Crews continue to respond to wildfires on the western side of the state. The largest is the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish, which has burned about 33-thousand acres according to the state department of ag and forestry. That’s the largest wildfire ever recorded in Louisiana. Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford says 20 structures have been destroyed, most of them homes. Herford says they have fire fighting assistance from other states, but the winds keep shifting…
Cut 16 (16) “…week now.”
Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon. But the mandatory evacuation order for the town of Merryville has been lifted.

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal. Brooke Thorington reports Neal was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a double fatal shooting in Metairie in 1998.
Cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As we’ve reported in previous newscasts much of the state is in extreme drought. But LSU AgCenter Entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says the lack of rainfall has resulted in fewer mosquitos and fire ants…
Cut 10 (06) “…less of them.”