20 years ago, today Louisiana saw its second devastating hurricane in less than a month when Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish. The storm produced widespread damage across southwest Louisiana. Retired Major General John Basilica was the commander of Louisiana National Guard’s storm operations and says like with Katrina, they had to perform search and rescue operations, but thankfully more assistance was available.

Cut 6 (07) “…getting it.”

Basilica says it was not until February 2006 until the National Guard restored all authority and responsibility back to civilian authorities.

Pope Leo XIV has named the person who will step in to fill Archbishop Gregory Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans’ role. New Jersey native, Most Reverend James Checchio is named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans assisting Archbishop Aymond until his retirement.

Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending lease deals on related properties like the state’s leasing of space in Benson Tower. Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says the state sees that as two different issues, but it is a way for the state to support the Saints. The current Superdome lease agreement ends in 2030 and Duncan doesn’t see a world where the Saints relocate to another city, but he says neither side is planning to back down.

Cut 12 (07) “…to be.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk – not documented in Louisiana more than three decades. Furbearer, Jennifer Manuel says the eastern spotted skunk is very good at pest control.

Cut 14 (08) “…sort of thing.”

Manuel asks, if you see an eastern spotted skunk, take a picture and send it to LDWF.

That state has issued a permit to Sempra Infrastructure for the first carbon storage well in Louisiana. It will be located beneath Black Lake in Cameron Parish and Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says Sempra needs to know the geology in the area to build the storage well.

Cut 8 (14) “…the zone underground.”

According to NOLA.com Superdome lease negotiations have stalled Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says there’s major disagreement between the state and the Saints. As part of the current lease agreement, the state has rented office space in Benson Tower since 2010 at $32.50 per square foot compared to the New Orleans average of $20.67 per square foot. Duncan says the agreement is a way to for the state to financially support the Saints….

Cut 11 (12) “…that support”

Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Rita flooded low-lying areas of southwest Louisiana with its storm surge and produced more power outages to a state struggling to get back on its feet from Katrina. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk. The species hasn’t been documented in Louisiana in more than three decades and the department wants to help biologists determine the current distribution and needs of the species. Furbearer Biologist, Jennifer Manuel says it’s the smallest species of skunk with a distinctive pattern of white spots on a black coat and unique behavior.

Cut 13 (14)  “…scare away predators.”

Louisiana’s first carbon storage well is coming to Cameron Parish. Sempra Infrastructure received a Class Six permit to inject around two-million metric tons of carbon dioxide beneath Black Lake every year for up to 20 years. Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says these are the most restrictive permits the department grants.

Cut 7 (16) “…inject the carbon.”

Pope Leo XIV has named the person who will step in to fill Archbishop Gregory Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans’ role. New Jersey native, Most Reverend James Checchio is named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans assisting Archbishop Aymond until his retirement.

NOLA.com is reporting the Superdome lease negotiations are at standstill between the Saints and the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Today is the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Rita’s landfall in Cameron Parish. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29^th in Plaquemines Parish, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. On September 21^st, Rita entered the Gulf becoming a Category Five storm before weakening to a Category Three before making landfall in southwest Louisiana on September 24^th. Retired Major General John Basilica says the preparation for the storm was well done, despite the tough circumstances…

Cut 5 (09) “…listened.”

20 years ago today, Hurricane Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish producing widespread damage across southwest Louisiana as the state was still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina. Retired Major General John Basilica was the commander of Louisiana National Guard’s storm operations in Louisiana and says it was difficult to respond to two natural disasters at the same time…

Cut 4 (10) “…supporting us.”

He says like Katrina, they had to perform search and rescue operations, but more assistance was available.

NOLA.com reports that the Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending deals regarding related properties such as Benson Tower, Champions Square and the Saints practice facility. Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says that state and the Saints are in the midst of a major disagreement.

Cut 10 (10) “…separate deals.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk so that biologists can determine the current distribution and conservation needs of the species. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana approves its first-ever carbon storage well. The state issued Sempra Infrastructure a Class Six permit to inject an estimated two-million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year for up to 20 years underneath Black Lake in Cameron Parish. Patrick Courreges (cur-RAHJ) with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources says these permits are the most restrictive permits and the well will need to be carefully monitored.

Cut 9 (06)  “…injection zone.”

President Trump says pregnant women who take Tylenol increase the chances of their babies having autism. Senator Bill Cassisy, however, says the most reputable of studies have shown no connection between the two. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says when in doubt, don’t listen to politicians – always trust your doctor.

Cut 8 (09) “…to your OB.”

An Allen Parish man is behind bars after allegedly setting ten fires along Louisiana Highway 26. Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 67-year-old Bradley Montou was booked into the Allen Parish jail on ten counts of simple arson, and his bond is set at 75-thousand dollars.

Cut 13 (09)  “…more fires.”

The State of Louisiana has a stern warning for litterbugs – we’re not putting up with your garbage anymore! Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking you to be on the lookout for the eastern spotted skunk. It’s a species that hasn’t officially been documented in the state in more than three decades. LDWF says if you see one, simply snap a photo and email it to them.

The last time LSU played Ole Miss in Oxford, the Rebels won a shootout, 55 to 49. The Tigers’ defense allowed a single game record of 706 yards. LSU Coach Brian Kelly brings a better defense to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this time, but Kelly says his offense will still be needed to score…

Cut 20 (15) “…in the SEC.”

LSU’s defense will have to prepare for two quarterbacks as the Rebels could play both Trinidad Chambliss and Austin Simmons.

Ahead of the top-15 matchup between the Tigers and the Rebel, head coach Lane Kiffin’s daughter, Landry Kiffin, hard-launched her relationship with LSU junior linebacker Whit Weeks on Instagram. The Ole Miss head coach reacted on X, advising betters to take the over in points.

In New Orleans beatdown in Seattle, the Saints trailed 38-6 at halftime against the Seahawks. The 38 points are the most New Orleans has allowed in the first half in franchise history. Head coach Kellen Moore is eager to see how his team responds to blowout loss…

Cut 17 (16)  “…get it done now.”

It won’t get any easier for the Saints this week as the black and gold travel to Buffalo to face the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, and the undefeated Bills on Sunday.

And NOLA.com is reporting the Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending deals regarding related properties, such as the Benson Tower, Champions Square and the Saints practice facility. According to Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan, the state wants a lease agreement on the Superdome only and draw up separate lease deals for the other properties, while the Saints prefer all of it under one lease agreement.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing back on President Trump’s notion that autism can be linked to women taking acetaminophen while pregnant. The Republican Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s important to note that no study has explicitly said that taking the drug, most commonly sold under the Tylenol brand, CAUSES autism.

Cut 6 (08) “…that it’s associated.”

The State of Louisiana has a stern warning for litterbugs: We’re not taking your trash anymore! Harahan Representative John Illg authored the new state law that beefs up enforcement of the state’s anti-littering enforcement efforts.

Cut 3 (07) “…enforce litter laws.”

Fines for littering range from 175 dollars for simple littering on a first offense up to one-thousand dollars for gross littering – dumping large amounts of trash or having an illegal dump site.

If you order shrimp from a restaurant in Monroe or Ruston, chances are it will be imported. SeaD Consulting recently did genetic testing on shrimp from 24 restaurants in the area and found that every single one of them was serving imported shrimp – including seven which claimed that the shrimp was caught in the Gulf of Mexico. SeaD Consulting Founder Dave Williams says especially with the increase in radioactive material being found in imported shrimp, that’s a huge issue.

Cut 10 (14) “…issue to me.”

An Allen Parish man is facing multiple counts of arson after he allegedly set ten fires along Louisiana Highway 26. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says 67-year-old Bradley Montou set the fires on September 15th…

Cut 12 (10) “…the highway.”

President Trump is urging pregnant mothers not to take Tylenol because there is a connection between acetaminophen use and autism. Senator Bill Cassidy would like the President to release data backing up those claims, because a study out of Sweden, in which they followed two-million people, found that this is not the case…

Cut 7 (12) “…Tylenol and autism”

It seems that restaurants in the Monroe and Ruston areas need work in telling diners about the source of their shrimp. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting went to 24 restaurants, and Founder David Williams said none of them said anything about the possibility of their shrimp being imported, as required by law.

Cut 9 (13)  “…we went to.”

SeaD Consulting did genetic testing on the shrimp from all 24 restaurants and found that every single one of them was serving imported shrimp – including seven where the server told them that their shrimp was caught in the Gulf.

Fourth ranked LSU is preparing for its matchup against 13^th ranked Ole Miss in Oxford on Saturday. Sophomore running back Caden Durham injured his ankle in the win over Southeastern Louisiana and Coach Brian Kelly provided this update …

Cut 19 (15) “…the week”

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser is asking citizens to step up and report littering and illegal dumping to the litter hotline at 855-LA-Litter. Fines for littering range from 175 dollars for simple littering on a first offense up to one-thousand dollars for gross littering. Nungesser says if you think those fines are stiff, think about what littering costs the state.

Cut 5 (10) “…on other things.”

A recent study found that 68-percent of Louisianans want more litter enforcement.

The state of Louisiana is cracking down on littering with increased enforcement efforts. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says a new law gives State Park Rangers the jurisdiction to enforce state litter laws. Nungesser is also urging citizens to report to the litter hotline at 855—LA-Litter…

Cut 4 (11) “…likely to litter”

Those convicted of litter violations face fines between 175 to one-thousand dollars and up to eight hours in a litter abatement work program.

President Trump is urging pregnant women not to take Tylenol, because of a link between acetaminophen use and autism. Senator Bill Cassidy says when in doubt, don’t listen to politicians on television or anything you read on the internet, especially on social media – always trust your doctor.

Cut 8 (09) “…to your OB.”

SeaD Consulting did genetic testing on shrimp from  24 restaurants in Ruston and Monroe and found that every single one of them was serving imported shrimp – including seven where the server told them that their shrimp was caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Founder David Williams says especially with the increase in radioactive material being found in imported shrimp, that’s a huge issue

Cut 10 (14) “…issue to me.”

It’s also against state law to serve imported shrimp and not advertise it.

An Allen Parish man is facing multiple counts of arson after he allegedly set ten fires along Louisiana Highway 26. Louisiana Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says quick actions by the Agriculture and Forestry fire crew personnel and aircraft minimized the damage from these fires. He says with the dry conditions, these fires could have gotten out of hand…

Cut 14 (09) “…wildfire.”

67-year-old Bradley Montou was booked into the Allen Parish jail on ten counts of simple arson and his bond is set at 75-thousand dollars.

The State of Louisiana has a stern warning for litterbugs – we’re not putting up with your garbage anymore! Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The U-S News and World Report has released its 2026 college rankings and LSU has moved up ten spots to number 169. Tulane is the state’s highest ranked university at 69, La Tech 318, ULM 358 and U-L Lafayette 373. Northwestern State is ranked as the Top Public School in Louisiana among regional universities.

SeaD Consulting went to 24 seafood restaurants in the Monroe and Ruston areas and in every case, the restaurant did not advertise it was serving foreign shrimp, which is required by state law. Founder of SeaD consulting, David Williams, neglecting to inform customers that the shrimp they are cooking is foreign happens a lot more in north Louisiana as opposed to south Louisiana…

Cut 11 (07) “….drop down significantly”

An Allen Parish man is facing ten counts of arson after he allegedly set ten fires along Louisiana Highway 26 near Oberlin. Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 67-year-old Bradley Montou was booked into the Allen Parish jail and his bond is set at 75-thousand dollars…

Cut 13 (09) “….more fires”

Strain says quick actions by the Agriculture and Forestry fire crew personnel and aircraft minimized the damage from these fires.