Big meeting tonight in Lake Charles as residents will have a chance to meet with state transportation officials about a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge that would require tolls for vehicles to cross. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says this is just an informational meeting. He says next month the House and Senate Transportation committee will vote on whether to move forward with the two-billion dollar project…
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Today’s meeting will take place from four to seven PM at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The LSU AgCenter has received a patent for a bait they’ve developed that can kill a wild hog after they consume it. LSU Ag Center animal specialist Glen Gentry says they are still looking at ways to deliver the bait…
cut 5 (07) “,,,field trials”
The bait has the consistency of gummy bears, it’s about the size of a golf ball and tastes fishy. The state’s wild hog population has grown to one-million.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued last night for Earnest Thompson and D-E Stephens Roads in the Pitkin area as a result of a wildfire in Vernon Parish. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those living in areas where there are wildfires, be prepared to evacuate…
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Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says once the threat is over, he, along with the governor and other participating agencies plan to review what was done correctly and how they can be better prepared
Cut 15 (11) “…fire departments.”
Firefighters have been battling the the largest wildfire in the state, the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish since August 22nd.