Louisiana and other states will share 28-billion dollars in disaster aid recovery dollars as a result of legislation approved by Congress that also averts a partial federal government shutdown. The money will turn into grants that can help 2020 hurricane victims rebuild their homes. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says it was a long battle to get this disaster relief money and the recovery mission is not over….
cut 13 (06) “./..for enhancements”
Higgins says the supplemental disaster aid bill falls at least a half-billion dollars short of what Governor Edwards requested.

It’s October 1st so there are two more months left in the hurricane season. The state was hit by two hurricanes last October, Delta and Zeta and State Climatologist Barry Keim says many Louisiana residents will remember Hurricane Juan in 1985…
cut 16 (10) “…of the month’

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.”

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 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.

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

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.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also called DSNAP) benefits have been extended for folks impacted by Hurricane Ida. Marketa Garner Walters is with the state Department of Children & Family Services, who administer the federal assistance. She says very high call volume is the reason for starting another phase of applications on October 11^th. Walters says please remember, DSNAP eligibility is a combination of one’s income and disaster-related expenses…:

CUT 07(11)      “…simply not”

Go to the DCFS website to know more.

Not seen in Louisiana since the 1940’s, the ivory-billed woodpecker has join 23 other species on the federal extinct list. State Wildlife & Fisheries spokesman Robert Dobbs…:

CUT 04(09)      “…have been confirmed”

The state Department of Health reports 872 new COVID-19 cases today; the lowest one-day total reported since early July. Hospitalizations are also lower than mid-summer numbers. Ochsner Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says that’s encouraging, but the chance of a fifth surge in cases depends on how many get the vaccine…:

CUT 12(10)      “…infected again”

Nearly 52% of Louisianans have received the COVID vaccine; that represents about 61% of those eligible to get the shots.

Baton Rouge Police arrest the mother of a two-year-old found dead this week in rural Mississippi. Investigators say Lanaya Cardwell grew angry with the toddler and hit her in the stomach and head. She later died on a sofa and Cardwell’s boyfriend disposed of the body. Both Cardwell and boyfriend Phillip Gardner face serious charges.

Due to an overwhelming number of calls, disaster food stamp enrollment has been extended. Brooke Thorington has more….:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington”

The city of Shreveport wants Mardi Gras krewes to pay the overtime costs for SPD officers working parades. The city’s two biggest krewes say they simply cannot afford that. There’s talk of possibly moving the parades to Bossier City, or just not parading at all.

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. He says adjusters have up to 60 days to inspect a property, and that failures to initiate a loss adjustment within that time can result in penalties. Donelon says the delays are puzzling when one considers the sheer number of adjusters working in the state…:

CUT 10(06)      “…to our market”

Filing a complaint of your own? Go to “ldi.la.gov”

Louisiana is making some progress in dealing with coronavirus. Fewer reported cases today than since early July, and fewer hospitalizations than we’ve seen since mid-July. Ochsner Health’s Chief Medical Officer Robert Hart says this current surge was worst of the four, and he hopes a possible fifth will be less severe…:

CUT 14(08)      “…fall and winter months.”

Consumer complaints about property insurance companies – particularly their adjusters – continue to flood in to the state Department of Insurance, over a month after Hurricane Ida. More from LRN’s Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Brannen”

State Education officials have decided to give school systems the option of allowing parents to decide whether or not to quarantine a child potentially exposed to coronavirus. One local system that’s rejecting that option is East Baton Rouge Parish, where school officials announced today they will continue to require students who come in close contact with COVID to quarantine.

The Louisiana Health Department reported 872 new coronavirus cases today, it’s the lowest one-day total since early July, and Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says it represents real progress. He says even though over half the state’s population is now vaccinated, the chance is still there for another surge in cases…:

CUT 13(09)      “…out of the woods yet.”

Statewide COVID hospitalization are also the lowest they’ve been since mid-summer.

Extinction happens and it appears we can say goodbye to the once familiar ivory-beaked woodpecker; a species not seen in our state since 1944. Robert Dobbs, with state Wildlife & Fisheries, says little can be done about that save taking steps to assure other species don’t disappear as well…:

CUT 05(08)      “…to this point”

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.”  

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 on October 9^th.

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.

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. 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.”

DSNAP has been extended due to high call volume. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they understand the frustration among callers, and they’re 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.

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.”

And that was in the Tensas River area in northeastern Louisiana.

State Education officials are giving school districts the ability to decide if a student who may have been exposed to COVID to quarantine or not. Superintendent Cade Brumley says any students who ARE quarantined for possible exposure will receive a screening. It will be up to each school system to decide on a quarantine.

Cut 13 (05) “…can consider

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. 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 30 (10)  “…get it right.” 

A vote on President Biden’s infrastructure bill is expected today in the U-S House. Republicans in Louisiana’s delegation are expected to vote no. Supporters say the legislation will mean an additional six billion dollars over the next five years for Louisiana. But Congresswoman Julia Letlow reads the legislation differently…
cut 5 (09) “…roads and bridges”
Progressives in the House could vote against this legislation too, because they want a three-point-five trillion-dollar reconciliation bill approved.

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 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service…
Cut 3 (05) “…Louisiana since 1944.”
Dobbs says the last confirmed siting of the ivory-billed woodpecker was in the Tensaw River area in northeastern Louisiana.

Over the weekend, 24-year-old Lanaya Cardwell of Baton Rouge was leading a search for her two-year-old daughter. Today she’s in jail, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Neveah Allen. The little girl’s body was found in Mississippi on Sunday. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul was asked when Cardwell became a suspect…
cut 16 (08) “….the truth”
Cardwell’s live-in boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner, has also been charged with murder.

Hurricane Ida has delayed legal sports betting at the state’s casinos and racetracks. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says State Police handles the application process and they were busy responding to the Hurricane. Johns says the State Police Gaming Division is back at full capacity so he hopes sports betting will get going soon…
cut 9 (09) “…final approval to”

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.” 

The deadline to apply for the Blue Roof Program has been extended to October 15^th. For more information, you can visit Blueroof.us or call 1-800-ROOF-B-L-U. The original deadline was today but it’s been extended for two weeks.

The U-S House could vote today on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill. It appears New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Louisiana House member to cast a yay vote.

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana.”
But Republicans say the legislation is too expensive and not enough dollars are going to traditional infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground and strengthen the state’s power grid that was severely impacted during February’s winter storms and Hurricane Ida. However North Louisiana Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”

The state education department is giving local school systems the option to change their COVID quarantine policy. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says instead of mandatory quarantine for students defined as close contact, school systems can allow parents to decide if their child should stay at home in close contact situations…
cut 11 (12) “…away from their friends”
But L-D-H released a statement expressing concern for changing this policy.

A Baton Rouge mother who told authorities that her two-year-old daughter went missing from their apartment last week is now facing second-degree murder charges. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says 24-year-old Lanaya Cardwell and her 30-year-old boyfriend have been charged with second-degree murder…
cut 15 (08) “…coroner’s Office”
A police report says the child died from injuries sustained after she was punched that resulted in her falling on her head.

The U-S 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.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve received federal approval to extend its Hurricane Ida disaster food stamp operation program by three days due to the large volume of applicants. The application period was scheduled to end October 9th, but has been extended until October 13.