Some much-needed rainfall fell across parts of the state over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish but Strain says they are also fighting some big fires in and around Kisatchie National Forest and Fort Polk…

Cut 4 (10) “…damage happens”

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for 1998 Metairie shooting. Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says at Neal’s trial he was represented by an attorney who was completely unprepared.

Cut 8 (11) “…as the shooter.”

She says if the state does not seek a rehearing of the case, Neal will return to Jefferson Parish and face a new trial.

As mortgage rates climb the housing market has cooled but Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a home is affordable homeowners’ insurance. He’s hopeful a new governor, legislature, and a new Insurance Commissioner can create policies and legislation that bring more insurers to the state.

Cut 14 (08) “…property insurance.” 

Typically, in the summertime restaurant business tends to dwindle, and the relentless heat hasn’t helped. Stan Harris, President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says that many owners are worried the heat and drought have hurt the cattle industry and how it will impact beef and dairy prices.

Cut 6 (12) “…as well.”

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.

The battle continues against multiple wildfires in Louisiana. In St. Tammany Parish, an 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning debris piles, was found unconscious within a burned area of her property. She died at a New Orleans hospital.

Mortgage rates have pushed to a 22-year high but homeowner insurance rates might be a bigger factor when it comes to purchasing a home. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 3 (32) …I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A federal appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal. He was on death row for his role in a double homicide inside a Metairie home in 1998. Greg Vickers and Fergus Robinson were killed. Neal’s attorney Cecelia Kappel says her client was poorly represented in the original trial
Cut 7 (11) “…fair trial.”
It’s up to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office on whether they will drop the charges or pursue a new trial.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says inflation remains too high. How has that impacted the restaurant industry? President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says restaurants continue to battle high prices…
cut 5 (12) “…years ago”

Crews continue to respond to wildfires on the western side of the state. The largest is the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish, which has burned about 33-thousand acres according to the state department of ag and forestry. That’s the largest wildfire ever recorded in Louisiana. Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford says 20 structures have been destroyed, most of them homes. Herford says they have fire fighting assistance from other states, but the winds keep shifting…
Cut 16 (16) “…week now.”
Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon. But the mandatory evacuation order for the town of Merryville has been lifted.

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal. Brooke Thorington reports Neal was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a double fatal shooting in Metairie in 1998.
Cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As we’ve reported in previous newscasts much of the state is in extreme drought. But LSU AgCenter Entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says the lack of rainfall has resulted in fewer mosquitos and fire ants…
Cut 10 (06) “…less of them.”

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.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon to get a firsthand look at the response to numerous wildfires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. 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”

The statewide burn ban was updated on Friday afternoon taking out the exceptions for prescribed burns, so agricultural burns are not allowed either.

An Independence man was arrested Friday and faces charges for the fire-raising on another’s land by criminal negligence and violation of the fire marshal’s order.

The Department of Agriculture says Ryan Miller faces charges in connection with a wildfire in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite.

In Vernon Parish, Paul Nash has been arrested and charged with two counts of arson, and violation of the state’s burn ban. Sheriff Sam Craft says the suspect lit a brush pile in his backyard and it quickly got out of control.

Cut 7 (07) “…that critical.” 

Craft says there’s no excuse for setting a blaze in these conditions.

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

Cut 12 (08) “…at initially.”
If you want to donate  to the fire relief, go to UnitedwaySWLA.org or text FIRE SWLA to 40403.
 

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.