The Red Cross is offering volunteers the option to help out virtually with the response to Hurricane Laura. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is urging LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine to turn on the Friday Night Lights. Landry sent Bonine a letter that says the association’s concerns about COVID-19 liability when it comes to football are unfounded. Meanwhile, the high school volleyball season will be allowed to begin a week from today.

The U-S Army Corps of Engineers blue roof program is starting up in six Laura-impacted parishes with the aim of allowing storm victims to remain in their home while permanent repairs are made. Governor John Bel Edwards says blue roofs were common after Katrina and just like in 2005 it’s a free service
Cut 7 (08) “…roof”
Homes in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Allen, Vernon parishes could be eligible for blue roof installation.

The governor also says power could be out for three weeks in the Lake Charles as it will take a while to get poles reinstalled and transmission lines hooked up again with electricity. Traffic signals are not working and there’s a lot of traffic. Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell…
cut 15 (07) “….electricty”

Blue Roofs are coming to southwest Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department says the number of deaths tied to Hurricane Laura has increased to 15. The latest fatality is a 49-year-old man in Rapides Parish who died from blunt force trauma while cutting down a tree.

Governor Edwards says the state has launched hurricane-laura-dot-la-dot-gov. He says this website will provide updates on post-storm recovery, helpful links from FEMA, and information on food assistance.

Louisiana continues to use non-congregate sheltering because of COVID-19, so the state has just over 10-thousand Laura evacuees in hotels paid for by the federal government. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters…
cut 11 (09) “…in New Orleans”
Evacuees looking for shelter are asked to report to the Alexandria Mega Shelter on Highway 71 or call 2-1-1.

Calcasieu Parish officials are asking drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible as storm restoration efforts continue. A curfew is in effect from 7pm to 6am and Sheriff Tony Mancuso says if you are driving around during those times, expect to be pulled over.
Cut 13 (09) “…to be tolerated.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has missed the last three practices and an ESPN report says Kamara is staying away, because he would like a new contract. The 2017 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is set to make two-point-one million dollars this season, the final year of his rookie deal.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is looking for a new team. The Jaguars released Fournette, despite compiling over 16-hundred yards from scrimmage in 15 games last year. The Jags say they tried to trade Fournette, but could not find any takers.

Another LSU Tiger has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season. Defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin was expected to be the anchor in the middle of Bo Pelini’s four-three defense. Shelvin’s departure means LSU only has five returning starters from last year’s national championship team.

In the NBA, the Pelicans Brandon Ingram has been named the Most Improved Player after averaging 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists last season.

The LHSAA will allow the volleyball season to begin next Tuesday, even though the state has not moved into Phase 3. No fans will be allowed in the gym. Meanwhile, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is telling LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine to turn on the Friday Night Lights. Landry sent Bonine a letter that the association’s concerns about COVID-19 liability when it comes to football are unfounded.

After taking eleven days off because of multiple coronavirus cases, ULM has resumed football activities. The Warhawks are less than two weeks away from their season opener against Army on September 12th. Coach Matt Viator says even though game week is right around the corner they have to cautiously move forward
Cut 17 (20) “…the process.”

FEMA has activated its Blue Roof program in six of Louisiana’s hardest-hit parishes from Hurricane Laura. That’s Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon Parishes. Governor Edwards says not every home is eligible as some properties suffered too much damage. He says if eligible, you’ll have to allow installation teams on your property…
cut 8 (10) “….program”
For more information call 1-888-766-3258.

Southwest Louisiana faces a difficult recovery process. If you would like to donate money to the cause, Louisiana Red Cross Capital Chapter Director Ed Bush says on the Red Cross website, there’s an option to make a donation specifically to Laura relief…
cut 6 (06) “….easily”

The Department of Children and Family Services says Hurricane Laura evacuees in need of sheltering at a hotel need to visit the reception center at the Alexandria MegaShelter. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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.”

The lack of electricity remains the biggest obstacle for Louisiana residents trying to recover from Hurricane Laura. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says there’s no power at all in his city and it could take a month to restore…
cut 10 (04) “…weeks”

Beauregard Electric Co-op customers can also expect to be without power for at least four weeks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state reports 324-thousand Louisiana customers are without power.

There is some good news when it comes to power outages. SWEPCO says estimated times of restoration for north Louisiana has been moved up a full day. Most customers should have power restored in Bossier City and Haughton by 10 PM tonight and by 5:00 in Shreveport tomorrow. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they have about 44-thousand customers without power in Louisiana…
cut 16 (11) “…repaired”

FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says for homeowners who sustained damage, contact your insurance company and once you get your settlement documentation, upload that in the FEMA app or via the method provided to you when you registered for disaster aid…
cut 13 (10) “….eligible”
For more information contact 1-800-621-FEMA.

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.