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.

Potential Tropical Cyclone three has gotten a little stronger as the day has gone along. The National Hurricane Center still expects the system to develop into a tropical storm before making landfall late tonight or early tomorrow morning near Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. As the system moves towards the coast, it is projected to take a more easterly track, which GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says is good news for Louisiana…
cut 10 (11) “….problem area”
Six to eight inches of rain could fall to the east and south of New Orleans. St. Benard Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Rahaim says they have been proactive ahead of the storm…
cut 12 (12) “…amount of time”
The center of the storm should be into Mississippi by tomorrow afternoon.

Hunting and fishing licenses are set to go up in cost starting next July for both commercial and recreational sportsmen. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A bill to legalize recreational marijuana did not make it to the governor’s desk this year. But Governor Edwards expects that will happen before his term ends in 2023…
cut 8 (11) “…before us”

Soon-to-be Tropical Storm Claudette is expected to make landfall near Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes during the overnight and cross over the New Orleans area tomorrow morning. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says areas east of I-55 could see over a half-foot of rain…

Cut 4 (10) “…parish there.”

The forecast track of the potential tropical storm has been shifting east since the first one was posted by the National Hurricane Center on Thursday afternoon.  Which has put Louisiana in better shape to handle this storm, but GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says residents still need to be prepared.

Cut 9 (11) “…the state”

With Tropical Storm warnings for southeast Louisiana St. Tammany Parish Director of Emergency Preparedness Clarence Powe says they’ve opened up sandbagging stations and have already closed a few bridges in anticipation of flooding. Powe encourages residents to make storm plans and check around their homes.

Cut  11 (09) “…do it early.” 

Governor Edwards takes issue with the label “decriminalization” as a way to describe legislation he signed that removes the possibility of jail time for possession of 4 grams or less of marijuana. Edwards says it’s not legalization and getting caught with a small amount of pot will still cause you a real headache.

Cut 7 (06) “…citation.”

Under the legislation, if caught with 14 grams or less of pot you can’t be sent to jail and only can be fined 100 dollars.

Soon-to-be Tropical Storm Claudette is expected to make landfall near Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes overnight and cross over the New Orleans area Saturday morning. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says basically everyone east of I-55 from the coast up to the Mississippi state line should be on alert.

Cut 5  (12) “…Sunday” 

To incentivize more people to get their COVID vaccine the state is launching a lottery program. And because individuals ages 12 and up can get vaccinated, for those under 18 there will be nine drawings for scholarships. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the money will be put in a START account.

Cut 11 (07)”…program.”

Each scholarship is valued at $100-thousand.

Governor Edwards takes issue with the label “decriminalization” as a way to describe legislation he signed that removes the possibility of jail time for possession 14 grams or less of marijuana. Under the legislation, you can’t be sent to jail and only can be given a 100 dollar fine. Edwards says don’t confuse that for full legalization.

Cut 6 (09) “…marijuana.”

State offices are closed this afternoon in honor of  Juneteenth. House Bill 554 by Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders making Juneteenth a state holiday was signed into law on Thursday. President Biden also signed legislation making it a federal holiday. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says it’s a momentous occasion.

Cut 14 (09) “…very exciting.”

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.

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center shows the disturbance in the Gulf is beginning to take an eastward track and now a tropical storm warning is in effect East of Morgan City to the Okaloosa/Walton County line in Florida. The system is moving north-northeast at 14 miles per hour and landfall is expected on the north central Gulf coast later tonight or early Saturday.  The majority of rain from the storm will be east of Interstate 55.

State offices will close early today in the first recognition of the new holiday of Juneteenth. It was during a George Floyd protest organized by high school students at the state capitol last summer, in which those students who asked for Juneteenth to become a state holiday. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he’s proud their request was answered.

Cut 15 (06)“…in ten years.”

President Biden also signed legislation making it a federal holiday.

The state is launching a vaccine incentive lottery program with prizes totaling 2.4 million. Governor Edwards says a study of other state vaccine lottery programs showed it’s highly effective at getting people off the fence. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s worth trying everything.

Cut 12 (07) “…everything.”

The state is still registering about five to ten COVID deaths a day despite the fact that our percent positivity and overall case numbers have been quite low for months.

Triple-A estimates more than three-quarters of Americans will travel this summer and the motor club is projecting a sharp increase in overnight road trips with hotel stays. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says to make sure you have maintenance done on your vehicle before you go, including a battery check…

cut 9 (06) “….your battery”

And due to high demand of travel he highly recommends reservations.

Starting Monday Louisianans who’ve taken their COVID vaccine can register to win up to a million dollars through the state’s vaccine lottery incentive program…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

And in southeast Louisiana, they are gearing up for the arrival of a tropical storm during the overnight hours…
cut 4 (08) “…coast’
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the heaviest rain will be east of I-55.

Sunday is the first day of summer and Triple-A says 77-percent of the people they surveyed plan to travel this summer. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says the majority of summer travelers will remain stateside because of uncertain restrictions overseas, but excursions to Mexico and the Caribbean are on the rise. He says Hawaii and Alaska are two other popular destinations…
cut 8 (08) ….exotic”

State employees will begin their weekend earlier today as government offices will close after a half-day in recognition of Juneteenth. June 19th is now a federal and state holiday. Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Ted James…
cut 14 (09) “…very exciting”
On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved black people in America became free as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation.

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. To qualify you have to get at least one COVID shot and register for the drawings. Governor Edwards says the first of five drawings will be held July 9th with the grand prize drawing on August 4th.
Cut 10 (12) “…a million dollars.”
You can register for the drawings starting Monday at noon at shot-a-million-dot-com.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical storm is expected to make landfall near Terrebonne and St. Mary Parishes during the overnight hours. State Climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected to reach the coast later today…
cut 5 (11) “…possibility’
Heavy rainfall is the biggest threat as all of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through Sunday morning.

State offices will close this afternoon, as it’s the first time the state officially marks Juneteenth as a state holiday.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Triple-A estimates more than three-quarters of Americans will travel this summer and the motor club is projecting a sharp increase in overnight road trips with hotel stays. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says to make sure you have maintenance done on your vehicle before you go, including a battery check…
cut 9 (06) “….your battery”

Starting Monday Louisianans who got the COVID vaccine can register to win up to a million dollars through the state’s vaccine lottery incentive program…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

And a potential tropical storm is bearing down on southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says six to ten inches of rain could fall across that part of the state…
cut 6 (09) “…particular storm”

State offices are closed for a half-day today in honor of Juneteenth becoming a legal holiday. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers marched into Galveston with news of the Emancipation Proclamation which declared slaves freed more than two years before. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says many do not know the history of the day.
Cut 13 (08) “…freed.”
House Bill 554 by Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders making Juneteenth a state holiday was signed into law on Thursday.

Sunday is the first day of summer and Triple-A says more than three-quarters of Americans say they are ready for a trip. AAA spokesperson Don Redman…
Cut 7 (11) “…in cruises.”

Much of Louisiana’s coastline is under a tropical storm warning today as potential tropical cyclone three is expected to make landfall near St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes early Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 4 (08) “….coast”
Heavy rainfall could start falling this afternoon.

Governor John Bel Edwards says residents who get a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of July can enter a lottery to win a one-million dollar jackpot. It’s one of 14 cash prizes the state is offering in an effort to increase the state’s COVID vaccination rate. For those under 18, there will be nine 100,000 dollar scholarship drawings. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the money will be put in a START account.
Cut 11 (07)”…program.”
Registration for the drawings begins at noon at shot-a-million-dot-com.

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.”