Tropical Depression Two is trying to form into Tropical Storm Bertha in the northeastern Gulf. The potential storm is expected to move towards the east and move across Louisiana’s coast on its way to Texas. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s the potential for heavy rainfall south of I-10 on Thursday…

Cut 11 (12) “…four or five inches”

The storm could make landfall in or around Plaquemines Parish. Patrick Harvey is the emergency preparedness director in Plaquemines. Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations. He says that could change if the storm surge forecast increases to six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding on Highway 39….

Cut 13 (10) “…this time”

With construction getting underway on a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, southwest Louisiana residents have questions about how that will affect them. John Guidroz with DOTD says there’s an open house in Lake Charles tomorrow evening that you can attend.

Cut 4 (11) “…term as well.”

The open house is tomorrow from 5:30 to seven in the Lake Charles Event Center.

The first day of SEC Football Media Days is in the books. This is the first year teams will play a nine-game conference schedule. Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz says some coaches now regret supporting the move. But SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had this response…

Cut 7 (12) “…about that reality”

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is also not a fan of a nine-game SEC schedule.

We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. The center of the system is in the northeastern Gulf and forecasters expect it to become Tropical Storm Bertha this afternoon or tonight. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says they are not expecting major strengthening as it moves towards southeast Louisiana….

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

Based on the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, there’s a good chance the potential storm will make landfall along the southeastern coast as a tropical storm. Meteorologist Megan Williams with the National Weather Service in Slidell says that means maximum sustained winds of up to 75 miles per hour…

Cut 11 (07) “…porches and awnings”

The next major update from the National Hurricane Center comes down at 4 PM.

Government officials are preparing for a tropical storm to make landfall along Louisiana’s southeastern coast on Wednesday. Patrick Harvey is the emergency preparedness director in Plaquemines Parish. Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations. He says that could change if the National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding of Highway 39, cutting off a major evacuation route for coastal residents….

Cut 13 (10) “…this time”

Right now the storm surge predication is for two to four feet east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The entire state is dealing with extreme heat. High temperatures are in the mid to upper 90s. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you don’t have to be outside don’t…

Cut 27 (09) “…and use it”

The state reported four heat-related deaths in June.

A tropical storm is expected to form in the northeastern Gulf today, and the National Hurricane Center’s forecast track has the developing system making landfall in southeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed some of the hottest issues in college sports at SEC Media Days in Tampa. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. The center of the system is in the northeastern Gulf and forecasters expect it to become Tropical Storm Bertha this afternoon or tonight. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says they are not expecting major strengthening as it moves towards southeast Louisiana….

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, Bertha is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday, but Keim says the coastal parishes will feel the effects much sooner.

Cut 4 (11) “…on Wednesday evening.”

Of course, a lot can change between now and then, and the cone of uncertainty has the path anywhere from north of Baton Rouge to well south of the Louisiana coast; and Keim says while the storm is currently not expected to intensify beyond tropical storm strength, that could change if the track shifts south off the coast.

Cut 5 (09) “…watch very carefully.”

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for coastal Gulf waters east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey kicked off SEC Football Media Days in Tampa. In his State of the SEC address, Sankey echoed official statements from the conference and many member schools that support the effort behind the Protect College Sports Act but say it needs changes. He says his top priority is that the legislation is enforceable.

Cut 6 (12) “…following the law.”

SEC teams will play their first nine-game conference schedule this year, the most ever in a single season. Sankey says the conference is the best in the nation with the toughest schedule but the College Football Playoff Committee has not pledged to reward that extra challenge.

Cut 7 (11) “…about that reality.”

With the expanded College Football Playoff, the importance and scheduling of conference championships have been called into question. While Sankey pointed out the SEC has been the only conference to hold a championship game before, he says the future of the game beyond this year is not set in stone.

Cut 8 (08) “…College Football Playoff.”

Sankey also said there have been real conversations about the SEC breaking away from the NCAA due to frustrations with the governing body.

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National Weather Service Meteorologist Megan Williams says some areas could be in for some heavy rains from the storm which is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha later today.

Cut 9 (10)  “…that rainfall occurs.”

Williams says when the storm makes landfall Wednesday, coastal communities should be prepared for a moderate storm surge.

Cut 10 (12) “…feet of inundation (2x).” 

Williams says the storm’s current forecast does not have it intensifying beyond tropical storm strength. That would keep maximum sustained winds below 74 miles an hour.

Cut 11 (07) “…porches and awnings.”

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Forecasters predict a storm surge of two to four feet along the coasts of St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes. Plaquemines Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey says they are not expecting major flooding.

Cut 12 (14) “…should remain dry.” 

Harvey says there are no plans to order evacuations in Plaquemines Parish. He says that could change if the National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of six feet or higher, which could lead to flooding of Highway 39, cutting off a major evacuation route for coastal residents.

Cut 13 (10) “…this time.”

Harvey says the heaviest rain bands could stay south of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 14 (08) “…Plaquemines Parish.”

A tropical storm could form in the northeastern Gulf today, and the National Hurricane Center’s forecast track has the developing system making landfall in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Forecasters predict a storm surge of two to four feet along the coasts of St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes. Plaquemines Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Patrick Harvey says they’re not expecting major flooding…

Cut 12 (14) should remain dry”

A new state law taking effect August 1st will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break apartment leases without penalty. Current Louisiana law already gives that protection to victims of domestic abuse. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the change came after she learned of a stalking victim who had no legal way to leave a dangerous situation.

Cut 10 (10) “…that already existed”

SEC Media Days are underway in Tampa. This is the first year teams will play a nine-game conference schedule. Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz says some coaches now regret supporting the move. But SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had this response…

Cut 7 (12) “…about that reality”

We’re keeping a close eye on what is currently Tropical Depression Two. It is in the northeastern Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles an hour. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Bertha later today and move towards the southeastern coast Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…a major hurricane.”

Southeast Louisiana is under a tropical storm watch and storm surge watch.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is getting a 100-million-dollar renovation.  Built more than half a century ago, the LSU dental school in Gentilly serves more than 450 students. With the renovation, Dean of the school, John Gallo says these students will enjoy state-of-the-art classrooms.

Cut 19 (10) “…enhances their education.”

The Louisiana Legislature provided the funding for this renovation.

A new state law will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break their apartment leases without penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says she worked with the Louisiana Apartment Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association, and both supported expanding an existing law to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking.

Cut 11 (08) “…this was passed.”
The new law goes into effect August 1^st.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey kicked off SEC Football Media Days in Tampa. In his State of the SEC address, Sankey echoed official statements from the conference and many member schools that support the effort behind the Protect College Sports Act but say it needs changes. He says his top priority is that the legislation is enforceable.

Cut 6 (12) “…following the law.”

A vote on the Protect College Sports Act could happen this week in the U-S Senate.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression number two is getting better organized in the northeastern Gulf. The system is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha later today and move towards Louisiana’s southeastern coast with a landfall as a tropical storm expected in the New Orleans area late Wednesday afternoon. This is a storm that could impact the entire southern half of the state as it moves east to west.

The entire state is also feeling the heat and will continue to do so until Bertha arrives. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A new law goes into effect on August first that will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break out of their renal leases without a penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation and wants the public to know about this law, because it gives victims of this type of treatment a way to escape a dangerous situation without being trapped by a lease…

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re stuck”

SEC Media Days are underway. The last few years, LSU went on the first day, but this year, Lane Kiffin, and three Tiger players will go on Thursday. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says it gives them a chance to see what other teams are saying before they take the podium in Tampa…

Cut 15  (07) “…we’re walking into”

Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke today and said discussions of the SEC breaking away from the NCAA are real.

Much of the state is under a heat advisory today and it will be very hot over the next few days. We are expecting to see heat indices up to 113 degrees today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says listen to your body if you spend any significant time outdoors and seek medical attention at the first sign of distress.

Cut 6 (15) “…to the ER.”

Last month, four people in Louisiana died of heat-related illnesses – three senior citizens and a man in his 40s.

Tropical Storm Bertha will likely form the northeastern Gulf in the next 24 hours. Bertha is expected to move East to West, which means Bertha would be bearing down on southeast Louisiana on Wednesday and move across the state’s coast Thursday and Friday. An updated forecast comes down within the hour.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry is receiving a 100-million dollar renovation. The investment will modernize the facility in Gentilly built over 50 years ago, and it will provide the 450-plus students with state-of-the-art classrooms. Dean of the school, John Gallo, says the Louisiana Legislature provided the funding…

Cut 9 (09) “…an LSU dentist”

SEC Media Days is underway in Tampa, Florida. Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin and three players, Whit Weeks, TJ Dottery and Trey’Dez Green will have their day on Thursday. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says this is a really deserving group…

Cut 14 (12) “…preseason All-America”

And Green could be a first round pick in next year’s NFL draft.

Hammond Police, Louisiana State Police and the FBI are teaming up to step up enforcement along the I-55 corridor amid an increase in gang activity. Jonathan Tapp is the special agent in charge of the FBI New Orleans field office.

Cut 11 (13) “…everywhere.”

Tapp says gang members who are caught could face not only state charges, but federal prosecution as well.

During a Louisiana summer, there are stretches when it gets really hot and its unbearable outside. One of those stretches is coming up as high temperatures next week will be in the mid to the upper 90s and humidity levels will be high. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim blames a high pressure system in the Gulf…

Cut 15 (08) “….very much rain”

LA Tech and Ulm are renewing the I-20 rivalry for the first time in 26 years this season. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU has announced it will host Tulane in football in 2030. First meeting between the two rivals since 2009. The Tigers also announced they will host Northwestern State in 2027 and ULM in 2028.

One other piece of sports news…Shreveport golfer Sam Burns is among the leaders at the British Open.

Funeral services for fallen Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Hanson are Saturday in Alexandria. Hanson was fatally shot Monday while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. The suspect, Clarence Frazier, is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday and faces life in prison if convicted. Visitation begins at noon at the Pentecostals of Alexandria, with the funeral at two o’clock.

The North Louisiana Crime Lab is warning about a new synthetic opioid showing up in street drugs that’s even more potent than fentanyl. It’s called cychlorphine (sigh-KLOR-feen). Deputy Director for Toxicology Kenton Leigh says they’ve seen a growing number of cases since February. He urges people to only get medications from licensed pharmacies…
Cut 9 (12) “…versus a counterfeit.”

Dangerous heat continues to grip Louisiana, and even hotter temperatures are expected early next week with highs approaching record levels. State health officials say four people died from heat-related causes in June. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says now is the time to limit outdoor activity…
Cut 14 (08) “…hydrate yourself.”

Soon it will be football season, and on October 17^th in Monroe  ULM and Louisiana Tech will face off in a football game for the first time since 2000, now that the Bulldogs have joined the Sun Belt Conference. Warhawks head coach Bryant Vincent says this is what college football is about.

Cut 3 (10) “…down the street.

Tech leads the all-time series 29 to 14.