The largest wildfire ever recorded in the history of the State of Louisiana continues to burn in Beauregard Parish. Jeff Palermo has an update…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says they believe arson is the cause of multiple wildfires that devastated the area near Union Hill in southwest Rapides Parish. He says they need the public’s help in finding the culprits. And 41-year-old Ryan Miller of Independence was cited for criminal negligence for starting a trash fire that got out of control and burned more than 170 acres near Amite.

An elderly woman who was burning trash piles on her property off of LA 25 has died after being rescued Sunday in Folsom a town in St. Tammany Parish. While conducting proactive patrols in looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted the brush fire. State Fire Marshal’s Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says. Rodrigue urges the public to avoid burning anything.

Cut 9 (12) “…wildfire dangers.”

The 84-year-old female was taken to a New Orleans hospital in critical condition but later died

LSU football offensive tackle Will Campbell will make history as the first offensive lineman to wear the number seven jersey since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly says the spirit of the number seven jersey will remain the same

Cut  14 (11)  “.. .positive way”

The NCAA does not allow for an offensive lineman to wear a single-digit number, so Campbell will have a number seven patch on his jersey instead.

The Saints closed out their preseason with a loss to the Texans 17-13. Despite the loss, quarterback Jameis Winston had a good day, going 11 for 16 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Two of his completions were to tight end Jimmy Graham who made great catches on contested balls, including for a touchdown. Coach Dennis Allen is happy with team’s performance, but wanted to finish the preseason undefeated.

Cut 24 (13) “…contested catches.”

The Saints had two separate chances at scoring the go ahead touchdown late in the game, but quarterback Jake Haener threw two interceptions on the final two drives. Also in the fourth quarter, free agent kicker Blake Grupe missed a 60 yard field goal. He and returning kicker Wil Lutz are one of the moves to watch for on cut down day tomorrow afternoon, when the roster shrinks down from 90 to 53 players.

Before college football’s official week 1 kickoff, Louisiana Tech improved their record to 1-0 after beating Florida International 22-17 The Bulldogs rallied back from a 14 point deficit and scored 19 unanswered with transfer quarterback Hank Buchmeier throwing for 333 yards and a touchdown. Coach Sonny Cumbie says it was a good start for the QB in his new uniform.

Cut 18 (24) “…look for.”

ULM will be kicking off their season this Saturday against Army, and just a day later, LSU takes on No. 8 Florida State.

The United States National basketball team beat Greece this morning 109-81. Pelicans star Brandon Ingram had five points on 2 for 4 shooting.

Some parts of the state received a bit of rain over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. Strain says lighting strikes are starting some of the fires…

Cut 3 (07) “…ahead of that fire”

The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish. It has consumed 40-thousand acres, but Strain says the Tiger Island Fire is 90 percent contained.

Scorching temperatures and dry conditions have place some parts of the state in an extreme drought. But LSU AgCenter Entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says the lack of rainfall has resulted in fewer mosquitos, fire ant, and cockroaches.

Cut 11 (09) “…hiding places.”

He also says that ants might be in other hiding spots, but if you see them, there is an easy solution.

An appeals court threw out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a fatal 1998 shooting in Metairie. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One man is dead and an officer was injured after a police pursuit ended in gunfire in Calcasieu Parish Sunday. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a police pursuit of a subject following a traffic stop at the intersection of Gum Road and LA Hwy 108. The investigation is ongoing.

The Tiger Island fire continues to burn entering a second week in Beauregard Parish. Authorities are calling it the largest wildfire ever recorded in the history of the State of Louisiana.  Authorities say no homes or other structures were lost within the town limits but outside of Merryville, tens of thousands of acres have burned since the fire began nearly a week ago. No reports of injuries or missing persons have been reported.

You might notice there are fewer insects bugging you, and it turns out it’s one of the only good things coming from the ongoing drought. Pierson Luscy has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Pierson Luscy.”

The average mortgage rate has climbed to 7.23 percent, the highest since 2001. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a new home is affordable homeowners insurance…

Cut 13 (12) “…moving forward.”

Morris hopes a new governor and state legislature, along with Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple can up with policies and legislation that bring more insurance companies to the state.

Oppressive temperatures have affected how people dine at their favorite restaurants.  President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris, says while outdoor dining is practically nonexistent, he’s hopeful with fall restaurants will experience the traditional seasonal uptick in business.

Cut 4 (04) “…eat again.”

And while increasing inflation has eased a bit, Harris says from a financial standpoint restaurants are still facing hurdles.

Louisiana Radio Network.  I’m Jeanne Burns.

Governor John Bel Edwards has activated about 100 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to help in the fight against the wildfires in Southwest LouisianaCut  14 (16)  “.. .dangerous situation”

Governor Edwards signed an executive order yesterday, expanding the statewide burn ban to include all prescribed burns as well.  So far, more than 440 fires have damaged or destroyed more than 30-thousand acres of Louisiana land.  Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike strain says the burn ban is critical.

Cut 30 : 14 …it’s got to stop

Vernon Parish authorities arrest a 59-year-old man who allegedly started a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes.  Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a fund to help out everyone affected by the fires in Southwest Louisiana. CEO Denise Durel on where the money would immediately go.

Cut 12 (08) “…at initially.”

I’m Jeanne Burns, Louisiana Radio Network.

Louisiana’s statewide burn ban has been expanded to include all prescribed burns as well, wo no more agricultural burns either. Governor John Bel Edwards issued the executive order yesterday. So far there have been more than 440 fires that have either damaged or destroyed more than 30-thousand acres of Louisiana land. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain on the expansion of the burn ban.
Cut 30 (:14) “It’s got to stop.”
According to the U-S Drought monitor, about 50-percent of the state is considered to be in extreme and exceptional drought. Edwards says the next chance for significant rain is Tuesday night…
Cut 16 (11) “…to have”
Louisiana Radio Network

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Thirty-nine-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-mon) of Thibodaux has been found guilty of killing three teenagers in a 2021 drunk driving head-on crash in Lafourche Parish. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Fire crews managed to contain a massive fire at a Louisiana refinery yesterday within a few hours. Local authorities had issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living near the Marathon refinery in Garyville, but that was lifted pretty quickly. Company officials say an investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted. LRN

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana yesterday to get a first hand look at the response to numerous wild fires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. Edwards has activated about 100 National Guard soldiers to help in the fight against the wildfires, a situation he says is always changing.
Cut 15 (12) “…uncontained”
The town of Merryville and the Junction areas are under a mandatory evacuation as a result of the ongoing Tiger Island wildfire. Beauregard Parish Sheriff spokesperson Shannon Burgess says the fire came extremely close to the small town of Merryville, but a wind change pushed it away.
Cut 10 (10) “…in jeopardy.”

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An arrest has been made in connection to one of the wildfires that erupted near Rosepine in Vernon Parish Thursday. Sheriff Sam Craft says 59-year-old Paul Nash faces two felony arson charges for violating the state’s burn ban.
There have been reports of some individuals claiming they didn’t know the statewide burn ban was in effect. Craft says that’s no excuse.
Cut 8 (08) “…outside.”
A jury needed only six hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 39-year-old Joey Clement of Thibodaux for killing three teenagers in a fatal crash in 2021. Lafourche Parish Assistant District Attorney Shaun George says Clement was speeding and driving under the influence…
Cut 3 (09) “…whole night”
Authorities say Clement was driving between 88 and 93 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone when the fatal crash happened.

The governor has activated about 100 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to help in the fight against the state’s wildfires. Several Black Hawk helicopters are dumping thousands of gallons of water on the fires. National Guard engineering crews on the ground are using dozers to create fire lines to help prevent the spread of more wildfires.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the situation around the state is constantly changing, and just when you think the fire is contained, it can spread rapidly when the wind kicks up.

Cut 15 (12) “…uncontained.”

It was previously reported that the only structures burned were a few deer stands and camps but Beauregard Parish Sheriff spokesperson Shannon Burgess says that has now changed.

More wildfires erupted in Vernon Parish Thursday, but have since been contained and an arrest has been made in connection with one of the fires Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech was expected to unveil six statues for Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza but one of them will not arrive on time for today’s celebration. It is unknown whose statue did not arrive and when it will get to Ruston.

We are under a week away from LSU’s game against Florida State. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 ahead of their Labor Day matchup, and the game is also a rematch from last year when the Seminoles won 24-23. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says Florida State will be relying heavily on quarterback Jordan Travis even though Horne does not think he is the best.

Cut 19 (17) “…not great.”

Horne has continuously been at LSU’s fall practices and he says after seeing them, they will be able to protect returning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Cut 20 (12) “…right now.”

Saints Coach Dennis Allen said to the media that he does not expect to see quarterback Derek Carr or many other starters take the field in their final preseason game against the Texans. The Saints have seen production in the preseason so far from their rookies and free-agent acquisitions, and Allen says that he feels very confident in this year’s Saints team.

Cut 28 (14) “…our team.”

Allen is entering his second year as the team’s head coach, and captain linebacker Demario Davis says that this is the most comfortable Allen has been since joining the team almost a decade ago.

Cut 19 (17) “…that are undisclosed.

The Saints are mourning the death of former defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell. He was 78 and helped develop the great line backing group of the 1980’s and 90’s known as the Dome Patrol, with Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, and Vaughn Johnson. The coordinator was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Saints defense has been led by Coach Dennis Allen since linebacker Demario Davis arrived in New Orleans in 2018. Allen was the defensive coordinator for the team until last year when he became the head coach, and Davis says the defense’s success starts with Allen.

Cut 20 (13) “…game situation.”

Last year the Saints defense was 5th in yards allowed and in sacks, and will once again be led by Davis. The Saints third and final preseason game is this Sunday at 7 p.m. against the Texans and their first regular season game is on Sept. 10 against the Titans.

The wait is almost over for Louisiana Tech football to take the field for their first game of 2023 season. La Tech takes on Conference USA rival Florida International tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Ruston. Last year’s La Tech offense finished middle of the road in the Conference USA in total yards, and second year coach Sonny Cumbie says how graduate transfer quarterback Hank Bachmeier and him have been able to stay on the same page to put them over the top.

Cut 17 (18) “…comfort with it.”

Off the football field, La Tech was set to unveil the A-L Williams Champions Plaza tonight, but the schools says of the six statues has not made it to Ruston.

The Ragin Cajun athletic programs have agreed to contract extensions with their men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin and softball coach Gerry Glasco. Both coaches led their teams to Sun Belt tournament championships in 2022.