Congressman Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Brooke Thorington has more on this type of blood cancer.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry agents have arrested 37-year-old Robin Crawford for starting a fire in Tickfaw. Crawford threatened to start a fire despite knowing there was a state burn ban. Firefighters were able to control the fire that was set.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent yesterday in southwest Louisiana surveying the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish. The governor says the hot and dry weather in this week’s forecast could possibly ignite or reignite fires…

Cut 5 (13) “…raging again.”

60-thousand acres of land have been burned in Louisiana.

There have been 28 heat-related deaths in Louisiana since the beginning of June. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there have been more than 4,700 emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses statewide.

Cut 13 (06) “…hot season.”

Kanter says confusion is a sign of heat stroke and it can be fatal.

Governor John Bel Edwards says people are still intentionally or unintentionally starting fires despite the burn ban. Edwards was in the air yesterday touring the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish. The governor believes climate change will create a pattern for wildfires in the state.

Cut 6 (14) “…adequately respond.”

More than 60 thousand acres of land have been burned in Louisiana.

State health officials say 25 people have died as a result of heat-related illnesses since June. That’s up from the 16 deaths that were reported on August 4th. Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says heat exhaustion and heat stroke can sneak up on you very quickly…

Cut 12 (11) “…eight ball on it.”

And the oppressive temperatures have been responsible for more than 4,700 emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses.

The Saints have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2023 NFL season, and some big names did not make the list. Pierson Luscy has more.

Cut 3 (31) …I’m Pierson Luscy.”

RWE Offshore US Gulf LLC, a German energy firm, won the bid to develop the first wind project near Lake Charles in the Gulf of Mexico. RWE offered the highest bid of $5.6 million dollars for nearly 102 thousand acres. RWE officials say its Gulf project is expected to come online by the mid-2030s.

The Saints 53 man roster for 2023 has been finalized. They Saints had several tough moves to make its way down to only 53 players, but the most notable was the conversation at kicker. The team has traded Wil Lutz to the Denver Broncos for a 2024 7th-round pick, and the team will go with undrafted free agent kicker Blake Grupe instead. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says the trade should not come as a surprise.

Cut 9 (12) “…young leg.”

Cornerback Bradley Roby was waived by the Saints today, and is expected to be replaced by second year corner Alontae Taylor at the slot corner position. Taylor and Paulson Adebo have been competing for the second press corner position, but now both will be on the field for the Saints, and it cost Roby his spot on the roster.

Cut 11 (08) “…like that.”

LSU football is only a few days away from their game against eighth-ranked Florida State in Orlando. The Seminoles held on for a 24-23 victory last year in the Superdome, and this year’s game will feature two of the best defensive players in the country. LSU linebacker Harold Perkins and Florida State defensive end Jared Verse are the two players to watch for on the field. Perkins had 7.5 sacks last season while Verse had nine. Coach Brian Kelly says that they plan to line Perkin up all over the field.

Cut 18 (23) “…as well.

The Southland conference has extended its basketball championships to stay in Lake Charles through 2029. The baseball and softball championships will be played in Hammond for the 2024 season.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in the air today to survey the wildfires in southwest Louisiana. During a press conference in DeRidder, Edwards says hundreds of firefighters are working to contain the wildfires and that includes help from the federal government

Cut  14 (14)  “…1,000 people”

The wildfires have destroyed about 60-thousand acres and the recent rainfall the state has seen was not enough to end the drought

In addition to the destruction the wildfires are doing, they also present a health hazard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says smoke trails can be carried a great distance

Cut 3 (08) “…quite far.”

With the statewide burn ban still in effect, Kanter implores residents not to burn anything outdoors and that includes lighting up the grill for Labor Day weekend.

Louisiana sugarcane producers set a record of producing more than two million tons of raw sugar last year but this year’s number will be less due to the dry weather. Sugarcane Specialist Kenneth Gravois says while many farmers will have to wait for more rain for soil moisture to go up, some cane are seeing pretty good yields.

Cut 8 (12) “…some rain.”

Today was NFL cut-down day and Cornerback Bradley Roby was waived by the Saints. Second-year corner Alontae Taylor will be placed at the slot corner position. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says Taylor and Paulson Adebo have been competing for the second press corner position, but now both will be on the field for the Saints, and it cost Roby his spot on the roster.

Cut 11 (08) “…like that.”

Reports are coming out that Saints kicker Wil Lutz has been traded to the Denver Broncos. Blake Grupe will now take over for the Saints kicking duties. Also being reported is that cornerback Bradley Roby is being released by New Orleans. It is expected that Alontae Taylor will take over the roll as the starting nickel corner for the Saints. More cuts are expected to make it down to 53 teams.

 No. 5 LSU and No. 8 Florida State have their week one rematch from last year on Sunday in Orlando. Returning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels went for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns in last years matchup, and coach Brian Kelly says the team has encouraged Daniels to be more aggressive throwing the ball.

 Cut 17 (16) “…and ten.”

 Shreveport native and former LSU Tiger, Sam Burns, will be among the group representing the United States in the Ryder Cup. He will be joining other greats like Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, and Jordan Spieth.

 Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris earned conference USA offensive player of the week for his performance against Florida International. He caught 11 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown in their win against FIU, and the Bulldogs go to Dallas over the weekend to face SMU.

 The Ragin Cajun also kickoff their season this weekend against Northwestern State. Michael Desormeaux is entering his second year as the team’s head coach and says what he is most confident in this year.

 Cut 19 (20)

 ULM plays Army in Monroe on Saturday for their kick off to the regular season. ULM went 4-8 last year and will be looking to win their first season opener since 2015.

Two months ago the State Office of Motor Vehicle informed residents of a data breach that put everyone’s personal information at risk.  Brooke Thorington has more ….

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

U-S House Majority Leader and Congressman Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a treatable blood cancer. In a released statement, the 57-year-old from Jefferson Parish noted he has already started his treatment, adding that it will continue for several months.

The federal government launched its first-ever auction for the right to develop offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico today. The proposed sale will auction areas near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg says companies like Entergy are embracing wind energy projects and reducing their carbon footprint.

Cut 6 (12) “…nuclear power.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes. 

The state Department of Revenue is getting the word out that the Second Amendment sales tax holiday is back. From Friday to Sunday, you can purchase firearms and hunting supplies and not pay sales tax. L-D-R Secretary Kevin Richard (Ree-shard) says this is a great opportunity for hunters looking to stock up for the upcoming hunting season …

Cut 7 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

Purchases not eligible for the sales tax exemption include hunting dogs, animal feed, off-road vehicles, and airboats. The sale begins Sept 1 through Sept. 3.

Today, the Tiger Island Fire, the state’s largest wildfire in history, located in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. But it has destroyed more than 31 thousand acres of land.  There are 224 people working to improve perimeter lines to ensure containment. Fire crews have been battling the fire since August 22.

On Sunday, 18 years ago today, Hurricane Katrina touched down as a category three hurricane on the coast of Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht

Cut 13 (13) “…the hurricane.”

Hecht says there’s enormous opportunity across the economic spectrum.

The Biden administration is holding its first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says the proposed sale will auction one area near Lake Charles and two areas near Galveston.

Cut 4 (09) “…power grid.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes.

It was over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal information was compromised in a cyber security attack. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says criminals use the information to impersonate people…

Cut 11 (13) “…down the road.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for anyone with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Today is the 18^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in southeast Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht says many parts of the city have rebounded, tourism is back… Meanwhile….

Cut 15  (12) “….of the state.”

Today is also the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida. Lengthy power restoration was a widespread issue of the Category Four storm.

The Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. The state’s largest wildfire on record has burned more than 33 thousand acres of land. As of today, there were 6 confirmed homes lost to the fire and 23 structures in total damaged. No loss of life or injuries have been reported. Another fire in Beauregard near Longville has destroyed 19-thousand acres.

The federal government will hold its first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says offshore wind power development is costly.

Cut 5 (12) “…economics closely.”

The proposed sale will auction 300 thousand acres of water in the gulf. One area is near Lake Charles and two areas are near Galveston.

Two months ago, the State Office of Motor Vehicles warned residents their personal information was threatened in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says the most important thing you should do is to freeze your credit.

Cut 12 (07) “…your credit.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for those with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.

The Tiger Island wildfire in Beauregard Parish, the state’s largest fire, continues to burn. Jeff Palermo has an update…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Bond has been revoked for a Rosepine man accused of starting a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount of timber acreage. That means 59-year-old Paul Nash will have to wait until September 12th before a judge issues a new bond amount. Nash allegedly violated the burn ban by burning trash on his property.

Former Louisiana legislator and ULM employee Dr. Charles McDonald passed away Saturday. McDonald served as the Director of Counseling, Placement, and Testing and the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. In January, they honored him with the naming of the Dr. Charles R. McDonald Office of Financial Aid. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry says the room was packed with former students.

Cut 10 (07) “…many people.”

A service will be held at First Methodist of Monroe on Wednesday. McDonald was 84.

An elderly woman who was burning trash on her property has died after being rescued by a deputy and volunteer firefighter conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish on Sunday. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says for unknown reasons she fell into the fire.

Cut 8 (11) “…her there.”

The elderly female was taken to a New Orleans hospital in critical condition but later died.

LSU has named their players that will be dawning the No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys. Monroe native and former Neville star Will Campbell has been awarded the seven jersey, becoming the first LSU offensive lineman to have the opportunity to wear number seven, since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Head Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (08) “…offensive lineman.”

Today marks the beginning game week for 5th ranked LSU Tigers football to face off in a top 10 matchup against Florida State. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says FSU quarterback Jordan Travis will be trying to get the ball to his 6’7″ wide receiver Johnny Wilson.

Cut 19 (19) “…receiving.”

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly cut former LSU kicker Cade York from their team. York is considered the greatest kicker in Tigers history, but is without a roster after missing two potential game winning field goals against the Eagles in the preseason. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2022, but last year only made 24 out of 32 field goals and missed two extra points.

The rest of the NFL is making cuts to their roster to get down to 53 players now that the preseason is over and their deadline is tomorrow at 3 p.m. central time. The Saints also have some tough calls to make for their 53 man team. No notable names have been cut from the Saints but a position to watch for is at kicker. Wil Lutz and Blake Grupe have been fighting for the spot all preseason, but there is no clear favorite on who takes the position.

Other positions to watch for the Saints are at wide receiver and tight end. Former 3rd round pick receiver Tre’Quan Smith might not make the roster after only catching one pass last season and being very limited in the preseason. The Saints will also try to fit in their tight ends to the final 53. Despite Lucas Krull’s 100 yard game on Sunday, he also might not make the roster because the tight end room already has so much talent.