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.”

Governor Edwards, along with State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain and State Fire Marshall Dan Wallis, says the wildfires are still a threat despite the recent rains. And while the statewide burn ban doesn’t include cooking outdoors, Edwards asked residents to refrain…

Cut 6 (09) “…for that.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves introduced a bill to stop unsafe illegally produced shrimp from reaching U.S. consumers and flooding the market. Graves says this bill helps level the playing field for local shrimpers. He says shrimping is part of the state’s culture and is much healthier than imported shrimp.

Cut 5 (11) “…our economy.” 

The legislation also builds on Graves’s previous efforts to give the USDA the authority to purchase domestic shrimp to supply schools, food banks, and disaster relief programs.

The wildfires in Beauregard Parish have prompted Merryville Police to alert residents to be on the lookout for wild animals that may have retreated inside the town limits. So far this month there have been 600 wildfires in the state, and more are expected.

A German company submitted the winning bid to develop plans to produce wind electricity off of Louisiana’s coast. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Despite recent rains, Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is still under red flag conditions with the drought. Edwards says he fears that the excessive wildfires in Louisiana could become the new norm. As he does during hurricane season, Edwards encourages residents to be prepared…

Cut 8 (12) “…and so forth.”

Edwards, along with the State Fire Marshal urged residents to abide by the burn ban and to forgo grilling outdoors during the extreme conditions as a precaution. Edwards says with tailgating season also beginning, higher education institutions have been asked to prohibit on-campus grilling. So far an estimated 60,000 acres and two people have been wildfire casualties fueled in part by the triple-digit temperatures and one of the worst droughts on record.

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has introduced bipartisan legislation to stop unsafe illegally produced shrimp from reaching U.S. consumers and flooding the market. He says the bill helps level the playing field and that foreign-raised shrimp producers must play by the rules.

Cut 4 (11) “…about marketing.”

R-W-E Offshore U-S Gulf has won a bid to develop wind energy in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico about 44 miles from Lake Charles. Two areas designated for wind energy development off the coast of Galveston, Texas did not receive a single bid. Helen Rose Patterson, with the National Wildlife Federation, says Louisiana has shown a greater interest in wind energy from the Gulf than Texas…

Cut 10 (12) “…for the region”

Despite recent rains, Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is still under red flag conditions with the drought Edwards says he fears that excessive wildfires in Louisiana could become the new norm. As he does during hurricane season, Edwards encourages residents to be prepared…

Cut 8 (12) “…and so forth.”

Edwards, along with the State Fire Marshal urged residents to abide by the burn ban and to forgo grilling outdoors during the extreme conditions as a precaution.  Edwards says with tailgating season also beginning higher education institutions have been asked to prohibit on-campus grilling. So far, an estimated 60,000 acres and two people have been wildfire casualties fueled in part by the triple-digit temperatures and one of the worst droughts on record.

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has introduced bipartisan legislation to stop unsafe illegally produced shrimp from reaching U.S. consumers and flooding the market. He says the bill helps level the playing field and that foreign-raised shrimp producers must play by the rules.

Cut 4 (11) “…about marketing.”

R-W-E Offshore U-S Gulf wins a bid to develop wind energy in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico about 44 miles from Lake Charles. Two areas designated for wind energy development off the coast of Galveston, Texas did not receive a single bid. Helen Rose Patterson, with the National Wildlife Federation, says Louisiana has shown a greater interest in wind energy from the Gulf than Texas…

Cut 10 (12) “…for the region”

Governor Edwards continues to urge residents to abide by the burn ban and he’s also asking individuals not to fire up the grill.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU has appointed Brad Ives as the new executive director of LSU’s Institute for Energy Innovation. Ives has served as the executive director of the Center for the Environment at Catawba College in North Carolina since 2022. Ives has experience working with traditional oil and gas companies and green energy companies. Ives will join LSU in October.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves introduced a bill to stop unsafe illegally produced shrimp from reaching U.S. consumers and flooding the market. Graves says this bill helps level the playing field for local shrimpers. He says shrimping is part of the state’s culture and is much healthier than imported shrimp.

Cut 5 (11) “ ..our economy.” 

R-W-E Offshore U-S Gulf wins a bid to develop wind energy in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Helen Rose Patterson, senior campaign manager for wind energy with the National Wildlife Federation, says we are still several years away from wind energy in the gulf providing electricity to customers on land…

Cut 11 (11) “…of that.”

RWE says its Gulf project is expected to be online by the mid-2030s.

Governor Edwards, along with State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain and State Fire Marshall Dan Wallis, says wildfires are still a huge concern despite recent rainfall. Edward urges the public to refrain from cooking outdoors

Cut 6 (09) “…for that.”

So far, an estimated 60,000 acres and two people have been wildfire casualties fueled in part by the triple-digit temperatures and one of the worst droughts on record.

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.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves and Florida Representative Kathy Castor introduced bipartisan legislation that will help stop unsafe foreign-produced shrimp from reaching buyers in the U-S and taking over the market. Graves says foreign shrimp are harmful to the consumer and cannot be allowed to take over our market.

Cut 3 (12) “…our economy.”

R-W-E Offshore U-S Gulf has won a bid to develop a wind project in federal waters near Lake Charles in the Gulf of Mexico. RWE offered the highest bid of five-point-six million dollars for 102 thousand acres. National Wildlife Federation Senior Campaign Manager Helen Rose Patterson

Cut 9 (13) “…paying off”

Governor Edwards, along with State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain and State Fire Marshall Dan Wallis, are reminding individuals that despite the recent rains’ the wildfires remain a threat. With Labor Day weekend upon us and football season kicking off, Wallis urged residents instead of cooking outdoors to patronize a local restaurant because firing up the grill can be potentially dangerous right now.

Cut 7 (09) “…like this.” 

So far, an estimated 60,000 acres and two people have been wildfire casualties fueled in part by the triple-digit temperatures and one of the worst droughts on record. Strain says the state needs at least three to four inches of rain because the ground is extremely dry about a foot deep and is basically a tinderbox. And even with the statewide burn ban in effect, there have been multiple violations.

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has introduced bipartisan legislation to stop unsafe illegally produced shrimp from reaching U-S consumers and flooding the market. He says the bill helps level the playing field and that foreign-raised shrimp producers must play by the rules.

Cut 4 (11) “…about marketing.”

R-W-E Offshore U-S Gulf has won a bid to develop wind energy in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico about 44 miles from Lake Charles. Two areas designated for wind energy development off the coast of Galveston, Texas did not receive a single bid. Helen Rose Patterson, with the National Wildlife Federation, says Louisiana has shown a greater interest in wind energy from the Gulf than Texas…

Cut 10 (12) “…for the region”