Cleanup continues more than a month after the massive chemical explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After months of delays, construction at the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston is finally underway. Equipment moved in last Friday, and construction workers started turning dirt on Monday. Mayor Ronny Walker says the delays will prevent the massive road trip staple from opening in 2026.

Cut 6 (08) “…fine with us.”

The Lafayette Buc-ee’s is not expected to open until 2028.

This Saturday’s ULM-Arkansas State football game has been dubbed the Rice Bowl. Brice Jones with ULM says the resurrection of the game was the brainchild of the school’s new president, Dr. Carrie Castille.

Cut 22 (11) “…the same conference.”

Arkansas is the largest rice-producing state in the country, and Louisiana is third.

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

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 set up a website to keep the public updated on the cleanup progress.

Cut 4 (12) “…waste we’ve recovered.”

Adams says crews have recovered more than five and a half million gallons of waste from the Tangipahoa River and affected ponds

Louisiana has a new area code today. North Louisiana exhausted all of the numbers with a 318 area code so they added the new area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says you now must dial all ten numbers to make a call in the region, including local calls. There had been optional testing of the 10 number requirement, but Campbell says that expired a month ago; so if you omit the area code, you’ll get nowhere.

Cut 12 (02) “…dial the 318.”

September is National Rice Month and ULM and Arkansas State are ending the month this Saturday by playing each other in football and calling it the Rice Bowl. Brice Jones with ULM says the Rice Bowl is a great way to promote the rice industry in two of the country’s top rice producing states.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in our backyard.”

The Rice Bowl Rivalry game is Saturday at 2 PM and the winner will take home the Rice Bowl trophy.

The Saints are off to a rough 0-and-3 start, but Coach Kellen Moore says there is still a lot of the season left…

Cut 22 (11) “…getting better”

Owner Gaye Benson was at yesterday’s practice, watching and talking with Coach Moore. New Orleans is at Buffalo this Sunday.

It was 20 years ago today when Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the days after Rita were very difficult – power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. Governor Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

`Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The remains of a U-S Army Servicemen from Sabine Parish who died as a prisoner of war during World War Two will be buried on Tuesday in Anacoco beside his parents with full military honors. U-S Army Private Blanchard Pruitt was 19 when he died in 1943 of a disease caused by severe malnutrition. His remains were in a grave in the Philippines for decades.

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh) from New Jersey to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio says he will put his leadership skills to good use in his new role.

Cut 3 (08) “…effective parish priests.”

Checchio says he will help the Archdiocese recover from bankruptcy brought on by sexual abuse committed by local priests.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is touring the state to meet directly with local business leaders. Bourgeois’ first stop yesterday was in Monroe, where she met with small business owners about the impact of the upcoming Meta A-I Data Center. Governor Landry says Bourgeois will meet with hundreds of businesses over the next several months…

Cut 8 (07) “:…needs and opportunities”

It’s called the Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour.

20 years ago today was a day that Southwest Louisiana will never forget. On that date, Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, resulting in one of the most destructive storms in southwest Louisiana’s history. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Roach says a big part of the recovery was that the city was able to hold Mardi Gras festivities in February of 2006.

LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. The SEC has announced that next season, LSU will host Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A-and-M and Texas. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau is looking forward to the matchup with the Longhorns, as it will likely mark the return of New Orleans native Arch Manning to Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…Bo Jackson.”

Texas has not played in Tiger Stadium since 1953.

Governor Jeff Landry has proclaimed today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on this day bringing powerful storm surge that devasted Cameron and Vermilion Parishes. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the Category Three storm also destroyed homes and businesses…

Cut 9 (10) “…were replaced”

Retired Major General John Basilica was the commander of the 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 the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh), the bishop of Metuchen (meh-TOOTCH-in), New Jersey, to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio says he will put his leadership skills to good use in his new role.

Cut 3 (08) “…effective parish priests.”

Checchio says he will play an integral role in helping the Archdiocese recover from the bankruptcy brought on by the proposed 230-million-dollar settlement from the sex abuse scandal.

LSU and the other 15 schools in the SEC know which teams they’ll play during their nine-game conference schedule for the next four seasons. Under this new format, each school will play every school at least twice over a four-year period. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau believes the format is good for the players and the fans…

Cut 13 (08)  “…dozen years.”

Texas is set to play in Tiger Stadium next season for the first time since 1953.