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.”

Firefighters in Tangipahoa Parish were busy all weekend long fighting the fire that resulted from an explosion at a lubricant manufacturing facility. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tangipahoa Parish officials reduced the evacuation zone this morning to roads and the area closet to the incident. Many evacuees spent the weekend at the Amite Community Center. At last report, there were 42 people staying there. 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.

Starting today, residents living in the 3-1-8 area code will have to dial 3-1-8, plus the seven other numbers when making a call to an existing 3-1-8 phone number. It’s because a new 4-5-7 area code will begin next September. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the ten-digit number is necessary to distinguish between the two area codes…

Cut 7 (12) “…number now.”

Starting on September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is promoting Voter Registration Week this week. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State office says this there are events throughout the state this week.

Cut 10 (10) “…their registration.”

Watson says voters will want to make sure they are registered with the party of their choice for next spring’s federal party primary elections.

The state department of insurance says auto insurers have filed over 20 rate decreases in Louisiana. The statewide average decrease is two-percent for drivers. Governor Jeff Landry says this is a good time to shop around for the best auto insurance rates. Landry says you might as well shop for the best homeowners insurance premiums too…

Cut 5 (13) “…I can do”

Hurricane Erin is moving away from the east coast of the United States 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.

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The 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall is next Friday.

The SEC is moving to a nine-game league schedule in football in 2026. Not only will SEC teams play nine conference games starting next year, the league is also requiring each team to play a non-conference game against a school from another Power Four conference or Notre Dame each season. LSU Executive Deputy Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry says the SEC’s TV partners will appreciate having more compelling matchups

Cut 15 (05) “…ESPN and ABC.”

The Saints wrap up their preseason Saturday against the Broncos in the Superdome. New Orleans has yet to name a starter at Q-B. It’s between second-year man Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. The radio Voice of the Saints, Mike Hoss, says the race is neck-and-neck.

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With the State Department of Insurance announcing that 20 auto insurance companies have filed rate decreases, the governor is now urging you to do your part in saving money.

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Buc-ee’s was expected to open its first location in Louisiana next year in Lafayette. But according to the company’s website, the Lafayette store will not open until 2028. No exact reason given for the delay, but Triton Construction said last month that construction was paused temporarily because of design delays and poor weather.

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 says it happened at around 6:30 yesterday morning.

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 out, approached her, grabbed her and told her that she needed a ride. She says the girl was able to escape and authorities later arrested Frederick and charged him with one count of attempted kidnapping. His bond has been set at one million dollars.

A week ago, the Department of Insurance announced that 20 auto insurance companies, including many big-name companies, 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.”

The state insurance department says 14 auto insurers that do business in this state have decreased rates by more than one percent.

Big game tomorrow for the Nicholls State football team as they host the fourth-ranked Incarnate Word Cardinals, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Athletic director Jonathan Terrell (tuh-RELL) says they jumped at the chance to play in Week Zero on national T-V.

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Tomorrow night, Southern plays North Carolina Central in Atlanta.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring four areas; there is no immediate threat to the Gulf of America. All of the activity is way out in the Atlantic Ocean. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the peak of the season has arrived…

Cut 10 (09) “….six weeks”

There have been five named storms this year and forecasters continue to predict an above-normal season.

SEC football will go to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in 2026, that’s up from the current eight.  Each school will play three annual opponents, focused on 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.

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SEC teams are also required by the league’s office to schedule at least one additional high quality non-conference game.

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

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St. Martinville Police make additional arrests in the death of 16-year-old Iris Davis, who was found dead in a field near her home on July 21^st. Eugene Taylor, Grace Taylor, and Dorian Savoy have all been charged with delinquency of a juvenile. Three other people have also been arrested in connection with the case, but no one has been charged with murder.

The SEC is moving to a nine-game league schedule in football in 2026. Not only will SEC teams play nine conference games starting next year, the league is also requiring each team to play a non-conference game against a school from another Power Four conference or Notre Dame each season. That leaves just two games on the schedule for LSU to play a mid-major or an FCS school. LSU Executive Deputy Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry says the SEC’s TV partners will appreciate having more compelling matchups

Cut 15 (05) “…ESPN and ABC.”

The 2025 college football season begins tomorrow. Nicholls will host UIW at noon on ESPN 2. It’s new era for Colonels football as Tommy Rybacki begins his first year as head coach, replacing the school’s all-time wins leader, Tim Rebowe. Nicholls A-D J-T Terrell says Rybacki is the perfect successor

Cut 6 (13) “…to be successful.”

Kick off tomorrow is at noon.