This past weekend marked the year anniversary of the Smitty’s Supply plant explosion in Roseland. The blast released stored motor oils, lubricants and fuel additives into the local environment and the Tangipahoa River. Pat Mashburn lives 35 miles south of the explosion site and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that wildlife still has not come back…

Cut 3 (08) “…not one”

It’s been estimated 12 million gallons of oily liquid and industrial chemical waste were released into the local drainage systems and Tangipahoa River.

Louisiana’s Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway and runs through September 7th. State Police Superintendent Frank Besson (beh-SAHN) says officers will be out in full force specifically looking for impaired drivers during this campaign.

Cut 6 (10) “…and proactive patrol.”

A new mRNA vaccine to reduce the risk of melanoma returning is showing great promise. Dr. Katherine Chang, an assistant professor of ear, nose and throat surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, says the vaccine being developed by Merck and Moderna works by removing the melanoma tumor, test it for genetic mutation and create an mRNA vaccine specific to that patient’s genetic profile – and that vaccine is taken with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda.

Cut 10 (09) “…it from coming back.”

Dr. Chang says clinical trials of the new vaccine have been very successful.

Monroe, Ruston and the Delta parishes are getting some much needed rain today and there’s the possibility we can see strong thunderstorms in southeast Louisiana later today. Unfortunately, the western half of the state continues to bake.