In addition to the destruction the wildfires are doing, they also present a health hazard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says where the fires are and the smoke is, are not always the one in the same.

Cut 3 (08) “…quite far.”

He advises those with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors as much as possible, Kanter also reminds residents not to burn anything outdoors, that includes grilling out with the burn ban in effect.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Southeast Louisiana. 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…

Cut 14 (08) “…the country.” 
It was just 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 used, and others affected individuals across the globe.

Cut 10 (12) “…40-million people.”

He says the best thing you can do to protect your identity is to freeze your credit and to also apply for free credit monitoring offered through the OMV. You can find more information and a link at Louisiana-Radio-Network-dot-com.

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. He says they are fighting some big fires in and around Kisatchie  National Forest and Fort Polk…

Cut 4 (10) “…damage happens”

The largest wildfire in Beauregard Parish has consumed more than 33-thousand acres and according to the Department of Agriculture The Tiger Island Fire is 50-percent contained.

Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon.

Cut 5 (09) “ ..top to top.” 

This is day eight of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion.

An 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning trash on her property, has died after being rescued from a brush fire at her home Sunday. State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says while conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted a brush fire off of LA 25. She says deputies believe the woman fell ill while burning the debris.

Cut 8 (11) “…her there.”

A statewide burn ban remains in effect.

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. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry says in 2017, McDonald was honored with an appointment to serve on the Board of Regents.

Cut 11 (08) “…at ULM.”

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, and Sheriff Mark Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon.

Cut 5 (09) “ ..top to top.” 

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a 1998 Metairie shooting. Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says Neal’s attorney failed to use physical evidence that connected his co-defendants to the crime scene.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for that.”

If the state does not seek a rehearing of the case, Neal will return to Jefferson Parish and face a new trial.

A bomb threat that was emailed to schools in Livingston and Ascension Parishes and Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet, has prompted delays and even cancellations. Bomb squads and increased law enforcement presence have been reported at the affected schools.

The housing market has cooled but Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a home is affordable homeowners’ insurance. He says less destruction by hurricanes and tighter regulations may help stabilize the market and bring in new insurers.

Cut 15  (12) “….and regulations.”

The average cost of homeowner’s insurance in New Orleans is $5,500. In Shreveport, the average cost is $2,800, and in Lafayette just under $3,000.

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”

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for 1998 Metairie shooting. Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says at Neal’s trial he was represented by an attorney who was completely unprepared.

Cut 8 (11) “…as the shooter.”

She says if the state does not seek a rehearing of the case, Neal will return to Jefferson Parish and face a new trial.

As mortgage rates climb the housing market has cooled but Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a home is affordable homeowners’ insurance. He’s hopeful a new governor, legislature, and a new Insurance Commissioner can create policies and legislation that bring more insurers to the state.

Cut 14 (08) “…property insurance.” 

Typically, in the summertime restaurant business tends to dwindle, and the relentless heat hasn’t helped. Stan Harris, President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says that many owners are worried the heat and drought have hurt the cattle industry and how it will impact beef and dairy prices.

Cut 6 (12) “…as well.”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon to get a firsthand look at the response to numerous wildfires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. According to the U-S Drought Monitor, about 50-percent of the state is considered to be in extreme and exceptional drought. Edwards says the next chance for significant rain is Tuesday night…

Cut  16 (11)   “…to have”

The statewide burn ban was updated on Friday afternoon taking out the exceptions for prescribed burns, so agricultural burns are not allowed either.

An Independence man was arrested Friday and faces charges for the fire-raising on another’s land by criminal negligence and violation of the fire marshal’s order.

The Department of Agriculture says Ryan Miller faces charges in connection with a wildfire in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite.

In Vernon Parish, Paul Nash has been arrested and charged with two counts of arson, and violation of the state’s burn ban. Sheriff Sam Craft says the suspect lit a brush pile in his backyard and it quickly got out of control.

Cut 7 (07) “…that critical.” 

Craft says there’s no excuse for setting a blaze in these conditions.

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a fund to help out everyone affected by the fires. CEO Denise Durel on where the money would immediately go.

Cut 12 (08) “…at initially.”
If you want to donate  to the fire relief, go to UnitedwaySWLA.org or text FIRE SWLA to 40403.
 

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon to get a firsthand look at the response to numerous wildfires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. Edwards says the state is dealing with an unprecedented event…

Cut  14 (16)  “.. .dangerous situation”

An arrest has been made in connection to one of the wildfires that erupted near Rosepine in Vernon Parish Thursday. Sheriff Sam Craft says Paul Nash faces two felony arson charges for violating the burn ban. Craft says Nash lit a brush pile in his backyard and it quickly spread…

Cut 6 (08) “…massively.”
Craft says there’s no excuse for setting anything on fire in these dire conditions.

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a fund to help those affected by the fires in Southwest Louisiana. CEO Denise Durel says as we approach the anniversary of Laura never would she have expected these wildfires.

Cut 13 (10) “…in this space.”

If you want to make a donation to help out with the fire relief, go to UnitedwaySWLA.org.

A jury needed only six hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 39-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-mon) of Thibodaux for killing three teenagers in a fatal DWI crash in 2021. Lafourche Parish Assistant District Attorney Shaun George the girls were out celebrating one of the victim’s birthdays…

Cut 5 (14) “ ..sadly.” 

The town of Merryville and the Junction areas have a mandatory evacuation order in place for the ongoing wildfires. Beauregard Parish Sherrif spokesperson Shannon Burgess says previously the fire was well contained but winds only fanned the flames. The fire came extremely close to having Merryville go up in flames, but the wind change saved it by less than a mile.

Cut 10 (10) “…in jeopardy.”

In Vernon Parish, Paul Nash has been arrested and charged with two counts of arson, and violation of the state’s burn ban. Sheriff Sam Craft says the suspect lit a brush pile in his backyard and it quickly got out of control.

Cut 7 (07) “…that critical.” 

Craft says there’s no excuse for setting a blaze in these conditions.

Thirty-nine-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-mon) of Thibodaux has been found guilty of killing three teenagers in a 2021 drunk driving head-on crash in Lafourche Parish. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

The Louisiana National Guard has been activated to provide support with the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. 97 soldiers are assisting, and LANG helicopter crews are dropping gallons of water in the affected areas.  Additional aircraft from Oklahoma are also assisting with the wildfires.

Things have taken a turn for the worse in Beauregard Parish and residents in the town of Merryville are being asked to evacuate immediately as the Tiger Island Fire is within two miles of the town. A storm with 30-mile-per-hour winds only helped the fire spread. Authorities say the fire has grown more intense and is moving quickly.

People who are responsible for starting fires will be held liable according to State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

While firefighters continue to battle wildfires in Beauregard Parish, crews are rushing to the scene of another large blaze in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite. Crews have responded to 357 wildfires this month alone. Governor Edwards is imploring residents to abide by the burn ban and asking citizens to even refrain from cooking outdoors and lighting fire pits at this time because fire crews are stretched thin, and the extreme drought is causing outbreaks to quickly get out of control.

Pearl Harbor Sailor and New Orleans native Clarence Thompson will be buried in Slidell Friday morning, more than 80 years after the December 7^th attack on the USS Oklahoma. His cousin Denise Bennett says they are extremely grateful for the lengths the military went to in identifying his remains.

Cut 10 (08) “…his family.”

The 11am funeral at Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery is open to the public.

The Tiger Island wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85-percent contained. The only structures that have been destroyed in the blaze are deer stands. And while the increase in containment is welcome news, Shannon Burgess with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says the slightest spark could change things in an instant and he’s imploring residents to abide by the statewide burn ban.

Cut 11 (07) “…message out.”

A change in wind direction last night caused the fire to jump across Highway 27 but that has since been contained and Highway 27 has reopened.

So far more than 13,000 acres have burned in Beauregard Parish. Officials are urging residents to follow the statewide burn ban. Associate State Forester Epney Brasher….

cut 30 (12) “…could be a hazard”

A new poll finds crime is the biggest concern among Louisiana voters. Faucheux Strategies surveyed 800 Louisiana residents and 18 percent listed crime as their top concern. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the gubernatorial candidates are promoting tough-on-crime rhetoric, but voters want specific ideas.

Cut 6 (08) “… their solutions.” 

The second biggest concern for voters is education followed by insurance rates.

LSU will not have one of its top players for the season opener against Florida State. The NCAA has suspended defensive tackle Maason Smith for receiving an improper benefit. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says Smith’s absence will be a factor as he was expected to provide pressure up the middle against FSU QB Jordan Travis…

Cut 13 (11) “…Bradyn Swinson”

The outbreak of wildfires prompts the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to activate the State Emergency Operations Center.  GOSHEP Director Casey Tingle encourages the public to be extremely cautious due to the drought and to help them spread the word about the burn ban.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for all of us.”

Tingle says the wildfire in Beauregard Parish is among the worst the state has ever seen.

It’s another day where the high temperature is expected to get a few degrees above 100. Office of Public Health Deputy Assistant Secretary Devin George says 25 people have died as a result of heat-related illnesses since June up from the 16 reported deaths on August 4th…

cut 4 (06) “…the heat”

In the governor’s race, Republican Jeff Landry holds the lead position with 36 percent support and Democrat Shawn Wilson is at 26 percent according to a new poll conducted by Faucheux Strategies. Teiko Foxx reports Landry and Wilson are likely headed towards a run-off…
Cut 1 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Faucheux also asked voters what their top concerns are. Crime and violence came in at number one, followed by education and finishing third was high insurance rates.