ABC26 News

This week, President George Bush vetoed the expansion of a popular children's health insurance program, known in Louisiana as LACHIP. Right now, the program pays healthcare benefits to about 6-million children. The expanded program included in a compromise bill, approved by House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, would extend insurance to about 10-million young people.

President Bush says the new plan helps middle-class kids at the expense of the poor and it costs about $30-billion more than he wanted.

Should Congress vote to override the veto? Should children of the working poor be included in the program?

Friday, family, friends, law enfrocers and state and local leaders said their final goodbyes to the late Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee. Monday, Lee lost his battle with Leukemia. I attended his visitation at the Alario Center and was struck by the outpouring of love and support for a man who was truly larger than life.

Folks waiting in line for the public viewing described Lee as controversial, a straight shooter, a legendary lawman and a man who built the JPSO into one of the best sheriff's departments in the country.

What are some of your thoughts? How will you remember Harry Lee?

Sunday, the Saints showed some improvement, but still managed to lose their fourth game of the season, 16-13 to the Carolina Panthers. Monday, I interviewed a locker room full of players at Saints camp, all struggling to find a way to win. It's easy to find reasons for the losses: missed fields goals, dropped passes and turnovers.

For their part, the players are asking fans to hang in there as they try to recapture last season's magic.

Can the Saints salvage the season? What do you think the team needs to do to finally get in the win column?

Entergy New Orleans announced customers should see a slight decrease in their monthly bills starting in December. It comes as no surprise after the City Council opened an investigation into recent high fuel adjustments charges. Entergy says it purchased about 50 megawatts of cheaper power and is now passing along the savings to the customer. The average household will see a six dollar savings per month.

Does it seem like you're paying a lot more for electricity since Katrina? Do you think the utility is doing enough to cut costs as it emerges from bankruptcy? Who do you think is to blame for higher fuel costs?

Have you been down to the French Quarter lately? I had the good fortune to spend much of Friday in Jackson Square, preparing a story about the rebounding tourism industry. Visitors are flocking back to the city and it's great to see. October is a picture postcard month in New Orleans and there is no better way to enjoy the great weather than being a tourist in your own town.

What are some of your impressions of the French Quarter, post-Katrina? Where are some of your favorite spots to hang out or have a meal?

It's long overdue and it may never happen, but state transportation planners are now pitching a proposal to build a new traffic interchange, connecting Causeway Boulevard to the Earhart Expressway in Jefferson Parish. Planners say the project, which comes with a $49-million price tag, will improve access to Earhart, while reducing congestion on Airline Highway and Interstate 10. Right now, there only a handful of ways to access Earhart, which has always been a quick trip to and from the New Orleans city center for a small number of drivers. If the state can line up the money and it's still a big if at this point, the new interchange could be built within the next five years.

Do you like the idea? What else do you think will help speed up the dreaded rush hour commute?

New Orleans Recovery Chief Dr. Ed Blakely announced an ambitious plan to reopen hurricane damages police stations and firehouses. More than two years after Katrina, four police facilities, including the NOPD headquarters in Mid-City sit in limbo, waiting on major repairs. Nine firehouses across the city are also still closed.

Monday, Dr. Blakely gave his monthly recovery update. He says the city will soon have the money, $200-million in state backed recovery bonds, to finally get moving on the police and fire buildings.

"That's our highest priority," said Blakely. "We will be getting those programs, very, very soon in order to make sure our citizens are protected, particularly as the winter months come on."

According to Blakely, NOPD headquarters is now expected to reopen in January. The district headquarters are expected to be back by spring. The firehouses should reopen by June.

Do you think it's taking too long to get first responders out of their trailers and back in their permanent facilities?