LRN AM Newscall September 1st

The Red Cross is offering volunteers the option to help out virtually with the response to Hurricane Laura. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Blue Roofs are coming to southwest Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Department of Children and Family Services says Hurricane Laura evacuees in need of sheltering at a hotel first need to head to the reception center at the Alexandria MegaShelter. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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If you’d like to help the Laura recovery effort but are afraid of exposure to coronavirus the Red Cross is now offering virtual volunteer opportunities.

Louisiana Red Cross Capital West Chapter Director Ed Bush says online volunteers are vital and can help the organization manage and coordinate data, reach out to various federal agencies…

Cut 4 (10)“…systems” 

Bush says they’ve got a lot of boots on the ground, but those online volunteers are helping support front-line efforts.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the ground”

Those interested can fill out an application at redcross.org.

For those that can’t volunteer Bush says they’d still very much appreciate some financial contributions. He says this recovery mission is going to be very costly.

Cut 6 (06) “…easily”

On the Red Cross website, there’s an option to make a donation specifically to Laura relief.

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The Army Corps of Engineers blue roof program is starting up in six Laura-impacted parishes with the aim of making homes with roof damage temporarily livable.

Governor John Bel Edwards says blue roofs were commonplace after Katrina, and just like in 2005 installation is still free to the public.

Cut 7 (08) “…roof”

Homes in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Allen, Vernon parishes could be eligible for blue roof installation.

Edwards warns not every house will be eligible for installation as some properties have suffered too much damage. If you are eligible you’ll have to allow installation teams on your property.

Cut 8 (10) “…program”

Those interested in a blue roof can call 1-888-766-3258 or visit the Army Corps of Engineers website.

Edwards says allowing people to stay in their own homes is vital given the current pandemic conditions.

Cut 9 (08) “…plan.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services has opened the reception center at the Alexandria MegaShelter for Hurricane Laura evacuees.  DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the MegaShelter serves as a centralized location to route evacuees to available lodging at a hotel.

Cut 10 (12) “…and there’s food.”

The reception center is currently open 24/7 helping evacuees find non-congregate shelter.

Walters says they’ve got just over 10,000 evacuees in hotels in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

Cut 11 (09) “…in New Orleans.”

Walters says about 11,000 evacuees are in hotels in Texas and believes a majority of them are Louisiana residents, but there isn’t a clear indication of what that number is.

Walters says if transportation to Alexandria and then to a hotel is an issue, they have that covered.

Cut 12 (11) “…to New Orleans.”

More info on sheltering can be found by texting LAShelter to 898-211 or calling 2-1-1.

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Law enforcement in Calcasieu Parish is asking drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible as storm restoration efforts continue. A curfew is in effect from 7pm to 6am and Sheriff Tony Mancuso says if you are driving around during those times, expect to be pulled over.

Cut 13 (09) “…to be tolerated.”

Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says if you do have to be on the roads, take it slow, and keep in mind that intersections that saw there stop signs and traffic lights blown away are extra dangerous.

Cut 14 (09) “…roads are dangerous.” 

Caldwell encourages drivers to consolidate the trips they do need to take as it will help speed up the recovery process.

Cut 15 (07) “…to get electricity.” 

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ULM football has resumed football activities after shutting preseason camp down for a week and a half because nine individuals within the program tested positive for the coronavirus. Coach Matt Viator says it felt good to be back with his team again

Cut 16 (18) “…really good.” 

The Warhawks are less than two weeks away from their season opener against Army on September 12th. Viator says even though game week is right around the corner they have to cautiously move forward

Cut 17  (20) “…the process.” 

Not only has the team had to battle a COVID outbreak, Hurricane Laura has caused  a lot of damage in the Monroe area, including to Malone Stadium. But Viator says players are keeping a positive attitude

Cut 18  (20) “…to work”   

530 PM LRN News

52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first thing people need to do is settle up with their home insurance company. After that, upload settlement documentation to the FEMA app, or send it in via the method that was provided to you when you registered.

Cut 13 (10) “…eligible.”

Robinson says some people have already begun receiving denials. He says that is linked to a lack of proper documentation from your home insurer, or lack of documentation proving your identity.

 

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says estimates indicate it could take four weeks for power to be restored to Lake Charles, but he feels even that is a bit optimistic.

Cut 10 (04) “…weeks.”

LSU star defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin joins wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in sitting out the season.

About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day. Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says about 10,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier are without power along with 34,000 in central Louisiana.

Cut 16 (11) “…reparied.” 

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

430 PM LRN News

Governor Edwards announces Disaster SNAP will open in Louisiana on September 10th and calls on all residents in Laura impacted areas to put their applications in for the program.

In other federal assistance FEMA is now taking applications for assistance to homeowners in storm-ravaged homes, but FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is calling for people from across the country to contribute to charities aimed at helping the people of his city recover…

Cut 9 (12) “…sisters”

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says they’ve brought in 500-600 additional storm restoration workers to cut trees, reset poles and make repairs to more than 5,700 miles of line.

Cut 6 (13) “…meters are running.”

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Cut 4 (12)“ …be open.” 

 

3:30 PM Newscast

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide which is odorless and colorless

Cut 3 (11)  “…really ill.”  

Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home

So far, 52,500 homeowners have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says there’s a number of ways to submit your application for FEMA aid.

Cut 14 (06) “app.” 

That toll-free number is 1-800-621-FEMA.

 

About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day. Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says restoration for nearly all Bossier City and Haughton residents is expected tonight by 10 PM, with Shreveport and Mansfield expected back online by tomorrow night.

Cut 15 (10) “estimated” 

Hornbeck, Natchitoches, and Logansport customers will have to wait until Thursday night.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says with the level of damage received from the storm, some customers may be out of power even longer….

Cut 8 (11) “…to prepare for.”

LRN PM Newscall August 31

Beauregard Electric Co-op customers can expect to be without power for at least four weeks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Lake Charles is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from Hurricane Laura. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide which is odorless and colorless

Cut 3 (11)  “…really ill.”  

Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Cut 4 (12)“ …be open.” 

Browning says it’s also important to avoid trying to refuel a generator when it’s still hot…

Cut 5 (11)  “…that generate cool.”

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Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says they’ve brought in 500-600 additional storm restoration workers to cut trees, reset poles and make repairs to more than 5,700 miles of line.

Cut 6 (13) “…meters are running.”

Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

Tilley says with the level of damage received from the storm, some customers may be out of power even longer than four weeks.

Cut 8 (11) “…to prepare for.”

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city will need a lot of outside help to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter is calling for people from across the nation to donate to causes aimed at helping the city and its residents.

Cut 9 (12) “…sisters”

He says most of all the city will need a tremendous amount of federal aid.

Early estimates say it could take four weeks for power to be restored to Lake Charles. Hunter feels even that is a bit optimistic.

Cut 10 (04) “…weeks.”

Hunter did note a silver lining to this tragedy: it appears the people of his city took the mandatory evacuation order very seriously.

Cut 11 (08) “…get out”

Hunter made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

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52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief.

FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently, with the list of eligible parishes expected to grow in the near future. So far FEMA has conducted over 200 inspections on homes, resulting in over 650,000 dollars in assistance.

Robinson says after you contact your home insurer and get your settlement documentation, upload that in the FEMA app, or send it in via the method that was provided to you when you registered.

Cut 13 (10) “…eligible.”

Robinson says some people have already begun receiving denials. He says that is linked to a lack of proper documentation from your home insurer, or lack of documentation proving your identity.

Robinson says there’s a number of ways to submit your application for FEMA aid.

Cut 14 (06) “app.” 

That toll-free number is 1-800-621-FEMA.

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About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day.

Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says restoration for nearly all Bossier City and Haughton residents is expected tonight by 10 PM, with Shreveport and Mansfield expected back online by tomorrow night.

Cut 15 (10) “estimated” 

Hornbeck, Natchitoches, and Logansport customers will have to wait until Thursday night.

Sullivan says about 10,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier are without power along with 34,000 in central Louisiana.

Cut 16 (11) “…reparied.” 

136,000 of their customers were without power during the peak of the post-Laura period.

2:30 LRN Newscast August 31

The lack of electricity remains the biggest obstacle for Louisiana residents trying to recover from Hurricane Laura. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says there’s no power at all in his city and it could take a month to restore…
cut 10 (04) “…weeks”

Beauregard Electric Co-op customers can also expect to be without power for at least four weeks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state reports 324-thousand Louisiana customers are without power.

There is some good news when it comes to power outages. SWEPCO says estimated times of restoration for north Louisiana has been moved up a full day. Most customers should have power restored in Bossier City and Haughton by 10 PM tonight and by 5:00 in Shreveport tomorrow. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they have about 44-thousand customers without power in Louisiana…
cut 16 (11) “…repaired”

FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says for homeowners who sustained damage, contact your insurance company and once you get your settlement documentation, upload that in the FEMA app or via the method provided to you when you registered for disaster aid…
cut 13 (10) “….eligible”
For more information contact 1-800-621-FEMA.

1:30PM Newscast

52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently, with the list of eligible parishes expected to grow in the near future.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

 

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home, adding it’s also important to avoid trying to refuel a generator when it’s still hot…

Cut 5 (11)  “…that generate cool.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter did note a silver lining to this tragedy: it appears the people of his city took the mandatory evacuation order very seriously.

Cut 11 (08) “…get out”

Hunter made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

12:30 PM Newscast

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says they’ve brought in 500-600 additional storm restoration workers to cut trees, reset poles and make repairs to more than 5,700 miles of line.

Cut 6 (13) “…meters are running.”

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Cut 4 (12)“ …be open.” 

 

Lake Charles is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from Hurricane Laura. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports 19 new fatalities and 324 new COVID cases, with the daily positivity rate of 8%. Hospitalizations fall by 21 to 881.

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 31

LSU star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is reportedly opting out of the 2020 college football season so that he’ll be fully healthy for the 2021 draft, where he’s expected to be a top-five pick. Chase’s departure means Terrace Marshall Junior and Racey McMath will be LSU’s top two receivers. Football analyst Mike Detillier says there are young wideouts who will also be asked to step up
Cut 15 (13) “…Jontre Kirklin.”

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been released by the Jaguars. Fournette had some good and bad times at Jacksonville and ended up rushing for 2,631 yards and 17 touchdowns in 3 seasons. But management has also expressed concerns about his attitude and behavior.

Believe it or not, we are 13 days away from the Saints season opener in Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton says with the start of the regular season right around the country, it’s more important than ever to avoid any COVID-19 cases…
cut 17 (14) “…understand that”
The Saints have placed running back Dwayne Washington on the reserve COVID-19 list. Washington participated in practice on Saturday, but just because a player is put on this list, doesn’t mean a player has tested for the positive the virus. It could be that the player believes they were exposed or it could be the result of a false-positive test result.

ULM will resume football activities today. The team has had limited workout time over the last ten days because they had nine positive COVID cases within the program. ULM’s season opener is September 12th at Army.

1130 AM LRN News

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter is calling for people from across the nation to donate to causes aimed at helping the city and its people.

Cut 9 (12) “…sisters”

The Mayor notes the most optimistic projections indicate it will be at least four weeks before power is restored and that Hurricane Laura was the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the state in 150 years. Because of that Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is calling on Louisianans to pitch in and help their neighbors. Nungesser is encouraging you to visit Volunteer Louisiana Dot Gov and help out.

Cut 5 (09)  “…the recovery.”

Non-profit and faith-based organizations in need of volunteers can contact Volunteer Louisiana.

The Tigers lose their Biletnikoff awarding winning top receiver Ja’Marr Chase after the SEC record-breaker decides to opt-out of the season and instead focus on the NFL draft. Detillier says Chase set LSU and SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns and 84 catches last season…

Cut 14 (09) “…for LSU.”

Detillier says Chase is likely a top-five pick in the 2021 draft.

Tulane researchers are awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici says it is common that first-generation vaccines are not as effective as second-generation vaccines, and points to polio as an example of another disease that required more than just one round.

Cut 12 (08) “…vaccine.”