Hurricane Francine is expected to move quickly through southeast Louisiana, but unfortunately could leave some people without power for days. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Hurricane Francine is bearing down on southeast Louisiana as a strong Category one storm. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Hurricane Francine will make landfall later today in St. Mary or Terrebonne parish. It will certainly produce power outages. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says many trees were weakened by last year’s drought and it could lead to more trees and limbs falling on power lines…

Cut 3 (12) “…or whatever.”

Francine started to develop over the weekend and officially became a named storm on Monday. Steele believes most residents along the coast are prepared…

Cut 4 (11) “…works.”

Francine is expected to make landfall as a Category One storm in southeast Louisiana late this afternoon. Governor Jeff Landry urges the public not to relax, because it’s just a Cat 1 storm…

Cut 5 (15) “…stay put.”

A category one storm can have maximum sustained winds up to 95 miles per hour.

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Hurricane Francine is a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 90 mph. The storm is around 80 miles south-southwest of Morgan City and is expected to make landfall later today. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there is an upside.

Cut 6 (09) “…approaches the coast.”

Landfall is expected near Morgan City, with heavy rain, wind gusts up to 90 mph, and storm surges of up to 10 feet. This will impact areas like Vermilion and Atchafalaya Bays, while Keim says cities like New Orleans are on high alert.

Cut 7 (10) “…midnight tonight.”

Several parishes, including Cameron and Iberia, have issued evacuation orders or curfews. The region is preparing for flash flooding, Keim says there could be up to a foot of rain in certain areas.

Cut 8 (11)  “…get ready for this one.”

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GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodaux says if you have not evacuated by now, don’t bother.

Cut 9 (12)  “…response to a hurricane.”

Governor Landry echoes those sentiments, not only to keep yourself safe, but also to allow emergency workers room to do their rescue and recovery work during and after the storm.

Cut 10 (06) “…and stay put.”

State Climatologist Jay Grimes says while this will undoubtedly be a severe storm, the worst will be over by the end of the day today.

Cut 11 (14) “…system as well.”

Hurricane Francine is packing maximum sustained winds of 90 miles an hour, making it a Category One hurricane. It is slated to make landfall late this afternoon or early this evening near Morgan City and go up the state in a northeasterly direction, leaving the state by midnight tonight.

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St. John the Baptist Parish has seen its fair share of damage from previous hurricanes. Parish president Jaclyn Hotard says her biggest concern with Francine is flooding…

Cut 12 (09) “…heavy rainfall.”

St. John the Baptist Parish is bordered by both Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas. Hotard says she’s encouraged by Francine’s forecast, which shows the storm will move quickly through the River Parishes…

Cut 13 (08) “…the way” 

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Tangipahoa Parish is preparing for Francine by learning lessons from past storms like Hurricane Ida. Parish President Robbie Miller says that Ida was a storm that changed how the parish prepares…

Cut  14 (05) “..time to recover.”

There is a strong emphasis on ensuring power and water services remain operational, with backup systems in place for medical facilities. Miller says Entergy has invested millions making the infrastructure more robust…

Cut 15 (07) “…able to handle it.”

Tangipahoa River handles the parish’s drainage and potentially could see some flooding around areas near the river, but Miller says they should be ok and reminds residents to stay home and stay safe…

Cut 16 (11)   “…go sightsee.”

Shelter locations for Tangipahoa are Restoration Church, Amite Community Center, and Brown’s Chapel.

A Louisiana company played a role in the biopic “Reagan.” Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Department of Education is expanding its tutoring program through the Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program, offering $1,500 digital vouchers for K-12 students to access additional academic support.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana will be dealing with a hurricane on Wednesday. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine reports Tropical Strom Francine in the southern Gulf is expected to develop into a hurricane and move towards Texas-Louisiana

Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Bill Jacquemine.”

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In light of the deadly school shooting in Georgia, Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans is reminding you of an anonymous reporting tool it’s partnered on with Safe Schools Louisiana. Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans CEO Darlene Cusanza (kuh-SANS-ah) says there are many ways that students can report safety concerns, such as shooting threats or threats of self-harm.

Cut 4 (07) “…is our website.”

Or they can call the hotline 24 hours a day. Cusanza says users never have to give their names when making reports.

Cut 5 (09) “…update information.”

Under Louisiana law, students are not allowed to have cell phones in their classrooms. Cusanza says Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans has not found that to be a barrier for reporting safety concerns.

Cut 6 (11) …after school hours.”

The program has been up and running in greater New Orleans since 2004; and in 2020, it expended statewide  through a partnership with the Louisiana State Police and GOHSEP.

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Louisiana entered the national spotlight this month with the nationwide premiere of “Reagan.” One of the executive producers is Baton Rouge-based Alluwee Productions. Owner Dave Roberts says he set out to tell the story about President Ronald Reagan without making it overly political.

Cut 7 (10) “…with Nancy Reagan.”

Roberts says he wanted to make the movie family friendly in order to introduce a new audience to the life and times of the 40th President of the United States.

Cut 8 (10) “…things like that.”

Roberts says he went to great lengths, including working with the Reagan family and the Reagan Presidential Library, to make sure that everything in the movie was factual. He says they had a lot of great material – too much, in fact.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of fantastic material.”

In its opening weekend, “Reagan” grossed more than 10-million dollars, exceeding expectations.

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Louisiana is expanding its tutoring program through the Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program, offering $1,500 digital vouchers for K-12 students to access additional academic support. Named after the late State Representative Steve Carter, Deputy Superintendent of Education Dr. Jenna Chiasson (sha-son) says the initiative aims to help struggling students focus on improving literacy and math skills.

Cut 10 (10) “…to students.”

The program provides qualifying families of public school students with digital vouchers that can be used for personalized tutoring services, either in person or online. Chiasson says the goal is to ensure students receive tailored assistance in areas where they may be struggling, helping to close educational gaps…

Cut 11 (11) “…needs that students have.”
Chiasson emphasizes the program will give students a better chance to succeed academically. By providing targeted interventions, the Steve Carter Tutoring Program aims to strengthen student performance and help them stay on track with their grade-level expectations…

Cut 12 (11) “…in their area.”

The program previously offered a one-thousand-dollar digital voucher, was limited to k-5 public school students, and only included literacy.

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Based on projections from the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane could make landfall in southwest Louisiana during the middle of this week. Meteorologist Joe Rua with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says an area of low pressure in the Bay of Campeche in the southern Gulf of Mexico is expected to organize into hurricane…

Cut 13 (11)  “…through southern Louisiana coast.”

The National Hurricane Center put out its first official forecast track on Sunday afternoon before the system even became a tropical depression. Rua says with an anticipated landfall in southeast Texas or southwest Louisiana on Wednesday, forecasters wanted to let the public know…

Cut 14 (07) “…strengthen.”

Rua says there’s enough time and the sea surface temperatures are warm enough for this disturbance to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane…

Cut 15 (10) “…talking about.”

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ULM is off to a 2-and-0 start after a dominating 32-6 win over the UAB Blazers. The Warhawks defense held the Blazers to 259 total yards and forced three turnovers and that includes a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Carlin Vigers from Eunice. Coach Bryant Vincent says they beat UAB in every phase of the game…

Cut  16 (14)   “…more discpline.”

ULM is off this Saturday and on September 21st they’ll visit second ranked Texas.

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It was a lot closer than expected; but nonetheless, LSU earned its first victory of 2024 by beating Nicholls, 44-21. Nicholls actually pulled to within two early in the third quarter on a 67-yard touchdown run by Colin Guggenheim, but the Colonels would get no closer. The Tigers scored 21 unanswered points to put the game away. After the game, LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly said the short week exposed some flaws in the team’s game.

Cut 17 (17) “…a long week.”

LSU only rushed for 68 yards as the Tigers have struggled to develop a running game through two weeks of the season. Kelly is looking for more balance on offense…

Cut 18 (10)  “…don’t want to talk about.”

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 302 yards and six touchdown passes, one shy of the team record held by Joe Burrow, who threw seven touchdown passes against Oklahoma in 2019. LSU improves to 1-and-1 on the season and travels to South Carolina next week to take on the Gamecocks.

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What a start to the season for the Saints as they scored a franchise record 47 points in a season opener and crushed NFC South rival Carolina 47 to 10. Quarterback Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes and the offense scored on its first nine possessions. It was a vintage performance from running back Alvin Kamara who rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. Kamara says they did a great job executing new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense

Cut 19 (13) “….worried about so” 

The Saints outgained the Panthers 379 to 193. The defense had four sacks and three turnovers on the day. Coach Dennis Allen was not pleased with the ten penalties but he’ll certainly take the win…

Cut 20 (14) “…do better.”

The Saints will visit the Cowboys in Dallas in next Sunday.

Fans going to Saturday’s LSU home opener will be in for an enhanced gameday experience. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Six more neglected horses and ponies have been taken into custody by Louisiana humane groups, adding to a growing number of equine neglect cases.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that dove hunting season will officially open tomorrow to January 14, 2025. As a popular event for Louisiana hunters, the dove season marks the beginning of Louisiana’s fall hunting schedule. LDWF Biologist Richards Temple says Louisiana is divided into a North and South zone…

Cut 3 (11) “…north-south zones is.”

Sportsmen especially favor Dove hunting as it provides a great opportunity for beginners and seasoned hunters alike to enjoy time outdoors. Temple reminds hunters to follow all state and federal regulations, including obtaining the proper licenses.

Cut 4 (06) “…HIP certified.”

Hunters are encouraged to scout fields and hunting areas in advance to ensure successful outings. Temple also emphasizes the importance of adhering to daily bag limits, which are set at 15 doves per hunter per day, and says it’s looking like this will be a great start to the season.

Cut 5 (06) “…hunters out there.”

As the season approaches, LDWF is working to ensure that hunting areas are well-maintained and ready for the influx of hunters.

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Fans going to Saturday’s home opener at Death Valley will be in for a special experience. Tiger Stadium underwent several improvements during the offseason in preparation for its 100th year.

Cut 6 (08) “…exist this season.”

Chief Operation Officer and Deputy Athletic Director Keli Zinn says fans will see a new main scoreboard on the north side and two new corner scoreboards.

Cut 7 (09) “…increase the atmosphere.”

There is also a new ribbon board which will display things like enhanced statistics and content. And those aren’t the only improvements.

Cut 8 (10)  “…everybody who’s there.”

If you want to experience the improvements with 100-thousand of your closest friends, kickoff Saturday is at 6:30.

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Six more neglected horses and ponies have been taken into custody by Louisiana humane groups, adding to a growing number of equine neglect cases. These animals were found in poor condition, suffering from malnutrition, untreated injuries, and lack of proper care. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says the severity of their conditions brings a heavy burden to HSLA…

Cut 9 (09)  “…thousands of dollars.”

The rise in equine neglect cases has been alarming for local animal welfare organizations, which are seeing an increase in reports of horses and ponies being abandoned or left in unhealthy environments. Dorson attributes this surge to financial hardship among owners, who are struggling to afford proper feed, medical care, and shelter for their animals.

Cut 10 (12) “…in these fields.”

Dorson is urging the public to report any signs of animal neglect and to support rescue efforts through donations or adoption. They also stress the importance of responsible horse ownership, reminding potential owners to carefully consider the cost and long-term commitment required to care for equine animals.

Cut 11 (12) “…not looking well.”

With many parts of Louisiana not having dedicated humane programs Dorson asks people to not purchase animals if they’re not ready and willing to care for them properly.

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While nearly everyone in the State of Louisiana and across the nation expects LSU to handily beat Nicholls Saturday night, the Colonels are actually a good team in their own right. They’re the defending Southland Conference champions in the Football Championship Subdivision; and their head coach, Tim Rebowe, is the reigning conference coach of the year. This matchup was originally scheduled for 2020 until COVID altered those plans, and Rebowe was excited to get it rescheduled.

Cut 12 (08) “…here it is.”

Even though this is a mismatch on paper, Rebowe says his team is looking forward to running onto the field at Death Valley.

Cut 13 (10) “…the flagship school” 

Rebowe says along with a huge payday, this game provides a great opportunity to get the word out about the school and the football team.

Cut  14 (08) “..type of stuff.”

Rebowe points out that Nicholls is the last Division One team in Louisiana to play LSU.

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The day is almost here – two days to go before the Saints get their 2024 season underway against the Carolina Panthers. Saints Coach Dennis Allen says he’s looking for another strong start.

Cut 15 (17) “…to play football.”

And Allen says he and his team are ready to take on Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young.

Cut  16 (11)   “…he can do.”

Kickoff at the Superdome Sunday is noon.

An updated version of GOHSEP’s “Get a Game Plan” app has been released to improve disaster preparedness for Louisiana residents. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson .”

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First, he urged LSU to have its football players on the field during the playing of the national anthem. Now, Governor Landry has another request for the team. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

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GOHSEP has released an updated version of its “Get A Game Plan” app to improve disaster preparedness for Louisiana residents. This app is a crucial tool for individuals and families to prepare for emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters that frequently impact the state.  GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele reminds Louisiana that September is Emergency Preparedness Month…

Cut 3 (11) “…staying safe.” 

The new version includes several enhanced features, such as real-time emergency alerts, customizable emergency plans, and a comprehensive list of evacuation routes. It also offers guidance on building emergency supply kits, creating family communication plans, and staying informed during a crisis. Steele says users can now access vital information on shelter locations, road closures, and power outages, all within the app.

Cut 4 (08) “…supplies you may need.”

GOHSEP’s “Get A Game Plan” app also integrates social media feeds from official agencies, allowing users to receive timely updates from multiple sources. The app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices. Steele encourages all residents to download and familiarize themselves with the app, ensuring that they are better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.

Cut 5 (07) “…process can become.”

Download the app on the App Store and Google Play store or visit get-a-game-plan-dot-org for more information and resources.

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Most of the state is in for heavy rains today with the southern third of Louisiana under a flash flood watch through Friday.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim urges residents to be mindful and cautious…

Cut 6 (12) “…certainly there.”

Keim says the heavy rains begin today and are expected to continue through Friday for most of the state then hug the coastline through the weekend…

Cut 7 (11) “…South Louisiana.”

Keim says the heavy rains could wreak some havoc but the state actually needs rain.

Cut 8 (06)  “…moderate drought.”

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Governor Landry is urging LSU to bring out its live mascot, Mike The Tiger, to football games. Piper Hutchinson broke the story for the Louisiana Illuminator. She says having Mike The Tiger in a cage on the football field was a tradition that was halted in 2017.

Cut 9 (12)  “…him very uncomfortable.”

Landry and three other conservative officials who are also veterinarians recently met with the dean of the school of veterinary medicine, Oliver Garden. It was during that meeting when Landry made the request. Among the other officials present was Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who Hutchinson says was very skeptical of whether Landry’s request was a good idea.

Cut 10 (09) “…tiger new tricks.”

This latest request comes on the heels of Landry urging LSU and other state schools to have their athletes present during the playing of the national anthem and revoking scholarships for those who refuse to do so. Hutchinson says this will likely not be the last time that Landry involves himself in LSU athletics matters.

Cut 11 (15) “…the team’s business.”

LSU says just like with the anthem, it has no plans to alter its current protocol with Mike The Tiger.

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LSU’s leading rusher in Sunday’s loss to USC reportedly tore his ACL in practice yesterday and is out for the season. John Emery rushed for 61 yards in his first game back since tearing his ACL in his right knee last November. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander broke the story and says Emery was in position to have a great season…

Cut 12 (08) “…non-traditional.”

This was Emery’s sixth season at LSU. He was on the 2019 national championship team, but was academically ineligible in 2021.

Emery is a former five star prospect from Destrehan High School. His best season was in 2022 when he rushed for 375 yards and six touchdowns and also caught two TD passes. Alexander says Emery seems poised to have a big season

Cut 13 (09) “…burst.” 

Emery’s injury leaves LSU with just three scholarship running backs on the roster, Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson and freshman Caden Durham. Alexander says Durham will likely make his LSU debut on Saturday night against Nicholls…

Cut  14 (10) “..Caden Durham.”

Running back Trey Holly remains suspended as he still faces gun charges from a shooting that injured two people in Union Parish in February.