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.

Today marks the 10^th anniversary of the tragic 2016 law enforcement ambush in Baton Rouge.  Six officers were shot. Four later died from their injuries.  The attack began just after 8:40 that Sunday morning and lasted less than 10 minutes. Investigators say Gavin Long fired 43 rounds before a Baton Rouge SWAT officer shot and killed him. Former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson…

Cut 29 (10) “…lot more harm.”

The North Louisiana Crime Lab says it is seeing more and more of a new synthetic opioid that’s even stronger than fentanyl. It’s called cyclorphine (sigh-KLOR-feen). Deputy Director for Toxicology Kenton Leigh says the crime lab first detected cychlorphine in February; and since then, they’ve detected seven different pill types with cychlorphine.

Cut 8 (09) “…cychlorphine in them.”

Federal officials are working to classify it as a Schedule One narcotic, labeling it as having no medical benefit. That would prohibit it from being legally prescribed, dispensed or administered.

Authorities are working to put an end to the gang activity they are seeing along the I-55 corridor in southeast Louisiana. Last weekend, a 17-year-old was shot in downtown Hammond in what authorities said was a gang-related shooting. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office Jonathan Tapp says violent gang members who are caught breaking the law, face not only charges, but federal prosecution as well…

Cut 12 (11) “….rest of your lives”

LSU announced today that will host Tulane in 2030 in Tiger Stadium. First time those two schools will play each other in football since 2009.

Louisiana Tech and ULM will meet on the football field for the first time since 2000 on October 17^th.  Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 5 (11) “…from that standpoint”

A game time for that game has not been announced.

Flags are flying at half-staff across Baton Rouge today in remembrance of one of the darkest days in Louisiana history. Ten years ago today, a lone gunman, who authorities say was trying to kill as many law enforcement officers as possible, opened fire on officers in Baton Rouge. Four officers died from their injuries.  Then Superintendent of State Police, Mike Edmonson, remembers watching the families of the deceased officers grieve…

Cut 29 (08) “…see that”

The North Louisiana Crime Lab has issued a warning about a new synthetic opioid appearing in street drugs with increasing frequency. Deputy Director for Toxicology Kenton Leigh (“lee”) says it’s called cychlorphine (sigh-KLOR-feen), and it’s extremely dangerous.

Cut 7 (07) “…of right now.”

During a Louisiana summer, we’ll see 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 says  a high pressure system in the Gulf will prevent cooling afternoon thunderstorms, but increase the humidity…

Cut 15 (08) “….very much rain”

Three months from today Louisiana Tech will play ULM in football for the first time since 2000. Warhawks coach Bryant Vincent says renewal of the I-20 rivalry is a can’t miss game…

Cut 4 (10) “…in that game”

LSU announced today it will host Tulane in football in 2030.

An increase in gang activity has Hammond police stepping up enforcement and warning those responsible they’ll face tougher consequences. The increased enforcement comes after an early morning shooting in downtown Hammond last weekend that left a 17-year-old wounded. Police chief Edwin Bergeron blames the violence on gang activity…

Cut 10 (09) “…into the city.”

The night after Saturday’s shooting, Hammond P-D conducted a crime suppression operation resulting in 16 arrests and the recovery of ten firearms in downtown Hammond.

With four people being killed in e-bike-related crashes in New Orleans so far this year, New Orleans police and cycling advocates are putting out an urgent warning to e-cyclists to use extra care when riding. Adam Watts with Bicycle World of New Orleans says he sees riders violating two basic rules of the road all the time – riding on the sidewalk and riding against traffic.

Cut 15 (07) “…are super dangerous.”

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.”

A longtime Louisiana football rivalry is making a comeback. LSU and Tulane have agreed to play in 2030, their first meeting since 2009. The rivalry dates back to 1893 and LSU leads the all-time series 22 to 7. LSU has also announced it will host Northwestern State in 2027 and ULM in 2028.