Cleanup continues in Tangipahoa Parish more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland that spewed oil and other toxic substances into the Tangipahoa River. Adam Adams, a federal on-scene coordinator with the EPA, says the EPA has set up a website to keep the public updated on the cleanup progress.

Cut 4 (12) “…waste we’ve recovered.”

North Louisiana has a new area code today. All new numbers will be given the area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says no existing phone numbers will change.

Cut 10 (08) “…into the area.”

The new code became necessary since North Louisiana ran out of telephone numbers.

It’s a new take on an old classic – the return of the Rice Bowl. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Northwestern State is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being one of the best public schools among regional universities in the South. Chief Marketing Officer Cole Young says it’s a testament to how the school is committed to student success.

Cut 13 (08)  “…in the workforce.”

Young says Northwestern has long made a commitment to individual student attention

20 years ago, today Louisiana saw its second devastating hurricane in less than a month when Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish. The storm produced widespread damage across southwest Louisiana. Retired Major General John Basilica was the commander of Louisiana National Guard’s storm operations and says like with Katrina, they had to perform search and rescue operations, but thankfully more assistance was available.

Cut 6 (07) “…getting it.”

Basilica says it was not until February 2006 until the National Guard restored all authority and responsibility back to civilian authorities.

Pope Leo XIV has named the person who will step in to fill Archbishop Gregory Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans’ role. New Jersey native, Most Reverend James Checchio is named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans assisting Archbishop Aymond until his retirement.

Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending lease deals on related properties like the state’s leasing of space in Benson Tower. Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says the state sees that as two different issues, but it is a way for the state to support the Saints. The current Superdome lease agreement ends in 2030 and Duncan doesn’t see a world where the Saints relocate to another city, but he says neither side is planning to back down.

Cut 12 (07) “…to be.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk – not documented in Louisiana more than three decades. Furbearer, Jennifer Manuel says the eastern spotted skunk is very good at pest control.

Cut 14 (08) “…sort of thing.”

Manuel asks, if you see an eastern spotted skunk, take a picture and send it to LDWF.

That state has issued a permit to Sempra Infrastructure for the first carbon storage well in Louisiana. It will be located beneath Black Lake in Cameron Parish and Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says Sempra needs to know the geology in the area to build the storage well.

Cut 8 (14) “…the zone underground.”

According to NOLA.com Superdome lease negotiations have stalled Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says there’s major disagreement between the state and the Saints. As part of the current lease agreement, the state has rented office space in Benson Tower since 2010 at $32.50 per square foot compared to the New Orleans average of $20.67 per square foot. Duncan says the agreement is a way to for the state to financially support the Saints….

Cut 11 (12) “…that support”

Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Rita flooded low-lying areas of southwest Louisiana with its storm surge and produced more power outages to a state struggling to get back on its feet from Katrina. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk. The species hasn’t been documented in Louisiana in more than three decades and the department wants to help biologists determine the current distribution and needs of the species. Furbearer Biologist, Jennifer Manuel says it’s the smallest species of skunk with a distinctive pattern of white spots on a black coat and unique behavior.

Cut 13 (14)  “…scare away predators.”

Louisiana’s first carbon storage well is coming to Cameron Parish. Sempra Infrastructure received a Class Six permit to inject around two-million metric tons of carbon dioxide beneath Black Lake every year for up to 20 years. Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says these are the most restrictive permits the department grants.

Cut 7 (16) “…inject the carbon.”

Pope Leo XIV has named the person who will step in to fill Archbishop Gregory Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans’ role. New Jersey native, Most Reverend James Checchio is named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans assisting Archbishop Aymond until his retirement.

NOLA.com is reporting the Superdome lease negotiations are at standstill between the Saints and the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Today is the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Rita’s landfall in Cameron Parish. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29^th in Plaquemines Parish, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. On September 21^st, Rita entered the Gulf becoming a Category Five storm before weakening to a Category Three before making landfall in southwest Louisiana on September 24^th. Retired Major General John Basilica says the preparation for the storm was well done, despite the tough circumstances…

Cut 5 (09) “…listened.”

20 years ago today, Hurricane Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish producing widespread damage across southwest Louisiana as the state was still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina. Retired Major General John Basilica was the commander of Louisiana National Guard’s storm operations in Louisiana and says it was difficult to respond to two natural disasters at the same time…

Cut 4 (10) “…supporting us.”

He says like Katrina, they had to perform search and rescue operations, but more assistance was available.

NOLA.com reports that the Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending deals regarding related properties such as Benson Tower, Champions Square and the Saints practice facility. Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says that state and the Saints are in the midst of a major disagreement.

Cut 10 (10) “…separate deals.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk so that biologists can determine the current distribution and conservation needs of the species. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana approves its first-ever carbon storage well. The state issued Sempra Infrastructure a Class Six permit to inject an estimated two-million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year for up to 20 years underneath Black Lake in Cameron Parish. Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says these permits are the most restrictive permits and the well will need to be carefully monitored.

Cut 9 (06)  “…injection zone.”

Two men are killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport over the weekend. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says it happened at around one Saturday morning, where more than 100 people were gathered for a memorial party.

Cut 4 (13) “…55 years of age.”

Authorities believe it was a targeted attack but many who were shot were not the intended target.

Oak Hill High School in Elmer was closed yesterday after a social media post threatening to shoot up the school was discovered Sunday. A juvenile suspect was identified and arrested. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says post like this spread quickly

Cut 9 (09)  “…bottom of it.”

Researchers at the University of South Florida there’s a better way to categorize hurricanes. Professor of Geosciences Jennifer Collins says an overall category would be the highest value of the ratings of wind, rainfall, and storm surge. And in some cases, a storm could be rated as category six when

Cut 12 (10) “…a cat five.”

Collins says she and her fellow researchers are planning to present their proposal to the National Hurricane Center.

President Trump is concerned about a possible link between acetaminophen and autism and is urging pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol. President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Autism Society, Beryl Hebert, says there is no conclusive evidence to link Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism. She recommends discussing it with your physician…

Cut 14 (08) “…that you trust.”

President Donald Trump is urging pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol as he says there is a link between acetaminophen and autism. And there are some studies that point to possible link, but President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Autism Society, Beryl Hebert, says the best study was released last year.

Cut 15 (11) “…no causal link.”

Should we consider more than wind speed when categorizing hurricanes? Researchers at the University of South Florida say yes. USF geosciences professor Jennifer Collins says factoring rainfall and storm surge would allow forecasters to give a much more accurate threat level.

Cut 11 (07) “…an overall category.”

Using their scale, 2005 Hurricane Wilma would have been a category six storm.

A juvenile is arrested for allegedly posting a threat against a school on social media. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A mass shooting at a memorial party of over 100 people claimed the lives of two men in Shreveport over the weekend. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says Johnny Robinson and Jonathan Green were pronounced dead at the scene.

Cut 5 (08) “…non-life-threatening injuries.”

Authorities believe it was a targeted attack but many who were shot were not the intended target.

Oak Hill High School in Rapides Parish was closed on Monday due to a social media post threatening to shoot up the school. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the threat was made Sunday and they were able to track down and arrest a juvenile suspect after several hours.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat originated from.”

The suspect has been placed in the Renaissance Home for Youth.

Two men are killed and six others injured in a mass shooting in Shreveport over the weekend. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says the shooters opened fire around one Saturday morning, where more than 100 people were gathered for a memorial party. He says they are still on the loose, and it’s unclear at what led to the shooting.

Cut 6 (09) “…the intended target.”

President Trump says Tylenol use during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism. Jeff Palermo has the reaction from the Autism Society…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Researchers at the University of South Florida want to reimagine the way we categorize hurricanes. Currently, they’re rated on a scale of one to five based solely on wind speed. But Jennifer Collins, a professor of geosciences at U-S-F, says there are two other factors that need to be considered that may be even more important.

Cut 10 (09) “…from wind alone.”

Two men were killed in Shreveport over the weekend in a shooting at a party in remembrance of someone who had died within the past year. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says it happened at around one Saturday morning where more than 100 people were gathered.

Cut 4 (13) “…55 years of age.”

Johnny Robinson and Jonathan Green were pronounced dead at the scene.

A juvenile is arrested for allegedly posting a threat onto social media to shoot up a school in Rapides Parish. The threat was made to Oak Hill High School in Elmer. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the threat was made Sunday, and the sheriff and superintendent had to act fast.

Cut 7 (14) “…most prudent thing.”

With the assistance of the Cyber Crime Unit, the suspect was tracked down after several hours.

Researchers at the University of South Florida are looking at reimagining how we judge the intensity of hurricanes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump is urging pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol as he says there is a link between acetaminophen and autism. But President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Autism Society, Beryl Hebert, says there is no conclusive evidence…

Cut 13 (04)  “…does not imply causation.”

President Trump says the Food and Drug Administration will notify physicians immediately that it’s strongly recommended that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy

Tragedy Sunday at Dorcheat (Door-cheat) Bayou in Webster Paris as the bodies of 54-year-old Annie Buggs of Bernice and 41-year-old Deandrea Ford of Homer were found in the water, along with a chair.  Sheriff Jason Parker

Cut 7 (11) “…pulled in themselves”

Relatives tell investigators they did not know how to swim.

Australian-based Woodside Energy says it wants to be an outstanding community partner as it builds a 17-point-five billion dollar liquefied natural gas facility in Calcasieu Parish near Sulphur. Chief Operating Officer Daniel Kalms says Louisiana L-N-G will be a huge contributor to U-S L-N-G exports, which will strengthen global energy security and generate billions of dollars in local and national revenues…

Cut 25 (09) “…community.”

Construction is already underway.

A former Union Parish football star has a new trial date. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU and Alabama have met on the football field in every regular season since 1964, but the annual showdown is coming to an end. On3-dot-com’s Chris Low is reporting the Tigers’ three permanent opponents will be Arkansas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau believes LSU is catching a scheduling break…

Cut 10 (06) “…huge powers.”