This is not only Friday, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says this particular Friday means we’re halfway through this year’s hurricane season.

Cut 7  (11)   “…than any other.”

Keim says that’s why more storms form at this point in the hurricane season, that calendar wise runs from June through November.  He says that thus far this year, there have been 13 named storms, far ahead of an average season of storms.

Dealing with the aftermath of a devastating catastrophe like Ida, there’s the problem of increased stress. As you may or may not know, there is free and confidential help for those feeling overwhelmed.

Cut 5 (09)   “…about that.”

That’s State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter who says one way to get help is talk with the folks at Keep Calm at 866-310-7977.

Tomorrow marks the 20^th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the US.  As you’ll recall Islamic terrorists crashed planes into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York and hi-jacked another jet, slamming it into the Pentagon.   Trey Williams of Baton Rouge was working for the federal government in DC at the time.  He says he’ll always remember the compassion people showed each other during that chaotic time.

Cut 12   (08)    ….each other out.”

The LSU Tigers kick off their first home game against McNeese State tomorrow night and fans will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR Covid-19 test to get into Tiger Stadium.  LSU Athletics spokesperson Cody Worsham says there will be a dozen pre-verification sites on campus.  A map of the sites can be found on lsusports.net.

Cut 14   (12)   …your seats.

The sites will be open from 10-3 Saturday prior to the game.

Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D-C. Baton Rouge resident Trey Williams was working in the U-S Capitol when a commercial airliner hijacked by Islamic extremists crashed into the Pentagon…
cut 11 (13) “…everything was”
2,996 people were killed in the nine-eleven attacks.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season. There have been 13 named storms with Mindy being the last one. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a chance we’ll run through the list of names again, but the Greek alphabet will not be used…
cut 9 (11) “…Greek alphabet”
The Greek alphabet was used nine times during last year’s record-shattering hurricane season.

If you or a loved one is overwhelmed with hurricane recovery or the pandemic there is free counseling available and it’s as easy as picking up your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police will hold a press conference at 1:00 today to discuss the agency’s reform and recent media reports regarding the use of excessive force during the arrests of black men. The Associated Press recently released video that showed a white trooper hitting a Black Man at a traffic stop 18 times with a flashlight.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season. Dave Brannen reports we’re not out of the woods yet…
cut 2 (34) “….I’m Dave Brannen”

There’s a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean that has the attention of the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say after it crosses land it could develop into a depression on Sunday or Monday in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The system is expected to bring the state rain.

Many are dealing with stress from hurricane recovery, plus the coronavirus continues to infect thousands of people every day. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says those feeling overwhelmed can call the Keep Calm hotline at 1-866-310-7977. He says there’s another option too…
cut 4 (12) “….66746”
There are also red cross volunteers available to help with mental health issues.

LSU’s home opener is tomorrow night against McNeese and fans will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken 72 hours before kickoff in order to enter Tiger Stadium. LSU athletics spokesperson Cody Worsham says the university is trying to do its part in slowing the spread of COVID…
cut 13 (05) “…worth doing”
Kick-off is at 7 PM.

Saturday marks twenty years since the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington. Kevin Gallagher has more from a Louisianan who was there…:
Cut 3 (33) I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

227-thousand homes and businesses in southeast Louisiana are still without power this morning as we are closing in on two weeks since Hurricane Ida’s landfall. Power outages to over 90-percent of customers still exist in St. Charles, Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

Today marks the statistical peak of the 2021 hurricane season that’s already seen 13 named storms…
cut 8 (10) “….end of October”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says we need to keep an eye on a tropical wave that has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression in the southwestern Gulf early next week.

Football fans entering Tiger Stadium tomorrow night for the LSU-McNeese game will have to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test taken 72 hours prior to kick-off. LSU spokesperson Cody Worsham says they will have 12 pre-verification sites on campus and they’ll have mobile teams on golf carts will offering prescreening services for tailgaters…
cut 15 (09) “….bracelet”

Saturday marks 20 years since the 9-11 Terrorist Attack on the United States. Islamic extremists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York, and one jet into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Baton Rougean Trey Williams was working for the federal government in D.C. at the time. He says he witnessed much of the confusion of that day from his office in the U.S. Capitol…:
Cut 10 (09) “…out of the city.”
A fourth plane on September 11, 2001, was planning to crash into the U.S. Capitol, but passengers teamed to rush the cockpit and cause the plane to crash in Shanksville, PA.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical systems today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s not a surprise…
cut 7 (11) “…than any other”
A tropical depression could form Sunday or Monday in the southwestern Gulf, but at this time not a threat to Louisiana.

If you or a loved one is overwhelmed with hurricane recovery or the pandemic there is free counseling available and it’s as easy as picking up your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you or a loved one is overwhelmed with hurricane recovery or the pandemic there is free counseling available and it’s as easy as picking up your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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You can sort of breathe a sigh of relief that today we’ve reached the statistical midway point of this year’s hurricane season.  But, as Dave Brannen reports, we’re not out of the woods yet

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Saturday marks twenty years since the September 11^th attacks on New York and Washington. Kevin Gallagher has more from a Louisianan who was there…:

Cut 3 (33)  I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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While many are dealing with the stress of hurricane recovery State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter reminds residents that free and confidential help is available for those feeling overwhelmed during this most traumatic period. He says you can call the Keep Calm phone line at 1-866-310-7977…

Cut 4 (12) “…66746.”

Hurricane recovery on top of a pandemic is extremely daunting and Kanter notes there is help available and it’s completely confidential.

Cut 5 (09) “…about that.”

Kanter highly encourages anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, or you if you have a loved one who is extremely stressed with the pandemic and/or hurricane recovery to reach out for help.

Cut 6 (06) “…issues.”

For more information visit SAMHSA.gov website or call 1-800-985-5590 or text TalkWithUs (all one word) to 66746.

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It’s Friday, and as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us, we’re about halfway through this year’s hurricane season.

Cut 7 (11) “…than any other.”

He says that’s why more storms form during this time of the hurricane season that runs from June through November.  So far this year, Keim says we’ve had 13 named storms which put us far ahead of an average season of storms.

Keim says while we still have half the hurricane season left, there’s an upside to this situation.

Cut 8 (10) “…end of October.”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says that as we hit the statistical midway of the 2021 hurricane season, there is one thing to note.  We won’t see the repeat of last year’s use of Greek names for the storms.

Cut 9 (11) “…Greek alaphbet..”

And Keim says NOAA predicts a 70 to 80 percent chance of a LA Nina forming towards the end of the season which could result in a repeat similar to last year of a lot of storms, some of them powerful.

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Saturday marks twenty years since the 9-11 Terrorist Attack on the U.S.A. Islamic extremists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York, and one jet into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Baton Rougean Trey Williams was working for the federal government in D.C. at the time. He says he witnessed much of the confusion of that day from his office in the U.S. Capitol…:

Cut 10 (09) “…out of the city.” 

A fourth plane on September 11, 2001, was planning to crash into the U.S. Capitol, but passengers teamed to rush the cockpit and cause the plane to crash in Shanksville, PA. Williams, who worked for the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services at the time, said the Capitol was eventually evacuated with staff left to find their own way out of the area…:

Cut 11 (13) “….quiet everything was.”

Williams remembers the smoke rising from the Pentagon in the distance and the eerie silence of virtually NO air traffic, save for the sounds of fighter jets. Still, he says he’ll always remember the compassion people showed each other at that chaotic time…:

Cut 12 (08) “…helping each other out.”  

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The LSU Tigers kick off their first home game against McNeese State Saturday night and for the first time, fans will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test to enter Tiger Stadium. LSU Athletics Spokesperson Cody Worsham says for the most part things will be the same with the exception of your journey from tailgating to the stadium.

Cut 13 (05) “…worth doing.”

Worsham says prior to the game they will have 12 pre-verification sites on campus where you can show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test to help ease congestion into the stadium. He says there’s a map of the sites on lsusports.net and they will be open from 10-3.

Cut 14 (12) “…your seats.”

In addition to the 12 sites, Worsham says they will have mobile teams on golf carts that will offer prescreening services for tailgaters also.

Cut 15 (09)  “…bracelet.”

Guests younger than 12 will not need to present a negative test; masks will be encouraged for children younger than 5 and required for children ages 5 to 11 years old.

For more information go to lsusports.net

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A new era of Saints football begins Sunday when New Orleans opens the season against Green Bay in Jacksonville. Instead of Drew Brees at quarterback, it will be Jameis Winston

Cut  16 (12) “…just blessed.”

Winston says the time re-located in Fort Worth, Texas has been good for the team as they’ve come together…

Cut 17 (25) “…together.”  

Winston knows this opening game has added meaning for those who suffered through Hurricane Ida and its aftermath…

Cut 18 (24)”…do a lot.”

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New ULM Coach Terry Bowden gets to coach his first game in Malone Stadium on Saturday when the Warhawks host Jackson State. Kentucky spoiled Bowden’s debut with ULM last week as the Wildcats handled the Warhawks 45 to 10. Kentucky threw for 419 yards and Bowden says they need to be assignment sound in the secondary

Cut 19 (18)  “…being in position.” 

Bowden says there were some bright spots in the loss to Kentucky, like Boogie Knight who had six catches for 58 yards

Cut 20 (17)  “…standpoint.” 

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.

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.  He says the money needed to effect a massive repair effort will require billions of federal dollars due to the damage.

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

Entergy Louisiana President 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

May 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.

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.

Cut 12 (06) “gunshot wound”  

Greely says they are asking the public to provide tips that could lead to an arrest.  He says the shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood

Entergy reports more progress made in getting the lights back on for hundreds of thousands of folks affected by Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen has more…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Dave Brannen”

Police in Natchitoches are investigating the fatal shooting of a juvenile this morning. Police Corporal John Greely says they were called to Highland Park Drive just after dawn…:

CUT 12  (06)        “…gunshot wound”

The victim’s identity has not been released.

Despite the fact the U.S. has been hit by numerous natural disasters during the COVID pandemic, The American Red Cross perseveres. Hurricanes, wildfires, and more have put the non-profit into action over the past 18 months. Red Cross President & CEO Gail McGovern says they’re fortunate the public remains engaged and donate to help. What’s more she says 90% of their workforce are volunteers…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…volunteers”

The Louisiana SPCA says it has picked up several stray animals after Hurricane Ida. In order to reunite as many families as possible, the LASPCA has started a dedicated section on its website to display animals currently being held as strays. You can visit the website at www.louisianaspca.org/strays. Hurry, In many cases you only have three days to retrieve your pet

Entergy says the lights are back on for another large number of the utility company’s customers. Entergy’s Phillip May says 682-thousand of the 902-thousand customers who lost power to Hurricane now have power restored.  The BAD news, he says is in Lafourche, St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes … where it will take a while longer. May says lineman are working diligently..:

CUT 10  (11)        “…Hurricane Ida”

After the disaster, in comes the American Red Cross to do whatever it can to help. Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern says they helped shelter about 40-thousand, and are serving about 60-thousand meals a day…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…clobbered”

To donate to help, go to RedCross.org.

Congressman Steve Scalise says Louisiana congressional delegates are united in working to get a disaster relief package for Hurricane Ida, but also for Hurricane Laura and Delta in southwest Louisiana last year. He says it is highly likely this would be a stand-alone package and not tied up in the federal infrastructure bill being considered…:

CUT 07  (05)        “…other unrelated things”

He says the relief package will need to be in the billions of dollars.

FEMA reminds you that you may be eligible for Critical Needs Assistance for expenses in coping with the hurricane. Things like food, water, prescription drugs, medical supplies and more. Call 800-231-FEMa or online at DisasterAssistance.gov