8:30 LRN Newscast August 27

Hurricane Laura remains a dangerous Category Two storm with maximum sustained winds at 100 miles per hour. As of Seven AM, the center of Laura is 20-miles north of Fort Polk.

Laura made landfall around 1 AM in Cameron as a Category Four storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Tony Guillory says Lake Charles took a big hit…
cut 4 (13) “…good part”
Early images from the Lake Charles area shows a lot of structural damage. But Governor John Bel Edwards told CNN this morning that we got a break on the storm surge and it was half of what was forecasted, which was as high as 20 feet. But the governor is reporting a fatality, a 14-year-old girl in Leesville died when a tree fell on her home.

For the first time since 2012, the entire Louisiana National Guard has been mobilized because of Hurricane Laura. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Laura will continue to churn through Louisiana today heading towards Shreveport as northwest Louisiana should brace for hurricane-force winds. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jason Richardson says he usually sends a group of deputies to the coast when a hurricane hits, but not this time…
cut 12 (13) “…case”

7:30 LRN Newscast August 27

Hurricane Laura made landfall this morning as a Category Four storm at 1 AM in Cameron. Laura had maximum sustained winds at 150 miles per hour and Lake Charles took a direct hit. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Tony Guillory has started to survey the damage…
cut 3 (10) “…major one”
The National Hurricane Center warned Laura could produce unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves. Forecasters say the surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says search and rescue teams are ready
cut 14 (10-) “…of evacuation”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there were 50 to 150 people in Cameron Parish who refused to leave.

The National Hurricane Center says Laura continues to produce damaging winds and flooding rainfall as it moves along the Louisiana-Texas border. As of 7 AM, Laura’s maximum sustained winds are at 100 miles per hour, so it’s a Category Two storm and its center is located 20 miles north of Fort Polk.

When it comes to the coronavirus, Louisiana will remain in Phase Two until September 11th. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 27

Are Will Wade’s days numbered at LSU? Many Tiger fans are asking that question as multiple media outlets report the NCAA has information that Wade allegedly offered impermissible payments to 11 recruits and or others around him. The Advocate has uncovered a letter that says the NCAA will turn the case over to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, a panel set up to handle complex cases. That committee will determine if the NCAA should send LSU a notice of allegations, which according to Wade’s contract, is enough for the school to fire him.

Governor Edwards says the state will remain in Phase 2 of the coronavirus reopening for two more weeks until September 11th. So what does this mean for high school football who plans to begin its season October 8th? Many coaches agree there’s still a chance to begin the season on that date if the state can move into Phase 3 after this two-week extension concludes.

The NBA season might be over as three playoff games scheduled for yesterday never happened as players are calling for racial justice in response to the police shooting in Wisconsin that left Jacob Blake paralyzed from the waist down. Blake an unarmed black man was shot seven times in the back. The players still competing in the bubble met last night and according to a report from The Athletic, the Lakers and Clippers voted to cancel the season. NBA owners are expected to talk today.

Three major league baseball games were also postponed as well, plus the WNBA didn’t play last night and most of the M-L-S schedule was postponed.

LSU football practiced yesterday despite reports that all but four offensive linemen have been quarantined due to coronavirus exposure. According to SEC protocols, a player who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate at least ten days after their positive test.

The Saints are planning to practice in the Superdome on Saturday.

6:30 LRN newscast August 27

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category Four hurricane early this morning in Cameron, with maximum sustained winds at 150 miles per hour. It goes down as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana in 164 years.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says about 500 Urban Search and Rescue team members, many from other states, are ready to help in the aftermath…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana National Guard has more than three-thousand Guardsmen who are ready to assist in search and rescue operations. Sergeant Denis Ricou…
cut 5 (12) “….efforts”
Guardsmen have also strategically placed 921-thousand liters of water and 528-thousand M-R-Es for potential distribution.

Hurricane Laura is now a Category Two storm with maximum sustained winds at 110 miles per hour. The center of the storm is 45 miles north-northwest of Lake Charles.

The storm will continue to head north on the western side of Louisiana. Desoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says they are expecting hurricane strength winds…
cut 11 (05) “…wind of event here”
And five to eight inches of rain, possibly up to 10 inches.

5:30 LRN Newscast August 27

cut 30 wind
That’s the sound of wind whipping through Lake Charles as Hurricane Laura is roaring through southwest Louisiana after making landfall early this morning in Cameron as a Category Four storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour. A news crew from Mobile, Alabama has released a video that shows part of the roof being blown off the Golden Nugget casino in Lake Charles.

The entire Louisiana National Guard has been activated. Sergeant Denis Ricou says they have plenty of food and water to take care of storm victims…
cut 6 (08) “….to eat”
Water rescues will be likely. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Urban Search and rescue personnel have come in from other states…
cut 15 (10) “…work with”

Laura has weakened to a Category Three hurricane as the center of the storm is 30 miles north-northwest of Lake Charles. An estimated 300-thousand households in Louisiana are without power and those power outages extend into northwest Louisiana. Desoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says he usually sends a group of deputies to the coast when a hurricane hits, but not this time…
cut 12 (13) “…case”

Governor Edwards says the state has made progress in its fight to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but he’s extending Phase two restrictions for another two weeks through September 11th. Edwards says he wants to see how the return of the school year has impacted the spread of the virus…
cut 7 (13) “…positivity”
Edwards says it will be difficult to keep track of the virus as testing will be reduced due to the storm.

4:30 LRN Newscast August 27

After making landfall in Cameron around one o’clock this morning as a Category Four hurricane with 150 mile per hour winds. Laura’s maximum sustained winds are down to 120 miles per hour as it continues to move northward over southwestern Louisiana at 15 miles per hour. The center of the storm is 30 miles north-northwest of Lake Charles.

The entire Louisiana National Guard has been activated for this monster storm, which was expected to produce a 20-foot storm surge. Sergeant Denis Ricou says that means over three-thousand guardsmen…
cut 4 (12) “…government”
The state fire marshal’s office has search and rescue teams ready. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning..
cut 14 (10-) “…of evacuation”

As we told you in the first segment, Laura, with 120-mile per hour winds is making its way towards northwest Louisiana where Hurricane warnings are posted as far north as DeSoto Parish. Sheriff Jason Richardson says they dealt with Hurricane Rita in 2005, but Laura could top that…
cut 10 (10) “…we’ve seen”

Governor Edwards has extended phase two coronavirus restrictions for another two weeks until September 11th. Mass evacuations out of southwest Louisiana is one of the reasons why it was extended. Edwards says hundreds of thousands left for other parts of the state and that region has the highest positivity rate in Louisiana. And…
cut 8 (09) “…shelters”
The state reported 846 additional coronavirus cases yesterday and 32 deaths.

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 26

ESPN has obtained documents from the NCAA’s enforcement staff that say men’s basketball coach Will Wade arranged for, offered and or provided impermissible payments, including cash to at least eleven men’s basketball recruits or others around them. The Advocate reports this morning that the case may be turned over to an independent panel that handles complex NCAA infraction matters. And Sports Illustrated is reporting that they have a letter from Will Wade’s attorney that says the NCAA is frustrated its long investigation has failed to yield any evidence of a violation.

The NBA playoffs could be put on hold as several teams have decided not to take the court over the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to refuse to take their court prior to their Game Five matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Thunder and Rockets have also decided not to play tonight.

The Advocate reports all but four LSU offensive linemen are in quarantine after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. According to the SEC, players who test positive for the coronavirus must isolate for at least ten days after their positive test. There’s no word on if LSU is pressing pause on preseason camp.

LSU is 31 days away from its season opener against Mississippi State. During a zoom press conference with reporters yesterday, LSU football coach Ed Orgeron talked about how players have to make a sacrifice if they want to play…
cut 17 (25) “….careful”

LRN PM Newscall August 26

Louisiana could see massive flooding along the coast as a result of storm surge and heavy rainfall from Hurricane Laura. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________

Governor Edwards tells southwest Louisiana residents who do not evacuate to stay in their homes once Laura makes landfall. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

Hurricane Laura is an extremely dangerous Category Four storm as it eyes a landfall in Cameron Parish early Thursday morning. Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says Laura will produce catastrophic storm surge…

Cut 3 (11)  “…unsurvivable”  

Once Laura makes landfall it will continue to head north along the Louisiana-Texas state line. Cline says the storm will produce heavy rainfall, a half a foot could fall in a short amount of time…

Cut 4 (10)“ …flash flooding” 

Laura’s maximum sustained winds are 125 miles per hour and the storm is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it moves over Toledo Bend. Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (12)  “…this forecast. ”

Schott says a lot of structures, power lines, and trees will be knocked down.

_________________

The National Weather Service warns up to 20 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of southwest Louisiana due to Hurricane Laura.

Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees.

Cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”

Governor Edwards warns this level of storm surge is “unsurvivable”.

Southwest Louisiana is bracing for historic damage and Graves says the feds are preparing to rush in financial aid to businesses who are already on the brink.

Cut 7 (07) “…back”

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, much of the city was underwater for days. Graves says that will not happen in southwest Louisiana because the abundant wetlands will allow the floodwaters to recede much faster.

Cut 8 (11) “Mexico”

Graves did warn that Hurricane Rita, which landed a similar blow in 2005, did wipe out large portions of the region’s wetlands.

______________________________

Entergy is finalizing plans to respond to power outages from Hurricane Laura. The power company has strategically placed crews and equipment and will begin restoration work as soon as the storm passes. Entergy CEO Phillip May…

Cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

May says if you are worried about the food in your refrigerator, there are settings you can change on that appliance that will help before the power goes out…

Cut 10 (06) “…colder.”

He also suggested freezing bottles of water and placing them in your freezer and refrigerator to help preserve food longer.

May says the outages will not be limited to just southwest Louisiana. He says Laura is expected to damage power lines across a large portion of the state, as it heads north after landfall…

Cut 11 (09) “…this storm.”

________________

Governor Edwards warns Hurricane Laura is projected to bring devastation not seen in southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Audrey in 1957.

Laura is now a category four hurricane that Edwards says is likely to create two-story-high storm surge.

Cut 12 (11) “…parish”

Flood projections show nearly all of Cameron Parish will be underwater.

180 miles of roads are expected to flood in Cameron Parish alone, and Edwards warns I-10 is likely to be overtopped in many areas in the southwest. He also warns many structures will be flattened.

Cut 13 (11) “…long time” 

The Louisiana National Guard has been fully mobilized for the first time since Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

Edwards says the window to evacuate will likely close by this afternoon. By then if you’re still in the storm’s path, do not leave your house once it makes landfall because trying to escape in the dark will be extremely dangerous. 

Cut 14 (10) “leave now”

Projections show sustained winds over 100 miles per hour will extend far inland, and low lying areas even above the I-10 will be in danger of flooding.

12:30 LRN newscast August 26

The warnings pertaining to Hurricane Laura are grim. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge of up to 20 feet which they say is unsurvivable for those living along the coast. Laura is expected to make landfall near the Louisiana-Texas line late tonight, early tomorrow morning and maintain hurricane strength as it moves over Toledo Bend. Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…
Cut 5 (12) “…the best”
Schott says a lot of structures, power lines, and trees will be knocked down.

Laura will leave thousands without power. Entergy CEO Philip May says they have thousands of workers ready to restore electricity…
cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana”

The National Hurricane Center warns up to 20 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of southwest Louisiana due to Hurricane Laura. Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees.
cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”
Graves says Laura will also produce additional coastal land loss.

Governor Edwards has just wrapped up a press briefing where he announced COVID Phase two restrictions will be extended for another two weeks. The state is reporting 844 new cases and 33 deaths today.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

ESPN is reporting the NCAA has learned that LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade either arranged for or offered impermissible payments to at least eleven potential recruits or others around them. That’s according to NCAA documents obtained by ESPN. The NCAA enforcement staff is reportedly being turned over to an independent panel that handles complex NCAA infractions matters.

At LSU camp, two freshmen are battling it out to be Myles Brennan’s backup at quarterback. Orgeron says TJ Finley and Max Johnson are talented and they have great character and smarts…
cut 19 (20) “…calm in the pocket”
Orgeron says wide receiver Koy Moore, a freshman from Rummel High, has really been impressive during camp.

Ticket prices are set for the Louisiana Tech-ULM matchup on November 21st. Single game ticket prices are set at 40-dollars for chairbacks, 30-dollars for sideline bench and 20-dollars for end zone. Discount prices are available to season ticket holders. Louisiana Tech’s seats will be on the east side, while ULM fans will sit on the other side.