all my food, I should be able to get DSNAP,” has frustrated many callers.

Cut 7 (11) “…simply not”  

Before when DSNAP applicants would visit an office in person Walters says candidates came in on assigned days, but since they moved to a virtual process they’ve been inundated with calls.

Cut 8 (08) “…any day”

Walters says for the extended days they will receive assistance from DSNAP operators in Texas and Oklahoma to assist with call volume. She says their ultimate goal is to assist those who are eligible and to keep people from going hungry.

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State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, the number one complaint his office is getting is the often slow response of insurance adjusters assigned to assess property damage.

Cut 9 (08) “…did the inspection.” 

He says adjusters have up to 60 days to inspect a property, and that failures to initiate a loss adjustment within that time period or pay a claim within 30 days after proof of loss, can result in penalties against insurers, including fines of up to 100-thousand-dollars per violation.

Complaints about adjusters not responding quickly enough to policyholder complaints may seem puzzling when Donelon notes the number of them at work in the state.

Cut 10 (06)  “…to our market.” 

When opting to file a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance, Donelon says you need to be able to relay what’s gone wrong with your attempt to get your property damage assessed and paid for.

Cut  11 (09)  “…keep detailed notes. ”  

Contact ldi.la.gov for further information.

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The Louisiana Health Department reported 872 new coronavirus cases today, it’s the lowest one-day total since early July. Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says the state is making good progress against COVID, but another surge is possible and vaccination rates will play a role…

Cut 12 (10) “..infected again.”  

State officials say nearly 52-percent of the state’s population is vaccinated and over 61-percent of the state’s eligible population has completed the vaccine series.

In another positive sign, COVID hospitalizations have fallen below 900 for the first time since July 21st. Hart says with just over half of the state’s population vaccinated, the possibility of another surge exists…

Cut 13 (09) “…woods yet.”

Hart says the fourth surge of COVID claimed thousands of lives and jammed their hospitals with COVID patients. It was the worst out of the four surges and Hart is hopeful the next surge is not as bad…

Cut 14 (08) “….winter months” 

The House is expected to vote on the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Brooke Thorington has more from two of the state’s congressional members.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Sports betting in Louisiana is still on hold for now after an expected mid-September start-up.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The U-S House is expected to vote on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill today. But when you look for support among Louisiana House members it appears as if Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Congressman from the Bayou State casting a yay vote.

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana “

However Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow feels the bill does not do enough to help residents in Louisiana, especially the ones she represents.

Cut 5 (11) “…5th district.”

Carter feels the bill can assist with several needs in Louisiana like broadband infrastructure, road and bridge projects, and also upgrade the state’s power grid.

Cut 6 (10) “…a pretzels.

Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground, but Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was among the group of 22 senators, and one of five Republicans, that negotiated the bill in the Senate. Fellow party member Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.

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Sports betting across the 55 parishes in Louisiana that approved it remains on hold after an expected mid-September start-up delayed by Hurricane Ida.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns:

Cut 8 (11) “…license applications reviewed.”

At last count 13 applications had been received of the 20 expected from casinos and racetracks around the state. Johns says he won’t venture a guess on the exact date when sports betting will be up and running in Louisiana.

Johns says troopers who had been assigned to Ida recovery from the State Police Gaming Division are back at full capacity to get help get sports betting rolling sooner rather than later.

Cut 9 (09)  “..final approval to.”

Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says it’s important for sports betting in the Bayou State to be fully compliant with state law.

Cut 10 (10)  “…get it right.” 

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State Education officials say parents of public school kids who may have been exposed to COVID will now have the option of whether or not to quarantine them. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says mandatory quarantine for those possibly exposed to the virus wasn’t in students’ best interests…:

Cut 11 (12) “…away from their friends.”

Brumley says too many students have missed too much classroom time due to mandatory evacuations, and the new option will be offered to school districts statewide who choose to implement it…:

Cut 12 (05) “…remain in school.”

(The state Health Department strongly recommends school districts follow public health guidance and parents quarantine unvaxxed kids who may have been exposed to the virus.)

Brumley says any students who ARE quarantined for possible COVID exposure will receive a free virus screening. He says engaging the parents in their child’s well-being is a good policy…:

Cut 13 (05) “…can consider

School systems are free to adopt the policy or not. If a child tests positive for COVID, or shows symptoms, they should still be isolated until they recover.

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In a surprise turn of events the mother of two-year Neveah Allen, who was reported missing Friday and later found in Mississippi, has been charged with second-degree murder. 24-year old Lanaya Cardwell of Baton Rouge was arrested Wednesday days after her boyfriend, 30-year old Philip Gardner was arrested for unlawful disposal of a body. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul…

Cut 14 (06)  “…into custody.”

An autopsy was performed on the child after her remains were located in a remote wooded area of Hancock County, Mississippi. Paul who remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation would only say the coroner’s ruling in the case.

Cut 15 (08)  “…coroner’s office.”

When the child was reported missing Cardwell told reporters that she last saw her child Friday morning before she left to go to work. It was originally reported that Gardner was watching the child and when he awoke from a nap she was discovered missing. Paul was asked when Cardwell became suspect in the investigation.

Cut  16 (08) “…the truth.”

Both Cardwell and Gardner are charged with second-degree murder. Garnder is also charged with unlawful disposal of human remains and obstruction of justice.

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Louisiana Tech is at 23rd ranked North Carolina State. It’s the final non-conference game for the Bulldogs and Coach Skip Holtz says playing a ranked team like N-C State can only make you better…

Cut 17 (14) “..every week.” 

Tech is coming off a 24-17 win over North Texas. Starting quarterback Austin Kendall did not play because of medical reasons. Holtz believes Kendall will be back, but another signal caller may miss this Saturday’s game…

Cut 18 (25)”…be out”

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The Saints are getting ready for their Dome opener when they host the New York Giants on Sunday. Quarterback Jameis Winston is expecting a very loud environment….

Cut 19 (25)  “…down here.” 

New York is still looking for its first win, but Winston says the Giants have a great secondary….

Cut 20 (18)  “…be ready.” 

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.”

_____________________________________

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 ”  

_________________________

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.

______________________________

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” 

______________________________________

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.”

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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.

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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.”