A portion of the Tangipahoa River is closed as a result of chemicals and oil that have made it into the waterway from Friday afternoon’s chemical plant explosion. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller says the cleanup effort is underway.

Cut 4 (12) “…down the river.”

Radiance Technologies announced that it’s investing more than 370-million dollars to put up a new microchip packaging facility in Ruston. Governor Landry said the investment will help bolster national security, fuel innovation and drive local economic growth. And he said it will restore America’s place in the world as a true innovator.

Cut 12 (12) “…of our time.”

The temperature may still be on the high side, but it’s noticeably more comfortable to be outside, thanks to a drop in humidity. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this welcome break will last a few days.

Cut 10 (10) “…while you can.”

This welcome break is due to a cold front that’s moved through the area that’s dropped the dew point ten degrees.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will have a new look this season. Instead of number 13, Nussmeier will now wear number 18. The coveted number goes to a team leader who exemplifies great character. Defensive end Jack Plyburn says Nussmeier is the ultimate competitor…

Cut 7 (12) “…he is a gamer.”

Ruston will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility. Radiance Technologies announced that it is investing more than 370-million dollars to expand its footprint in Louisiana with the new facility. Governor Landry was on hand for the announcement at Louisiana Tech; he said it furthers his commitment for Louisiana’s universities to be incubators for job growth.

Cut 11 (14) “…over 30 years.”

The company is expected to create 150 direct new jobs

North and Central Louisiana are getting a new area code.

Cut 29 (04)  “…3-1-8.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the 3-1-8 area code has run out of seven-digit numbers and starting today, the area will have to dial their area code plus the other seven digits to make a phone call. Beginning, September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code.

Firefighters in Tangipahoa Parish continue to work on putting out a massive fire at a lubricants plant in Roseland that started Friday when the facility exploded forcing the evacuation of nearly one-thousand people. Black soot can be seen on homes, businesses and cars in the area. Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller says if you’re able to clean the soot off our property, you can do so…

Cut  3 (12) “…that product”

Miller says the soot is being tested by environmental regulators but the results are not available yet.

Starting LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the number 18 jersey this season, which is awarded to a leader on the team that has great character. Starting center Braelin Moore ….

Cut 8 (05) “…protect him.”

Ninth ranked LSU visits fourth ranked Clemson on Saturday night to kick off the season.

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns reports the storm changed some aspects of the state forever.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Ruston will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility. Radiance Technologies announced that it is investing more than 370-million dollars to expand its footprint in Louisiana with the new facility, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.

Crews are busy cleaning out the Tangipahoa River following Friday’s explosion at Smitty’s Supply, as significant amounts of material have been found in that waterway. Area residents have reported oil and ash residue on their homes and vehicles.

It’s still hot, but it feels better outside as LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says the humidity levels are down and the dew point is ten degrees lower thanks to a cold front that’s moved through.

Cut 9 (10)  “…four to five percent.”

Keim says the break from the hot, oppressive summer will last a few days.

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. And while that storm certainly changed many facets of the state forever, the state is largely the same as it once was. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says one effect of Katrina’s aftermath was the rise of charter schools throughout the state. Erwin says it all started in New Orleans, and the charter schools have produced tremendous results.

Cut 4 (11) “…’B’ school district”

Erwin says the other significant development since Katrina for the New Orleans area is the consolidation of levee boards to two main boards.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will wear the coveted 18 jersey, which goes to a team leader with great character. Receiver Zavion Thomas says not only does Nussmeier command the huddle, but the locker room as well…

Cut 6 (05) “…get going.”

Nussmeier returned for his fifth season at LSU, because he said he wanted to win a championship

The EPA has now taken the lead in the cleanup at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland after Friday’s explosion. State Police Sergeant William Huggins says there were several small explosions in the hours after the initial explosion.

Cut 14 (09) “…at this time.”

Crews are cleaning out the Tangipahoa River as significant amounts of material have been found in that waterway. Area residents have reported oil and ash residue on their homes and vehicles.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade says the explosion at the Roseland chemical plant should be a wakeup call for the state to pursue other avenues of economic development. Executive Director Anne Rolfes (RAWL-fiss) says facilities that produce lubricants like Smitty Supply are dangerous to the state.

Cut 3 (14) “…idea that is.”

Firefighters in Tangipahoa Parish were busy all weekend long fighting the fire that resulted from an explosion at a lubricant manufacturing facility. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tangipahoa Parish officials reduced the evacuation zone this morning to roads and the area closet to the incident. Many evacuees spent the weekend at the Amite Community Center. At last report, there were 42 people staying there. Crews are cleaning out the Tangipahoa River as significant amounts of material have been found in that waterway. Area residents have reported oil and ash residue on their homes and vehicles.

Starting today, residents living in the 3-1-8 area code will have to dial 3-1-8, plus the seven other numbers when making a call to an existing 3-1-8 phone number. It’s because a new 4-5-7 area code will begin next September. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the ten-digit number is necessary to distinguish between the two area codes…

Cut 7 (12) “…number now.”

Starting on September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is promoting Voter Registration Week this week. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State office says this there are events throughout the state this week.

Cut 10 (10) “…their registration.”

Watson says voters will want to make sure they are registered with the party of their choice for next spring’s federal party primary elections.

Much has changed since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana 20 years ago this Friday. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana says during recovery, New Orleans attempted to reinvent itself economically.

Cut 6 (13) “…didn’t really stick.”

Today, like pre Katrina, New Orleans’ biggest economy is in travel and tourism.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is promoting Voter Registration Week this week. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State office has some important reminders…

Cut 11 (13) “…you’re eligible.”

Updates can be done online or on the geaux vote app.

Authorities have been monitoring the air quality around Smitty’s Supply since Friday’s explosion. The EPA is now the lead agency at the site and they are collecting and disposing of hazardous materials in and around the site including the Tangipahoa River.

Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller says thankfully not only was no one killed, no one was injured in the blast. He says the evacuation order is still in effect…

Cut 13 (08)  “…sightseers come by.”

The preseason is over for the Saints and now we wait for head coach Kellen Moore to announce who will start at quarterback when the regular season begins on September 7th against Arizona. Spencer Rattler started and Tyler Shough replaced him Rattler midway through the second quarter. Moore says both did good things…

Cut 15 (15) “…good stuff.”

Shough ran for a touchdown and threw for 102 yards, but also lost a fumble. Rattler was 5-of-8 for 43 yards.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall 20 years ago this week. After the levees broke everything changed. Now the levee boards have been consolidated. Chief Policy Officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin…

Cut 5 (11) “…the levee board.”

It’s Voter Registration Week and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office wants to remind voters to make sure their information is up to date before the upcoming elections. Updates can be done through the Geaux Vote app or online.

Cut 12 (12) “…and accurate.”

Tangipahoa Parish firefighters were busy all weekend fighting a fire at a lubricant manufacturing facility after an explosion Friday. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The EPA is now leading the cleanup.

North and Central Louisiana are getting a new area code.

Cut 9 (04)  “…3-1-8.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the 3-1-8 area code has run out of seven-digit numbers and starting today, the area will have to dial their area code plus the other seven digits to make a phone call. Beginning, September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code.

The EPA has now taken the lead in the cleanup at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland after Friday’s the explosion that caused officials to call for a mandatory evacuation of a 1 mile radius. Among those evacuated were former Governor John Bel Edwards and his wife. A family associate says they’re safe and monitoring the situation. During a news conference Saturday morning, State Police Sergeant William Huggins says there were several small explosions in the hours after the initial explosion.

Cut 14 (09) “…at this time.”

The evacuation remains in effect to give crews space for clean up.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is promoting Voter Registration Week this week. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State office says this there are events throughout the state this week.

Cut 10 (10) “…their registration.”

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns reports the storm changed some aspects of the state forever.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Residents in the 3-1-8 area code now have to dial the area code plus the seven other numbers when making a call starting today. Starting September 25^th, newly assigned phone numbers in north and central Louisiana will have a 4-5-7 area code. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell

Cut 8 (08) “…deal with.”

He says they’ve run out of seven-digit numbers for the 3-1-8 area code…