A disturbance in the southern Gulf is expected to strengthen overnight into a tropical storm and make landfall in Terrebonne or Lafourche parish early tomorrow morning. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says rain bands are already impacting southeast Louisiana…

Cut 3 (08) “…the area.”

A tropical storm warning is in effect East of Morgan City to the Okaloosa/Walton County line in Florida.

While we are expected to experience our first named storm landfall of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season projections show the track has shifted east enough that we will likely avoid the worst of it. Despite that GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says residents still need to be prepared.

Cut 9 (11) “…the state”

With a tropical storm warning in effect, St. Tammany Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Clarence Powe says they’ve opened up sandbagging stations and they closed a few bridges in anticipation of possible flooding. Powe encourages residents to make storm plans and check around their homes.

Cut  11 (09) “…do it early.” 

Governor Edwards signs legislation increasing the cost of annual recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses starting next July. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says he had to bring this legislation because the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was running out of money and we hadn’t raised fees in decades.

Cut 13 (09) “…user pay”

The fee increases are expected to generate about 17 million dollars a year in the next fiscal year, rising to 19 million a year in future years.

It looks likely soon-to-be Tropical Storm Claudette will bullseye the New Orleans area sometime late tonight or early tomorrow morning. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says for folks in southeast Louisiana expect conditions to deteriorate throughout the rest of the day.

Cut 3 (08) “…the area.”

A tropical storm warning is in effect East of Morgan City to the Okaloosa/Walton County line in Florida.

The state is launching a vaccine incentive lottery program that will give out 2.4 million dollars in total prizes to Louisianans who get their shot. Governor Edwards says the first of five drawings will be held July 9^th with the grand prize drawing on August 4^th.

Cut 10 (12) “…a million dollars.”

Registration for the lotto will begin Monday at noon.

AAA says three-quarters of Americans are planning to travel this summer. Brooke Thorington talks to an expert about what you should do before you take off on your excursion.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Just a day after he was reinstated as Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport Dr. GE Ghali resigns. Ghali had been placed on administrative leave after several EEOC complaints were filed against the school alleging Ghali fostered a toxic environment and allowed sexual harassment of female workers, but was reinstated yesterday following a letter from human resources.

Governor Edwards agrees to withdraw Louisiana from the federally boosted unemployment program early in exchange for a small boost in state benefits next year. The business community is celebrating the news. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says this will push more people into the workforce.

Cut 9 (09) “…door”

Louisiana will cease accepting the 300 dollar federally boosted payments July 31^st.

A disturbance off the Bay of Campeche is now projected to develop into Tropical Storm Claudette and make landfall somewhere in south-central or southeast Louisiana early Saturday morning. N-W-S forecaster Meghan Williams says it could dump half a foot of rain over parts of the state, but exactly where is still up in there.

Cut 5  (05) “….down there” 

Governor Edwards announces 136-million dollars in federal hazard mitigation grant money will go to southwest Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says the money can go towards projects to reduce flood risk and help structures withstand hurricane-force winds.

Cut 12 (10) “…climate change”

The Legislature approved a study that will take a look at what happens to oyster shells after folks get done shucking and eating what’s inside them. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Policy director Emily Vuxton says the study will look at what happens to the shells that don’t participate in recycling programs.

Cut 7 (09) “…shell.”

Governor Edwards agrees to withdraw Louisiana from the federally boosted unemployment program early in exchange for a small boost in state benefits next year. The business community is celebrating the news. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says this will push more people into the workforce.

Cut 9 (09) “…door”

Louisiana will cease accepting the 300 dollar federally boosted payments on July 31^st.

Governor Edwards announces 136-million dollars in federal hazard mitigation grant money will go to southwest Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says the money can go towards projects to reduce flood risk and help structures withstand hurricane-force winds.

Cut 12 (10) “…climate change”

The Legislature approved a study that will take a look at what happens to oyster shells after folks get done shucking and eating what’s inside them. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Policy director Emily Vuxton says the study will look at what happens to the shells that don’t participate in recycling programs.

Cut 7 (09) “…shell.”

The National Weather Service predicts a half-foot of rain could fall in the New Orleans area as a result of a disturbance that could turn into Tropical Storm Claudette. N-W-S forecaster Meghan Williams says once the disturbance gets better organized, they’ll have a better idea where the heaviest rain will fall.

Cut 5  (05) “….down there” 

The low-pressure system has been hanging out in the Bay of Campeche this week, but it’s expected to move towards Louisiana today and a tropical depression could form tonight or tomorrow morning.

New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has “mutually agreed to part ways” with the team after only one season at the helm. Locked on Pelicans host Jake Madison says this situation had been building behind the scenes after a tough year where the Pels missed the playoffs. Madison says it’s probably for the best…

Cut 7 (12) “…be in.”

Naismith Hall of Famer and current Pels assistant Teresa is reportedly one of the favorites to land the job.

The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked by a federal judge in Louisiana  U-S District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling Tuesday in Lafayette is from a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Jeff Landry who says it’s a shame the policy was ever enacted…

Cut 14 (09) “…vital role.” 

Forecasters expect a tropical depression will form in the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow or early Friday. Jeff Palermo has more on the impacts for Louisiana…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

U-L Lafayette’s football stadium has a new name. It’s now called Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. It’s the result of a 15-year, 15-million dollar naming rights deal between the school and the regional medical center based in Lafayette. The 15-million dollars will help pay for renovations at the 50-year-old stadium that will include a full-service nutrition center for all U-L athletes.

The New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has “mutually agreed to part ways” after only one season at the helm. Locked on Pelicans host Jake Madison says this situation had been building behind the scenes after a tough year where the Pels missed the playoffs. Madison says it’s probably for the best…

Cut 7, 12 seconds, be in

Pels assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, a Hall of Famer and former La. Tech coach, is reportedly one of the favorites to replace Van Gundy.

There’s a high chance a disturbance in the Bay of Campeche will develop into a tropical depression before landing somewhere between Texas and Alabama this weekend. With this in mind Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is advising residents to get flood insurance, saying only 25-percent of the property owners in Louisiana have it…

Cut 5  (12) “….by far” 

The state’s oil industry is celebrating a decision by a US District Court Judge that put a halt on the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla…

Cut 9 (09) “…on that.”

The Biden Admin says the moratorium was an important part of the nation’s fight against climate change.

Senator Bill Cassidy touts a new bipartisan agreement on infrastructure that he says will address the state’s need for new roads and bridges as well as coastal resiliency. The proposal includes plans to reduce carbon emissions by building infrastructure that claims to capture carbon from manufacturing facilities. Cassidy says this will create new opportunities for blue-collar workers.

Cut 11 (09) “…the ground.”

National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott warns we may be in for a ton of rain on Friday and Saturday as a disturbance in the southern Gulf looks highly likely to turn into a tropical storm over the next few days.

Cut 5  (12) “….for flooding” 

Some of the models are showing rainfall totals of ten plus inches in less than 12 hours.

The family of former LSU President Troy Middleton is suing LSU demanding the school return a collection of the General’s World War Two memorabilia. Middleton family attorney Jill Craft says the family has tried to retrieve the collection, which they say was only a loan, but keeps getting the runaround.

Cut 9 (12) “…get it (x2).”

Middleton’s name was removed from the school’s library last summer amidst an outcry over the former President’s support for segregation during his tenure running the school in the 50s and 60s.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law that ends the possibility of jail time for a person if they are convicted of possessing a small amount of recreational marijuana. Policy Director for Louisiana Progress Peter Robins-Brown says the measure has support from both Republicans and Democrats.

cut 13 (12) “…for this”

A person convicted of possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana will be fined up to 100-dollars, but no possibility of jail time, even if they are a repeat offender.

Could Ole Miss Head Coach and former LSU catcher and pitching coach Mike Bianco be the next head baseball coach of the Fighting Tigers? USA Today Network LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says it’s possible, even though it could lead to mixed reactions from a passionate fan base…

cut 8 (10) “…mixed bag”