Crews responded to the scene of a fire and explosion at the Motiva (Mo-
Tee-Va) Oil Refinery in St. James Parish this morning near the Sunshine
Bridge. Jywanna Octave with the St. James Office of Emergency Preparedness
says two fire departments are at the site…:
CUT 15 (09) “at this time”
It is not known yet what caused the fire, but forecasters say there was
lightning in the area at the time, around 10:50am. Octave says everyone is
accounted for. All roads around the plant are currently closed.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released an updated
Atlantic hurricane outlook, predicting this season is still expected to be
the strongest since 2012. NOAA’s Lead Season Hurricane Forecaster Dr. Gerry
Bell says it will be stronger than what they first predicted in May. And
there is a now a 70% chance that..:
CUT 6 (08) “major hurricanes”
He says we’re entering peak hurricane season so it’s time to prepare.

The Department of Children and Family Services is launching an initiative
to improve foster care by redefining the role of caregivers. DCFS Secretary
Marketa Garner Walters says Louisiana has strong confidentiality laws, but
we often misinterpret who we need to be confidential with. She says the
Quality Parenting Initiative is about having everybody on the same page:
CUT 9 (09) “foster parents”
She says she hopes this will allow foster kids to get the love and support
they need.

Once again, the latest on the explosion at the Motiva plant in St. James
Parish is that there are no injuries, and everyone is accounted for,
according to officials.