A 17-year-old mother is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Smitty’s Supply Company in Roseland says the last few days have created a great deal of upheaval for the entire community and their company following the explosion and fire that happened at their facility last Friday. Smitty’s service says it’s cooperating with the EPA and they are committed to rebuilding in Roseland.

New Orleans authorities believe they have found the body of a missing 12-year-old boy in a lagoon. Bryan Vasquez, an  autistic child wandered away from his home on August 14^th. There was a five-hour delay from the time Vasquez was reported missing to the time New Orleans Police first responded. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that’s also being thoroughly investigated.

Cut 8 (10) “…that time delay.”

A game changer in healthcare in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as Willis Knighton Health has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Dr. Lane Rosen, the medical director of radiation-oncology at Willis Knighton, says The Mayo Clinic has very strict standards in choosing the medical facilities it partners with.

Cut 9 (08)  “…selected Willis Knighton.”

Dr. Rosen says the partnership with The Mayo Clinic will allow Willis Knighton to take its services to the next level.

We have two sad stories out of southeast Louisiana. Earlier today in New Orleans, searchers believed to be the body of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, a non-verbal autistic child that has been missing since August 14^th. It’s believed the child wandered away from his home, but NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says foul play has not been ruled out…

Cut 7 (12) “…includes foul play”

In Tangipahoa Parish, 54-year-old Barry West is facing four counts of attempted murder after he allegedly shot at another vehicle striking a 17-year-old woman in the head, who was seven months pregnant, in the head. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child…

Cut 4 (09) “…we speak.”

But Sticker says the 17-year-old mother is on life support and it’s believed the shooting was sparked by road rage.

What health impacts are coming out of the chemical plant explosion in Tangipahoa Parish? Andrew Greenstein talked with an environmental expert for some insight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Kisatchie National Forest says the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish is now 100-percent contained. The trails within the Wilderness area have been reopened. A lighting strike on August third started the wildfire. The fire burned more than 24-hundred acres.

A 17-year-old, who was seven months pregnant, is on life support after she was shot in what authorities call a road rage incident. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was in a vehicle with three other passengers in the Ponchatoula area and that vehicle was tailgating and brake-checking with another vehicle driven by 54-year-old Barry West. Sticker says West got upset and shot at the other vehicle, striking the 17-year-old in the head…

Cut 3 (09) “…human life.”

Sticker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child, but the mother is on life support.

A sad end to a search for a 12-year-old New Orleans boy. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says searchers found Bryan Vasquez dead in a lagoon near his home.

Cut 6 (09) “…into the marsh.”

Vasquez was a nonverbal autistic boy who disappeared from his home on August 14th when he climbed out of a bedroom window. Foul play has not been ruled out.

Louisiana is one of 13 states where potentially radioactive imported shrimp was recalled from Walmart. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says infected shrimp from overseas is ending up on American’s dinner plates far too often.

Cut 11 (13) “…this seafood.”

Nungesser is calling for a ten-cent per pound seafood inspection fee.

Federal and state agencies continue to monitor the air in Tangipahoa Parish where Smitty’s Supply exploded on Friday, sending dozens of different chemicals into the air. EPA Region Six Director Scott Mason has this message for the public…

Cut 14 (06) “….to human health”

Area residents are still concerned and want to know the cause of the explosion and what chemicals were involved.

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.

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.