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.

Getting the electricity back on in southwest Louisiana will be a long process. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s initial damage estimate in the Lake Charles area found 172 towers damaged or destroyed
Cut 7 (12) “…or destroyed”
As of Sunday afternoon, the state had 368-thousand customers without power. There are also 87 water systems not operating.

If you want to assist in the recovery there’s a website, volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov that lists several different volunteer opportunities. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state recognized the year 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Saturday, the storm that killed 15-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 6 (11) “….after Katrina”

It appears wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s brief but spectacular career at LSU is over. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is looking for a new team as the Jacksonville Jaguars have released the former first-round pick.

And in St. Tammany Parish, three people were found dead in a home in Pearl River. They’ve been identified as 80-year-old Lawrence Lynchard, 75-year-old Barbara Lynchard, and 48-year-old Debra Lynchard. An autopsy will determine the cause of deaths and the investigation is ongoing.

The number of Hurricane Laura related deaths is up to 14 after a 57-year-old man in Calcasieu Parish died from a head injury after falling from a roof. Another resident in Calcasieu Parish died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The state health department has verified eight Hurricane Laura-related deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning. Governor Edwards says for those residents who do not have power, he’s pleading with them not to run generators in their home…

cut 9 (13) “…the window”
The recovery continues today in hot conditions. North and southwest Louisiana are under a heat advisory. And the National Hurricane Center is monitoring four disturbances in the tropics, but none of them are a threat to Louisiana.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser wants you to lend a hand and help with recovery efforts.

cut 1 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tulane researchers receive a Fast Grant for a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. There’s hope a vaccine will be available soon, but Tulane microbiologist Doctor Lisa Morici points to polio as an example of another disease that required more than just one round of vaccines…

cut 12 (08) “…vaccine”

Thousands of Louisiana residents are facing a difficult recovery from Hurricane Laura and residents in six parishes are eligible for FEMA assistance. Residents in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vernon Parish can apply for disaster aid at disaster-assistance-dot-gov, calling 1-800-621-FEMA or through the FEMA app. Edwards says so far more than 52-thousand people in Louisiana have applied and he expects additional parishes will become eligible
Cut 8 (11) “…those determinations.”

If you are looking to assist in the recovery effort, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says check out volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov…
cut 5 (09) “….the recovery”

Tulane researchers have been awarded a 150,000 dollar grant to begin making a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. A first-generation vaccine is not available yet, but Tulane Microbiologist Dr. Lisa Morici says the sooner version 2.0 is available the better.
Cut 10 (12) “…itself”
Morici’s work will involve adding bacteria-based adjuvants to vaccines that are already in development with the goal of strengthening those existing vaccines.

LSU star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will reportedly opt out of the 2020 season to prepare for next year’s NFL draft. Chase broke LSU and SEC records with 1,780 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns, and 84 catches last year. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier says the Tigers will miss this playmaker…
cut 14 (09) “…for LSU”
Detillier says Chase is likely to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2021 draft and possibly a top-five pick.

Getting the electricity back on in southwest Louisiana will be a long process. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s initial damage estimate in the Lake Charles area found 172 towers damaged or destroyed
Cut 7 (12) “…or destroyed”
As of 3 PM yesterday, the state had 368-thousand customers without power and the outages can be found in north Louisiana as well. There are also 87 water systems that are not operating.

LSU’s big-play receiver Ja’Marr Chase has reportedly decided to opt-out and instead of playing for the Tigers in 2020, he’ll get ready for the 2021 NFL draft. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not a surprise to see Chase come to this decision…
Cut 13 (11) “…season.”
Chase will likely be a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

For Louisiana residents looking to help in the Hurricane Laura recovery efforts, the state has a website called volunteer-Louisiana-dot-gov. On that site, you can view current disaster recovery volunteer needs. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is confident the state will recover because citizens came together in 2016 after the south Louisiana flood and rebuilt 15 years ago after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Cut 4 (13)“…our neighbor”
You can also follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

Two more people have died as a result of Hurricane Laura, bringing the death toll to 12. The Louisiana Department of Health says an 84-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman in Allen Parish died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator. This comes a day after Governor Edwards confirmed that a family in Lake Charles also died from carbon monoxide poisoning related to a generator, which brought the death toll to 10.

In an effort to help Louisiana recover as quickly as possible after devastation from Laura, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is urging Louisianans to volunteer, much like they did with Hurricane Katrina. Nungesser says volunteering is a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives 15 years ago today.

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For information go to volunteer Louisiana dot gov and follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

Governor John Bel Edwards will join President Trump on his visit to Lake Charles this afternoon. The president will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts. Last night Trump approved a major disaster declaration for 23 parishes, it opens FEMA assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the Category 4 storm.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city has been devastated by the strongest storm to hit the state in 150 years, but he’s optimistic that they can recover.

Cut 9 (10) “…better”

A curfew is in effect across the city.

Cleco reports they have restored power to over 40 percent of their approximate 140,000 customers with outages from Laura. The company says there are some areas that they have still not been able to fully survey due to flooding.

The hurricane damage is so extensive in Lake Charles that it will be weeks before people can live there again …

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

President Trump will visit Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon Last night he approved Governor Edward’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura. Trump will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts.

In response to Hurricane Laura Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser urges Louisianans to volunteer to help rebuild areas of the state damaged by the category 4 storm.

Cut 4 our neighbor. :19

For information go to volunteer Louisiana dot gov And follow Volunteer Louisiana on Facebook and Twitter.

McNeese State hopes it can resume on-campus classes in a few weeks after it was damaged by Hurricane Laura. McNeese spokesperson Candace Townsend says they are still assessing the damage but says the school is committed to finishing the fall semester.

Cut 5 (10)  “…to do so.”

Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura receives approval from President Trump.   Gov. John Bel Edwards made the announcement Friday evening. It opens FEMA assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the Category 4 storm. President Trump has visits scheduled to Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon. He will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts.

The City of Lake Charles is devastated and Mayor Nic Hunter warns it could be weeks before some semblance of normality returns. Water lines are destroyed, and power is down and there’s no solid estimate on when either will return. Hunter is asking residents who return to Lake Charles, be prepared to look, and leave.

Cut 8 (10) “right now”

Today is the 15^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Governor Edwards says he’s optimistic that power to most people in north and central Louisiana can be restored in a manner of hours and days, and not weeks which could be the case in the Lake Charles area. In the meantime, he says be careful around downed lines.

Cut 15 (08) “your life” 

About 81,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power following Hurricane Laura, down from the peak of 136,000.  SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan estimates most customers in Bossier City should have power restored by 10 PM Tuesday and Shreveport customers by 10 PM Wednesday.

Cut 13 (11) “…to address immediately.”

Entergy is reporting 208,000 customers are without power.

President Trump approves Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura.   Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the approval Friday evening. President Trump has visits scheduled to Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon.

The number of deaths because of Hurricane Laura is up to ten and half of those victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city is devastated and warns it could be weeks before some semblance of normality returns. Gator 99.5 Lake Charles on-air personality Buddy Russ says this is way worse than Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Cut 6 (07) “the ground”

Governor John Bel Edwards surveyed damaged in central and north Louisiana on Friday along with other state officials. In Jackson Parish, in the town of Jonesboro several are without power and water and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau (loo-no) says the lack of water and electricity are major issues for Rapides Parish also.

Cut 11 (14) “…back up.”

The number of water systems not operating statewide has risen to 82 many are down due to loss of power.