On Capitol Hill, a House-approved funding bill is headed to the Senate that contains 28-billion dollars in disaster relief money for states like Louisiana, but the measure also raises the debt ceiling. Dave Brannen has more from Senator Bill Cassidy
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

DCFS says since Monday they’ve received 11-thousand calls from residents who are applying for disaster food stamps. There’s an alphabet system for when people in certain parishes should apply, but officials say some folks are calling on the wrong day. The DCFS website has the schedule.

Entergy representatives have told state lawmakers that utility customers can expect to see additional fees to help pay for all of the damage done to their power system during the last two hurricane seasons. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggests the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about their preventative maintenance of utility poles and equipment.
Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”
Entergy says they do replace poles and other infrastructure as it ages.

Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the first day of fall…
Cut 7 (11) “…in some cases.”
Keim says humidity levels will rise again over the weekend.

The U-S House has passed a funding bill that contains 28-billion dollars in disaster relief funds that would go to states like Louisiana, but the measure also raises the 28-trillion dollar debt ceiling. The Senate is expected to block the legislation because Republicans do not want to raise the debt ceiling. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy…
cut 11 (11) “…disaster relief”
Senator John Kennedy says he’ll vote for the bill because he says his state needs the help.

A cold front has moved through Louisiana, creating cooler, breezy, and drier conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 8 (08) “….be glorious outside”
There are also no tropical threats for the Gulf of Mexico.

Entergy Louisiana customers can expect higher fees that will go towards paying for the rebuilding of the power distribution system following last year’s hurricanes. The utility provider is proposing a five-dollar surcharge for the next 15 years and Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer told a legislative hearing that they expect a similar surcharge for Ida in the future…
cut 5 (12) “….this year”

LSU football players have cooling fans in their helmets thanks to an invention by a tech startup company based in Baton Rouge called Tigeraire…
cut 14 (11) “….their best”
Tigeraire CEO Jack Karavich says the Cyclone consists of dual blowers that fit between the padding inside a football helmet. A firm from Silicon Valley has made a major investment into Tigeraire.

Entergy is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a five-dollar monthly surcharge for repair work from the 2020 hurricane season and February winter storms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to address proposals to increase debt spending and pass a disaster relief bill, with Senator Bill Cassidy most interested in getting assistance to storm victims in South Louisiana.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Tigeraire the Louisiana startup that created helmet fans for the LSU Tigers has signed on with a major venture capital firm to expand. Brooke Thorington

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Entergy Louisiana is seeking to add a $5 surcharge to customer’s bills to pay almost $2.1 billion in repair work following hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta, and February’s winter storms.  Entergy Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Mark Kleehammer says the average customer will pay the monthly surcharge for the next fifteen years.

Cut 4 (09) “…the same thing.”

Entergy presented their surcharge proposal before a Joint Legislative Commerce Committee meeting at the capitol Monday. Entergy customers already pay a monthly surcharge for damages caused by hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Isaac. Charges for Gustav are expected to roll off next year.

Kleehammer says they expect to ask for a similar surcharge for Ida in the future.

Cut 5 (12) “…this year.”

Entergy customers paid monthly surcharges for Katrina and Rita for approximately ten years.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot suggested the utility provider dedicate a portion of their $700 million annual profits to an escrow account to pay for catastrophic repairs. He also questioned Entergy representatives about their preventative maintenance of utility poles and equipment.

Cut 6 (11) “…the payer.”

Entergy submitted the most recent surcharge request for the 2020 hurricanes and this year’s winter storms to the Public Service Commission for approval that won’t be voted on for at least another eight months.

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Summer’s gone and fall is here and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us temperatures are falling right in line with the seasonal change. In other words, goodbye warm weather, at least for now.

Cut 7 (11) “…in some cases.”

The cooler weather is expected to be a welcome relief for those recovering from Ida as they make repairs to their damaged properties.

Keim says this package of relief from the heat should be fairly noticeable.

Cut 8 (08) “…be glorious outside.”

Keim says the fall-like weather will gradually make its way into the state over the next few days.

Cut 9 (07)  “…pouring in here.”

And after the cool front moves through, it’ll be followed by somewhat warmer temperatures moving into the 80s by the weekend, but nothing like the temps of summer that we’ve left behind at least temporarily.

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Senator Bill Cassidy says efforts are underway to pass the disaster supplemental bill before the end of the fiscal year September 30.

Cut 10 (09)  “…not be addressed.” 

He says the federal funding is way overdue and needed to offset the funding needs following the destruction caused to South Louisiana by hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida.

When asked about the pending action on the question of raising the debt ceiling, Cassidy is clear on what in the final analysis needs to be done regardless of what happens.

Cut 11 (11) “…for disaster relief.”

Cassidy says there’s one thing that he doesn’t want Senator Majority leader Chuck Schumer to do when it comes to getting support for a disaster relief package.

Cut 12 (12) “…doesn’t do that.”

Cassidy prefers a separate disaster relief bill that he seems confident will pass both chambers of Congress.

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A Louisiana startup company that created interior helmet fans for the LSU football team when they added face shields for COVID has signed with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm as their lead investor. Jack Karavich is the founder and CEO of Tigeraire the company that created the helmet fans known as the Cyclone.

Cut 13 (09) “…all the time.”

General Catalyst, the venture capital firm behind Venmo, Airbnb, and TikTok is now investing in the hot new company that keeps players cool. This makes Tigeraire the first company in the state to ever attract a seed round investment from a Global Top 50 Venture Capital firm.

Karavich says LSU football players use the Tigeraire Cyclone during practice and game time.

Cut 14 (11)  “…their best.”

Karavich says the two fans in the helmet produce the equivalent of up to a 25 mile per hour breeze over a player’s face and for the players that like to wear visors, they’ve been able to tweak the fans to help reduce fogging.

Since Tigeraire began making headlines, Karavich says LSU alums in the construction industry have even requested a Cyclone model for hardhats to help keep their workers cool.

Cut 15 (09)  “…year actually.”

In addition to LSU, Karavich says they just sent a shipment of Cyclone fans to starters at Texas A&M.

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After three games, LSU sophomore defensive end BJ Ojulari leads the nation in sacks with 4.5. He recorded 2.5 sacks in the win over Central Michigan. Ojulari says he’s picked up great pass-rushing skills from fellow teammates and coaches…

Cut  16 (22) “…to get better.”

LSU senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says on how Ojulari has gotten better since arriving on campus…

Cut 17 (21) “…coming in.” 

Through three games, LSU is averaging just three yards a carry and they have 257 rushing yards a game. But Quarterback Max Johnson liked what he saw from the running game in the second half of Saturday’s game against Central Michigan as freshman Corey Kiner performed well…

Cut 18 (14)”…be fun.”

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The ULM football team celebrated its first win since November 23rd, 2019 when the Warhawks beat Jackson State 12 to seven on Saturday. Coach Terry Bowden says ending a 12-game losing streak was great, now it’s time to start winning some Sun Belt games…

Cut 19 (25)  “…with Troy.” 

ULM has started Rhett Rodriguez in the first two games, but Chandler Rogers played in the second half in Saturday’s win against Jackson State. Rogers only completed one pass but helped the offense move the ball by running the ball. Bowden has not announced a starter for Troy

Cut 20 (30)  “…downfield” 

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit over extended outages caused by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has the story…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Thorington”

A 15-year-old girl is in custody in Caddo Parish for allegedly making a threat over social media.  Sheriff Steve Prator says students and staff reported a bomb threat against Byrd High School yesterday afternoon.  A full sweep of the campus was made but no bomb was found. Authorities say the teen used another classmate’s social media account to make the threat. She’s charged with terrorizing.

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 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.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

State Representative Tanner Magee of Houma told a legislative committee Monday that 13-thousand homes in Terrebonne Parish have been destroyed or significantly damaged by Ida.  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.”  

Trying times continue for folks in Terrebonne Parish; among the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen reports it’s a situation upsetting to Houma State Representative Tanner Magee…:

CUT 02(28)      “…Brannen”

Deputies in Bossier Parish arrest a Benton woman on multiple charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Acting on a tip, officers found over a dozen horses on the property that were extremely malnourished and in such dire conditions some were barely able to walk. They also found three dead horses. 52-year-old Sandra Driscoll’s bond is set at $100-thousand.

Entergy faces a class-action lawsuit by customers in the New Orleans area; alleging gross negligence is the reason the utility’s power suffered long-term outages from Hurricane Ida. Lawyer Juan LaFonta is one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys. He says the suit seeks damages for things like food that was spoiled due to lack of power and even electrical equipment that was harmed when power was restored…:

CUT 04(10)      “…transmission lines”

He says Entergy’s neglected to upgrade transmission lines and that’s why the New Orleans grid was hit so badly. Entergy says they do not comment on pending litigation.

Mayors of Shreveport and Lake Charles have a gentlemen’s bet on which city can get more citizens vaccinated for COVID by Halloween. Shreveport’s Adrian Perkins says both cities win if the vaxxed numbers increase…:

CUT 12(09)      “…Louisiana”

The winner will get a fine seafood dinner at one of the losing city’s finest eateries.

After extensive power outages caused by Hurricane Ida, Entergy now faces a class-action lawsuit from customers. As many as 902-thousand lost power during the storm. New Orleans attorney Juan LaFonta is one of the lawyers representing plaintiffs in the case…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…went down”

How many plaintiffs? As of Monday, 17 and counting. Entergy says they do not comment on pending litigation.

The post-Ida misery in continues, especially in Terrebonne Parish where as many as 13-thousand homes were destroyed or significantly damaged. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee lashed out at apartment owners who gave renters just over a week to vacate damaged residence; offering no options of where they were to go…:

CUT 10(11)      “…be thrown out”

FEMA says temporary living quarters – likely trailers – are still about a month out.

A representative of the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans says the building suffered no serious structural damage when a fire broke out on the roof shortly after noon today. Workers were pressure washing the top of the Dome, when the fire started. Its cause is not yet known. The fire was out within about an hour. One worker was treated for minor burns.

Two Lafayette area hospitals face a lawsuits for mandating their employees get COVID vaccinations or face possible termination. They are Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Lawyer Jimmy Faircloth represents the plaintiffs, who he calls “frontline heroes”, as being vilified for not getting the shots…:

CUT 07(12)      “…drive public policy”

Ochsner hospital has no comment on the lawsuit, but says data and science show the vaccines are working. Our Lady of Lourdes says it is doing what it needs to limit spread of the virus on the hospital campus.

Entergy is facing a class-action lawsuit over extended outages caused by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has the story…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Thorington”

At least one person has been injured in a fire on the roof of the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans. The fire broke out earlier today in a gutter tube while workers were pressure washing the roof. What actually caused the fire is yet unknown. A worker was treated for minor burns.

Two lawsuits are making their way through state court that allege COVID vaccination mandates issued by Ochsner Lafayette and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center violate the state constitution. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth represents the plaintiffs…:

CUT 06  (06)        “…what this is”

He says the 83 plaintiffs working at the two facilities face termination if they refuse the COVID vaccine. Ochsner has no comment as yet. Our Lady says it’s taking appropriate steps to mitigate risks from the virus.

The mayors of Shreveport and Lake Charles have a friendly wager that their city can get more people vaccinated for COVID than the other by October 31^st. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter feels his city is up to the challenge…:

CUT 13  (11)        “…your doctor”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says no matter who wins, both cities are winners because more people have gotten the shot.

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) “…make shift structure” 

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 says the court filing is a first step in trying to halt the implementation of the vaccine mandate.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the court.”

After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from some of the utility’s customers. As many as 902-thousand lost power following the storm. Attorney Juan 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 says it doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

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. Both say the vaccine is the answer to ending the pandemic

Cut 14 (10) “….loved ones” 

Governor Edwards is in Washington DC advocating for disaster relief for multiple natural disasters.  One of his requests will ask for flexibility with match funding. GOHSEP Deputy Director Casey Tingle says after disasters, municipalities are faced with immediate costs like debris removal.

Cut  16 (12) “…facilities.”

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. The two mayors posted an online video announcing the challenge. Perkins says it’s a win-win.

Cut 12 (09) “…Louisiana.”  

Both mayors will update weekly progress on their social media pages.

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. Faircloth says those suing, who he calls “frontline heroes” are 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.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is participating in the Moderna pediatric COVID vaccine trial. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A 15-year-old girl is in custody in Caddo Parish for allegedly making a threat over social media.  Sheriff Steve Prator says students and staff reported a bomb threat against Byrd High School yesterday afternoon.  A full sweep of the campus was made but no bomb was found. Authorities say the teen used another classmate’s social media account to make the threat. She’s charged with terrorizing.

After extensive power outages from Hurricane Ida, Entergy is now facing a class-action lawsuit from some customers. More than 900 thousand lost power following the storm. Juan LaFonta is one of the attorneys’ representing plaintiffs in the case.  He says the suit is seeking to recover damages for losses that include 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.” 

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.” 

Ochsner is not commenting due to pending litigation and Lourdes says it believes it’s taken appropriate measures to mitigate risks associated with the pandemic.