An update on that explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland yesterday.  The mandatory evacuation for those within a one-mile radius remains in effect as authorities report there were a number of small explosions overnight. In a 10 am news conference Tangipahoa and Louisiana State Police officials say firefighters are still battling an active blaze. Authorities have been monitoring the air quality around the plant since yesterday evening and recommend people avoid contact with any soot from the fire and explosion.  We’re told a temporary flight restriction is also in effect for a three mile radius.

Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a teenage boy is killed while riding his bike in his subdivision. Sheriff Jason Ard says the 31 year old driver who hit the boy was drunk and fled the scene, but deputies later caught him and arrested him.

Cut 10 (13) “…DWI first offense.”

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There’s a lot more corn in Louisiana this year as farmers are producing much more than last year. Shelly Pate Kerns with the LSU Ag Center says the crop received plenty of rain, so yields are expected to surpass last year’s 183 bushels per acre and input costs were also down…

Cut 13 (10)  “…constant rainfall.”

The Saints final pre-season game of the season kicks off at noon today as they host the Denver Broncos. Saints’ play-by-play announcer on WWL radio Mike Hoss says the Saints have been busy with trades and there are still many decisions to be made by the time the roster needs to be pared down to 53 by 3:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Cut 8 (11) “…has been injured.”

Former Governor John Bel Edwards and his wife were among those evacuated after that explosion at Smitty’s Supplies is Roseland yesterday.   A family associate reported the governor and his wife are safe and monitoring the situation.  All residents within a mile of the plant were ordered to relocate yesterday just after one.  Smitty’s is a lubricant manufacturing facility with more than 400 employees.  Officials have said there were no injuries reported.  The cause of the blast is still under investigation.

It’s been a week since the Department of Insurance announced that 20 auto insurance companies, including many big-name companies, have filed for rate decreases. Whether that’s spurred by tort reform legislation, a decrease in crashes, or both, Governor Landry says to take advantage, you need to do your part.

Cut 3 (05) “…giving rate decreases.”

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Former LSU basketball player, four-time NBA champion and hall of famer Shaquille O’Neal will invest in the proposed new arena on the LSU campus.  O’Neal vouched for Oak View Group, the developer that is the sole finalist for the project. Oak View’s CEO stepped down last month after he was indicted on bid-rigging allegations connected to a project in Austin.
So far a final deal with LSU to develop the project has not yet been finalized.  O’Neal did not say how much he was planning to invest in the new facility.

The Saints wrap up their preseason at noon today against the Broncos in the Superdome. The biggest storyline is still the battle to become the starting quarterback. At this point, it’s down to second-year man Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. Mike Hoss, the Saints’ play-by-play announcer on WWL radio, says at this point, the race is neck-and-neck.

Cut 6 (14) “…a pick-six.”

Tangipahoa Parish officials are trying to figure out what caused the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland that forced mandatory evacuations within a one-mile radius.  It happened yesterday just before one and the evacuation order went out shortly afterword.  Smitty’s is a lubricant manufacturing facility.  Thankfully, no one was injured in the blast.

Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a teenage boy is killed while riding his bike in his subdivision. It happened around seven Thursday evening.  Sheriff Jason Ard says the driver who hit the boy was very drunk.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in his system.”

31 year old Juan Alfredo Chavarria Lezama is facing several charges including Vehicular Homicide and 1^st Offense DWI.  He was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center.

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The Saints wrap up their preseason today at noon against the Broncos. Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana farmers are producing a big corn crop this year, but with so much corn, the price is down. LSU Ag Center’s Shelly Pate Kerns.

Cut 14 (12) “…shakeout differently.”

Nichols State football will be in the national spotlight tomorrow as the they host Incarnate Word on national TV.  Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

SEC football will go to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in 2026, that’s up from the current eight.  SEC officials made the announcement yesterday, explaining that each school will play three annual opponents, maintaining traditional rivalries.  LSU Executive Deputy Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry says they don’t know yet which teams the Tigers will play every year.

Cut 14 (09) “…conference.”

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A 15-year-old Lake Charles escapes a would-be kidnapper.  Lake Charles Police Lieutenant Brenda Treadway says the girl was at a but stop yesterday morning when a man offered her a ride.  She refused and he drove away, but  that’s not where it ended.   Lieutenant Linda Treadway says 35-year-old Dustin Frederick came back, got out and grabbed the teenager.

Cut 8 (10) “…fled the scene.”

The Atlantic Hurricane season is ramping up, so experts say if you don’t have your hurricane preparedness kit yet, now’s the time to get it.  Hurricane Erin may be moving away from the U-S now but the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on three more disturbances. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll likely get through August unscathed, but we’re not out of the woods entirely.

Cut 12 (13) “…us a visit.”

A close call for a 15-year-old Lake Charles girl as she waited for her school bus yesterday morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you don’t have your hurricane preparedness kit ready, it may be time.  Hurricane Erin is wreaking havoc along the Atlantic coast as it moves away from the U.S. But LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there are three more disturbances in the Atlantic experts are watching.

Cut 11 (12) “…an eye on.”
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The Southeastern Conference announces that starting in 2026 the league will have a nine-game conference schedule in football. The SEC has been playing eight conference games since 1992. LSU Executive Deputy Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry says a ninth conference game will help generate revenue for the SEC and LSU…

Cut 13 (14)  “…let’s be honest.”

Big game tomorrow for the Nichols State football team as they host the fourth-ranked Incarnate Word Cardinals, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. It is not often that Nicholls is able to showcase its football program coast to coast. Athletic director Jonathan Terrell (tuh-RELL) says they jumped at the chance to play in Week Zero on national T-V.

Cut 5 (11) “…and one.”

If you don’t have your hurricane preparedness kit put together for this year, this weekend would be a very good weekend to shop for those essentials. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says now that we’re into late August, the peak of hurricane season is rapidly approaching.

Cut 10 (09) “…six weeks.”

A close call for a 15-year-old Lake Charles girl, as she escapes a would-be kidnapper at a bus stop. Lake Charles Police Lieutenant Brenda Treadway…

Cut 7 (12) “…drive by her.”

Treadway says around the third or fourth time he passed by her, 35-year-old Dustin Frederick stopped, got approached the girl and told the girl she needed a ride, but she fought back, punching him in the face at which time he fled the scene.

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The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule in football next season and LSU is excited about it. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Nicholls State football team will host one of its biggest games in Thibodeaux ever tomorrow. The Colonels face the fourth-ranked Incarnate Word Cardinals, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Athletic director Jonathan Terrell (tuh-RELL)…

Cut 4 (09) “…be showcased.”

Kick off tomorrow is at noon.

Crews are making some real progress on that Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish. Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says the 24-hundred-acre fire was just under 60-percent contained as of last night.  Caldwell, says there are no homes or structures threatened, and no one has been forced to evacuate.

Cut 12 (12) “…within that wilderness.”

Smoking is down across the country…and that goes for Louisiana as well. In 2023, the latest year that data is available, fewer than 16-percent of Louisiana adults surveyed admitted they smoke. That’s down almost eight points from a decade ago. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says it’s a sign that messaging about the dangers of smoking is working.

Cut 8 (08) “…across the state.”

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Just a few days left to get yourself a raffle ticket that could win you season tickets to all of the major sports teams in Louisiana. Andre Champagne has details.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

In Shreveport, a Blanchard man accused of murdering his mother while slept in bed, has been indicted.  19 year old Connor Lyons is charged with second degree murder in the stabbing death of 55 year old Lara Lyons on May 23^rd.  Lyons is in the Caddo Correctional Center on a two million dollar bond.

If you’re a sports fan, you may want to get  your shot at a raffle The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is doing soon.  The grand prize winner will get two season tickets to 17 different events. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports says the raffle helps bring so many special sporting moments to the state.

Cut 15 (13) “…to Louisiana.”

The drawing is set for Sunday.

Smoking is down across the country…and here in Louisiana.  In fact, in 2023, fewer than .  16-percent of Louisiana adults surveyed admitted that they smoke. That’s down almost eight points in ten years. But Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says other smoking alternatives, like vaping, are on the rise.

Cut 10 (12) “…people stay healthy.”

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Officials say crews fighting that Backbone fire in Natchitoches Parish that started August 3^rd, are making real progress.  As of last night, it was 60 percent contained.  Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says fire personnel remain on the scene and are working to achieve full containment.

Cut 13 (13)  “…very good situation.”

Authorities believe it was a lightning strike that started the fire.

The Public Service Commission may decide today whether to approve a power plant that Entergy is looking to build in northeast Louisiana that would power a massive Meta data center. The project has garnered a fair share of controversy. The Alliance for Affordable Executive Director Logan Burke says the Entergy power plant for the Meta data center has both short-term and long-term risks.

Cut 6 (14) “…ever asked for.”

But Commissioner Mike Francis has said Louisianans already benefit from some of the lowest energy costs in the country

The Public Service Commission could vote today to approve an Entergy plant that would power a Meta data center in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
It appears smoking is still on the decline in Louisiana down 10 percent in 2023 from a decade ago, according to those surveyed.  But Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says while cigarette smoking is down, other tobacco use is on the rise – especially among younger people.

Cut 9 (11)  “…electronic cigarette use.”

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The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation launched its Premier Season Ticket raffle earlier this summer. The raffle offers one lucky fan the chance to win tickets to over 500 of South Louisiana’s top sporting events. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the proceeds will help the foundation continue to host major events around the state.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

The grand prize winner will receive two season tickets to 17 different eventsThe drawing is set for Sunday.  Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s website to purchase a raffle ticket.

And hey, mark your calendars.  LSU women’s basketball will host Kim Mulkey’s alma mater Louisiana Tech in New Orleans on December 13^th in the first game of a doubleheader. The LSU men will take on SMU in the second game.

The good news – smoking is down in Louisiana. The bad news – alternatives are up. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In Natchitoches Prish, crews are making good progress on the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area.  Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says as of yesterday evening, the 24-hundred-acre fire was just under 60-percent contained.

Cut 11 (11) “…soon be out.”

The fire started on August 3rd, and it’s believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

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The Public Service Commission may decide today whether to approve a power plant that Entergy is looking to build in northeast Louisiana that would power a massive Meta data center. The project has garnered a fair share of controversy. The Alliance for Affordable Energy is asking the commission to hold off on voting until October. Executive Director Logan Burke says the project will benefit one company, while everyone else gets to pay for it.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

But Commissioner Mike Francis says most stakeholders appear to be on board with the plan, so there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable. Francis says having the Meta data center will benefit everyone in the long run.

Cut 5 (09) “…for Entergy ratepayers.”