The Apple TV series Five Days at Memorial is based on actual events during Hurricane Katrina. Brooke Thorington has more from the book’s author.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Federal officials say nationally the traffic death numbers for the first quarter of this year are the worst in twenty years. State officials say there’s a glimmer of good news here, but only a glimmer. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby” 

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New LEAP test results indicate a literacy bill that failed to pass the legislature was likely a good idea. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The Apple TV series Five Days at Memorial is based on actual events during Hurricane Katrina. It chronicles the choices hospital caregivers were forced to make during the crisis without resources and how 45 people died as a result. It’s adapted from the book by Sheri Fink who says it’s important to tell the story, so we are prepared for the next crisis.

Cut 4 (09)  “…learn from it.”

Fink, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist says the eight-episodes cover what happened just before, during, and after Katrina. When the levees broke and the city flooded, the New Orleans hospital lost power for five days. Caregivers were forced to prioritize patient care under extreme circumstances.

Cut 5 (11) “…the story.”

The series examines how unprepared the hospital was to shelter and care for patients. Fink says for many the realistic portrayal is extremely difficult to watch, especially for those who lived through Katrina seventeen years ago.

Cut 6 (12)  “…the future.”

The Apple TV series premiered on August 12^th and new episodes can be streamed on Fridays.

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Federal officials say nationally, traffic deaths from January through March of this year were the highest since 2002. State Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallet says Louisiana numbers are slightly down from last year. But 194 traffic deaths in Louisiana through the first quarter of this year is still very high

Cut 7 (:11) “…driving distracted”

Mallet says they need drivers to double down on taking precautions to avoid serious crashes. Especially by focusing on driving and by putting away distractions.

Cut 8 (:10)  “…pay attention.”

Mallet says the goal is zero fatalities. He hopes this year’s slight drop in fatalities is the beginning of a downward trend similar to the one between 2017 and 2019.

Cut 9 (08)  “…trend downward.”

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New LEAP test results – showing a decline in literacy – have one state lawmaker saying “I told you so,” after his literacy & retention bill failed to pass this year. Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson’s bill to hold 3^rd graders back a year if they continuously failed reading assignments failed to win passage. He says, despite objections from colleagues, the same law worked well for our neighbor to the east…:

Cut 10 (11) “…out of the water.”

The LEAP results show that 41 percent of 4th-grade students read below their grade level. Mississippi adopted the same law in 2013 and has seen its students excel and surpass Louisiana’s in literacy. Nelson says it’s imperative that reading-challenged students get the help they need before they leave 3^rd grade…:

Cut  11 (12)  “…throughout society.” 

Under Nelson’s proposal, 3^rd graders held back due to literacy would get intensive instructional help to assure they were prepared, and have the reading proficiency to move up in grade level. Critics argued the law would unfairly punish minority students, but Nelson says the bill would have done just the opposite…:

Cut 12 (10) “…later in life.” 

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A flood watch remains in effect for the northern half of the state. Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says in the past 24 hours some areas north of Alexandria received anywhere from two to three inches of rain on the low end while other areas had as much as five to six inches of rain.

Cut 13 (08) “…north Louisiana.”

Hemmingway says while the small disturbance off the coast of Texas was a slight contributing factor to the rains, we’re seeing in the northern half of the state…

Cut 14 (11)  “…ahead of that front.”

He says in general a rich tropical air mass was already in place leading up to the frontal boundary stalling out.

Rain chances should begin to taper off in north Louisiana as we go into the evening hours, but Hemmingway says don’t put away the umbrella too quick.

Cut 15 (10)  “…after seven o’clock.”

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Former Rummel star Chandler Fields has beat out Ben Wooldridge for starting quarterback duties at U-L Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says Fields gives them the best chance to win….

Cut 16 (19)  “…operating it.”

Fields has been with the Cajuns since 2019. Wooldridge transferred to U-L after appearing in five games at Fresno State in 2020 as a sophomore. Desormeaux says Wooldridge took the news hard that he would not start the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana…

Cut 17 (20) “..keep competing” 

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Louisiana Tech plans to start TCU transfer, Matthew Downing,

at Q-B when the Bulldogs open the season at Missouri a week from Thursday. Downing beat out Parker McNeil. Downing says there are no hard feelings between him and McNeil…

Cut  18 (15)“…lot of fun.”

Downing played for head coach Sonny Cumbie in 2020, when Cumbie was the offensive coordinator for the Horned Frogs. Before that Downing was at Georgia….

 Cut 19 (23) “…play this year” 

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre suffered a medical emergency overnight and is currently under a physician’s care. The news was posted on the department’s Facebook page, and a spokesperson for the office says his family is requesting privacy and no visitors so he can rest. His health condition will be addressed at a later date.

Baton Rouge state Representative Larry Selders is charged with DWI, reckless operation, and driving under suspension after he was busted over the weekend speeding and doing burnouts near the LSU campus. State Trooper Christian Reed…:

Cut 10 (10) “..was subsequently arrested.” 

State Police declined to say why Selders had a suspended license. Selders has since issued a written statement of apology.

Data from the CDC and FBI indicate the homicide rate for rural Louisiana in 2020 was just under 17 per 100 thousand people. Almost three times higher than the national average. LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist, Peter Scharf says the federal government needs to assist with funding to address the immediate issue and we also need to think about long-term solutions.

Cut 8 (07) “…their kids.”

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow night. National Weather Service meteorologist Davyon Hill says a stalled frontal boundary has set up over the I-20 corridor…:

Cut 3 (10) “…24 to 48 hours” 

Hill says four to six inches is likely across the area, but there’s the potential for as much as eight inches for some areas.

State Representative Larry Selders of Baton Rouge is charged with DWI, reckless operation, and driving under a suspended license. State Police spokesperson Christian Reed says troopers saw him traveling at a high rate of speed near the LSU campus…:

CUT 09(07)      “…doing a burnout.”

The 40-year-old failed a breath test, was arrested and released on bond.

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow night. National Weather Service meteorologist Davyon Hill says some areas could get up to 8 inches. He says the rain should provide a nice break from all the heat…:

CUT 05(05)      “…the flooding.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for attempted murder, arson and more after he allegedly set fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home in Hammond, while her kids were asleep inside. The two girls made it out safely, the family dog did not. 38-year-old Danielle Johnson is behind bars

New research on the Indian mounds on LSU’s campus has determined they are the oldest known human-built structures in North America. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

The homicide rate in rural Louisiana is nearly three times the national average. Brooke Thorington has more from a criminologist on what’s fueling the increase and what can be done about it…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has some folks angry again. Crime victims are up-in-arms over the mayor showing up in court in support of a juvenile offender during sentencing. That 13-year-old youth robbed at least two people at gunpoint. Critics says Cantrell is tone deaf to constituents’ problems.

Northern Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow, as a stalled system sit over the I-20 corridor dumping loads of rain. National Weather Service forecaster Davyon Hill says some areas could get as much as 8 inches…:

CUT 04(12)      “…some locations.”

On the positive side, the rains will give a needed break from all this heat.

A Baton Rouge state lawmakers faces DWI & reckless driving charges and more, after he was caught over the weekend…speeding and doing burnout near the LSU campus. Larry Selders failed a blood alcohol breath test. On Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana radio program, state Senator Cleo Fields was asked about Selders, his personal friend…:

CUT 11(05)      “…years to come.”

In a written statement, Selders said he understands the importance of safe driving and is committed to making better decisions.

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow night. National Weather Service meteorologist Davyon Hill says a stalled frontal boundary has set up over the I-20 corridor…:

CUT 03(10)      “…24 to 48 hours.”

Baton Rouge state Representative Larry Selders is charged with DWI, reckless operation and driving under suspension, after he was busted over the weekend speeding and doing burnouts near the LSU campus. State Trooper Christian Reed…:

CUT 10(10)      “…was arrested.”

State Police declined to say why Selders had a suspended license. Selders issued a written statement of apology.

New Orleans Policed report two people have been killed and 12 others wounded in 11 separate shootings reported since Friday. The conditions of those wounded victims is not known at this time.

New research has determined the mounds on LSU’s campus near Tiger Stadium are the oldest known man-made structures in North America. LSU Geology and Geophysics Professor emertius Brooks Ellwood says radiocarbon dating of the layers of material indicates the mounds were built 11-thousand years ago. He says one of the mounds is unstable and degrading…:

CUT 14(08)      “…kind of amazing.”

The mounds on LSU’s campus are among the more than 880 man-made, hill-like mounds in Louisiana. Ellwood says they suspect the LSU mounds were a cremation site.

Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders is charged with DWI, reckless operation, and driving under a suspended license. Trooper Christian Reed says officers witnessed Selders doing burnouts near LSU.

Cut 9 (07)  “…doing a burnout.”

Selders took a breath test, was arrested, and released on a summons.  He released a statement saying he takes public safety seriously and is committed to making better decisions.

The CDC and the FBI say the 2020 homicide rate for rural Louisiana was almost three times higher than the national average. LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist, Peter Scharf says it comes down to drugs and the fact that rural law enforcement doesn’t have the capacity to address the issue.

Cut 7 (12) “…overwhelmed.” 

New research has determined the mounds on LSU’s campus near Tiger Stadium are the oldest known manmade structures in North America. LSU Geology and Geophysics Professor Emeritus Brooks Ellwood says the age estimate is based on studying sediment from the bottom of the mounds which is ash from burned reed and cane plants as well as charred mammal bone fragments…

Cut 13 (10) “.    these mounds’ 

Several Calcasieu Parish School buildings are still under repair from Hurricane Laura—which struck southwest Louisiana as a category four storm two years ago. Schools superintendent Shannon Lafargue says the school system has maxed out its insurance and really needs FEMA’s help.

Cut 14 (10)  “…week to week”

According to a report in the Advocate, homicides in rural Louisiana are surging. The CDC and the FBI data indicate the homicide rate for rural Louisiana in 2020 was just under 17 per 100 thousand people. Almost three times higher than the national average. LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist, Peter Scharf says it comes down to drugs.
Cut 6 (07) “…kill each other .”
Scharf says the loss of jobs in rural areas has many turning to drugs as a form of recreation.

New research has determined the mounds on LSU’s campus near Tiger Stadium are the oldest known man made structures in North America. LSU Geology and Geophysics Professor Emertius Brooks Ellwood says radiocarbon dating of the layers of material indicates the mounds were built 11-thousand years ago…
cut 12 (12) “…gets younger”
The mounds on LSU’s campus are among the more than 880 man-made, hill-like mounds in Louisiana.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell for a second straight month in July, to its lowest level ever. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Heavy rainfall is falling across north Louisiana today and in fact the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the upper half of the state through Tuesday night. Meteorologist Davyon Hill says the rainfall will give north Louisiana a break from what has been a hot and relatively dry summer…
Cut 5 (05) “…the flooding”
If you are in the Monroe area, be prepared for some heavy rainfall.

An investigation determines hospital staff contacted the Department of Children and Family Services three times about potential substance abuse involving a two-year-old child, before he died of a fentanyl overdose. Kevin Gallagher reports…

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

A Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders faces DWI charges after troopers saw him doing burnouts in his Dodge Challenger near LSU early Sunday morning. He was also charged with Reckless Operation and Driving Under Suspension.

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow night. National Weather Service meteorologist Davyon Hill says a stalled frontal boundary has set up over the I-20 corridor and four to six inches is likely across the area, but there’s the potential for as much as eight inches for some areas.

Cut 4  (12) “…some locations.”

Several Calcasieu Parish School buildings are still under repair from Hurricane Laura—which struck southwest Louisiana two years ago. One of the strongest storms to ever make landfall in Louisiana did at least 400 million dollars’ worth of damage to the schools alone. But Schools superintendent Shannon LaFargue says they’ve made a lot of progress.

Cut 13 (08) “…sense of normalcy.”

The state Department of Children and Family Services announces policy changes as a result of an overdose death of a two-year-old child. D-C-F-S admits they were contacted three times by hospital staff about substance abuse involving the child, but because of a variety of reasons they failed to have a case worker inspect the home. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says that will never happen again…

Cut 8 (08)  “…priority response.”

For a second straight month, Louisiana set a record-low unemployment rate in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment is 3.6-percent. She says, coincidentally, the EMPLOYMENT rate is also looking good…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…is high as well.”

U.L. Lafayette is now ranked among the nation’s top 100 public research universities. The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) annual Higher Education Research & Development Survey (HERD) ranks ULL 94th among 655 colleges that do research. ULL’s Vice President for Research & Innovation Dr. Ramesh Kolluru (ko-LOO-roo) says it’s an important distinction for a Louisiana university…:

Cut 10 (09) “…in the top 100.”

Several Calcasieu Parish School buildings are still under repair from Hurricane Laura—which struck southwest Louisiana as a category four storm two years ago. Schools superintendent Shannon LaFargue says the school system has maxed out its insurance and really needs FEMA’s help.

Cut 14 (10)  “…week to week”

An investigation determines hospital staff contacted the Department of Children and Family Services three times about potential substance abuse involving a two-year-old child before he died of a fentanyl overdose. Kevin Gallagher reports…
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders was arrested over the weekend on D-W-I and reckless operation charges. State Police says Troopers observed the 40-year-old state lawmaker traveling at a high rate of speed while producing a burnout with his vehicle near the LSU campus early Sunday morning.

The state’s unemployment rate for July is the lowest on record at 3-point-six percent, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. And the number of people employed is the second highest. L-W-C Secretary Ava Cates says they hope the state’s new Tech Ready Louisiana program will produce even more jobs…
cut 5 (10) “…..essential skills”
Nearly one-thousand Louisiana residents have already signed up for Tech Ready.

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow night. National Weather Service meteorologist Davyon Hill says a stalled frontal boundary has set up over the I-20 corridor…
cut 3 (10) “…48 hours”
Hill says four to six inches is likely across the area, but there’s the potential for as much as eight inches for some areas.