Hurricane Delta is now once again expected to maintain hurricane strength as it heads inland Friday evening, possibly as far in as Alexandria. The track has the system making landfall in central Cameron Parish before moving northeast across the state, keeping tropical storm strength as it passes through the Delta Parishes.

Due to Delta slowing down a bit it is now anticipated that more rain than was previously expected will fall. Current estimates put that number at 5-10 inches across southwest and parts of central Louisiana with isolated pockets of 15 inches possible.

Governor Edwards says along with heavy rains expect some potentially life-threatening levels of storm surge due to the system gaining size now that it has made its way into the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 14 (12) “…Port Fourchon”

If you’re in southwest Louisiana you are about out of time to evacuate should you want to do so ahead of Hurricane Delta. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Calcasieu, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Cameron Parishes. Lake Charles Mayor Nick Hunter asks you to please leave the city, and do it soon…

Cut 11 (06) “…today to evacuate.”

Voluntary evacuation orders are in effect for Lafayette and Acadia Parishes. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

Cut 3 (08)  “…area”  

In a brief non-Delta news update it appears at least six Missouri players have tested positive for COVID before this Saturday’s game against LSU and will not be available. Kickoff is still set for noon Saturday.

As of the 7 PM, National Hurricane Center forecast Hurricane Delta is still on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish Friday evening.

Time is quickly running out for you to evacuate. If you are in Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes, the evacuation order is mandatory. If you’re in Acadia or Lafayette Parish though it’s only voluntary, but Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says they’re moving all parish inmates to north Louisiana, and if you can leave you should too before the weather turns.

Cut 5 (07) “…doing.”

Landfall is currently expected to be within 25 miles of where Laura hit six weeks ago, but Governor Edwards hopes Delta takes a turn before it reaches the still recovering region…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is still in disbelief that his city is in the general path of yet another potential major hurricane. While the city appears to be a bit more west of where Laura made landfall he says due to the structural damage in most homes you need to leave the city if you’re still there…

Cut 10 (07) “…through Hurricane Delta.”

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says the rains won’t be much of an issue, maybe four to eight inches at most, but winds of 100 miles per hour are possible which means areas like Calcasieu Parish that still have a lot of loose debris out in the open from Hurricane Laura could see that debris picked up and thrown through the air Friday.

Cut 9 (11) “standby”

Delta is currently a category three but is expected to weaken as it approaches the cool waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says no, he can’t believe they’re going through another hurricane again either but you can’t let fatigue keep people from taking this storm seriously.  Hunter believes that southwest Louisiana is not a safe place to be this weekend.

Cut 10 (07) “…through Hurricane Delta.”

Hunter says the decision to leave is one that needs to be made today.

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes the most impacted parts of Cameron and Calcasieu will miss the brunt of this next storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

Edwards says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in hotels mostly in New Orleans.

Officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Acadia and Lafayette Parishes ahead of Delta’s anticipated landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 526 new COVID-19 cases today out of 12,300 tests… statewide total is at 170,621. Total fatalities… 5,416, up by 5. Hospitalizations increase by 12 to 564, with 79 patients on ventilators.

Delta is still on track to make landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday, an area that’s just six weeks removed from being crushed by Hurricane Laura. With many homes still structurally damaged and blue roofs dotting southwest Louisiana officials in Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes have called for mandatory evacuations. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says no, he can’t believe they’re going this again either but you can’t let hurricane fatigue keep you from getting out of dodge…

Cut 26,

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says much like Laura the biggest issues won’t be storm surge or heavy rains, but 100 plus mile per hour winds. She says that’s a serious problem in South West Louisiana…

Cut 9 (11) “projectile”

Just to the east of Delta’s projected landfall in Cameron Parish government officials in Acadia and Lafayette Parish are imploring residents to leave if they can, but are stopping just shy of calling for mandatory evacuations. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says they’ve issued a voluntary evacuation order but if you can leave please do, and if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Lafayette is also under a voluntary order and will implement a curfew starting at 12 PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday.

Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of Delta’s Friday landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

Cut 3, 8 seconds, area

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Hurricane Delta continues its approach to the Louisiana coast with Cameron Parish in its path. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they’re bracing for round two.

Cut 7 (09) “…couple of advisories.”

The blue roofs have only just gone up in Calcasieu parish and now residents are being ordered to leave ahead of yet another hurricane’s southwest Louisiana landfall.  Parish President Tony Guillory says the 2020 hurricane season is just battering the community, but due to safety concerns they have issued a mandatory evacuation order…

Cut 10 (09) “…patients with COVID-19”

We’re just over a day away from Hurricane Delta’s landfall and the state is preparing to get hit by what will be the fourth named storm the make landfall in The Boot this year. The current forecasts don’t look too dire but Governor Edwards says whenever a storm approaches the coast you must prepare for the worst. That’s why the National Guard has been mobilized and pre-positioned to respond to resident’s needs…

Cut 9 (11) “standby”

Lawmakers wrapped up the last of their business for the week Wednesday before heading out of town ahead of Hurricane Delta.

The fight over the Governor’s public health authority continued with a tense House committee meeting regarding legislation that would provide civil and criminal immunity to those who gather for religious services during a state of emergency, even if such gatherings are banned.

The legislation was approved, but not before Central Pastor Tony Spell, who was arrested for holding services against the state ban, testified and attacked the Governor…

29

But Chairman Ted James cut him off…

30

House Education heard legislation inspired by the controversial punishment of a Jefferson Parish 4^th grader who briefly had a BB gun in the frame of his camera while taking an online class. The story of Ka’Mauri Harrison sparked nationwide interest when he was nearly expelled for the incident and slapped with a permanent record tag for a weapons violation. The bill would provide for the creation of school disciplinary procedures relative to online instruction, but Harrison’s father, Nyron told the committee it’s just a shame it even had to come to this…

Cut 13, 10 seconds,

Harrison was disciplined as if he had brought a weapon onto a school campus.

The state’s unemployment insurance trust fund has now been completely depleted. Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says those that are receiving benefits will continue to receive them, but Louisiana is borrowing federal dollars to make it happen.

Cut 4 (09) “…operating procedures are.”

The 4 PM advisory on Delta shows max winds down to 85 mph. Forecast to still become a major hurricane in the western Gulf. Landfall forecast along Louisiana coast by Friday afternoon as Cat. 2.State Climatologist Barry Keim says the most likely point of impact right now appears to be somewhere in St. Mary, Iberia, or Vermillion Parishes.

Cut 3 (07)  “…center.”  

Hurricane Delta forces the relocation of this Saturday’s Missouri-LSU game.  Instead of taking place at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will be heading to Columbia, Missouri.  The game was originally set for Saturday night, but with the change in venue comes a change in kickoff time. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the 11 AM kickoff will be a benefit, because a night game would have resulted in the team rolling back into Baton Rouge extremely early Sunday morning…

Cut 7 (06) “…advantage for us.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns Saturday game against Coastal Carolina has been postponed to 6:30 Wednesday night at Cajun Field.

It was just over a month ago that Rapides Parish was roughed up by Hurricane Laura and now the area is in the track of Hurricane Delta.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says the area has a feeling of exhaustion in seeing they may get a second round with the 2020 hurricane season.

Cut 11 (09) “…getting really absurd.”

Carnline says deputies are already preparing to clear the roads for utility restoration teams as well as first responders.

Legislation granting criminal and civil immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency clears a House committee. The legislation also aims to retroactively void charges like those against Central Pastor Tony Spell, but Chairman Ted James says even if this is signed into law it can’t be applied to past cases.

Cut 10 (06) “…retroactive.”

The bill heads next to the House where a series of efforts restricting or overturning the Governor’s public health orders have passed.

There was a tense moment in a Committee hearing about legislation that would grant immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency. Brooke Thorington has the story…

cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Hurricane Delta is expected to bring some strong winds to parts of the state Friday, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says only four to eight inches of rain…

Cut 4 (07) “like that”

Hurricane Delta forces the relocation of this Saturday’s Missouri-LSU game.  Instead of taking place at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will be heading to Columbia, Missouri.  LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the team is adapting to the last-minute shakeup.

Cut 6 (09) “…practice in Missouri.”

LSU currently sits at 17 in the Top 25.

It was just over a month ago that Rapides Parish was roughed up by Hurricane Laura and now the area is in the track of Hurricane Delta.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says deputies are already preparing to clear the roads for utility restoration teams as well as first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

Carnline says the message to residents is to prepare now. 

Most of the Louisiana coast is now under a Hurricane Watch as Delta is on track to make landfall in the state sometime Friday, and potentially as a category three hurricane. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the most likely point of impact right now appears to be somewhere in St. Mary, Iberia, or Vermillion Parishes.  

Cut 3, 7 seconds, center

Delta is currently crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.

Former Governor Mike Foster is being laid to rest today in his hometown of Franklin. Foster passed away Sunday at 90 after leading the state for two terms from 96 to 2004. Former Governor Bobby Jindal served in that administration, noting Foster was early to bed, early to rise.  If you tried to call him at the office of the Governor’s mansion too late in the afternoon, you could expect a wake-up call the next day.

Cut 14 (12) “…this is Mike.”

A bill addressing the suspension of a 4^th grader in Jefferson Parish for having a BB Gun in his bedroom during virtual class will be heard today in the House Education Committee. The author of the proposal, Jennings State Representative Troy Romero, wants to establish a separation between the classroom and home.

Cut 7 (12) “school environment”

Originally in the case of the BB Gun in the home, Jefferson Parish School Board expelled the 4^th grader and later reduced it to a suspension.

The experimental antibody cocktail President Trump received after he tested positive for COVID-19 is being studied at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport. Principal investigator Doctor Joseph Bocchini (Bo-keenee) says there’s evidence that it can reduce the virus

cut 10 (08) “….patients with COVID-19″