A tropical system creeping towards the state is expected to develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says with it’s current tracking, the most severe area of the hurricane will slam right through the south-central portion of the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…rain.”

South-central Louisiana is bracing for 10 to 15 inches of rain.

Governor Edwards is sounding the alarm and calling on residents to get an action plan in place ahead of the soon-to-be Hurricane Barry. Edwards is expected to declare a statewide emergency and He says even thought he system will make landfall in south Louisiana, this is just not a south Louisiana event…

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

He says they anticipate a storm surge near the mouth of the Mississippi River between three and four feet.

37% of college students report they have used illicit drugs or have abused alcohol on a regular basis and Southeastern Louisiana University is taking steps to combat that. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “.Matt Doyle”

The state is making preparations for a possible slow-moving hurricane to batter the Louisiana coast this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Significant street flooding has occurred in New Orleans this morning as much as eight inches of rain fell in a short period of time. A tornado was spotted near the U-N-O campus and waterspouts in Gentilly. Meanwhile, the northern half of the state is under a heat advisory.

Reviewing our top story, a tropical system creeping towards the state is expected to develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the sea surface temperatures in the gulf are in the mid to upper 80s, and wind shear is expected to decrease, giving the system plenty of fuel to develop.
Cut 11 (11) “…morning”
Based on current projections, Terrebonne Parish could get the brunt of what may be Hurricane Barry. Terrebonne Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Earl Eues says workers are already alleviating issues with the parish’s drainage system.
Cut 9 (09) “…that we’re expecting.”
10 to 15 inches of rain is forecasted to fall in Houma.

Governor John Bel Edwards says be prepared for a significant rain and storm surge event from a storm system that’s expected to strengthen into a Category One Hurricane and make landfall in southwest Louisiana over the weekend. Edwards says the yet to be named storm will move slowly towards the Louisiana coast
Cut 6 (12) “…certain areas”
He says they are anticipating a storm surge near the mouth of the Mississippi River between three and four feet. National Weather Service Meteorologist Tim Erickson says the river is expected to hit 19 feet on Friday and a flood warning has been issued for the New Orleans area…
Cut 4 (10) “…at actually developing.”
Levees in New Orleans are built to handle 20 to 21 feet river levels.

Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond launches “Lion Up Recovery,” the first public university collegiate recovery program in the state that will help students who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.
Cut 13 (09) “…home football games.”
Evans says academic advising and counseling will also be available to students in the program.

12-year-old Owen Osborne of Shreveport appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped Junior cooking competition last night. The 2016 Michelle Obama Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner has spent several years in the culinary spotlight, and credits his success to learning the basics first…
Cut 8 (09) “…spices”
Osborne is doing a series of cooking demonstrations this summer, the next one is July 11th at the Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport.

Governor Edwards met with his unified command group as the state prepares for a slow moving storm that could drop up to 15 inches of rain in some parts of the state. There’s already been widespread street flooding in New Orleans. Edwards says he plans to call a statewide state of emergency and is asking residents to not take this weather event lightly.

Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham, along with the Republican Governor’s Association are tapping into the President’s statewide popularity with their gubernatorial campaign ads…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Southeastern Louisiana has become the first university in the state to establish a program to help students who are dealing with substance abuse issues. It’s called Lion Up Recovery and S-L-U’s Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans says unfortunately a large portion of college students have abused alcohol and drugs…
cut 14 (10) “….for substance dependency”
Lion Up Recovery will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.

12-year-old Shreveport chef Owen Osborne got “chopped” but showed off some culinary talent while on the Food Network’s Chopped Junior last night. The program challenges young chefs to prepare meals with a seemingly random collection of ingredients, testing the cook’s creativity. Osborne kept a cool head
Cut 7 (10) “…with that.”
Unfornately Osborne’s pasta didn’t taste well enough for the judges.

As the state hunkers down for the arrival of a tropical system, the big topic of conversation is the rainfall totals. The largest rainfall amounts range anywhere from 6-12 inches. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Tim Erickson says much of that rainfall will come between Friday and Sunday.
Cut 3 (09) “…of that obviously.”
Erickson says another concern that comes with this storm is the possibility of tornados. Some forecast models project the system has a shot at becoming a hurricane. National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist Jack Bevan says between warm surface temps in the gulf and upper-level winds, conditions are favorable for further development.

Cut 11 (08) “…much of its lifetime.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards will host a Unified Command Group meeting today to discuss potential developments and the possible impacts in Louisiana.

Republicans are name dropping President Trump early and often in a series of new gubernatorial campaign ads. UL Lafayette Poli Sci professor Pearson Cross says even though the race is about state issues, candidates know just saying the President’s name can get people to tune in…

Cut 4 (11) “…pay attention”

The words “President Trump” are often mentioned even before candidate’s names, Governor Edwards, or “Louisiana” in recent ads.

Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond launches “Lion Up Recovery,” the first and only public university collegiate recovery program in the state addressing issues with drug and alcohol abuse in the college setting. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.

Cut 13 (09) “…home football games.”

The National Hurricane Center anticipates Invest 92L will become a tropical depression over the northern Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. Kevin Barnhart reports excessive rainfall for the Bayou State is expected…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says storm surge and wind watches could be issued later today. Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with his unified command team at this hour. Rainfall totals through Monday could be as high as 15 inches for some areas of the state.

Southeastern Louisiana is the first school in the state to have a voluntary program to help students who are recovering from a drug or alcohol abuse addiction. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program called “Lion Up Recovery” will have on-campus support groups and sober social events. She says the program can also be an important tool in combatting the hazing culture that come with college life…
cut 15 (11) “….to do anything”
Today is day two of testimony in the Matthew Naquin trial. He’s the former LSU student facing negligent homicide and obstruction of justice charges in the suspected hazing death of fratnerity pledge Maxwell Gruver. The coroner says Gruver died from alcohol poisioning. But Naquin’s attorney told the six-person jury that Gruver was not forced to drink, while the prosecution claims Naquin was over the top during a hazing ritual.

A disorganized area of low pressure over the far northeastern Gulf of Mexico is expected to become a tropical depression by tomorrow and head in the direction of Louisiana. National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist Jack Bevan says forecasting a weather system of this nature is challenging.
Cut 10 (11) “…it’ll end up.”
Regardless of where this system ends up, it’s expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Bayou State. The National Weather Service projects Lafayette and Houma could see 10 to 15 inches of rain through Monday morning. Baton Rouge and New Orleans could see between eight to 10 inches. Even Alexandria could see four to six inches.

Before the rain gets here, we expect another hot day. The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory. Heat index readings are expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees.

We’re Less than a month away from qualifying for the governor’s race and Republican challenger Eddie Rispone has yet to release any statewide television or radio ads. Rispone has a digital ad, where he spends most of the time talking about his support for President Trump. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Crosss says the Baton Rouge businessman hopes to take advantage of the President’s statewide popularity…
cut 5 (10) “…introduction”
Rispone has money to spend, he’s expected to report about 10-million dollars in his campaign warchest, most of it is his own money.

Did you check out the Food Network’s Chopped Junior reality series competition last night? 12-year-old Owen Osborne of Shreveport was on the show. Osborne says his favorite dish is a vegetarian jambalaya…
cut 9 (13) “….together”
Osborne is doing a series of cooking demonstrations this summer, the next one is July 11th at the Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport.

Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham, along with the Republican Governor’s Association are tapping into the President’s statewide popularity in a series of new gubernatorial campaign ads…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Coastal residents are preparing for excessive rainfall this week from Invest 92, which is likely to turn into a tropical depression tonight.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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37% of college students report they have used illicit drugs or have abused alcohol on a regular basis and Southeastern Louisiana University is taking steps to combat that. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “.Matt Doyle”

_______________________________________

Republicans are name dropping President Trump early and often in a series of new gubernatorial campaign ads.

UL Lafayette Poli Sci professor Pearson Cross says even though the race is about state issues, candidates know just saying the President’s name can get people to tune in…

Cut 4 (11) “…pay attention”

The words “President Trump” are often mentioned even before candidate’s names, Governor Edwards, or “Louisiana” in recent ads.

Eddie Rispone has made the President a central figure in his messaging. Cross says the businessman is hoping to take advantage of the President’s statewide popularity…

Cut 5  (10) “…introduction.” 

Rispone’s most recent online 30 second ad spends the first 20 seconds talking about support for the President.

Cross says it’s a smart strategy considering how popular the President is in Louisiana, but in a tight race it comes with some risks…

Cut 6 (12) “…candidate.”

The governor’s race primary will take place October 12^th.

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12-year-old Shreveport chef Owen Osborne ultimate got “chopped” but showed off some culinary talent while on the Food Network’s Chopped Junior last night.

The program challenges chefs to prepare meals with a seemingly random collection of ingredients, testing the cook’s creativity. Osborne kept a cool head on a high pressure program.

Cut 7 (10) “…with that.”

The competition is judged by a rotating cast of celebrity judges, with the winner walking away with 10,000 dollars.

The 2016 Michelle Obama Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner has spent several years in the culinary spotlight, and says he credits a lot of his success to learning the basics first…

Cut 8 (09) “…spices”

Osborne had limited options and a random basket of ingredients to cook with last night, but says if he had a fully stocked kitchen he’d make his favorite dish, vegetable jambalaya.

Cut 9 (13) “…together.”

Osborne is doing a series of cooking demonstrations this summer, the next one being July 11^th at the Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport.

______________________

A disorganized area of low pressure is expected to become a tropical depression by tonight and head in the direction of Louisiana.  National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist Jack Bevan says forecasting a weather system of this nature is challenging.

Cut 10 (11) “…it’ll end up.”

Some forecast models project the system has a shot at becoming a hurricane.  Bevan says between warm surface temps in the gulf and upper-level winds, conditions are favorable for further development.

Cut 11 (08) “…much of its lifetime.”

Bevan says the one certainty about the storm at this point is that gulf coast residents need to be prepared for plenty of widespread rain.

Cut 12 (08) “…next several days.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards will host a Unified Command Group meeting today to discuss potential developments and the possible impacts in Louisiana.

________________

Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond launches “Lion Up Recovery,” the first and only public university collegiate recovery program in the state addressing issues with drug and alcohol abuse in the college setting. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.

Cut 13 (09) “…home football games.”

Evans says 37% of college students report they have used illicit drugs or have abused alcohol on a regular basis.

Cut 14 (10) “…for substance dependency.”

Evans says the program is also an important tool in combatting the hazing culture that can come with college life.

Cut 15 (11) “…to do anything.”

____________

Cut 16  (12) “…dollars”  

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cut 17 (21) “melting point” 

The National Hurricane Center expects a tropical depression will form by Thursday from a broad area of low pressure that’s moving into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of the Florida panhandle. State Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions in the Gulf are ripe for tropical development.

Cut 4 (12) “…overly serious”

Currently, the system is labeled as Invest 92. 

That tropical development could bring large amounts of rainfall to Louisiana later this week and have a mitigating impact on the Gulf of Mexico’s algae bloom, but LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says if the algae bloom is disrupted, it will only be a temporary fix.

Cut 7 (10) “…going to redevelop.”

Rabalais says it could take some time for the algae forecast to become more clear.

John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign says they have a record amount of cash on hand for an incumbent Louisiana Governor, with 9.6 million dollars in the bank. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is in a good position to be re-elected, because along with the hefty war chest, the Governor has something that money can’t buy…

Cut 11 (13) “…doing.”

The primary for the governor’s race will take place October 12th.

57-year-old Kevin Daigle has been found guilty of first-degree murder in what was called a “cold blooded ambush” shooting death in 2015 of Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent. Vincent was killed during a traffic stop near Bell City, with much of the incident caught on dash cam video, which was played for jurors. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty in the case.