Tropical Storm Claudette came ashore this morning southwest of New Orleans with winds as strong as 60 miles per hour. Much of the heavy rainfall associated with the storm is in Mississippi and Alabama. But several homes have flooded in Slidell. A couple of inches of water made their way into homes in French Branch Estates. The Slidell Police Department says they had to rescue multiple people from their flooded cars, along with a woman, who was on her way to the hospital, possibly going into labor.

In Plaquemines Parish, Emergency Operations Center director Patrick Harvey says they are getting a lot of complaints of alligators in the highway, but Highways 23 and 39 are both open. Harvey told WDSU-TV in New Orleans there has been some coastal flooding in the Myrtle Grove area.

Baton Rouge Police say two people were killed and three others were injured during a shooting outside of the Capitol Park Bar and Grill around two o’clock this morning. No other information has been released.

Today marks Juneteenth. On this date in 1865, enslaved people in America were finally emancipated. This year is the first year it’s a state and federal holiday. Governor John Bel Edwards says today is a day to commemorate the end of slavery and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to America. He says the nation must recommit itself to the ongoing fight for equity and justice.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution that asks the state health department to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory before students can attend public schools, colleges and universities. State law requires students to be vaccinated against polio, smallpox and other maladies before they can attend school, but the COVID vaccine was approved by the FDA on an emergency basis.

Starting Monday at noon, Louisiana residents who are vaccinated against COVID can register to win one million dollars and 13 other cash prizes and scholarships. Go to shot-at-a-million-dot-com for more information.