Hurricane Laura is moving west-northwest across the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and it’s expected to strengthen into a major hurricane. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge as much as 13 feet from Sea Rim State Park in Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Ashley Buller with the Cameron Parish Emergency Preparedness Office says storm surge is their number one concern…
Cut 4 (11)“ …and water.” 
A hurricane warning is now in effect from San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City as they brace for impact. Hurricane conditions are expected to arrive in this area tomorrow night and State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s when the heavy rainfall will start as well…
Cut 13 (09) “…southwestern Louisiana” 
Models show Laura is expected to ramp up to category three strength before hitting land and maintain hurricane status even as it impacts North Louisiana.

Governor Edwards will be extending Phase 2 restrictions but for how long is uncertain at this time.   The order keeps most businesses at 50% capacity, bars closed, and masks mandatory.  Edwards says several factors contribute to the decision, including the return to campus for K-12 schools and colleges.

Cut 9 (11) “…in the hospital.”

The current order is set to expire on Friday.

Over 400,000 Louisianans will receive federally boosted unemployment benefits tomorrow, a 900 dollar payment retroactive to August 1^st. But Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says about 87,000 unemployed will not qualify, most of them because they don’t earn enough in-state benefits.

Cut 7 (10) “…plus up.”

Calcasieu and Cameron Parish officials are telling residents to get out of dodge ahead of Hurricane Laura’s expected early Thursday morning arrival. The Calcasieu Parish jail has been evacuated and residents are being directed to the Burton Coliseum if they lack the means to leave.

In Cameron Parish assistant emergency preparedness director Ashley Buller says people there started leaving last weekend…

Cut 3 (11)  “…around here”  

It’ll be the biggest storm to hit the region since Rita in 2005. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Laura is expected to ramp up to a category three storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour…

Cut 12 (08) “…wind shear”

A hurricane warning is in effect San Luis Pass, Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana.

Governor Edwards says Phase Two of the economic reopening will likely be extended.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

300 dollar federally enhanced unemployment benefits will be sent out to qualifying unemployment recipients tomorrow. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says this first payment is retroactive to August 1^st, and will be worth 900 dollars in total.

Cut 6 (08) “payments”

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes ahead of Hurricane Laura’s projected early Thursday morning landfall near the Texas-Louisiana line. The storm track and power is reminiscent of 2005’s Hurricane Rita, and Cameron assistant emergency preparedness director Ashley Buller says that storm flattened nearly every structure in the parish.

Cut 5 (12)  “…the best”

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge as much as 13 feet from Sea Rim State Park in Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the powerful storm is expected to be category three at landfall and bring winds in excess of 100-miles-per-hour. It’ll also threaten inland parishes throughout northwest Louisiana.

Cut 14 (10) “ high gusts”

Governor Edwards says he will likely extend Phase Two restrictions that are set to expire Friday due to the state’s current level of viral transmission, and the possibility that mandatory evacuation orders for Laura could result in spreading events.

Cut 10 (08) “…of super spread.”

Edwards warns the state will not have the same level of information and data they normally would due to the impact of Marco and Laura on drive-up testing facilities.

300 dollar federally enhanced unemployment benefits will be sent out to qualifying unemployment recipients tomorrow. About 20,000 residents will not be eligible because they did not indicate on their unemployment form that their unemployment was COVID-related. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says the state is trying to contact those people…

Cut 8 (08) “email”

Hurricane Laura is moving west-northwest across the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and it’s expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by tomorrow night. Landfall is projected around the Texas-Louisiana line. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge as much as 13 feet from Sea Rim State Park in Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Ashley Buller with the Cameron Parish Emergency Preparedness Office says storm surge is their number one concern…
Cut 4 (11)“ …and water.”

The state is also still dealing with the coronavirus and the Phase two order expires Friday. Governor Edwards says Phase two will likely be extended…
cut 11 (12) “…some concerns”
The state reported an additional 550 new COVID-19 cases and 33 deaths today.

300-dollar federally boosted unemployment benefits resume tomorrow with thousands receiving a 900-dollar payment that will be retroactive to August 1st. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today is the first day of classes at LSU. The school has opened four on-campus rapid COVID-19 testing sites. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says efforts like this show the administration is serious about safety, but still…
cut 29 (08) “…reverse”

A hurricane warning is now in effect from San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City as southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas brace for impact ahead of Hurricane Laura’s arrival as a major hurricane. Hurricane conditions are expected to arrive in this area tomorrow night and State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s when the heavy rainfall will start as well…

Cut 13 (09) “…southwestern Louisiana” 

Models show Laura is expected to ramp up to category three strength before hitting land.

Over 400,000 Louisianans will receive federally boosted unemployment benefits tomorrow, a 900 dollar payment retroactive to August 1^st. But Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says about 87,000 unemployed will not qualify, most of them because they don’t earn enough in-state benefits.

Cut 7 (10) “…plus up.”

Governor Edwards will be extending Phase 2 restrictions but for how long is uncertain at this time.   The order keeps most businesses at 50% capacity, bars closed, and masks mandatory.  Edwards says several factors contribute to the decision, including the return to campus for K-12 schools and colleges.

Cut 9 (11) “…in the hospital.”

The current order is set to expire on Friday.

Louisiana reports 550 new COVID-19 cases, and continuing, declining hospitalizations, but unfortunately sees 33 new deaths from the disease today.

Hurricane Laura is moving through the Gulf of Mexico with its eyes set for southwest Louisiana, southeast Texas coastline. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Laura is expected to ramp up to a category three storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour…
cut 12 (08) “…wind shear”
A hurricane warning is in effect San Luis Pass, Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana.

Laura has been compared to Hurricane Rita, which caused massive damage in Cameron Parish. Cameron Assistant Emergency Preparedness Director Ashley Buller says Rita is still fresh in the mind for many Cameron residents…
cut 5 (12) “…for the best”
Cameron Parish is under a mandatory evacuation and Buller says many residents started leaving over the weekend.

300 dollar Federally enhanced unemployment benefits will be sent out to qualifying unemployment recipients tomorrow. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says this first payment is retroactive to August 1st, so expect a large payment Wednesday.
Cut 6 (08) “payments”
Dejoie says over 400,000 people will receive the benefits, but those receiving less than 100 dollars a week in state benefits are not eligible due to federal policy.

After hurricanes blow through an area, gasoline can be scarce. Gas Buddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says their app can help you locate operational fuel sources…
cut 15 (10) “…to find fuel”
DeHaan says expect gas prices to go up a few pennies as Laura will disrupt production, but because of COVID, the supply of fuel is in good shape.

Hurricane Laura is moving across the southeastern Gulf of Mexico this morning at 16 miles per hour and with maximum sustained winds at 75 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center expects Laura to intensify into a major hurricane tomorrow and make landfall along the Louisiana-Texas border Thursday morning.

Here’s what Governor Edwards has to say about Laura…
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

With the forecast calling for Hurricane Laura to strike the southwest Louisiana coast as a Category Three storm, residents in low-lying areas are heading for higher ground. There’s a mandatory evacuation for Cameron Parish, but Cameron’s assistant emergency preparedness director Ashley Buller says many people started leaving last weekend…
cut 3 (11) “….around here”
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge as much as 13 feet in some areas.

Motorists may soon feel the impact of Hurricane Laura at the pump. Gas Buddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says you should see the price go up in the region, but supply shouldn’t be a big issue..
Cut 13 (11) “…to go around.”
The statewide average gasoline price according to Gas-Buddy is a $1.85.

Laura has developed into a hurricane and the National Hurricane Center expects Laura to strengthen into a Category Three storm and slam into southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Governor Edwards says Laura’s track and potential strength is reminiscent of Rita and residents should take this storm seriously and that means no hurricane parties…
cut 6 (09) “….their time preparing”
Lake Charles is in the bullseye of Laura. Calcasieu Emergency Preparedness director Dick Gremillion says it’s not the winds that have them most concerned…
cut 10 (11) “…several years ago”
All of Cameron Parish is under a mandatory evacuation order.

The statewide average gasoline price according to Gas-Buddy is $1.85 but we could see prices rise as oil platforms along the Texas and Louisiana coast shut down as a result of Hurricane Laura. Gasbuddy petroleum senior analyst Patrick DeHaan…
cut 14 (09) “….48 hours or so”

Students are back in the classroom at LSU today for the first time since last March. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan told Talk Louisiana the Rec Center is also open at limited capacity, as is the student union and dining halls…
cut 8 (08) “…careful”
The school has opened four on-campus rapid COVID-19 testing sites in an effort to quickly isolate those who are infected.

Laura has developed into a hurricane and the forecast calls for Laura to strengthen into a major hurricane, category three before it makes landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Governor Edwards says this storm parallels one of the state’s most historic storms…
cut 5 (09) “…Rita”

Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, LSU is beginning its fall semester as students are back in the classroom for the first time since last March. Interim president Thomas Galligan says a six and a half foot tall plexiglass shield has been installed at podiums to protect instructors and students…
cut 7 (09) “…protection”
Face coverings are also required on campus.

Could Hurricane Laura impact drivers at the pump? Experts indicate the potential is there. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
cut 3 (30) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Even though a major storm is heading towards Louisiana, Governor Edwards says enhanced unemployment checks will still go out tomorrow. The Edwards administration says about 400-thousand Louisiana residents are eligible for 300-dollars a week and the first checks will be 900-dollars. since the benefit is retroactive to August 1st.

Tropical Storm Laura is now Hurricane Laura in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Its maximum sustained winds have reached 75 miles per hour and it’s moving west-northwest at 17 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center expects Laura to become a major hurricane tomorrow and maintain that intensity when it makes landfall along the Louisiana-Texas border Thursday morning.

Here’s what Governor Edwards has to say about Laura…
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It appears southwest Louisiana will take the brunt of what Laura has to offer. Calcasieu Parish Emergency Preparedness director Dick Gremillion says Lake Charles is not on the coast, but storm surge still threatens the city due to the marshland to the south and…
cut 11 (10) “…Gulf”
The National Hurricane Center says a seven to eleven-foot storm surge is predicted from High Island Texas to Morgan City.

Today is the first day of classes at LSU. The school has opened four on-campus rapid COVID-19 testing sites. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says efforts like this show the administration is serious about safety, but still…
cut 9 (08) “…reverese”
Currently, a third of all classes will be in person, a third will be a hybrid between in-person and virtual, and a third will be online only.