Louisiana is taking part in National Fire Prevention Week through this Saturday.  Ashley Rodrique with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the theme this year is to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” such as when a smoke alarm goes off…:

CUT 03(11)      “..then call 9-1-1”

Statistics from 2020 show there were 77 fire-related deaths in Louisiana, and only about a dozen of those structures had working smoke alarms.

No one has won a Powerball jackpot since early June. That’s why it’s at over $685-million for tonight’s drawing. Could we have a Louisiana big money winner tonight? Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says it’s happened 17 times before..:

CUT 08(11)      “…number 18”

Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the state launched its own sheltering assistance program today as it could be until November before FEMA sets up trailers on the property of homes that are severely damaged by Hurricane Ida. Magee says this state-run program will get trailers to hard-hit areas much sooner…:

CUT 09(10)      “…the first trailer.”

Magee says many Terrebonne Parish resident are sleeping in tents and even under shelters made of storm debris.

In Baton Rouge today, a big medical announcement: Our Lady Of the lake hospital says they’ll invest $100-million to build a state-of-the-art cancer research and treatment center in the Capital City. OLOL’s current partnership with the well-known Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center ends in December. They intend to start building their own facility early next year.