Today is the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the darkest days in Louisiana history. Bob Mann was the communications director for Governor Kathleen Blanco; and at first, they thought Katrina only produced wind damage. But then, reports came in of rising water.

Cut 22 (12) “…somewhere.”

Katrina produced catastrophic flooding, not only in New Orleans, but also in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.

The federal response was slow to get here as desperate people began looting stores. One of the lasting images of the Katrina response, Lieutenant General Russel Honore telling police officers to put their weapons down. Honoré says those officers were acting on orders from Governor Kathleen Blanco to shoot anyone they found looting. Honoré said he told Blanco to rescind that order.

Cut 15 (09) “…can’t do that.”

A three-star general, Honoré retired from the Army in 2008 and continues to serve as a consultant on disaster preparedness.

The new Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women opens in St. Gabriel. Warden Kristen Thomas says it has the capacity to house almost one-thousand inmates and consists of 15 buildings which go far beyond the two main housing units.

Cut 6 (11) “…an intake center.”

One unique feature of this prison is the academic and career technical educational center. The prison has partnered with Ashland University and Tulane University to offer degree programs.

Fifth year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leads LSU into the other Death Valley tomorrow night as the ninth ranked Tigers take on fourth ranked Clemson. Coach Brian Kelly says they are counting on Nussmeier’s experience, and they are asking him to limit mistakes…

Cut 12 (11) “…of the game”

Kick off is at 6:30.

It’s a solemn day across southeast Louisiana as many people remember and reflect on Hurricane Katrina making landfall on this day 20 years ago. Governor Kathleen Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina. Her communications director, Bob Mann says there were failures at all levels of government, but FEMA’s role was to provide federal resources to states dealing with a disaster, and that didn’t happen.

Cut 6 (13) “…sent in.”

St. Benard Parish was hit very hard. Current Parish president Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) says St. Bernard wouldn’t be where it is today without the spirit of the parish’s residents and federal money.

Cut 9 (15)  “…billion dollars recovery.”

Pomes credits local leaders for using the federal recovery dollars wisely. Not only rebuilding schools, hospitals and the sewer system, but also providing new amenities for its residents , like a skate park, dog park and bike paths.

Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been for this holiday in five years. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price of crude oil is why the price at the pump is well below three dollars.

Cut 12 (08) “…64 dollars.”

According to AAA, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79. That’s about 20-cents cheaper than last year.

Grambling football fans will be heading to Shreveport this weekend to watch the Tigers kick-off the season by playing Langston in the Shreveport Kickoff Classic on Saturday night at Independence Stadium. Grambling Athletic Director Traeveon Scott says Langston University, which is an NAIA school out of Oklahoma, has a rich history with several Louisiana ties.

Cut 3 (11) “…to North Louisiana.”

Scott says he’s looking forward to kicking off the season in style in Shreveport, and he’s inviting all football fans to come out and enjoy the festivities.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Plaquemines Parish at 6:10 in the morning on this date. Saint Bernard Parish had widespread flooding and devastation, and current Parish President Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) was an employee of the parish at the time.

Cut 7 (09) “…of tears.”

It was chaos in New Orleans in the days after Katrina. Lieutenant General Russell Honoré was the face of the federal response and says he would have liked to have been in New Orleans earlier, but the city had flooded so badly that he and other members of the National Guard had no way of getting into the city – and, in effect, they had no way of getting people out.

Cut 14 (15) “…bus people out.”

It’s reported the U-S Coastal Guard saved over 17-thousand people from flooded areas in the greater New Orleans area.

Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been since 2020. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

For the first time since November 5, 2022, Northwestern State won a football game last night. The Demons ended their 20-game losing streak by beating Alcorn State 20 to 10. ULM shutout St. Francis 29 to 0. And the ninth ranked LSU Tigers leave today for their big matchup against fourth ranked Clemson tomorrow night.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Plaquemines Parish at 6:10 am on this date 20 years ago. She brought widespread flooding and devastation. Saint Bernard Parish had Parish President Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) was an employee of the parish at the time. He was amazed at how fast the water rose as a result of breaches in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

Cut 8 (12) “…as it was pushing.”

One of the lasting images of the Katrina aftermath was when Lieutenant General Russel Honoré as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina shouted, “weapons down, weapons down, dammit!” to police officers who he says were acting on orders from Governor Blanco to shoot anyone they found looting. Honoré said he told Blanco to rescind that order.

Cut 15 (09) “…can’t do that.”

Governor Kathleen Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina. It was a major factor in her decision not to run for re-election. He communications director, Bob Mann says there were failures at all levels of government, but FEMA’s role was to provide federal resources to states dealing with a disaster, and that didn’t happen.

Cut 6 (13) “…sent in.”

This is the lowest gas prices have been for a Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79, which is 20 cents lower than a year ago. Redman says motorists are enjoying the lowest price at the pump in five years, despite a slight increase over the last week.

Cut 10 (08) “…Labor Day weekend.”

Redman says once we move into September, he expects prices to decline again.

It’s a somber day as we remember the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in the country’s history, claiming 18-hundred lives. Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

People were left stranded for days. Lieutenant General Russel Honoré took charge of the rescue effort as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a real disaster.”

We haven’t seen gas prices this low for Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is 20 cents lower than a year ago. And he says as long as there is not a disruption in the supply of gasoline, he believes prices will be around $2.50 by the end of September. He says it’s because of the price of crude oil.

Cut 12 (08) “…64 dollars.”

The LSU Tigers leave later today for South Carolina where they’ll play Clemson tomorrow without starting safety AJ Haulcy for the first half of the game. He was suspended for fighting in the fourth quarter of the last game of last year when he was at Houston and since his ejection was the result of fighting, he must miss an entire half of football. LSU was made aware on Wednesday that Haulcy was facing a suspension, and the NCAA upheld its ruling last night.

Hurricane Katrina came ashore 20 years ago today. The rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were infamously challenging and chaotic. Here’s  Andrew Greenstein

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Katrina produced catastrophic flooding, not only in New Orleans, but also in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. Once the storm passed, the mission was to get thousands of stranded people, some of them living on rooftops, out of the flooded waters and onto dry land. Governor Kathleen Blanco’s communications director at that time, Bob Mann says the federal government was not much help.

Cut 5 (09) “…too late.”

Governor Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina and that was a major factor in her decision not to run for re-election.

There is some good news today. This is the lowest gas prices have been for a Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79, which is 20 cents lower than a year ago. And he says once we move into September, he expects prices to decline again.

Cut 11 (10) “…rule that out.”

We know what today is. 20 years ago, Katrina made this one of the darkest days in Louisiana history. Bob Mann was the communications director for Governor Kathleen Blanco; and at first, they thought Katrina only produced wind damage. And then the reports starting coming in.

Cut 4 (12) “…somewhere.”

Katrina produced catastrophic flooding, not only in New Orleans.

Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Plaquemines Parish. Saint Bernard Parish had widespread flooding and devastation, and current Parish President Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) was an employee of the parish at the time.

Cut 7 (09) “…of tears.”

Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been since 2020. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is accepting the next round of grants for fortified roofs beginning Tuesday. This round of grants to assist homeowners with the cost of the roofs that are designed to resist hurricanes is for homeowners in the Coastal Zone which includes Lake Charles, Westlake, and Sulphur. 500 grants will be awarded. Recipents will be chosen by lottery from the registrants.

Today is a somber day. The 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The costliest natural disaster in the country’s history, claiming 18-hundred lives. Jeff Palermo has more on one of Louisiana’s worst days.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been since 2020. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The rescue effort in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was practically nonexistent. Andrew Greenstein spoke with the man who single-handedly brought order to a chaotic situation.

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Today is the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the darkest days in Louisiana history. Bob Mann was the communications director for Governor Kathleen Blanco; and at first, they thought Katrina only produced wind damage. But then, reports came in of rising water.

Cut 4 (12) “…somewhere.”

Katrina produced catastrophic flooding, not only in New Orleans, but also in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. Once the storm passed, the mission was to get thousands of stranded people, some of them living on rooftops, out of the flooded waters and onto dry land. Mann says the federal government was not much help.

Cut 5 (09) “…too late.”

Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina. It was a major factor in her decision not to run for re-election. Mann says there was certainly failures at all levels of government, but FEMA’s role was to provide federal resources to states dealing with a disaster, but that didn’t happen.

Cut 6 (13) “…sent in.”

____________________________________________

Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Plaquemines Parish at 6:10 in the morning on this date. Katrina produced catastrophic flooding. Saint Bernard Parish had widespread flooding and devastation, and current Parish President Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) was an employee of the parish at the time.

Cut 7 (09) “…of tears.”

Pomes was amazed at how fast the water rose as a result of breaches in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

Cut 8 (12) “…as it was pushing.”

He says the population of St. Bernard pre-Katrina was 70-thousand, now it’s 48-thousand.

Pomes says St. Bernard wouldn’t be where it is today without the spirit of the parish’s residents and federal money.

Cut 9 (15)  “…billion dollars recovery.”

Pomes credits local leaders for using the federal recovery dollars wisely. Not only rebuilding schools, hospitals and the sewer system, but also providing new amenities for its residents , like a skate park, dog park and bike paths.

____________________________________________

This is the lowest gas prices have been for a Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79, which is 20 cents lower than a year ago. Redman says motorists are enjoying the lowest price at the pump in five years, despite a slight increase over the last week.

Cut 10 (08) “…Labor Day weekend.”

Redman says once we move into September, he expects prices to decline again.

Cut 11 (10) “…rule that out.”

Redman says as long as there is not a disruption in the supply of gasoline, he believes gas prices will be around $2.50 or possibly by the end of September. He says the price of crude oil is why the price at the pump is well below three dollars.

Cut 12 (08) “…64 dollars.”

____________________________________________

If you could sum up the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in one word, “chaos” would be quite appropriate. With most of New Orleans underwater, people were left stranded for days, with no indication of when help would arrive. Needing a strong federal response, they designated Lieutenant General Russel Honoré as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, and he immediately took charge of the rescue effort. General Honoré says he does not blame local officials for the initial response.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a real disaster.”

Honoré said he would have liked to have been in New Orleans earlier, but the city had flooded so badly that he and other members of the National Guard had no way of getting into the city – and, in effect, they had no way of getting people out.

Cut 14 (15) “…bus people out.”

One of the lasting images of Honoré during the immediate aftermath of Katrina is of him shouting to police officers, “weapons down, dammit!” Honoré says those officers were acting on orders from Governor Kathleen Blanco to shoot anyone they found looting. Honoré said he told Blanco to rescind that order.

Cut 15 (09) “…can’t do that.”

A three-star general, Honoré retired from the Army in 2008 and continues to serve as a consultant on disaster preparedness.

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LSU junior linebacker Harold Perkins returns to the field after missing most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL. Perkins decided to come back to LSU and build up his stock, playing in the STAR position. Perkins says he likes how the position allows him to showcase his pass rush abilities as well as his pass coverage.

Cut 16 (13) “…my versatility.”

LSU senior wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. returns as the longest tenured receiver on the unit. Hilton’s LSU career has stalled due to multiple injuries, but he says he is thankful to be finally be healthy. Hilton says he is looking forward to showcasing what he is made of this season.

Cut 17 (17)  “…for Saturday.”

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks grew up only an hour away from Clemson, South Carolina but has never been to Clemson’s campus. Weeks says he is looking forward to playing in such a hostile environment.

Cut 18 (12) “…excited to go.”

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UL-Lafayette kicks off its season on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Rice. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that he wants starting quarterback Walker Howard to play free while trusting his offense.

Cut 19 (17) “….chance to win.”

The Cajuns defense will be tasked with countering a triple option offensive attack from Rice. Desormeaux said Rice’s offensive attack will be a good first test for the Cajuns.

Cut 20 (16) “…are at.”