The forecast may be for a quieter than normal hurricane season, but you wouldn’t know it at this point. We’re on the cusp of the second named storm of the year, with Louisiana being impacted by both. The storm that is currently Tropical Depression Two is currently about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, packing maximum sustained winds of 35 miles an hour. National Weather Service Meteorologist Megan Williams says some areas could be in for some heavy rains from the storm which is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha later today.

Cut 9 (10)  “…that rainfall occurs.”

Plaquemines Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey says the heaviest rain bands could stay south of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 14 (08) “…Plaquemines Parish.”

As of right now, the storm that is currently Tropical Depression Two and is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha later today is not expected to intensify beyond tropical storm strength. However, LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that could change if the track shifts south off the coast.

Cut 5 (09) “…watch very carefully.”

But before the rains from the future tropical storm arrive, the state is dealing with a couple more days of excruciating heat. Health officials are urging you to limit your time outdoors if you possibly can. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you absolutely must spend time outdoors in these conditions, there are three basic rules you should abide by.

Cut 25 (08) “…shade and rest.”

A tropical storm could form in the northeastern Gulf today, and the National Hurricane Center’s forecast track has the developing system making landfall in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Forecasters predict a storm surge of two to four feet along the coasts of St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes. Plaquemines Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey says they’re not expecting major flooding…

Cut 12 (14) should remain dry”

A new state law taking effect August 1st will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break apartment leases without penalty. Current Louisiana law already gives that protection to victims of domestic abuse. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the change came after she learned of a stalking victim who had no legal way to leave a dangerous situation.

Cut 10 (10) “…that already existed”

SEC Media Days are underway in Tampa. This is the first year teams will play a nine-game conference schedule. Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz says some coaches now regret supporting the move. But SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had this response…

Cut 7 (12) “…about that reality”

We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. It is in the northeastern Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles an hour. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Bertha later today and move towards the southeastern coast Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

Southeast Louisiana is under a tropical storm watch and storm surge watch.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is getting a 100-million-dollar renovation.  Built more than half a century ago, the LSU dental school in Gentilly serves more than 450 students. With the renovation, Dean of the school, John Gallo says these students will enjoy state-of-the-art classrooms.

Cut 19 (10) “…enhances their education.”

The Louisiana Legislature provided the funding for this renovation.

A new state law will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break their apartment leases without penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says she worked with the Louisiana Apartment Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association, and both supported expanding an existing law to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking.

Cut 11 (08) “…this was passed.”
The new law goes into effect August 1^st.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey kicked off SEC Football Media Days in Tampa. In his State of the SEC address, Sankey echoed official statements from the conference and many member schools that support the effort behind the Protect College Sports Act but say it needs changes. He says his top priority is that the legislation is enforceable.

Cut 6 (12) “…following the law.”

A vote on the Protect College Sports Act could happen this week in the U-S Senate.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression number two is getting better organized in the northeastern Gulf. The system is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha later today and move towards Louisiana’s southeastern coast with a landfall as a tropical storm expected in the New Orleans area late Wednesday afternoon. This is a storm that could impact the entire southern half of the state as it moves east to west.

The entire state is also feeling the heat and will continue to do so until Bertha arrives. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A new law goes into effect on August first that will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break out of their renal leases without a penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation and wants the public to know about this law, because it gives victims of this type of treatment a way to escape a dangerous situation without being trapped by a lease…

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re stuck”

SEC Media Days are underway. The last few years, LSU went on the first day, but this year, Lane Kiffin, and three Tiger players will go on Thursday. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says it gives them a chance to see what other teams are saying before they take the podium in Tampa…

Cut 15  (07) “…we’re walking into”

Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke today and said discussions of the SEC breaking away from the NCAA are real.

Much of the state is under a heat advisory today and it will be very hot over the next few days. We are expecting to see heat indices up to 113 degrees today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says listen to your body if you spend any significant time outdoors and seek medical attention at the first sign of distress.

Cut 6 (15) “…to the ER.”

Last month, four people in Louisiana died of heat-related illnesses – three senior citizens and a man in his 40s.

Tropical Storm Bertha will likely form the northeastern Gulf in the next 24 hours. Bertha is expected to move East to West, which means Bertha would be bearing down on southeast Louisiana on Wednesday and move across the state’s coast Thursday and Friday. An updated forecast comes down within the hour.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is receiving a 100-million dollar renovation. The investment will modernize the facility in Gentilly built over 50 years ago, and it will provide the 450-plus students with state-of-the-art classrooms. Dean of the school, John Gallo, says the Louisiana Legislature provided the funding…

Cut 9 (09) “…an LSU dentist”

SEC Media Days is underway in Tampa, Florida. Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin and three players, Whit Weeks, TJ Dottery and Trey’Dez Green will have their day on Thursday. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says this is a really deserving group…

Cut 14 (12) “…preseason All-America”

And Green could be a first round pick in next year’s NFL draft.

A new state law will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break their apartment leases without penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says she worked with the Louisiana Apartment Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association, and both supported expanding an existing law to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking.

Cut 11 (08) “…this was passed.”
The new law goes into effect August 1^st.

After a weekend of record-breaking heat in Louisiana, more heat is on the way.  Louisiana Department of Health officials are warning us all to take precautions. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 5 (08) “…shade and rest.”
Meantime, Tropical Depression 2 is expected to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Bertha later today and current projections show the storm could be a coastal threat all the way from Texas to Florida.

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LSU Health New Orleans is getting a major upgrade to its School of Dentistry. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

An early morning housefire had firefighters in the capitol city busy this morning.  Initial reports show Baton Rouge Firefighters  Department responding to an active fire involving not one, but two homes…and at one point the fire had started to spread to an apartment complex nearby.  We’re told crews were able to get the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.

A tropical depression is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha on Monday and could impact every Gulf Coast state from Florida to Texas. Early forecasts show this storm could potentially bring up to eight inches of rain, and the impacts stretch all the way to the middle of the Texas coast.

And that’s not all.  More hot weather is on tap after another weekend scorcher in Louisiana.  And state Department of Health officials are urging us all to take extra precautions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new state law taking effect August 1st will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break their apartment leases without penalty. Current Louisiana law already gives that option to victims of domestic abuse. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the change came after hearing about a real-life case where a stalking victim had no legal way to leave a dangerous situation.

Cut 10 (10) “…that already existed.”

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is getting a 100-million-dollar renovation.  Built more than half a century ago, the LSU dental school serves more than 450 students, from advanced education students to dental hygienists. With the renovation, Dean of the school, John Gallo says these students will enjoy state-of-the-art classrooms.

Cut 8 (11) “…enhances their education.”

Victims of stalking and cyberstalking will soon be able to end their rental leases without penalty under a new Louisiana law. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana faces a double-weather threat this week as Tropical Depression Two is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha today and could threaten the coast all the way from Texas to Florida. And Louisiana’s facing more record-breaking heat this week.  LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein.

Cut 4 (09) “…and use it.”

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The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is receiving a 100-million-dollar renovation. Dean of the school, John Gallo, says the project will modernize a facility built over 50 years ago.

Cut 7 (12) “…the best environment.”

SEC Media Days kick off in Tampa today. Lane Kiffin and the Tigers will take the stage on Thursday. Somewhat surprisingly, Kiffin will not be joined by his new quarterback Sam Leavitt in Tampa. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says they didn’t want the day to be taken over by questions about Leavitt’s foot injury.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that fourth player.”