10:30 AM Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says the recovery from Hurricane Laura will be long and it will take a lot of effort. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The state has setup a website for storm recovery updates at hurricanelaura.la.gov.

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…

Tulane researchers are awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. The top first-gen vaccine candidates are all designed to produce coronavirus antibodies, but Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici warns those antibodies may not last long. That’s why 2.0 is needed…

Cut 11 (07) “…doses.”

Morici’s work will involve adding bacteria-based adjuvants to vaccines that are already in development with the goal of strengthening those existing vaccines.

9:30 LRN Newscast August 31

Getting the electricity back on in southwest Louisiana will be a long process. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s initial damage estimate in the Lake Charles area found 172 towers damaged or destroyed
Cut 7 (12) “…or destroyed”
As of Sunday afternoon, the state had 368-thousand customers without power. There are also 87 water systems not operating.

If you want to assist in the recovery there’s a website, volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov that lists several different volunteer opportunities. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state recognized the year 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Saturday, the storm that killed 15-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 6 (11) “….after Katrina”

It appears wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s brief but spectacular career at LSU is over. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is looking for a new team as the Jacksonville Jaguars have released the former first-round pick.

And in St. Tammany Parish, three people were found dead in a home in Pearl River. They’ve been identified as 80-year-old Lawrence Lynchard, 75-year-old Barbara Lynchard, and 48-year-old Debra Lynchard. An autopsy will determine the cause of deaths and the investigation is ongoing.

8:30 LRN Newscast August 31

The number of Hurricane Laura related deaths is up to 14 after a 57-year-old man in Calcasieu Parish died from a head injury after falling from a roof. Another resident in Calcasieu Parish died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The state health department has verified eight Hurricane Laura-related deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning. Governor Edwards says for those residents who do not have power, he’s pleading with them not to run generators in their home…

cut 9 (13) “…the window”
The recovery continues today in hot conditions. North and southwest Louisiana are under a heat advisory. And the National Hurricane Center is monitoring four disturbances in the tropics, but none of them are a threat to Louisiana.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser wants you to lend a hand and help with recovery efforts.

cut 1 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tulane researchers receive a Fast Grant for a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. There’s hope a vaccine will be available soon, but Tulane microbiologist Doctor Lisa Morici points to polio as an example of another disease that required more than just one round of vaccines…

cut 12 (08) “…vaccine”

 

7:30 LRN Newscast August 31

Thousands of Louisiana residents are facing a difficult recovery from Hurricane Laura and residents in six parishes are eligible for FEMA assistance. Residents in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vernon Parish can apply for disaster aid at disaster-assistance-dot-gov, calling 1-800-621-FEMA or through the FEMA app. Edwards says so far more than 52-thousand people in Louisiana have applied and he expects additional parishes will become eligible
Cut 8 (11) “…those determinations.”

If you are looking to assist in the recovery effort, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says check out volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov…
cut 5 (09) “….the recovery”

Tulane researchers have been awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. A first-generation vaccine is not available yet, but Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici says the sooner version 2.0 is available the better.
Cut 10 (12) “…itself”
Morici’s work will involve adding bacteria-based adjuvants to vaccines that are already in development with the goal of strengthening those existing vaccines.

LSU star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will reportedly opt out of the 2020 season to prepare for next year’s NFL draft. Chase broke LSU and SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns, and 84 catches last year. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier says the Tigers will miss this playmaker…
cut 14 (09) “…for LSU”
Detillier says Chase is likely to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2021 draft and possibly a top-five pick.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 31

It appears wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s brief but spectacular career at LSU is over. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Auburn returns to practice today without 16 players. Nine of them tested positive for the coronavirus and contact tracing has put seven others in a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

ULM resumes football activities today after holding limited workouts over the last ten days after nine positive coronavirus tests.

The Saints practiced in the Superdome on Saturday night and during the seven on seven-period, Quarterback Drew Brees connected with wide receiver Michael Thomas on a couple of long passes. Coach Sean Payton says it appears Brees’ arm strength is stronger this year…
cut 18 (16) “….of his”
The Saints have signed defensive ends T-J Carter and Anthony Lanier the Second along with linebacker Wynton McManis. McManis played the last three seasons in the Canadian Football League. Lanier was with the Chargers last season, while Carter is an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky.

Today is the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, and former LSU Tiger Austin Nola has been traded from Seattle to the San Diego Padres, who have the third-best record in the National League.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 31

Getting the electricity back on in southwest Louisiana will be a long process. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s initial damage estimate in the Lake Charles area found 172 towers damaged or destroyed
Cut 7 (12) “…or destroyed”
As of 3 PM yesterday, the state had 368-thousand customers without power and the outages can be found in north Louisiana as well. There are also 87 water systems that are not operating.

LSU’s big-play receiver Ja’Marr Chase has reportedly decided to opt-out and instead of playing for the Tigers in 2020, he’ll get ready for the 2021 NFL draft. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not a surprise to see Chase come to this decision…
Cut 13 (11) “…season.”
Chase will likely be a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

For Louisiana residents looking to help in the Hurricane Laura recovery efforts, the state has a website called volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov. On that site, you can view current disaster recovery volunteer needs. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is confident the state will recover because citizens came together in 2016 after the south Louisiana flood and rebuilt 15 years ago after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Cut 4 (13)“…our neighbor”
You can also follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

LRN AM Newscall August 31

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser wants you to lend a hand and help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Laura. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says the recovery from Hurricane Laura will be long and it will take a lot of effort. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________________________

It appears wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s brief but spectacular career at LSU is over. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

______________________________

In response to Hurricane Laura, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser urges Louisianans to volunteer to help rebuild areas damaged by the Category 4 storm. Nungesser is confident the state will recover because citizens came together in 2016 after the flood and rebuilt 15 years ago after Hurricane Katrina.

Cut 4 (13)“…our neighbor” 

Nungesser is encouraging you to visit Volunteer Louisiana Dot Gov and help out.

Cut 5 (09)  “…the recovery.”

Nungesser says volunteering is one way those who were affected by the flood in 2016 can return the favor and those who lost a loved one in Katrina can pay tribute to their memory.

Cut 6 (11) “…after Katrina”

You can also follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter. Non-profit and faith-based organizations in need of volunteers can contact VolunteerLouisiana@crt.la.gov

www.VolunteerLousiana.gov

___________________________________

Getting the electricity back on in southwest Louisiana will be a long process. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s initial damage estimate in the Lake Charles area found 172 towers damaged or destroyed

Cut 7 (12) “…or destroyed”

Edwards says the state went from a peak of 600-thousand outages following Hurricane Laura to 375-thousand as of noon Sunday. The governor reports there are over 17-thousand people from 29 states working on getting the power restored.

Residents in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon Parish can apply for disaster aid through FEMA by going to disaster-assistance-dot-gov, calling their 1-800-621-FEMA or through the FEMA app. Edwards says so far more than 52-thousand people in Louisiana have applied and he expects additional parishes will become eligible

Cut 8 (11) “…those determinations.”

The number of Laura related fatalities is up to 14. Eight of the deaths are due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Edwards says for those residents who do not have power, he’s pleading with them not to run generators in their home…

Cut 9 (13) “…the window.”

_______________________________

Tulane researchers are awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine.

The first generation vaccine may not be available yet, but Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici says the sooner version 2.0 is available the better.

Cut 10 (12) “…itself”

Morici’s work will involve adding bacteria-based adjuvants to vaccines that are already in development with the goal of strengthening those existing vaccines.

The top first-gen vaccine candidates are all designed to produce coronavirus antibodies, but Morici warns those antibodies may not last long. That’s why 2.0 is needed…

Cut 11 (07) “…doses.”

Morici points to polio as an example of another disease that required more than just one round of vaccines for maximum effectiveness.

Cut 12 (08) “…vaccine.”

The grants are being funded by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

__________________________

LSU’s big play receiver Ja’Marr Chase has reportedly decided to opt out and instead of playing for the Tigers in 2020 he’ll get ready for the 2021 NFL draft. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not a surprise to see Chase come to this decision…

Cut 13 (11) “…season.”

Chase won the Biletnikoff Award last season which goes to the nation’s best wide receiver. He set LSU and SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns and 84 catches. Detillier says the Tigers will miss this playmaker…

Cut 14 (09) “…for LSU.”

CBSsports-dot-com was the first to report Chase’s decision. Detillier says Chase is likely to be first wide receiver taken in the 2021 drart and possibly a top five pick.

Chase’s departure means Terrace Marshall Junior and Racey McMath will be LSU’s top two receivers. Detillier says there are some young wide receivers who will also be asked to step up

Cut 15 (13) “…Jontre Kirklin.”

___________________

Saints held their first practice in the Superdome on Saturday in what was a dress rehearsal for the season opener on September 13th against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There were no fans in the stands for the practice and there will be no fans in the Dome for the season opener. Coach Sean Payton says he’s not sure what it will feel like on game day with no fans

Cut 16 (25) “…you love.” 

The season opener is less than two weeks away and so far the team has been able to avoid any COVID cases since training camp started. Payton hopes that will continue

Cut 17  (14) “…understand that.” 

On Saturday during the seven on seven period, Quarterback Drew Brees connected with wide receiver Michael Thomas on a couple of long passes. Payton says it appears Brees’ arm strength is stronger this year

Cut 18  (16) “…of his”   

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 29

Two more people have died as a result of Hurricane Laura, bringing the death toll to 12. The Louisiana Department of Health says an 84-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman in Allen Parish died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator. This comes a day after Governor Edwards confirmed that a family in Lake Charles also died from carbon monoxide poisoning related to a generator, which brought the death toll to 10.

In an effort to help Louisiana recover as quickly as possible after devastation from Laura, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is urging Louisianans to volunteer, much like they did with Hurricane Katrina. Nungesser says volunteering is a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives 15 years ago today.

Cut 5 after Katrina :11

For information go to volunteer Louisiana dot gov and follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

Governor John Bel Edwards will join President Trump on his visit to Lake Charles this afternoon. The president will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts. Last night Trump approved a major disaster declaration for 23 parishes, it opens FEMA assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the Category 4 storm.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city has been devastated by the strongest storm to hit the state in 150 years, but he’s optimistic that they can recover.

Cut 9 (10) “…better”

A curfew is in effect across the city.

Cleco reports they have restored power to over 40 percent of their approximate 140,000 customers with outages from Laura. The company says there are some areas that they have still not been able to fully survey due to flooding.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast Aug 29

The hurricane damage is so extensive in Lake Charles that it will be weeks before people can live there again …

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

President Trump will visit Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon Last night he approved Governor Edward’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura. Trump will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts.

In response to Hurricane Laura Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser urges Louisianans to volunteer to help rebuild areas of the state damaged by the category 4 storm.

Cut 4 our neighbor. :19

For information go to volunteer Louisiana dot gov And follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

McNeese State hopes it can resume on-campus classes in a few weeks after it was damaged by Hurricane Laura. McNeese spokesperson Candace Townsend says they are still assessing the damage but says the school is committed to finishing the fall semester.

Cut 5 (10)  “…to do so.”

8:30 LRN Aug 29

Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura receives approval from President Trump.   Gov. John Bel Edwards made the announcement Friday evening. It opens FEMA assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the Category 4 storm. President Trump has visits scheduled to Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon. He will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts.

The City of Lake Charles is devastated and Mayor Nic Hunter warns it could be weeks before some semblance of normality returns. Water lines are destroyed, and power is down and there’s no solid estimate on when either will return. Hunter is asking residents who return to Lake Charles, be prepared to look, and leave.

Cut 8 (10) “right now”

Today is the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Governor Edwards says he’s optimistic that power to most people in north and central Louisiana can be restored in a manner of hours and days, and not weeks which could be the case in the Lake Charles area. In the meantime, he says be careful around downed lines.

Cut 15 (08) “your life” 

About 81,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power following Hurricane Laura, down from the peak of 136,000.  SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan estimates most customers in Bossier City should have power restored by 10 PM Tuesday and Shreveport customers by 10 PM Wednesday.

Cut 13 (11) “…to address immediately.”

Entergy is reporting 208,000 customers are without power.