Governor John Bel Edwards was in the air today to survey the wildfires in southwest Louisiana. During a press conference in DeRidder, Edwards says hundreds of firefighters are working to contain the wildfires and that includes help from the federal government

Cut  14 (14)  “…1,000 people”

The wildfires have destroyed about 60-thousand acres and the recent rainfall the state has seen was not enough to end the drought

In addition to the destruction the wildfires are doing, they also present a health hazard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says smoke trails can be carried a great distance

Cut 3 (08) “…quite far.”

With the statewide burn ban still in effect, Kanter implores residents not to burn anything outdoors and that includes lighting up the grill for Labor Day weekend.

Louisiana sugarcane producers set a record of producing more than two million tons of raw sugar last year but this year’s number will be less due to the dry weather. Sugarcane Specialist Kenneth Gravois says while many farmers will have to wait for more rain for soil moisture to go up, some cane are seeing pretty good yields.

Cut 8 (12) “…some rain.”

Today was NFL cut-down day and Cornerback Bradley Roby was waived by the Saints. Second-year corner Alontae Taylor will be placed at the slot corner position. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says Taylor and Paulson Adebo have been competing for the second press corner position, but now both will be on the field for the Saints, and it cost Roby his spot on the roster.

Cut 11 (08) “…like that.”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana today to get an update on the fight against multiple wildfires. During a press conference in DeRidder, Edwards says the wildfires have destroyed about 60-thousand acres and the recent rainfall the state has seen was not enough to end the drought…
Cut 12 (08) “…from it.”
The smoke from the wildfires is causing air quality issues for some parts of the state. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter advises residents to minimize their time outdoors especially if they have a respiratory illness, such a asthma, C-O-P-D, emphysema or even heart disease…
cut 5 (09) “….as possible’
With the statewide burn ban still in effect, Kanter implores residents not to burn anything outdoors and that includes lighting up the grill.

Louisiana sugarcane producers set a record by producing more than two million tons of raw sugar last year but this year’s number will be less due to the dry weather
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Today marks the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Southeast Louisiana. The Lower Ninth Ward has never returned to what it was, but Greater New Orleans Inc, President Michael Hecht, says the Northshore area has seen great growth and the Arabi-Chalmette area of St. Bernard Parish has also rebounded…
Cut 29 (08) “…the country.”

Governor John Bel Edwards conducted flyovers over parts of southwest Louisiana today as wildfires continue to burn. Edwards says about 60-thousand acres have been destroyed from the fires and there’s no end in sight, especially with dry air moving in behind a front passing through Louisiana…
cut 13 (12) “…they were”
Edwards says hundreds of people are involved in this fight against the wildfires including 400 Louisiana National Guardsmen.

Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced today he’s been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a treatable blood cancer. Scalise says he’s begun treatment and that will continue for several months. He expects to continue his work in Congress during this time.

Smoke from wildfires is impacting air quality in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints are making a change at field goal kicker, trading Wil Lutz to the Broncos and keeping undrafted rookie Blake Grupe. Ross Jackson hosts the Locked on Saints Podcast and says Grupe made an impression with his performance in the final preseason game…
cut 10 (07) “…preseason game”

Smoke from wildfires is impacting the air quality in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s a good idea to pay attention to local air quality reports.

Cut 4 (09) “…health effects.”

But for those with respiratory illnesses, he advises they stay indoors as much as possible.

Last year the state set a record, producing more than two million tons of raw sugar last year but growers will not beat that number this year.  Sugarcane Specialist Kenneth Gravois says the full impact of the heat from June through August has yielded fewer crops in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…the belt”

House Majority leader and southeast Louisiana congressman, Representative Steve Scalise announces he has multiple myeloma. The blood cancer can be treated but it’s not curable. Scalise says he’s undergoing treatment which is expected to continue for the next several months. The Republican had blood work done last week after he said he wasn’t feeling well.

The Saints will have a new field goal kicker this year. New Orleans has reportedly traded Will Lutz to the Denver Broncos for a 2024 7th-round pick. The Black and Gold have decided to go with undrafted free-agent kicker Blake Grupe instead. Host of the Locked-on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says the trade should not come as a surprise.

Cut 9 (12) “…young leg.”

Today is cut down day in the NFL as teams have to trim their roster down to 53 players.

In addition to the destruction the wildfires are doing, they also present a health hazard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says where the fires are and the smoke is, are not always the one in the same.

Cut 3 (08) “…quite far.”

He advises those with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors as much as possible, Kanter also reminds residents not to burn anything outdoors, that includes grilling out with the burn ban in effect.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Southeast Louisiana. The Lower Ninth Ward has never returned to what it was, but Greater New Orleans Inc, President Michael Hecht, says the Northshore area has seen great growth and the Arabi-Chalmette area of St. Bernard Parish has also rebounded…

Cut 14 (08) “…the country.” 
It was just over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal data was compromised in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says it was the MOVEit File Transfer System that OMV used, and others affected individuals across the globe.

Cut 10 (12) “…40-million people.”

He says the best thing you can do to protect your identity is to freeze your credit and to also apply for free credit monitoring offered through the OMV. You can find more information and a link at Louisiana-Radio-Network-dot-com.

Reports are coming out that Saints kicker Wil Lutz has been traded to the Denver Broncos. Blake Grupe will now take over for the Saints kicking duties. Also being reported is that cornerback Bradley Roby is being released by New Orleans. It is expected that Alontae Taylor will take over the roll as the starting nickel corner for the Saints. More cuts are expected to make it down to 53 teams.

 No. 5 LSU and No. 8 Florida State have their week one rematch from last year on Sunday in Orlando. Returning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels went for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns in last years matchup, and coach Brian Kelly says the team has encouraged Daniels to be more aggressive throwing the ball.

 Cut 17 (16) “…and ten.”

 Shreveport native and former LSU Tiger, Sam Burns, will be among the group representing the United States in the Ryder Cup. He will be joining other greats like Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, and Jordan Spieth.

 Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris earned conference USA offensive player of the week for his performance against Florida International. He caught 11 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown in their win against FIU, and the Bulldogs go to Dallas over the weekend to face SMU.

 The Ragin Cajun also kickoff their season this weekend against Northwestern State. Michael Desormeaux is entering his second year as the team’s head coach and says what he is most confident in this year.

 Cut 19 (20)

 ULM plays Army in Monroe on Saturday for their kick off to the regular season. ULM went 4-8 last year and will be looking to win their first season opener since 2015.

Two months ago the State Office of Motor Vehicle informed residents of a data breach that put everyone’s personal information at risk.  Brooke Thorington has more ….

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

U-S House Majority Leader and Congressman Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a treatable blood cancer. In a released statement, the 57-year-old from Jefferson Parish noted he has already started his treatment, adding that it will continue for several months.

The federal government launched its first-ever auction for the right to develop offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico today. The proposed sale will auction areas near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg says companies like Entergy are embracing wind energy projects and reducing their carbon footprint.

Cut 6 (12) “…nuclear power.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes. 

The state Department of Revenue is getting the word out that the Second Amendment sales tax holiday is back. From Friday to Sunday, you can purchase firearms and hunting supplies and not pay sales tax. L-D-R Secretary Kevin Richard (Ree-shard) says this is a great opportunity for hunters looking to stock up for the upcoming hunting season …

Cut 7 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

Purchases not eligible for the sales tax exemption include hunting dogs, animal feed, off-road vehicles, and airboats. The sale begins Sept 1 through Sept. 3.

Today, the Tiger Island Fire, the state’s largest wildfire in history, located in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. But it has destroyed more than 31 thousand acres of land.  There are 224 people working to improve perimeter lines to ensure containment. Fire crews have been battling the fire since August 22.

On Sunday, 18 years ago today, Hurricane Katrina touched down as a category three hurricane on the coast of Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht

Cut 13 (13) “…the hurricane.”

Hecht says there’s enormous opportunity across the economic spectrum.

The Biden administration is holding its first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says the proposed sale will auction one area near Lake Charles and two areas near Galveston.

Cut 4 (09) “…power grid.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes.

It was over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal information was compromised in a cyber security attack. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says criminals use the information to impersonate people…

Cut 11 (13) “…down the road.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for anyone with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Today is the 18^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in southeast Louisiana. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht says many parts of the city have rebounded, tourism is back… Meanwhile….

Cut 15  (12) “….of the state.”

Today is also the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida. Lengthy power restoration was a widespread issue of the Category Four storm.

The Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish is 50 percent contained. The state’s largest wildfire on record has burned more than 33 thousand acres of land. As of today, there were 6 confirmed homes lost to the fire and 23 structures in total damaged. No loss of life or injuries have been reported. Another fire in Beauregard near Longville has destroyed 19-thousand acres.

The federal government will hold its first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico today. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says offshore wind power development is costly.

Cut 5 (12) “…economics closely.”

The proposed sale will auction 300 thousand acres of water in the gulf. One area is near Lake Charles and two areas are near Galveston.

Two months ago, the State Office of Motor Vehicles warned residents their personal information was threatened in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says the most important thing you should do is to freeze your credit.

Cut 12 (07) “…your credit.”

OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for those with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID.