Southeast Louisiana will get federal help with recovery from Hurricane Ida, but folks in southwest Louisiana are still awaiting help for damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta last year. Congressman Steve Scalise says the state’s delegation is working to get a separate funding package for both. He says it will need to be billions, though…:

CUT 06  (08)        “…development block grants”

He feels such a relief & rebuilding package shouldn’t be mixed with a massive national infrastructure bill.

The state Department of Health reports 4900 new cases of coronavirus and 77 recent deaths. Currently just over 1800 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 and 364 are on ventilators. Meanwhile, nearly 2-million Louisianans HAVE gotten full COVID vaccinations.

The American Red Cross is doing what it does best; aiding with hurricane recovery. Brooke Thorington had more…:

CUT 01  (30)        “Thorington”

Natchitoches Police are investigating the deadly shooting of a juvenile this morning in a local neighborhood. Corporal John Greely…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…in Natchitoches”

The victim’s age & identity have not yet been released.

Entergy is reporting more progress in restoring power to the tens of thousands who lost it during Hurricane Ida.  Here’s Dave Brannen with an update.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Dave Brannen”  

38-year old Kenneth Willis of Baton Rouge was arrested Wednesday for negligent homicide, weeks after his infant daughter was found unresponsive inside a hot car and later pronounced dead. Baton Rouge police say Willis was released on a $30,000 bond.

The state reports 49-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and COVID hospitalizations remain below two thousand at 1825.

A juvenile was found fatally shot outside of a home in Natchitoches this morning. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says officers responded to the scene on Highland Park Drive just after six o’clock this morning and they are asking the public to provide tips that could lead to an arrest.

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The shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood.

The American Red Cross is aiding in areas of the state that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Ida. President and CEO Gail McGovern says in addition to providing meals and shelter they are even providing counseling for residents to meet their mental needs also.

Cut 4  (12) “…clobbered.” 

McGovern says they wouldn’t be able to provide shelter, distribute meals, and cleaning supplies without the help of volunteers and donations.

Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May says the lights are back on for more of the utility’s customers.  He says power has now been restored to more than 90-percent of those who can take it in the greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas.

Cut 9  (11)   “…of 75-thousand.”  (2x)

He says so far 682-thousand customers have had their power restored post-Ida of 902-thousand who were left in the dark.  The bad news is that more than 90-percent of Entergy’s customers in Lafourche, St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes still have no power.

Congressman Steve Scalise says Louisiana’s congressional delegation is on board with likely getting a separate funding package passed to help Ida-ravaged Southeast and Southwest Louisiana.  Scalise, who’s had a first-hand look at the damage doled out by Ida, says he believes Ida packed 190-mile-per-hour winds when it initially came ashore in the Port Fourchon area.

Cut 8  (10)   “…the wind was.”

The American Red Cross is aiding with hurricane recovery. Brooke Thorington has more from the president and CEO.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A juvenile was found fatally shot outside of a home in Natchitoches this morning. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says officers responded to the scene on Highland Park Drive just after six o’clock this morning

Cut 12 (06) “gunshot wound”  

Greely says they are asking the public to provide tips that could lead to an arrest.

The American Red Cross is aiding in areas of the state that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Ida. President and CEO Gail McGovern has visited southeast Louisiana herself and seen the widespread devastation. She says they are providing a number of services.

Cut 3 (10) “…and parishes.”

McGovern says at the height of providing shelter, the Red Cross assisted up to forty thousand people. McGovern says shelters will remain open until everyone is situated.

Congressman Steve Scalise says Louisiana’s congressional delegation is on board with likely getting a separate funding package passed to help hurricane-ravaged Southeast and Southwest Louisiana.  He says the money needed to impact a massive repair effort will require billions of federal dollars due to the damage.

Cut 6 (08) “..development block grants.” 

The Baton Rouge Zoo released sad news Wednesday about the passing of 20-month-old giraffe Burreaux. The young giraffe, named after Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, was born December 26, 2019, the same year the LSU Tigers went undefeated. Zoo Director Phil Frost says Burreaux died early Wednesday morning after a sudden onset of a severe cough and agitation Tuesday.

Cut 13 (07) “…unexpected loss.”

A cause of death has not been given and they expect to have autopsy results back in thirty days.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is ordering insurance companies to pay the evacuation expenses of policyholders who fled their homes during Hurricane Ida whether a mandatory evacuation order was issued or not.

Cut 4 (11) “…them from abuse.”

Donelon says State Farm has said it would not cough up the expense money to evacuees who left their homes during Ida and incurred expenses when a civil authority had not issued an evacuation order.  But, Donelon says Hurricane Ida “was a clear and present danger.”

The effects of a cool front moving into the Bayou State will be quite noticeable to those rocked by Ida and still working to repair the massive destruction that many sustained.  State Climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 8 (11) “…very low humidity.”

While some parts of the state have regained power other parts remain uninhabitable. FEMA is on the ground providing assistance to residents with immediate needs. FEMA Spokesperson John Mills says some residents may qualify for funding for critical needs assistance.

Cut 10 (07) “…insurance.” 

The Baton Rouge Zoo is mourning the passing of 20-month-old giraffe Burreaux. The young giraffe, named after Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, was born December 26 in 2019, the same year the LSU Tigers went undefeated. Zoo veterinarian Dr. Michael Warshaw says the plan was to observe the young giraffe for a severe cough and agitation and then schedule an immobilization Wednesday morning with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. But early Wednesday things took a turn.

Cut 14 (09) “…agitated.”

As for a cause of death, a necropsy was performed by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and the zoo’s medical staff.

State Farm is balking at an order issued by Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon that requires them to pay Hurricane Ida evacuation expenses whether a mandatory evacuation was issued or not…
Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The number of Louisiana customers still without power is 315-thousand. That’s according to the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Over 90-percent of homes and businesses in St. Charles, Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes are without electricity.

FEMA says they’ve approved 171-thousand households for disaster assistance and the federal agency has been able to distribute 194 million dollars to storm survivors. By law, FEMA cannot provide duplicate assistance so spokesperson John Mills says to contact your insurance carrier before you file for assistance. If you have any questions, he encourages you to call 1-800-621-FEMA
Cut 12 (11) “…who do.”
You can also register for assistance at disaster-assistance-dot-gov.

Louisiana will get its first taste of fall over the next few days as a cold front has lowered humidity levels…
cut 9 (12) “…month of September”
There are also no tropical threats to Louisiana.

The number of Hurricane-Ida-related deaths has jumped to 26. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s office has confirmed eleven additional storm-related deaths that occurred from August 30th to September 6th. Most of these latest fatalities were the result of excessive heat during an extended power outage.

FEMA is helping those impacted by Hurricane Ida with critical needs and transitional housing. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is ordering insurance providers to pay evacuation expenses, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the state’s largest insurer of homes, State Farm, does not plan on complying with the order if the parish did not formally announce a mandatory evacuation order…
cut 6 (10) “….of administrative law”
Donelon says All-State and USAA have indicated they plan on complying with his order.

Sad news from the Baton Rouge Zoo. A 20-month old giraffe named after LSU’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback has died. Zoo officials say Burreaux had a severe cough and overall agitation on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning he passed away. Zoo veterinarian Doctor Michael Warshaw was asked if Burreaux may have died from COVID…
cut 15 (11) “….suspectable species”
They hope to know more in 30 days.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has ordered insurers to pay Hurricane Ida evacuation expenses even though it’s not required by law because several hard-hit parishes did not formally issue mandatory evacuations. Donelon says President Biden is also calling on insurance providers to pay evacuation expenses…
cut 5 (10) “….accomodating his request”
Donelon says All-State plans to comply but expects State Farm to fight it with a legal challenge.

There is another way for evacuees to get hotel expenses paid for and that’s by registering for disaster assistance through FEMA. Spokesperson John Mills…
cut 11 (10) “…power outages”
You can register at disaster-assistance-dot-gov, call 1-800-621-FEMA or through the FEMA app.

Burreuax the young Baton Rouge Zoo giraffe named after LSU’s Heisman Trophy Winning quarterback has died. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU sent a text message to students reminding them the deadline is tomorrow to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and if they do not, they will be unenrolled. The school gives students five options on how they can comply with the school’s pandemic protocol. Last week, the university reported 68-percent of its students are vaccinated.