Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine urging the association to allow the football season to begin.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Louisiana is no longer in the “red” zone for COVID case growth according to the White House. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Hurricane Laura was a destructive storm, but the damage to crops is not as severe as feared. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says about 27-percent of the rice crop was not harvested, but most of the sugarcane is salvageable

Cut 3 (08)  “…harvest begins”  

Strain says about 45-percent of the cotton crop was in the boll stage, which makes it susceptible to strong winds and rain. A total damage estimate will take a couple of weeks.

He says the lack of electricity in many areas is an issue. He says they are trying to get rice dryers turned back on and poultry houses cool

Cut 4 (11)“ …poultry alive” 

A poultry fuel hotline has been established to assist farmers by putting them in direct contact with a fuel distributor. That number is area code (225) 952-8158.

Strain says another impact from Laura is the number of farm buildings and equipment that’s been destroyed…

Cut 5 (05)  “…live stock facilities.”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to Louisiana High School Athletic Association director Eddie Bonine to say it is time to turn on the Friday night lights and play high school football.  Landry says people need high school football to take their minds off of current events.

Cut 6 (09) “…that we can’t.”

The current plan calls for high school football to kick off in October, but only if the state is in Phase Three of economic reopening.

Landry says any concerns about legal liability can be worked around in a creative manner to protect the schools and the students that are playing ball.

Cut 7 (11) “…way out of.”

The latest extension of Phase Two restrictions has kept state high school football players from suiting up for full padded practices to prep for the upcoming season.

Landry says participation in high school football is voluntary, with players and spectators aware of the virus risk, adding his office is ready to meet with LHSAA officials to hammer out any legal concerns.

Cut 8 (06) “…in their court.”

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Governor Edwards announces the state is now in the “yellow” zone for COVID case growth after weeks of being in the “red” zone according to the feds.

Edwards says that means as a whole the state is now below 100 new cases per 100,000 residents over the last seven days and below ten percent positivity. He warns that could change…

Cut 9 (12) “…activity”

Despite the progress, Edwards says the White House is still recommending the state maintain the bar closure and mask-wearing mandate.

While the state as a whole is doing better Edwards says there are still hotspot areas…

Cut 10 (12) “…ten.”

The White House report says East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes have the highest number of new cases over the last three weeks.

Despite this good news, Edwards says the combination of hurricane evacuations and school reopenings could reverse our progress. Even worse…

Cut 11 (10) “…than ever”

Yesterday the state reported only 4,000 new tests. Throughout the rest of August the state averaged nearly 20,000 new tests a day.

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The fuel situation in hurricane-ravaged Vernon Parish is tight. Sheriff Sam Craft says power is out across the parish and many residents are driving to Alexandria for fuel and supplies.

Cut 12 (07) “…milk”

Craft says people are seeing long lines at the few locations in operation.

Cut 13 (12) “…locations”

Long lines are common at fueling stations that are operational. Craft says it’s led to arguments between desperate customers…

Cut 14 (10) “encounters” 

Residents in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Allen and Vernon Parished who sustained roof damage can request a blue tarp by calling 1-888-766-3258. Governor Edwards says installation is free and he says it will allow people to stay in their homes while permanent repairs are made…
cut 9 (08) “…plan”

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 open 24-7 and there are about 10-thousand evacuees staying in hotels.

About 280-thousand customers are still without power in Louisiana and the lack of electricity is impacting the state’s two billion dollar poultry industry. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says there’s a fuel hotline that puts farmers in direct contact with a fuel distributor…
cut 4 (11) “…poultry alive”
The fuel hotline for poultry farmers is area code 225-952-8158.

If you’d like to help the Laura recovery effort, but afraid of exposure to coronavirus, the Red Cross is offering virtual volunteer opportunities. Red Cross Capital West Chapter Director Ed Bush says online volunteers are vital and can help the organization manage and coordinate data…
Cut 24 (10)“…systems”
If interested fill out an application at red-cross-dot-org.

Hurricane Laura was a destructive storm, but the damage to crops is not as severe as feared. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says about 27-percent of the rice crop was not harvested, but most of the sugarcane is salvageable
Cut 3 (08) “…harvest begins”
Strain says about 45-percent of the cotton crop was in the boll stage, which makes it susceptible to strong winds and rain. He says they should have a damage estimate in a couple of weeks.

Just over 10-thousand evacuees are staying hotels statewide, most are in New Orleans. Storm victims seeking shelter should report to the Alexandria MegaShelter. Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the state can help with transportation…
cut 12 (11) “…to New Orleans”
For more information call 2-1-1.

After a hurricane, the Red Cross is on the ground helping with recovery efforts. Because of COVID, many people might be hesitant to go to Lake Charles, but Ed Bush with the Louisiana Red Cross, says they can use online volunteers to help with front-line efforts…
cut 5 (10) “…the ground”
Those interested can fill out an application at red-cross-dot-org.

Today is September first and getting electricity restored by the end of the month in the very hardest-hit areas of southwest Louisiana will be difficult. Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says if you do have to be on the roads, take it slow, and keep in mind traffic signs were blown down and intersections do not have traffic lights
Cut 14 (09) “…roads are dangerous.”

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”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is urging LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine to turn on the Friday Night Lights. Landry sent Bonine a letter that says the association’s concerns about COVID-19 liability when it comes to football are unfounded. Meanwhile, the high school volleyball season will be allowed to begin a week from today.

The U-S Army Corps of Engineers blue roof program is starting up in six Laura-impacted parishes with the aim of allowing storm victims to remain in their home while permanent repairs are made. Governor John Bel Edwards says blue roofs were common after Katrina and just like in 2005 it’s a free service
Cut 7 (08) “…roof”
Homes in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Allen, Vernon parishes could be eligible for blue roof installation.

The governor also says power could be out for three weeks in the Lake Charles as it will take a while to get poles reinstalled and transmission lines hooked up again with electricity. Traffic signals are not working and there’s a lot of traffic. Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell…
cut 15 (07) “….electricty”

Blue Roofs are coming to southwest Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department says the number of deaths tied to Hurricane Laura has increased to 15. The latest fatality is a 49-year-old man in Rapides Parish who died from blunt force trauma while cutting down a tree.

Governor Edwards says the state has launched hurricane-laura-dot-la-dot-gov. He says this website will provide updates on post-storm recovery, helpful links from FEMA, and information on food assistance.

Louisiana continues to use non-congregate sheltering because of COVID-19, so the state has just over 10-thousand Laura evacuees in hotels paid for by the federal government. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters…
cut 11 (09) “…in New Orleans”
Evacuees looking for shelter are asked to report to the Alexandria Mega Shelter on Highway 71 or call 2-1-1.

Calcasieu Parish officials are 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.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has missed the last three practices and an ESPN report says Kamara is staying away, because he would like a new contract. The 2017 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is set to make two-point-one million dollars this season, the final year of his rookie deal.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is looking for a new team. The Jaguars released Fournette, despite compiling over 16-hundred yards from scrimmage in 15 games last year. The Jags say they tried to trade Fournette, but could not find any takers.

Another LSU Tiger has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season. Defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin was expected to be the anchor in the middle of Bo Pelini’s four-three defense. Shelvin’s departure means LSU only has five returning starters from last year’s national championship team.

In the NBA, the Pelicans Brandon Ingram has been named the Most Improved Player after averaging 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists last season.

The LHSAA will allow the volleyball season to begin next Tuesday, even though the state has not moved into Phase 3. No fans will be allowed in the gym. Meanwhile, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is telling LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine to turn on the Friday Night Lights. Landry sent Bonine a letter that the association’s concerns about COVID-19 liability when it comes to football are unfounded.

After taking eleven days off because of multiple coronavirus cases, ULM has resumed football activities. The Warhawks are less than two weeks away from their season opener against Army on September 12th. Coach Matt Viator says even though game week is right around the corner they have to cautiously move forward
Cut 17 (20) “…the process.”

FEMA has activated its Blue Roof program in six of Louisiana’s hardest-hit parishes from Hurricane Laura. That’s Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon Parishes. Governor Edwards says not every home is eligible as some properties suffered too much damage. He says if eligible, you’ll have to allow installation teams on your property…
cut 8 (10) “….program”
For more information call 1-888-766-3258.

Southwest Louisiana faces a difficult recovery process. If you would like to donate money to the cause, Louisiana Red Cross Capital Chapter Director Ed Bush says on the Red Cross website, there’s an option to make a donation specifically to Laura relief…
cut 6 (06) “….easily”

The Department of Children and Family Services says Hurricane Laura evacuees in need of sheltering at a hotel need to visit the reception center at the Alexandria MegaShelter. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”