Residential fire claims the life of a Westlake infant
CALCASIEU PARISH – The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is investigating a residential fire that claimed the life of an infant in Westlake. The Westlake Fire Department responded to a mobile home fire around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, July 26, in the 3200 block of Westwood Road. A Westlake couple and their toddler escaped the fire. Unfortunately, their infant died in the fire. Preliminary findings from SFM investigators indicate the fire originated in the living room/kitchen area.
Louisiana WIC transitions to new online benefit issuance system
The Louisiana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is upgrading the way families receive their benefits. Beginning August 1, participants will begin using a new WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card as part of a new online system designed to make WIC benefits easier to manage and more convenient to use. This upgrade allows WIC clinics to prescribe quarterly benefits remotely without requiring participants to visit clinics in-person for benefit re-loading. If you receive your new WIC EBT card before August 1, continue using your current card through July 31. Keep your new card in a safe place and begin using it on August 1.
DCFS launches new website and brand refresh to better serve Louisiana families
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today announced the launch of a redesigned website and a refreshed brand as part of a wider modernization effort to improve accessibility, strengthen communication, and connect Louisiana families to services. This initiative does not change any agency programs, services, eligibility requirements, or operational responsibilities.
Bresee leaves Saints’ first practice with knee injury
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee left the opening practice of training camp with a non-contact knee injury that didn’t “look good” to coach Kellen Moore. The severity of the injury to Bresee, a first-round draft choice out of Clemson in 2023, was not initially apparent on the field. Injuries to knee ligaments can be season-ending, but the Saints have yet to confirm the extent of Bresee’s injury.
‘Swiss Army Knife’ says goodbye to New Orleans
Taysom Hill, who became a productive multi-position player for the New Orleans Saints, has announced that he won’t be returning to the team with which he spent his first nine NFL seasons, although he has not announced his retirement. While Hill never won the full-time starting QB job, he started nine times because of injuries. The Saints went 7-2 in those games.
La. Tech’s Finley getting attention from pro scouts, cited as East-West all-star game candidate
Louisiana Tech football tight end Eli Finley has been named to the 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, recognizing the nation’s top NFL draft-eligible players entering the 2027 season. Finley has totaled 65 receptions for 768 yards and two touchdowns during his Tech career. He caught 25 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024 while earning All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors.
Finley is the first Bulldog named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist since Hank Bachmeier, Smoke Harris, Deshon Hall and Willie Roberts were named prior to the 2023 season.