September 2021

Nicholas gets stronger, may hit Texas as hurricane

HOUSTON (AP) — Tropical Storm Nicholas gathered strength Monday and threatened to blow ashore in Texas as a hurricane that could bring up to 20 inches of rain to parts of the Gulf Coast, including the same area hit by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and stormbattered Louisiana.

Blinken pushes back on GOP criticism of Afghan withdrawal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back Monday against harsh Republican criticism of the handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying the Biden administration inherited a deal with the Taliban to end the war, but no plan for carrying it out.

Out West, Biden points to wildfires to push for big rebuild

MATHER, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday used his first Western swing in office to hold out the wildfires burning across the region as an argument for his $3.5 trillion rebuilding plans, calling year-round fires and other extreme weather a climate change reality the nation can no longer ignore.

Donors pledge $1.2B in emergency funds for Afghans

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations drummed up more than $1.2 billion in emergency pledges Monday for helping 11 million Afghans facing an escalating humanitarian crisis in their homeland and millions more elsewhere in the region as the U.N. human rights chief voiced concerns about the Taliban’s first steps in establishing power in the beleaguered and impoverished country.

First trial in college admissions scandal gets underway

BOSTON (AP) — The first trial in the college admissions bribery scandal opened Monday with defense attorneys seeking to portray the two parents accused of buying their kids’ way into school as victims of a con man who believed their payments were legitimate donations.

Militia leader gets 53 years in Minn. mosque bombing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The leader of an Illinois antigovernment militia group who authorities say masterminded the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque was sentenced Monday to 53 years in prison for an attack that terrified the mosque’s community.

WORK TO BE DONE

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LAKE ARTHUR — After the dust settled in the wake of Hurricane Ida, Auto Breaux and Cason Conner of Lake Arthur knew there was work to be done.

HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN

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The Jennings Fire Department honored one of their fallen comrades, Jennings resident Carl “Shorty” Trahan, on Friday, with a funeral procession, last call and flying the flag high over Roberts Ave. in front of Greenwood Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. Submitted photo

Post-Ida recovery in New Orleans: Beer and beignets are back

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Supply trucks are once again delivering beer on Bourbon Street and the landmark Cafe Du Monde is serving beignets, fried pastries covered with white sugar, even though there aren’t many tourists or locals around to partake of either.

Senators want nursing home vaccine rates posted

WASHINGTON -- Senior Democratic senators are pressing Medicare to make nursing home COVID-19 vaccination rates easily accessible for consumers.