Today, the Tiger Island Fire, the state’s largest wildfire in history, located in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. But it has destroyed more than 31 thousand acres of land.  There are 224 people working to improve perimeter lines to ensure containment. Fire crews have been battling the fire since August 22.

On Sunday, 18 years ago today, Hurricane Katrina touched down as a category three hurricane on the coast of Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht

Cut 13 (13) “…the hurricane.”

Hecht says there’s enormous opportunity across the economic spectrum.

The Biden administration is holding its first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says the proposed sale will auction one area near Lake Charles and two areas near Galveston.

Cut 4 (09) “…power grid.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes.

It was over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal information was compromised in a cyber security attack. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says criminals use the information to impersonate people…

Cut 11 (13) “…down the road.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for anyone with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Today is the 18^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in southeast Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht says many parts of the city have rebounded, tourism is back… Meanwhile….

Cut 15  (12) “….of the state.”

Today is also the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida. Lengthy power restoration was a widespread issue of the Category Four storm.

The Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. The state’s largest wildfire on record has burned more than 33 thousand acres of land. As of today, there were 6 confirmed homes lost to the fire and 23 structures in total damaged. No loss of life or injuries have been reported. Another fire in Beauregard near Longville has destroyed 19-thousand acres.

The federal government will hold its first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says offshore wind power development is costly.

Cut 5 (12) “…economics closely.”

The proposed sale will auction 300 thousand acres of water in the gulf. One area is near Lake Charles and two areas are near Galveston.

Two months ago, the State Office of Motor Vehicles warned residents their personal information was threatened in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says the most important thing you should do is to freeze your credit.

Cut 12 (07) “…your credit.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for those with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.

The first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico takes place today. Interim LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says energy companies can bid on 300,000 acres near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas…
cut 4 (09) “….power gird”
Upton says it’s an expensive endeavor and it will take three to five years before we see any wind farms in the federal waters of the Gulf.

A three-day, 2nd amendment Sales Tax holiday begins on Friday, which means you can buy guns, ammunition and other specified hunting supplies and pay no state sales tax. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kevin Richard says the state legislature brought this sales tax holiday back to benefit hunters…
cut 8 (10) “….our citizens”
For more information go to L-D-R’s website.

In June, the State Office of Motor Vehicles informed residents of a data breach that put everyone in their system at risk. Brooke Thorington has more from an expert on what you should do.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An Alexandria Police detective alerted Slidell Police of a teenager with a loaded pistol on the campus of Salmen High School. A 17-year-old was streaming on Instagram Live with the pistol and on school property. The officer from Alexandria happened to see the video and alerted the school resource officer at Salmen and an arrest was quickly made.

Today is the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has a look at the recovery
Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state continues to battle wildfires and the the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish remains at 50-percent containment. It has burned more than 33-thousand acres and there are 224 people working on putting out the fire. Another fire in Beauregard near Longville has destroyed 19-thousand acres.

For the first time ever, the federal government is auctioning off sections of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico that will be developed to produce wind energy. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says this is part of the White House’s goal of a net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050…
cut 6 (12) “…nuclear power”
Upton says it will be three to five years before any wind projects appear in federal waters.

The state Department of Revenue is getting the word out the second amendment sales tax holiday is back. From Friday to Sunday, you can purchase firearms, ammunition and specified hunting supplies and not pay sales taxes. L-D-R Secretary Kevin Richard says in 2018 the second amendment sales tax holiday and other sales tax holidays were suspended because of a massive budget shortfall, but …
cut 9 (09) “…second amendment holiday

Today marks the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Southeast Louisiana. Katrina was responsible for more than 13-hundred deaths and it remains the costliest storm ever as a result of the federal levees failing. The Lower Ninth Ward has never returned to what it was, but Greater New Orleans Inc, President Michael Hecht, says the Northshore area has seen great growth and the Arabi-Chalmette area of St. Bernard Parish has also rebounded very well…
cut 14 (08) “….the country”

It was over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal data was compromised in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says it was the MOVEit File Transfer System that OMV uses and it has affected individuals across the globe.
Cut 10 (12) “…40-million people.”
Lee says the best thing you can do to protect yourself is freeze your credit.

The first U-S Gulf offshore wind auction to fuel the gulf coast region’s green hydrogen push takes place today. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Tiger Island wildfire in Beauregard Parish, the state’s largest fire, continues to burn. Jeff Palermo has an update…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Bond has been revoked for a Rosepine man accused of starting a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount of timber acreage. That means 59-year-old Paul Nash will have to wait until September 12th before a judge issues a new bond amount. Nash allegedly violated the burn ban by burning trash on his property.

Former Louisiana legislator and ULM employee Dr. Charles McDonald passed away Saturday. McDonald served as the Director of Counseling, Placement, and Testing and the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. In January, they honored him with the naming of the Dr. Charles R. McDonald Office of Financial Aid. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry says the room was packed with former students.

Cut 10 (07) “…many people.”

A service will be held at First Methodist of Monroe on Wednesday. McDonald was 84.

An elderly woman who was burning trash on her property has died after being rescued by a deputy and volunteer firefighter conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish on Sunday. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says for unknown reasons she fell into the fire.

Cut 8 (11) “…her there.”

The elderly female was taken to a New Orleans hospital in critical condition but later died.

LSU has named their players that will be dawning the No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys. Monroe native and former Neville star Will Campbell has been awarded the seven jersey, becoming the first LSU offensive lineman to have the opportunity to wear number seven, since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Head Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (08) “…offensive lineman.”

Today marks the beginning game week for 5th ranked LSU Tigers football to face off in a top 10 matchup against Florida State. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says FSU quarterback Jordan Travis will be trying to get the ball to his 6’7″ wide receiver Johnny Wilson.

Cut 19 (19) “…receiving.”

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly cut former LSU kicker Cade York from their team. York is considered the greatest kicker in Tigers history, but is without a roster after missing two potential game winning field goals against the Eagles in the preseason. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2022, but last year only made 24 out of 32 field goals and missed two extra points.

The rest of the NFL is making cuts to their roster to get down to 53 players now that the preseason is over and their deadline is tomorrow at 3 p.m. central time. The Saints also have some tough calls to make for their 53 man team. No notable names have been cut from the Saints but a position to watch for is at kicker. Wil Lutz and Blake Grupe have been fighting for the spot all preseason, but there is no clear favorite on who takes the position.

Other positions to watch for the Saints are at wide receiver and tight end. Former 3rd round pick receiver Tre’Quan Smith might not make the roster after only catching one pass last season and being very limited in the preseason. The Saints will also try to fit in their tight ends to the final 53. Despite Lucas Krull’s 100 yard game on Sunday, he also might not make the roster because the tight end room already has so much talent.

Some much-needed rainfall fell across parts of the state over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish but Strain says they are also fighting some big fires in and around Kisatchie National Forest and Fort Polk…
Cut 4 (10) “…damage happens”
This is eighth day of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Mark Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”
Officials say 50-percent of the Tiger Island fire is contained and the number of acres burned in Beauregard from multiple fires is more than 50-thousand.

An 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning trash piles on her property, has died after being rescued from a brush fire at her home on Sunday. State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says while conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted a brush fire off of LA 25.
Cut 7 (09) “…still alive.”

She later died from her injuries at a New Orleans hospital.

Northeast Louisiana is mourning the death of Doctor Charles McDonald, a former longtime state lawmaker and employee at ULM for more than 20 years. ULM President Doctor Ronald Berry says McDonald is known as the Father of Tops for helping to create the scholarship during his time at the State Capitol…
cut 12 (12) “….what he created”
McDonald was 84.

The largest wildfire ever recorded in the history of the State of Louisiana continues to burn in Beauregard Parish. Jeff Palermo has an update…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says they believe arson is the cause of multiple wildfires that devastated the area near Union Hill in southwest Rapides Parish. He says they need the public’s help in finding the culprits. And 41-year-old Ryan Miller of Independence was cited for criminal negligence for starting a trash fire that got out of control and burned more than 170 acres near Amite.

An elderly woman who was burning trash piles on her property off of LA 25 has died after being rescued Sunday in Folsom a town in St. Tammany Parish. While conducting proactive patrols in looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted the brush fire. State Fire Marshal’s Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says. Rodrigue urges the public to avoid burning anything.

Cut 9 (12) “…wildfire dangers.”

The 84-year-old female was taken to a New Orleans hospital in critical condition but later died

LSU football offensive tackle Will Campbell will make history as the first offensive lineman to wear the number seven jersey since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly says the spirit of the number seven jersey will remain the same

Cut  14 (11)  “.. .positive way”

The NCAA does not allow for an offensive lineman to wear a single-digit number, so Campbell will have a number seven patch on his jersey instead.

An 84-year-old woman lost her life when a trash fire got out of control at her home in the St. Tammany town of Folsom. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Bond has been revoked for a Rosepine man accused of starting a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount of timber acreage. That’s means 59-year-old Paul Nash will have to wait until September 12th before a judge issues a new bond amount. Nash allegedly violated the burn ban by burning trash on his property.

This is day eight of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Mark Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”
Officials say 50-percent of the Tiger Island fire is contained and the number of acres burned in Beauregard from multiple fires is more than 50-thousand.

Monroe native and former Neville star Will Campbell has been awarded the seven jersey, becoming the first LSU offensive lineman to have the opportunity to wear number seven, since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly…
cut 13 (08) “….offensive lineman”
The NCAA does not allow for offensive lineman to wear a single digit number, so Campbell will have a number seven patch on his jersey instead.