If you have questions about the construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, there’s an open house in Lake Charles you can attend this evening. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Preparations are underway for whatever Tropical Storm Bertha plans to bring Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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An individual in Ouachita Parish tested positive for the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus of the 2026 mosquito season. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge underway, many people have questions about how that’s going to affect them. John Guidroz with DOTD in Lake Charles says there’s an open house in Lake Charles tomorrow evening that you can attend.

Cut 4 (11) “…term as well.”

Guidroz says people can get an up-close look at what the project entails.

Cut 5 (13) “…at Lakeshore Drive.”

Guidroz says not only will people get information on what they can expect during construction, but they can also see all the benefits of the finished product once it’s completed in 2031.

Cut 6 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

The open house is this evening from 5:30 to seven in the contraband room at the Lake Charles Event Center.

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All eyes are on Tropical Storm Bertha as it makes its way to the Louisiana Coast. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while Bertha is currently forecast to make landfall in Plaquemines Parish tomorrow morning, it could happen as early as late tonight.

Cut 7 (08) “…along the coast.”

Grymes warns those of you in South Louisiana not to rely too heavily on the specific forecast track. Instead, he urges you to pay attention to the so-called “cone of uncertainty.”

Cut 8 (10) “…track is showing.”

Currently, all of south Louisiana and most of central Louisiana is contained within that cone.

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Major impacts are not expected from Tropical Storm Bertha. St. Bernard Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Rahaim (“ram”) says they’re expecting some wind and rain, but they may not get the worst of it.

Cut 9 (08)  “…coast of Louisiana.”

Rahaim says the strong east wind will likely cause some minor coastal flooding. He says if they don’t get a heavy downpour that lasts for more than a couple of hours, they should be okay.

Cut 10 (10) “…couldn’t handle it.”

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana is ready to respond to what Bertha might bring to the Bayou State. Kenneth St. Charles, the CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says if your family needs to evacuate because of flash flooding and you have nowhere else to go, call the Red Cross.

Cut 11 (11) “…residents of Louisiana.”

St. Charles says the Red Cross had to jump into action last month when Tropical Storm Arthur produced flash flooding in several areas, most notably in Avoyelles Parish. St. Charles says you never know what area of the state will get hit the hardest, so pre-planning is very important.

Cut 12 (11) “…ready to go.”

FEMA reports that 21-hundred homeowners reported they sustained significant damage from Arthur and FEMA has provided storm victims with more than 11-million dollars in assistance.

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The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year in Ouachita Parish. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there is no human vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile, so it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Cut 13 (13)  “…to make sure.”

If you’re wearing sunscreen, apply it first and mosquito repellent second.

Sokol says you can also help prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.

Cut 14 (11) “…that stagnant water.”

Sokol says most people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Around 20-percent develop flu-like West Nile fever, and a very small percentage develop a severe neuroinvasive disease.

Cut 15 (12) “…received organ transplant.”

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LSU visits Kentucky on October 10th in the first meeting between the schools in five years. The Wildcats are led by new head coach Will Stein. Stein spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Oregon and had this to say about why Kentucky can turn its football program around.

Cut 16 (13) “…down and play.”

Former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is the playcaller for the Wildcats. Sloan was named offensive coordinator less than two months after being dismissed by LSU. Stein said Sloan is one of the best coordinators in the game, and Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey agrees.

Cut 17 (13) “…what he’s doing.”

Minchey was a four-star transfer portal prospect from Notre Dame. Sloan also welcomed former LSU receiver Nic Anderson in the portal.

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LSU makes a trip to Tennessee November 21st. While it may not have the same vitriol as Kiffin’s return trip to Ole Miss in week three, fans in Knoxville have not forgotten about when the coach left them after just one season for USC in 2009. Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel says that’s a good thing.

Cut 18 (12) “…for his arrival.”

Tennessee fans infamously threw golf balls and mustard on the field when Kiffin returned to Rocky Top with Ole Miss in 2021. Heupel later said the comment was him just having fun, and there is no beef between the coaches.

The Volunteers will first have to decipher an offseason Q-B battle between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and top-15 freshman Faizon Brandon. Heupel says he is looking forward to the competition.

Cut 19 (18) “…the field with.”

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SEC commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed conference officials have had real conversations about the SEC breaking off from the NCAA and governing itself. He says there has been frustration with the NCAA and its reluctance to change, but action will not be taken anytime soon.

Cut 20 (20) “…simmering will continue.”

Tropical Depression Two is trying to form into Tropical Storm Bertha in the northeastern Gulf. The potential storm is expected to move towards the east and move across Louisiana’s coast on its way to Texas. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s the potential for heavy rainfall south of I-10 on Thursday…

Cut 11 (12) “…four or five inches”

The storm could make landfall in or around Plaquemines Parish. Patrick Harvey is the emergency preparedness director in Plaquemines. Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations. He says that could change if the storm surge forecast increases to six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding on Highway 39….

Cut 13 (10) “…this time”

With construction getting underway on a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, southwest Louisiana residents have questions about how that will affect them. John Guidroz with DOTD says there’s an open house in Lake Charles tomorrow evening that you can attend.

Cut 4 (11) “…term as well.”

The open house is tomorrow from 5:30 to seven in the Lake Charles Event Center.

The first day of SEC Football Media Days is in the books. 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”

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is also not a fan of a nine-game SEC schedule.

Not a tropical storm just yet. The National Hurricane Center says as of four this afternoon, Tropical Depression Two is still packing maximum sustained winds of 35 miles an hour. That’s the same intensity that it’s been all day long. Once those maximum sustained winds reach 39 miles an hour, it will become Tropical Storm Bertha. Given the storm’s current track, it’s expected to be more of a rainmaker than anything, and Plaquemines Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey says the heaviest rain bands could stay south of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 14 (08) “…Plaquemines Parish.”

The storm is currently 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.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed some of the hottest issues in college sports at SEC Media Days in Tampa. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana State Police troopers team up with their counterparts to the east and arrest a Mississippi man in connection with a drive-by shooting investigation in Ridgeland, Mississippi. LSP responded to a BOLO request from the Ridgeland Police Department and arrested 24-year-old Jaterris Johnson without incident.

We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. The center of the system is in the northeastern Gulf and forecasters expect it to become Tropical Storm Bertha this afternoon or tonight. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says they are not expecting major strengthening as it moves towards southeast Louisiana….

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

Based on the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, there’s a good chance the potential storm will make landfall along the southeastern coast as a tropical storm. Meteorologist Megan Williams with the National Weather Service in Slidell says that means maximum sustained winds of up to 75 miles per hour…

Cut 11 (07) “…porches and awnings”

The next major update from the National Hurricane Center comes down at 4 PM.

Government officials are preparing for a tropical storm to make landfall along Louisiana’s southeastern coast on Wednesday. Patrick Harvey is the emergency preparedness director in Plaquemines Parish. Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations. He says that could change if the National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding of Highway 39, cutting off a major evacuation route for coastal residents….

Cut 13 (10) “…this time”

Right now the storm surge predication is for two to four feet east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The entire state is dealing with extreme heat. High temperatures are in the mid to upper 90s. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you don’t have to be outside don’t…

Cut 27 (09) “…and use it”

The state reported four heat-related deaths in June.

A tropical storm is expected to form in the northeastern Gulf today, and the National Hurricane Center’s forecast track has the developing system making landfall in southeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed some of the hottest issues in college sports at SEC Media Days in Tampa. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. The center of the system is in the northeastern Gulf and forecasters expect it to become Tropical Storm Bertha this afternoon or tonight. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says they are not expecting major strengthening as it moves towards southeast Louisiana….

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, Bertha is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday, but Keim says the coastal parishes will feel the effects much sooner.

Cut 4 (11) “…on Wednesday evening.”

Of course, a lot can change between now and then, and the cone of uncertainty has the path anywhere from north of Baton Rouge to well south of the Louisiana coast; and Keim says while the storm is currently not expected to intensify beyond tropical storm strength, that could change if the track shifts south off the coast.

Cut 5 (09) “…watch very carefully.”

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for coastal Gulf waters east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

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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.”

SEC teams will play their first nine-game conference schedule this year, the most ever in a single season. Sankey says the conference is the best in the nation with the toughest schedule but the College Football Playoff Committee has not pledged to reward that extra challenge.

Cut 7 (11) “…about that reality.”

With the expanded College Football Playoff, the importance and scheduling of conference championships have been called into question. While Sankey pointed out the SEC has been the only conference to hold a championship game before, he says the future of the game beyond this year is not set in stone.

Cut 8 (08) “…College Football Playoff.”

Sankey also said there have been real conversations about the SEC breaking away from the NCAA due to frustrations with the governing body.

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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.”

Williams says when the storm makes landfall Wednesday, coastal communities should be prepared for a moderate storm surge.

Cut 10 (12) “…feet of inundation (2x).” 

Williams says the storm’s current forecast does not have it intensifying beyond tropical storm strength. That would keep maximum sustained winds below 74 miles an hour.

Cut 11 (07) “…porches and awnings.”

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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 are not expecting major flooding.

Cut 12 (14) “…should remain dry.” 

Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations in Plaquemines Parish. He says that could change if the National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding of Highway 39, cutting off a major evacuation route for coastal residents.

Cut 13 (10) “…this time.”

Harvey says the heaviest rain bands could stay south of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 14 (08) “…Plaquemines Parish.”

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.