Louisiana is no longer in the “red” zone for COVID case growth according to the White House. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 667 new COVID cases today out of just over 17-thousand new tests, for a total case count of 148,882. The state’s death toll rises to 4,821, an increase of 34. Hospitalizations rise to 910, up by 29. Senator Bill Cassidy announces he has recovered from COVID-19 and will resume normal congressional activity.

Hurricane Laura was a destructive storm, but the damage to crops is not as severe as feared. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the lack of electricity in many areas is an issue. He says they are trying to get rice dryers turned back on and poultry houses cool

Cut 4 (11)“ …poultry alive” 

A poultry fuel hotline has been established to assist farmers by putting them in direct contact with a fuel distributor. That number is area code (225) 952-8158.

The fuel situation in hurricane-ravaged Vernon Parish is getting tight. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says power is out across the parish.At the fueling stations that are operational residents are seeing very long lines and shortages.

Cut 13 (12) “…locations”

Craft says despite those pressures people are staying non-violent.

Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to Louisiana High School Athletic Association director Eddie Bonine to say it is time to turn on the Friday night lights and play high school football.  Landry says any concerns about legal liability can be worked around in a creative manner to protect the schools and the students that are playing ball.

Cut 7 (11) “…way out of.”

The latest extension of Phase Two restrictions has kept state high school football players from suiting up for full padded practices.

Governor Edwards announces the state is now in the “yellow” zone for COVID case growth after weeks of being in the “red” zone according to the feds. Despite this good news, Edwards says the combination of hurricane evacuations and school reopenings could reverse our progress. Even worse…

Cut 11 (10) “…than ever”

Hurricane Laura was a destructive storm, but the damage to crops is not as severe as feared. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says about 27-percent of the rice crop was not harvested, but most of the sugarcane is salvageable

Cut 3 (08)  “…harvest begins”  

Strain says about 45-percent of the cotton crop was in the boll stage, which makes it susceptible to strong winds and rain. A total damage estimate will take a couple of weeks.

The fuel situation in hurricane-ravaged Vernon Parish is getting tight. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says power is out across the parish and many residents who are staying behind have to drive all the way to Alexandria for fuel and supplies.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Craft says people are seeing long lines at the few locations in operation.

Governor Edwards announces the state is now in the “yellow” zone for COVID case growth after weeks of being in the “red” zone according to the feds. Edwards says that means as a whole the state is now below 100 new cases per 100,000 residents over the last seven days and below ten percent positivity. He warns that could change…

Cut 9 (12) “…activity”

Despite the progress, Edwards says the White House is still recommending the state maintain the bar closure and mask-wearing mandate.

Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to Louisiana High School Athletic Association director Eddie Bonine to say it is time to turn on the Friday night lights and play high school football.  Landry says the people need high school football…

Cut 6 (09) “…that we can’t.”

High school sports isn’t feasible until Phase Three.

It appears that crop damage from Hurricane Laura is less than was once feared when it comes to the harvest, but Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a significant number of agricultural equipment and facilities took a big hit.

Cut 5 (05)  “…live stock facilities.”

Louisiana is encouraging those who lost their homes and need to get a roof put over their head by the state to head on up to the Alexandria MegaShelter and cue up to get a hotel room for Laura refugees. Those who arrive will be signed up to get housing in a hotel room, likely in New Orleans. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you are having trouble both getting to the shelter or getting from the shelter to your assigned hotel, they can help…

Cut 12 (11) “…to New Orleans.”

For more information on sheltering text LAShelter to 898-211 or call 2-1-1.

52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first thing people need to do is settle up with their home insurance company. After that, upload settlement documentation to the FEMA app, or send it in via the method that was provided to you when you registered.

Cut 13 (10) “…eligible.”

Robinson says some people have already begun receiving denials. He says that is linked to a lack of proper documentation from your home insurer, or lack of documentation proving your identity.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says estimates indicate it could take four weeks for power to be restored to Lake Charles, but he feels even that is a bit optimistic.

Cut 10 (04) “…weeks.”

LSU star defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin joins wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in sitting out the season.

About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day. Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says about 10,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier are without power along with 34,000 in central Louisiana.

Cut 16 (11) “…reparied.” 

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

Governor Edwards announces Disaster SNAP will open in Louisiana on September 10^th and calls on all residents in Laura impacted areas to put their applications in for the program.

In other federal assistance FEMA is now taking applications for assistance to homeowners in storm-ravaged homes, but FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is calling for people from across the country to contribute to charities aimed at helping the people of his city recover…

Cut 9 (12) “…sisters”

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says they’ve brought in 500-600 additional storm restoration workers to cut trees, reset poles and make repairs to more than 5,700 miles of line.

Cut 6 (13) “…meters are running.”

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Cut 4 (12)“ …be open.” 

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide which is odorless and colorless

Cut 3 (11)  “…really ill.”  

Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home

So far, 52,500 homeowners have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says there’s a number of ways to submit your application for FEMA aid.

Cut 14 (06) “app.” 

That toll-free number is 1-800-621-FEMA.

About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day. Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says restoration for nearly all Bossier City and Haughton residents is expected tonight by 10 PM, with Shreveport and Mansfield expected back online by tomorrow night.

Cut 15 (10) “estimated” 

Hornbeck, Natchitoches, and Logansport customers will have to wait until Thursday night.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says with the level of damage received from the storm, some customers may be out of power even longer….

Cut 8 (11) “…to prepare for.”

52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently, with the list of eligible parishes expected to grow in the near future.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home, adding it’s also important to avoid trying to refuel a generator when it’s still hot…

Cut 5 (11)  “…that generate cool.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter did note a silver lining to this tragedy: it appears the people of his city took the mandatory evacuation order very seriously.

Cut 11 (08) “…get out”

Hunter made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says they’ve brought in 500-600 additional storm restoration workers to cut trees, reset poles and make repairs to more than 5,700 miles of line.

Cut 6 (13) “…meters are running.”

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Cut 4 (12)“ …be open.” 

Lake Charles is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from Hurricane Laura. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports 19 new fatalities and 324 new COVID cases, with the daily positivity rate of 8%. Hospitalizations fall by 21 to 881.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter is calling for people from across the nation to donate to causes aimed at helping the city and its people.

Cut 9 (12) “…sisters”

The Mayor notes the most optimistic projections indicate it will be at least four weeks before power is restored and that Hurricane Laura was the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the state in 150 years. Because of that Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is calling on Louisianans to pitch in and help their neighbors. Nungesser is encouraging you to visit Volunteer Louisiana Dot Gov and help out.

Cut 5 (09)  “…the recovery.”

Non-profit and faith-based organizations in need of volunteers can contact Volunteer Louisiana.

The Tigers lose their Biletnikoff awarding winning top receiver Ja’Marr Chase after the SEC record-breaker decides to opt-out of the season and instead focus on the NFL draft. Detillier says Chase set LSU and SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns and 84 catches last season…

Cut 14 (09) “…for LSU.”

Detillier says Chase is likely a top-five pick in the 2021 draft.

Tulane researchers are awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici says it is common that first-generation vaccines are not as effective as second-generation vaccines, and points to polio as an example of another disease that required more than just one round.

Cut 12 (08) “…vaccine.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the recovery from Hurricane Laura will be long and it will take a lot of effort. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The state has setup a website for storm recovery updates at hurricanelaura.la.gov.

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide which is odorless and colorless

Cut 3 (11)  “…really ill.”  

Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home…

Tulane researchers are awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. The top first-gen vaccine candidates are all designed to produce coronavirus antibodies, but Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici warns those antibodies may not last long. That’s why 2.0 is needed…

Cut 11 (07) “…doses.”

Morici’s work will involve adding bacteria-based adjuvants to vaccines that are already in development with the goal of strengthening those existing vaccines.