We continue to look back 20 years ago this week when Hurricane Katrina ravaged southeast Louisiana. Katrina’s fierce winds caused extensive damage, but the storm surge that led to breaks in the levee system produced catastrophic flooding. U-S Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Renee Poche says a much better flood protection system is in place now…

Cut 7 (12) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

The explosion that destroyed Smitty’s Supply Friday also destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of people. 450 people were working there before the explosion. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller says the state is making resources available to them.

Cut 15 (09) “…available to them.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is urging President Trump and Louisiana’s congressional delegation to impose a ten-cent-per-pound inspection fee on all imported seafood. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry has told the USA Today Network that he will wait to make an endorsement in Louisiana’s 2026 U-S Senate race until President Trump announces who he will support. Senator Bill Cassidy is facing three challengers in the April primary, John Fleming, Blake Miguez and Eric Skrmetta.

A new state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility is coming in Ruston. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Federal, state and local officials say there are no dangers to human health despite black soot on homes, buildings and vehicles from a massive explosion of the Smitty’s Supply Facility on Friday afternoon in Tangipahoa Parish. D-E-Q says the air quality remains good and officials say 98-percent of the fire is contained.

It’s still hot, but it feels better outside as LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says the humidity levels are down and the dew point is ten degrees lower thanks to a cold front that’s moved through.

Cut 9 (10)  “…four to five percent.”

Keim says the break from the hot, oppressive summer will last a few days.

LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the number 18 jersey this season, which is awarded to a leader on the team that has great character. Starting center Braelin Moore ….

Cut 8 (05) “…protect him.”

Ninth ranked LSU visits fourth ranked Clemson on Saturday night to kick off the season.

And the Saints still have not made a decision on a starting quarterback. It will be either Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough against Arizona in the season opener on September 7^th.

LSU announces that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the coveted No. 18 jersey this season, which is given to a team leader with great character. Nussmeier will be the first quarterback to wear the special number since 2003, when Matt Mauck helped the Tigers win a national championship. Senior defensive end Jack Pyburn says that Nussmeier embodies the right traits to lead the offense.

Cut 7 (12) “…he is a gamer.”

Multiple LSU football players have said that this is the closest team they have ever been a part of, even despite having so many new transfers. Senior wide receiver Zavion Thomas says the players are always hanging out off the field.

Cut 20 (20) “…pick it up.”

Nicholls started its season on Saturday with an impressive win over 4th-ranked Incarnate Word. The defense led the way, holding the Cardinals to 204 total yards while forcing four turnovers in a 20 to 6 win. Ty Marsh scored the first touchdown on a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first quarter. Marsh says he appreciated the Colonel faithful.

Cut 16 (15) “…hoping to get more.”

The Southern Jaguars started off its season with a 31 to 14 loss to the NC Central. The biggest story from the loss was the bright spot in former LSU running back Trey Holly. The sophomore running back broke free for an 80-yard touchdown in his first game back playing since 2023. Holly says the Jaguars came into the game with too much confidence.

CUT 21 (15): “fell short.”

Ruston will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility. Radiance Technologies announced that it is investing more than 370-million dollars to expand its footprint in Louisiana with the new facility. Governor Landry was on hand for the announcement at Louisiana Tech; he said it furthers his commitment for Louisiana’s universities to be incubators for job growth.

Cut 11 (14) “…30 years.”

Landry said the investment will help bolster national security, fuel innovation and drive local economic growth.

The temperature may still be on the high side, but it’s noticeably more comfortable to be outside, thanks to a drop in humidity. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this welcome break will last a few days.

Cut 10 (10) “…while you can.”

This welcome break is due to a cold front that’s moved through the area that’s dropped the dew point ten degrees.

Firefighters in Tangipahoa Parish continue to work on putting out a massive fire at a lubricants plant in Roseland that started Friday when the facility exploded forcing the evacuation of nearly one-thousand people. Black soot can be seen on homes, businesses and cars in the area. Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller says if you’re able to clean the soot off our property, you can do so…

Cut 3 (12) “…that product.”

Miller says the soot is being tested by environmental regulators but the results are not available yet.

LSU announces that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the coveted No. 18 jersey this season, which is given to a team leader with great character.. Senior defensive end Jack Plyburn says that Nussmeier embodies the right traits to lead the offense.

Cut 7 (12) “…he is a gamer.”

Ruston will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility. Radiance Technologies announced that it is investing more than 370-million dollars to expand its footprint in Louisiana with the new facility. Governor Landry was on hand for the announcement at Louisiana Tech; he said it furthers his commitment for Louisiana’s universities to be incubators for job growth.

Cut 11 (14) “…over 30 years.”

The company is expected to create 150 direct new jobs

North and Central Louisiana are getting a new area code.

Cut 29 (04)  “…3-1-8.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the 3-1-8 area code has run out of seven-digit numbers and starting today, the area will have to dial their area code plus the other seven digits to make a phone call. Beginning, September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code.

Firefighters in Tangipahoa Parish continue to work on putting out a massive fire at a lubricants plant in Roseland that started Friday when the facility exploded forcing the evacuation of nearly one-thousand people. Black soot can be seen on homes, businesses and cars in the area. Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller says if you’re able to clean the soot off our property, you can do so…

Cut  3 (12) “…that product”

Miller says the soot is being tested by environmental regulators but the results are not available yet.

Starting LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the number 18 jersey this season, which is awarded to a leader on the team that has great character. Starting center Braelin Moore ….

Cut 8 (05) “…protect him.”

Ninth ranked LSU visits fourth ranked Clemson on Saturday night to kick off the season.

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. And while that storm certainly changed many facets of the state forever, the state is largely the same as it once was. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says one effect of Katrina’s aftermath was the rise of charter schools throughout the state. Erwin says it all started in New Orleans, and the charter schools have produced tremendous results.

Cut 4 (11) “…’B’ school district”

Erwin says the other significant development since Katrina for the New Orleans area is the consolidation of levee boards to two main boards.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the coveted 18 jersey, which goes to a team leader with great character. Receiver Zavion Thomas says not only does Nussmeier command the huddle, but the locker room as well…

Cut 6 (05) “…get going.”

Nussmeier returned for his fifth season at LSU, because he said he wanted to win a championship

The EPA has now taken the lead in the cleanup at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland after Friday’s explosion. State Police Sergeant William Huggins says there were several small explosions in the hours after the initial explosion.

Cut 14 (09) “…at this time.”

Crews are cleaning out the Tangipahoa River as significant amounts of material have been found in that waterway. Area residents have reported oil and ash residue on their homes and vehicles.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade says the explosion at the Roseland chemical plant should be a wakeup call for the state to pursue other avenues of economic development. Executive Director Anne Rolfes (RAWL-fiss) says facilities that produce lubricants like Smitty Supply are dangerous to the state.

Cut 3 (14) “…idea that is.”