Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Beauregard Parish later today to get a first hand look at the response efforts as a massive wildfire has resulted in the mandatory evacuation of the town of Merryville and other areas of Beauregard Parish. The Tiger Island Fire has burned more than 13-thousand acres.

How it started is unknown. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain promises to hold people who start those fires responsible…
cut 7 (11) “…full restitution”
Southwest Louisiana is suffering from extreme drought conditions according to the U-S Drought monitor. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will take a lot of rain to make up for the dryness…
cut 15 (12) “…the news”

Tim Temple is gearing up to be Louisiana’s next insurance commissioner. His lone opponent dropped out of the race last week so Temple is insurance commissioner-elect. Temple says setting up a regulatory environment that invites insurance companies to do business in Louisiana will be the key…
cut 6 (12) “….Louisiana” (2x)

Navy Ship’s Cook First Class Clarence Thompson will be laid to rest today in Slidell, more than 80 years after his life ended in the attack on Pearl Harbor. His cousin Denise Bennett says the Navy is paying for Thompsons burial and the family chose to have him buried at the Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery. Bennett says it’s just another example of how the military leaves no man behind…
cut 12 (07) “…to family”

In Beauregard Parish, residents in Merryville and the surrounding area were told to leave immediately late yesterday afternoon as the Tiger Island Fire was within two miles of the town. Evacuations have also been ordered in Vernon Parish in the Evans area and B Johnson road.

People who are responsible for starting wildfires will be held liable according to State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Scorching temperatures and dry conditions have placed 90 percent of Louisiana in some type of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is updated every Thursday. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 13 (12) “…July first”
The drought monitor shows 44-percent of the state in extreme drought. That most of south Louisiana and the Alexandria area and western parishes like Sabine and Vernon.

We are 50 days until the October 14th primary and Tim Temple is already the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner-elect as his lone opponent dropped out of the race last week. Temple says he’s been meeting with stakeholders to find solutions to the insurance crisis and he doesn’t want to rush to failure with a half-baked plan…
cut 5 (08) “…..change nothing” (2x)
Temple says he wants to make Louisiana attractive for insurance companies to do business in the state, but the regulatory environment also needs to be consumer friendly.

Things have taken a turn for the worse in Beauregard Parish and residents in the town of Merryville are being asked to evacuate immediately as the Tiger Island Fire is within two miles of the town. A storm with 30-mile-per-hour winds only helped the fire spread. Authorities say the fire has grown more intense and is moving quickly.

People who are responsible for starting fires will be held liable according to State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

While firefighters continue to battle wildfires in Beauregard Parish, crews are rushing to the scene of another large blaze in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite. Crews have responded to 357 wildfires this month alone. Governor Edwards is imploring residents to abide by the burn ban and asking citizens to even refrain from cooking outdoors and lighting fire pits at this time because fire crews are stretched thin, and the extreme drought is causing outbreaks to quickly get out of control.

Pearl Harbor Sailor and New Orleans native Clarence Thompson will be buried in Slidell Friday morning, more than 80 years after the December 7^th attack on the USS Oklahoma. His cousin Denise Bennett says they are extremely grateful for the lengths the military went to in identifying his remains.

Cut 10 (08) “…his family.”

The 11am funeral at Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery is open to the public.

The Tiger Island wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85-percent contained. The only structures that have been destroyed in the blaze are camps and deer stands. And while the increase in containment is welcome news, Shannon Burgess with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says the slightest spark could change things in an instant and he’s imploring residents to abide by the statewide burn ban.
Cut 11 (07) “…message out.”
A change in wind direction last night caused the fire to jump across Highway 27 but that has since been contained and Highway 27 has reopened.

There’s smoke in the air from the wildfires. DEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says the public can keep track of air quality by going to D-E-Q’s website and looking at the air quality index which is color coded. He says for today, the entire state is in yellow for moderate smoky conditions…
Cut 4 (07) “…avoid exposure”

A poll of 800 likely voters finds that crime, education and rising insurance rates are the top three concerns of Louisiana residents. 51-percent of the respondents said they wanted state leaders to get tough on crime. PAR President Steven Procopio says voters should step up and demand that the gubernatorial candidates provide solutions to the state’s problems…
Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”
Procopio says so far we’ve mostly heard rhetoric from the candidates.

LSU will not have one of its top players for the season opener against Florida State. The NCAA has suspended defensive tackle Maason Smith for receiving an improper benefit. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says Smith’s absence will be a factor as he was expected to provide pressure up the middle against FSU QB Jordan Travis…
Cut 13 (11) “…Bradyn Swinson”
The Tigers will play the Seminoles on September 3rd.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Department reports the Tiger Island Fire which has destroyed more than 13-thousand acres in southwest Louisiana is now 85-percent contained. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Shannon Burgess says the fire crossed over Highway 27 last night…
cut 10 (11) “…could happen”
Burgess says Highways 27 and 110 have reopened.

The wildfires across the state have produced some smokey air. Because of the Tiger Island Fire, southwest Louisiana is impacted the most. Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Greg Langley says these conditions could last for awhile…
cut 5 (09) “….some time”
For today, the air index quality is moderate for what is known as particulate matter released by smoke.

In a new poll by Faucheux Strategies, crime, education and rising insurance rates are the three biggest concerns among Louisiana voters….
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The National Hurricane Center is keeping its eye on a broad area of low pressure in the Pacific Ocean that’s expected to cross over central America and into the Caribbean Sea. The disturbance is expected to keep heading north and there’s a medium chance it will develop into a tropical depression or storm in the Gulf of Mexico within the next week.

LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith has been suspended for the first game of the year against Florida State for taking improper benifts. The violation happened before players could take full advantage of name image and likeness. The advocate’s Wilson Alexander broke the story and says Smith will be very hard to replace.

Cut 13 (10) “…Brayden Swinson.”

The Saints are practicing for the preseason finale against the Texans, and the team is hoping to see their star wide receiver, Michael Thomas, return to form. He has been battling injuries after his 2019 season that earned him the title as the NFL’s offensive player of the year, and Coach Dennis Allen says they are seeing the Michael Thomas of old.

Cut 26 (14) “…it’s been good.”

Cornerback Alontae Taylor has been competing with Paulson Adebo all off-season for the second press corner spot. Taylor says that one way he can improve is by getting reps against young wide receiver Chris Olave.

Cut 17 (15) “…same thing.”

La Tech head football coach Sonny Cumbie is entering his second year with the team, and he says he seen the roster grow with many of the players being with the Bulldogs for more than just this season ahead of their game against FIU.

Cut 27 (12) “…have here, so.”

Ragin Cajun basketball head coach Bob Marlin has agreed to a three year extension with the team. He lead last year’s team to a Sun Belt conference championship, and the contract will keep him in Lafayette through the 2026-27 season.

Ragin Cajun softball coach Gerry Glasco has been extended through the 2028 season after winning his fourth consecutive Sun Belt conference regular season and tournament title.

Smoke-filled skies due to wildfires burning across the state have become a concern. Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Greg Langley says smoke can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory issues.

Cut 3 (12) “…breathing problems”

Langley says the public can track air quality by going to D-E-Q’s website. The state is currently in yellow for moderate smoky conditions.

A new poll by Faucheux Strategies finds crime is a top concern among 18 percent of Louisiana voters. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says gubernatorial candidates have not yet addressed any of the voter’s concerns…

Cut 7 (08) “…the candidates.” 

The second biggest concern for Louisiana voters is education followed by rising insurance rates.

Today, the wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85 percent contained compared to 65 percent contained on Wednesday. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shannon Burgess says last night the blaze crossed over Highway 27.

Cut 9 (11) “…loss of life.”

Highways 27 and 110 have reopened but evacuation orders remain in effect.

LSU will not have one of its top players for the season opener against Florida State. The NCAA has suspended defensive tackle Maason Smith for receiving an improper benefit. Wilson Alexander from the Advocate broke the story and says the infraction occurred before college athletes could take advantage of NIL…

Cut 12 (10) “…g0tten hurt”

Officials say the wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85 percent contained but evacuation orders remain in effect. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tiger Island Wildfire..
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And the governor’s office has announced that FEMA has approved Louisiana’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help with wildfire fighting efforts in Beauregard Parish. The request was approved due to the threat to lives, homes, property and critical facilities near Merryville.

A poll of 800 likely voters finds that crime, education and rising insurance rates are the top three concerns of Louisiana residents. 51-percent of the respondents said they wanted state leaders to get tough on crime. PAR President Steven Procopio says voters should step up and demand that the gubernatorial candidates provide solutions to the state’s problems…
Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”
Procopio says so far we’ve mostly heard rhetoric from the candidates.

Last night, news broke that star LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith will be suspended for the season opener against Florida State because he participated in a autograph signing before NIL was legal in college athletics. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander broke the story, but he says LSU has known about the suspension…
cut 14 (06) “…for that”
The Tigers and Seminoles play each other September 3rd in Orlando.

The Tiger Island wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85-percent contained. The only structures that have been destroyed in the blaze are deer stands. And while the increase in containment is welcome news, Shannon Burgess with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says the slightest spark could change things in an instant and he’s imploring residents to abide by the statewide burn ban.

Cut 11 (07) “…message out.”

A change in wind direction last night caused the fire to jump across Highway 27 but that has since been contained and Highway 27 has reopened.

So far more than 13,000 acres have burned in Beauregard Parish. Officials are urging residents to follow the statewide burn ban. Associate State Forester Epney Brasher….

cut 30 (12) “…could be a hazard”

A new poll finds crime is the biggest concern among Louisiana voters. Faucheux Strategies surveyed 800 Louisiana residents and 18 percent listed crime as their top concern. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the gubernatorial candidates are promoting tough-on-crime rhetoric, but voters want specific ideas.

Cut 6 (08) “… their solutions.” 

The second biggest concern for voters is education followed by insurance rates.

LSU will not have one of its top players for the season opener against Florida State. The NCAA has suspended defensive tackle Maason Smith for receiving an improper benefit. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says Smith’s absence will be a factor as he was expected to provide pressure up the middle against FSU QB Jordan Travis…

Cut 13 (11) “…Bradyn Swinson”

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Department reports the Tiger Island Fire which has destroyed more than 13-thousand acres in southwest Louisiana is now 85-percent contained. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Shannon Burgess says the fire crossed over Highway 27 last night…
cut 10 (11) “…could happen”
Burgess says Highways 27 and 110 have reopened.

Today will be another day where the high temperature will exceed 100-degrees. Office of Public Health Deputy Assistant Secretary Devin George says know the signs of heat-related illness…
cut 5 (12) “….of time”
The state office of public health says 25 people have died from heat related illnesses since June.

LSU will not have one of its top players for the season opener against Florida State. The NCAA has suspended defensive tackle Maason Smith for receiving an improper benefit. Wilson Alexander from the Advocate broke the story and says the infraction occurred before college athletes could take advantage of NIL…
Cut 12 (10) “…g0tten hurt”
Wilson says the NCAA also said Smith had to serve the one-game suspension for the season opener.

The polls on the governor’s race are showing Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson will likely face each other in a run-off. All of the other candidates are polling in the single digits. Pollster Ron Faucheux says time is running out for one of these other candidates to make a move…
cut 15 (10) “..the past”