Deputies in Sabine Parish say a spark from a downed utility pole triggered the wildfire that’s burned over 2100 acres near the town of Florien. They also report the flames have been contained. Ashley Rodrigue with the state Fire Marshal’s Office says they are now assisting local first responders with assessing immediate needs and securing them…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…first responders.”

She asks us all to observe the statewide open burn, amid all this heat and drought.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame is partnering with the LPB to broadcast the Hall of Fame ceremony for residents to see their favorite athletes and coaches be honored as new members of the 2023 class. LPB’s Linda Midgett describes what viewers can expect…:

CUT 12  (12)        “…real of it.”

Tonight at 7 PM on LPB.

State Police are investigating a fatal 3-vehicle crash in St. James Parish Monday evening. Trooper Chris Reed says an SUV, driven by 31-year-old Destiny Scott, was hit from behind while southbound on U.S. 61. The impact knocked her into oncoming traffic where she collided with a pickup and went off the road and into a ditch. She died at the scene. Reed says it’s not yet known if she was properly restrained…:

CUT 07  (06)        “…the crash.”

The accident happened on Highway 61 just north of state highway 3274.

Deputies in East Baton Rouge parish say a body was retrieved Monday night from the Mississippi River; not far from the LSU campus. The coroner says the body appeared to have been in the water for “an extended period of time.” Deputies said there were no obvious signs of foul play.

Shreveport Police say a weekend double homicide at a local vape store was a robbery attempt gone wrong. Two men were shot and killed when customers armed themselves and returned fire. SPD is still investigating.

Wildfires in Sabine Parish that raged in an area east of the town of Florien have been brought under control. Officials say a command center has been set up at the Florien Fire Station, where water and food is available for anyone who has been displaced by the fires. Ashley Rodrigue, with the state Fire Marshal’s office, says crews are watching carefully for any new sparks or restarts…:

CUT 09(12)      “…contained.”

A three-vehicle crash in St. James Parish claims the life of a 31-year-old Gramercy woman. Trooper Christian Reed says just before 5 PM Monday, a Toyota sedan traveling behind Destiny Scott’s Hyundai SUV on Highway 61 south struck her car from behind; sending it into oncoming traffic, where it hit a pickup that was traveling north…:

CUT 06(11)      “…the roadway.”

She was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The University of New Orleans will launch six online graduate programs designed to meet the needs of working adults looking for an alternative to traditional on-campus education. Associate Vice President of Graduate Schools Nancy Biggio says this will allow the university to expand its current programs and meet working adults where they are…:

CUT 03(12)      “…new goals.”

Go to “UNO.edu” to find out more.

…and now a look at today’s commodities….

The Saints have signed running back Darrel Williams to the team for the 2023 season. Williams played his first four seasons with the Chiefs where he was on the team that won Super Bowl 54 and played last year with the Cardinals. He will most likely be filling in for rookie running back Kendre Miller who was injured in the 26-24 preseason win against the Chiefs on Sunday.

The AP poll was released and LSU comes in at No. 5, their highest preseason ranking since 2016. LSU’s Week 1 opponent Florida State was ranked at No. 8. The Labor Day matchup will be the only top 10 matchup of the weekend.

LSU safety Greg Brooks Jr. was a leader of the defense last season but has not been on the practice field recently due to a medical condition, and he says what he has been dealing with and when he will be back.

Cut 26 (12) “…about that.”

More LSU football players will be talking to the media today and for the latest updates go to TigerRag.com and check out the latest Tiger Rag Audibles podcast.

The Ragin Cajun are also back at practice for fall camp and quarterback Ben Wooldridge says what he needs to improve for the team.

Cut 19 (12) “…to do it.”

Wooldridge also noticed that there are better conversations on and off the field compared to last year. He says what those talks sound like this year and how it is one of their biggest changes.

Cut 20 (11) “…with everybody.”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is partnering with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to premiere special highlights of the new members in the class. The members of the class include two time Super Bowl MVP, Eli manning, WNBA All Star Alana Beard and College World Series winner baseball coach Paul Mainieri are just three of the names that will be honored.

The broadcast will play today at 7 pm and will stream live on WWW.lpb.org or the LPB app.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a State of Emergency due to extreme heat and dry conditions across the state. Spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Mike Steele, says this is an administrative step that authorizes the use in emergency response efforts..

Cut 13 (09) “…to take place.”

The heat has been responsible for some deaths and visits to emergency rooms have already exceeded the yearly average.

Right now, the Acadiana Region of the Department of Health is hosting a drive to collect hygiene products for students in Iberia and Vermilion Parishes. Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tina Stefanski says items will be collected and delivered to schools throughout Acadiana. She hopes the community joins the efforts of supplying essential hygiene products…

Cut 6 (11)  “…all schools.”

Stefanski says only new and unused items will be accepted. Items can be dropped off at libraries and health units in Iberia and Vermillion Parishes.

While the national average for a gallon of regular gas is the highest it’s been in 10 months at $3.85, in Louisiana, prices have remained steady. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two children died early Monday after the car they were riding in was rear-ended by a semi-truck then caught fire in Richland Parish. State Police say the car was slowing to turn left on Highway 42 in Rayville when the semi driven by 70-year-old James Barnes crashed into the back causing the vehicle to catch fire. A 9-year-old and 7-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. 11:30

A Denham Springs woman has filed a lawsuit against her ex-wife challenging custody of their child. This is the first child custody battle between a divorced same-sex couple in Livingston Parish.  Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this should be a fairly easy decision for the judge in the case. He calls it “cut and dry”…:

Cut 12 (09) “…Louisiana statute.”

Livingston Parish Judge Erika Green is scheduled to hear the case in early September.

The Louisiana Department of Health is hosting its first back-to-school hygiene drive for students beginning today through September 15 in Acadiana.  Regional Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says statistics show when students have their needs met, they actually perform better in the classroom. She says the supplies collected are not just for young girls in middle schools…

Cut 5 (08)   “…as well.”

All new and unused items can be dropped off at libraries and health units in Iberia and Vermillion Parishes.

The governor has declared a state of emergency due to the extreme heat. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Police are still searching for an Iberia Parish man who went missing after attending a concert in downtown Baton Rouge. The family of 53-year-old Jeff “Jazzy” Leon is pleading for help after not hearing from him since Friday night. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and a red baseball cap and was driving a tan 2008 Ford Expedition with chrome rims. Anyone with information on Leon’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

A state of emergency has been issued due to extreme heat. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says unfortunately the heat has been responsible for some deaths and visits to emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses have already exceeded the yearly average…:
Cut 15 (10) “…as the heat.”

A Livingston Parish judge will hear the state’s first child custody battle between a divorced same-sex couple. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says a high court ruled that laws applying to heterosexual marriages must also apply to legal same-sex unions and Louisiana needs to comply with the High Court’s ruling…:
Cut 11 (12) “different-sex marriages”

While the national average for a gallon of regular gas is the highest it’s been in 10 months at $3.85, in Louisiana, prices have remained steady. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state treasury department is partnering with LA Wallet to help reconnect Louisianans with their unclaimed property. As of Monday, the La Wallet app will feature an easy-to-use Unclaimed Property search, enabling users to effortlessly check for unclaimed assets in their name.

A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana due to extreme heat. Drought conditions are putting stress on water supplies and agriculture, and the state has already exceeded the average number of heat related emergency room visits. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele:
Cut 14 (06) “these conditions”
The declaration authorizes the use of state resources to aid in emergency response efforts.

AAA reports the current statewide average for a gallon of gas is $3.43, which is up 30 cents over last month. Fuel Analyst Don Redman says that’s been steady here for about a week but keep in mind a big drop in the price could indicate the economy is in trouble:
CUT 9 (08) “economies”
He says we’re in a holding pattern for now but for how long is the question.

The Office of Public Health in Acadiana is holding a Back-to-School Hygiene Drive with the goal of reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem among middle schoolers. Teiko Foxx reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Police are still searching for an Iberia Parish man who went missing after attending a concert in downtown Baton Rouge. The family of 53-year-old Jeff “Jazzy” Leon is pleading for help after not hearing from him since Friday night. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and a red baseball cap and was driving a tan 2008 Ford Expedition with chrome rims. Anyone with information on Leon’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

The governor has declared a state of emergency due to the extreme heat. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Two children died early Monday after the car they were riding in was rear-ended by a semi-truck then caught fire in Richland Parish. State Police say the car was slowing to turn left on Highway 42 in Rayville when the semi driven by 70-year-old James Barnes crashed into the back causing the vehicle to catch fire. A 9-year-old and 7-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

A Livingston Parish judge will soon be tasked with hearing the state’s first child custody battle between a divorced same-sex couple. A Denham Springs woman is suing for custody, despite the fact she’s not a biological parent of the child. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court has ruled that laws applying to heterosexual marriages must also apply to legal same-sex unions…:
Cut 10 (13) “…this has to happen.”
In many states, a biological mother’s ex-wife has the same custody rights as an ex-husband, but in Louisiana, they do not.

The Louisiana Department of Health is hosting its first back-to-school hygiene drive for students beginning today through September 15 in Acadiana. Regional Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says the goal is to reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem…:
Cut 4 (11) “school year”
You can help with donations in Iberia and Vermillion Parishes between now and September 15th.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares a State of Emergency due to the extreme heat. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says the prolonged blazing temperatures are having multiple impacts on the state, and the declaration authorizes the use of resources to help response efforts.:
Cut 13 (09) “to take place”
Drought conditions are putting stress on water supplies and agriculture, and the state has already exceeded the average number of heat related emergency room visits. Forecasters say there are no signs of significant cooling anytime soon.

Then there’s the fires which have popped up throughout the state over the past week. In Sabine Parish, a massive wildfire broke out Monday which is now contained, but authorities say remains a serious situation. At least eight houses have been destroyed or heavily damaged and yesterday afternoon residents of the Plain View community were urged to evacuate. Law enforcement is still patrolling the area looking for any new fires or flare-ups.

Gas prices nationally are the highest they’ve been in about 10 months, at $3.85 for a gallon of regular, but have remained steady in Louisiana for a week or so. That’s according to AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman who says the price at the pump here is $3.43 on average…:
CUT 7 (11) “a barrel”
But the current statewide average is still 30 cents higher than the prior month.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s husband has passed away. The Mayor’s Office released a statement Monday announcing Jason Cantrell died but did not detail the circumstances.