Fire crews from multiple parishes, cities, and other states continue to respond to the numerous wildfires that have plagued Louisiana this summer.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards announced that FEMA has approved Louisiana’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help with wildfire fighting efforts for the Highway 113 Fire in Vernon and Rapides parishes. This brings the total number of FMAGs to four, which will help cover the costs of fighting these fires.

The state continues to drive home the message there are no exceptions to the statewide burn ban. That means even outdoor grilling should not take place during this time of extremely dry conditions. Casey Tingle is the director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness….
cut 8 (10) “…the first place”
Violation of the burn ban order could result in criminal and or civil penalties.

State Police has released more information on an officer involved shooting that took place last Saturday in Vinton. Trooper Derek Senegal says there was an exchange of gunfire between a suspect from Texas and multiple officers in Cameron Parish. Senegal says 34-year-old Spencer Wilson fled into an grass field and was later found dead….
cut 10 (10) “….coroner’s office”
One officer was shot in the incident, but he was treated and released.

State officials are urging Louisiana residents not to use any open flame during these extremely dry conditions that includes barbecuing even at tailgate parties…
cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx

Tourism numbers are in from 2022 Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says 42.6 million people visited the state, which is up from 41 million in 2021. But those numbers fall well short of what we saw pre-COVID.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry have determined a one of the wild fires in Vernon Parish was intentionally set. Commissioner Mike Strain says they are seeking the public’s help in finding the arsonist…
cut 4 (11) “…was arson”
To report an arsonist you can call 1-855-452-5323.

A public meeting will take place from 4 to 7 PM today at the Lake Charles Civic Center to talk about a new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge that will cost two-billion dollars. Tolls will be used to pay for construction which has many locals upset. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the state is also putting up a significant amount of resources…
cut 28 (10) “…they are”
The Joint Transportation Committee will meet next month to vote on whether the project should go through as proposed.

The Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish and the one on Highway 113 in Vernon Parish both broke containment last night. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the blaze at Highway 113 was making a run towards the town of Pitkin.
Cut 3 (11) “…that down.”
He says the Tiger Island fire also made a run last night but it’s back under control and there was a flare-up of a wildfire in Calcasieu Parish.

State police have released more information on the officer-involved shooting that took place Saturday in Vinton. Trooper Derek Senegal says it all started when Cameron Parish Sheriff Deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a man from Texas.
Cut 9 (10) “…pursuit ensued”
Senegal says Wilson eventually exited the vehicle. fled into an open grass field and was located dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Scientists with the LSU AgCenter and LSU Department of Chemistry have received a patent for a bait to kill off feral hogs. The bait has the consistency of gummy bears, about the size of a golf ball and it tastes fishy. LSU AgCenter animal specialist Glen Gentry says this is a milestone for them…
Cut 28 (08) “…pigs completely.”
There are an estimated one million feral hogs in the state that produce 91 million dollars in damages every year.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is pumped up for Sunday night’s top-ten matchup against Florida State. Daniels enters the season as a Heisman candidate and the California native says he’s put in the work to be the best….
Cut 16 (16) “…1% better.”
Kick-off on Sunday between the Seminoles and Tigers is 6:30 in Orlando.

Because of extreme drought and multiple wildfires burning in Louisiana, state officials are asking residents not to grill this Labor Day weekend. But what about tailgaiting. ULM and U-L Lafayette have home football games on Saturday. Casey Tingle is the director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…
cut 7 (12) “…already in”
Crews from seven different states are working to put out multiple wildfires.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana will have a float in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California to promote tourism. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language.” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says in a world of different cultures, the theme of music unites us all.
Cut 10 (11) “…of Louisiana.”

Big meeting tonight in Lake Charles as residents will meet with state transportation officials about a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge that would require tolls for vehicles to cross. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says this is just an informational meeting. He says next month legislators will vote on whether to move forward with the two-billion dollar project…
cut 9 (06) “…transportation committee”
Today’s meeting will take place from four to seven PM at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

LSU scientists have received a patent for a bait that’s designed to reduce the wild hog population….
Cut 1 (27) “….I’m Pierson Luscy.”

Big meeting tonight in Lake Charles as residents will have a chance to meet with state transportation officials about a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge that would require tolls for vehicles to cross. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says this is just an informational meeting. He says next month the House and Senate Transportation committee will vote on whether to move forward with the two-billion dollar project…
cut 9 (06) “…transportation committee”
Today’s meeting will take place from four to seven PM at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The LSU AgCenter has received a patent for a bait they’ve developed that can kill a wild hog after they consume it. LSU Ag Center animal specialist Glen Gentry says they are still looking at ways to deliver the bait…
cut 5 (07) “,,,field trials”
The bait has the consistency of gummy bears, it’s about the size of a golf ball and tastes fishy. The state’s wild hog population has grown to one-million.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued last night for Earnest Thompson and D-E Stephens Roads in the Pitkin area as a result of a wildfire in Vernon Parish. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those living in areas where there are wildfires, be prepared to evacuate…
cut 28 (13) “…so forth”
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says once the threat is over, he, along with the governor and other participating agencies plan to review what was done correctly and how they can be better prepared
Cut 15 (11) “…fire departments.”
Firefighters have been battling the the largest wildfire in the state, the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish since August 22nd.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation holds a public meeting at the Lake Charles Civic Center today from 4:00 to 7:00 PM to discuss a new $2 billion dollar Calcasieu River I-10 bridge that will partially be funded with tolls. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says residents can view computer-generated visuals of the project
Cut 7 (09) “…the meeting.”
DOTD officials will be on hand and a lot of questions will be asked about making it a toll bridge.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says once again Louisiana will have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. This year’s theme, Celebrating a World of Music, the Universal Language. Nungesser this year’s float will feature a larger than life Mardi Gras jester…
cut 11 (10) “….major prize”
Last New Year’s Day, the Louisiana float won the Showmanship Award for most outstanding display of sportsmanship and entertainment.

The LSU AgCenter has develop a bait that kill wild hogs. Earlier this month the bait received a patent. The bait has the consistency of gummy bears, it’s about the size of a golf ball and it tastes fishy. Glen Gentry with the LSU Ag Center says within three hours of consuming the bait, the hogs become sleepy and die
cut 6 (09) “…the fDA:”

Officials say there have been 600 wildfires in Louisiana this month. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain downed trees from recent hurricanes are helping to fuel many of the fires in southwest Louisiana. He says downed trees from a hurricane are generally cracked and within about two to three weeks, it’s unusable.
Cut 14 (12) “…another point.”

State officials are urging Louisiana residents not to light a flame outside and that means no grilling or Labor day barbecues because of the extremely dry conditions. Crews from seven different states are working to put out multiple wildfires. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state needs a good three to four inches of rain.

LSU scientists have received a patent for a bait that’s designed to limit the spread of wild hogs. Pierson Luscy has more.
Cut 1 (27) “….I’m Pierson Luscy.”

A public meeting will take place from 4 to 7 PM today at the Lake Charles Civic Center to talk about a new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge that will cost two-billion dollars. Tolls will be used to pay for construction which has many locals upset. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the state is also putting up a significant amount of resources…
cut 8 (10) “…they are”
The Joint Transportation Committee will meet next month to vote on whether the project should go through as proposed.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state will once again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. Nungesser says the float will have a Mardi Gras theme and you can help decorate it…
cut 12 (11) “…..our float”

Governor John Bel Edwards says more than 50-thousand acres have been burned by wildfires that have plagued the state. Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says downed trees from recent hurricanes are providing a lot of the fuel. He says there was a federal program to assist homeowners in removing downed trees. The average cost was 400 to 500 dollars…
cut 13 (12) “….go do it”

Scientists with the LSU AgCenter and LSU Department of Chemistry have received a patent for a bait to kill off feral hogs. The bait has the consistency of gummy bears, about the size of a golf ball and it tastes fishy. LSU AgCenter animal specialist Glen Gentry says this is a milestone for them…
Cut 4 (08) “…pigs completely.”
There are an estimated one million feral hogs in the state that produce 91 million dollars in damages every year.

A public meeting will be held today from 4-7 PM at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss a new Calcasieu River I-10 bridge that would be partially paid for by tolls. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”