The executive director of the Bayou Community Foundation says the group is focusing its assistance efforts on hard-hit Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.  Jennifer Armand says the organization has raised several million dollars thus far. In looking back to last week, Armand says gasoline has been one of the significant needs of those in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. And, then there will be educational needs.

Cut 6 (09) “…in the system.”

The second of three planned SWEPCO wind farms is up and running in nearby Oklahoma. The Maverick wind farm is expected to generate 287-megawatts of power for the SWEPCO grid in Louisiana and elsewhere. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says the SWEPCO grid will benefit from power generated by the turbines of the two wind farms.

Cut 9 (12) “…in a forward way.”

State police are investigating a weekend officer-involved shooting.  It occurred Saturday night involving a Shreveport police office at a West 70^th Street address inside the city limits. He had responded to a call for service at a convenience store and wound up chasing 30-year-old Desmond Lewis who fled on foot. After catching up with Lewis, he and the officer got into an altercation, Lewis pulling out a weapon and the officer responding by fatally shooting Lewis.  The unidentified officer escaped injury.

In sports…the Saints kicked off the 2021 season with a 38-3 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Cut 3 (30)  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you look at COVID hospitalizations in the state it appears as if they peaked in mid-August but since a major hurricane has hit the state, he fears things could change.
Cut 10 (11) “…downward trajectory.”
On Friday 1,755 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, down more than 40-percent since the governor issued his latest indoor mask mandate.

The executive director of the Bayou Community Foundation has raised millions of dollars to help residents in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes who need fuel, food and other items following Hurricane Ida. Jennifer Armand says schools in those two parishes suffered significant damage and they are going to figure out how this money can help…
cut 6 (11) “…in the system”

The second of three planned SWEPCO wind farms is up and running in Oklahoma. The Maverick wind farm is expected to generate 287-megawatts of power for the SWEPCO grid in Louisiana and elsewhere. North Louisiana Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell is a proponent of wind energy and the savings it provides for utility customers
Cut 7 (06) “…do for Louisiana.”
Campbell says the new wind farm represents a $1-Billion savings over a 30-year period compared to other energy resources.

Saints fans could not have asked for a better start to the season as the Black and Gold pummeled the Packers 38 to 3 in Jacksonville yesterday. Quarterback Jameis Winston only threw for 148 yards in his first start for the Saints, but he tossed five touchdown passes and he was not intercepted. Linebacker Demario Davis says he’s proud of Winston…
cut 17 (16) “…what they see”
Meanwhile, the Saints defense put the clamps down on the reigning NFL MVP. Aaron Rodgers threw for only 133 yards and he was intercepted twice.

Governor Edwards has declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Nicholas which has the potential of bringing heavy rains and flash flooding to Louisiana after it makes landfall in Texas, north of Corpus Christi later today. Southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch.

Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes are getting help from an organization that’s among others trying to help Ida storm victims get back on their feet. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has declined to 1,755 based on the latest data released by the Louisiana Department of Health. That’s a 40-percent decline since the governor reinstituted an indoor statewide mask mandate. The positivity rate has also fallen in recent weeks. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says he’s concerned the downward trend could be short-lived, given the fact many families were forced to shelter with others due to Ida…
cut 11 (09) “…generator”

SWEPCO Is now delivering energy from a second wind farm in Oklahoma to customers in Louisiana. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell likes to see the growth of renewable power…
cut 8 (07) “…in north Caddo parish.

COVID hospitalizations have dropped to their lowest point since July as the last report from the Louisiana Department of Health had 1,755 people hospitalized with the coronavirus. The positivity rate has also dropped from 14 to 11-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says while the numbers are encouraging, he’s asking citizens to remain vigilant with COVID mitigation practices…
cut 12 (11) “….future increases”

The number of customers still without power continues to decline, but a majority of customers are still without power in St. John, St Charles Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes. Entergy President Phillip May…
cut 15 (09) “…what we can”

The executive director of the Bayou Community Foundation says the group is focusing its assistance efforts on hard-hit Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Jennifer Armand says the organization has raised several million dollars so far.
Cut 4 (12) “…on the ground.”
Armand says money keeps pouring into the foundation’s fund that has helped pay for fuel, food, and other needs.

North Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is celebrating the start-up of the second of three planned SWEPCO wind farms in Oklahoma. Campbell says the 287-megawatt Maverick wind farm is now providing more clean energy for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (12) “…in a forward way”
The Louisiana Public Service Commission unanimously approved Campbell’s motion to endorse the SWEPC wind project in May 2020.

Two weeks after Hurricane Ida and the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 130-thousand utility customers remain without power. 82-percent of the utility customers in St. Charles Parish does not have electricity, 70-percent in Terrebonne Parish, and around 60-percent are still in the dark in St. John and Lafourche Parishes. Entergy CEO Phillip May…
cut 14 (07) “…light is on”
Entergy has made progress in Tangipahoa and Livingston as less than 20-percent of the customers in those parishes are without power.

The Bayou Community Foundation, which is helping residents in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish says money keeps pouring into its Hurricane Ida relief fund…
cut 5 (09) “…year ahead”
Bayou Community Foundation Director Jennifer Armand says the money is going towards fuel, food, and various other needs in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish.

Statewide COVID hospitalizations appear to have peaked in mid-August, but health officials fear Hurricane Ida could reverse the state’s progress…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack opposes the Biden administration’s policy requiring employers with 100 or more workers to require COVID vaccines. Waguespack says mandating vaccinations is not the role of the federal government.

Cut 7 (10) “..should be doing”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discussed allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he failed to hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors and has since been cleared. Davis denies an AP report he personally visited the Union Parish D-A in an effort to keep troopers involved in Greene’s death were not criminally charged…

Cut 13 (08)    of my employees”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has located more than 100 oiled birds due to a spill from the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the spill is associated with Hurricane Ida’s path. He says there’s a fair bit of oil near the levee that surrounds the refinery.

Cut 9 (05) “…if we can.” 

The oiled birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. Wiebe says their stay there depends on the condition of the bird.

According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical wave off the Atlantic coast of Central America has a 70-percent chance of formation in the next two days. By late in the weekend heavy rains could reach the western gulf coast including coastal Texas and Louisiana through mid-week. The significant rainfall could result in flash flooding for the Bayou State.

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discusses changes made with the agency as his department comes under fire for allegedly not investigating properly cases of excessive force arrests involving troopers.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

LSU says about 4-percent or 12-hundred students have yet to comply with the school’s new COVID-19 entry protocols as of Thursday. Students who failed to do so by Friday risk being kicked off-campus.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at GOHSEP, says 20 years on, the biggest threat we face from terrorists is cyberattacks which can cripple major companies and infrastructure.

Cut 4  (12) “…their knees.” 

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is not a fan of President Biden’s proposed mandate that all U.S. companies with 100 or more employees force their workers to get a COVID vaccine. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack says that would put businesses in a very tough position.

Cut 8 (10) “..are subjected to”

He says Biden’s plan could potentially cause more companies to relocate outside the U.S.

The Biden Administration’s plan to require Covid-19 vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees is drawing strong opposition from LABI.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Dave Brannen.

According to the National Hurricane Center, A tropical wave off the Atlantic coast of Central America has a 70-percent chance of formation in the next two days. By late in the weekend heavy rains could reach the western gulf coast including coastal Texas and Louisiana through mid-week. The significant rainfall could result in flash flooding for the Bayou State.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says policies and procedures implemented since 9-11 have made a difference.

Cut 3 (12) “…major incidents.”

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis held a lengthy press conference Friday to discuss allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he did not hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors. Clary has been cleared and Davis explains why…

Cut 12 (10) “evidence.”  

Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly three thousand Americans. Chris Guilbeau, Assistant Deputy Director of Emergency Management at Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says a major help in reducing security threats today is the public speaking up when they see something out of sorts.

Cut 5 (12) “…little strange.”

The Biden Administration is getting more blowback on its plan to mandate vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees.  LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack opposes the action that would impact about two-thirds of the American workforce.  Waguespack says requiring American companies to mandate Covid vaccinations is clearly not the role of the federal government.

Cut 7 (10) “..should be doing”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis met with reporters today to discuss allegations the agency mishandled a police brutality investigation. Lt. John Clary has been accused of covering up the fatal police beating of Ronald Green in 2019 when he failed to hand over his body cam footage to prosecutors. Cleary has been cleared. Davis denies an Associated Press report that he personally visited the Union Parish D-A in an effort to make sure the troopers involved in Greene’s death were not criminally charged…

Cut 13 (08)    of my employees”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has located more than 100 oiled birds due to a spill from the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the spill is associated with Hurricane Ida’s path. Wiebe says if you find an oiled bird or any animal don’t try to rescue it yourself, call LDWF.  Wiebe says you can do more harm than good for the animal that’s already stressed.

Cut  11 (10) “..these animals.”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis discusses changes to his agency, as it comes under fire for allegedly not properly investigating cases of troopers using excessive force. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Jeff Palermo”

FEMA is stationing mobile registration centers in Ascension Parish where those impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for federal assistance in-person. Sites in Donaldsonville, Gonzales and Sorrento will be up and running by Tuesday and open daily from 8 until 6.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve been made aware of over 100 birds covered in oil due to a spill from the Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse. LDWF Restoration Program Manager Jon Wiebe says the birds are being transferred to a restoration center in New Iberia. How long they’ll be there depends on the bird and its condition…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…than that”

He says never to try to help oiled wildlife yourself. Rather call LDWF and let them know where to find the animal.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is not happy with President Biden’s plan to mandate companies with 100 or more workers force them to get COVID shots. LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack say about a quarter of their membership would be affected..:

CUT 06  (11)        “…like this before”

He says vaccinations are a good idea, but should not be mandated.