After LSU student Madison Brooks never made it home, two freshman students created a group in the app GroupMe to help others find a safe ride home.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The search for the state’s longest-married couple is underway. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can nominate a duo that’s been married for seven decades or more.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals will try to reach the Super Bowl for the second year in a row as they visit the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Sunday. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

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Since the tragic assault and death of LSU student Madison Brooks made the headlines, it’s inspired two freshman students to create a group to help other female students get home safely. Alisha Ortolano says that sadly females are abandoned without a way home more often than you’d think.

Cut 4 (06)  “…this situation.”

So Ortolano and her friend Caitlynn Bakewell created a group called LSU GIRLS RIDES on the app GroupMe. Female students are verified and when one requests a ride other members can answer the call. Ortolano says the response has been overwhelming.

Cut 5 (07) “…700 girls.”

Ortolano hopes other schools follow their lead and reminds women to always look after each other.

Cut 6 (10)  “…speak out.” 

Ortolano and Bakewell hope the group can prevent another tragic outcome like Brooks from ever happening again.

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The Louisiana Family Forum is looking to honor the state’s longest-married couple and is currently accepting nominations. LFF President Gene Mills says it’s an annual tradition to find couples who’ve been married for several decades and honor their achievement as the Longest Married Couple in the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (11) “…needs to be told.”

The 2022 Longest Married Couple was Patsy and Gail Richardson of Gonzales. Mills says they were husband and wife for 81 years.

Cut 8 (11)  “…any occasions.”

The Richardson’s raised three children and had 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

The deadline for entries is February 6^th and the honorees will be recognized on the most appropriate day, Valentine’s.

Cut 9 (08)  “…this year.”

You can find an entry form at LAfamilyforum.og

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The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed on Wednesday afternoon while filling potholes in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florein hit two DOTD vehicles

Cut 10 (10)  “…behind the truck”

Barker and two other DOTD workers, Jalen Singleton and Mario Ross were injured in the crash. Gray was pronounced dead at the scene. Odom says as of now, the driver of the log truck has NOT been charged

Cut 11 (06)  “…under investigation.”

Odom says they are not sure exactly what caused this fatal three-vehicle crash, but they ask motorists to obey the speed limit and avoid all distractions while driving.

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Dillard University in New Orleans officially installs Doctor Rochelle Ford as the school’s eighth president with an Inauguration celebration that starts today. Ford says she will look to accelerate Dillard’s mission to cultivate leaders who live ethically by focusing on three key areas

Cut 12 (10) “…our students.”

Ford says on Saturday they will break ground on the Living Learning Communities, a new residential hall for students on Norman Mayer Boulevard. She says professors will also have the opportunity to live there…

Cut 13 (09)  “….living communities.”

Ford says her vision also includes leveraging Dillard’s academic programs and centers to address health disparities…

Cut 14 (11)  “…expand on that.”

Ford previously served as the dean of the School of Communications at Elon University in North Carolina.

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LSU Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals visit the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Sunday. The two teams met earlier this year in a 27-24 Cincinnati win. Burrow threw for almost 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Burrow says the team needs to be prepared to face a familiar opponent…

Cut 15 (17)  “…for anything.”

The matchup is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship in which the Bengals came away with a shocking 27-24 overtime win just weeks after beating the Chiefs at home to close out the regular season. Chiefs’ Arrowhead stadium is notoriously one of the toughest environments in the NFL for opposing teams, but given the Bengals’ 3-0 record over the last two seasons, some fans have taken to calling it Burrowhead. Burrow says he’s not going to underestimate one of the best teams in the AFC in recent years…

Cut  16 (21)  “…on that side” 

The Bengals defeated the Bills in Buffalo last week 27-10 behind a stellar all-around performance. Burrow threw for almost 250 yards and two touchdowns while running back Joe Mixon reached the century mark on the ground with a TD of his own. Burrow and former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have remained one of the league’s top passing duos this season, and Burrow was named a finalist for league MVP. Burrow, though thinks much of the team’s success comes from coaching not just their star power…

Cut 17 (19) “…run the ball well.” 

The Chiefs earned the number one seed in the AFC this year with a 14-3 record. Former LA Tech defensive back L’Jarius Snead has been Kansas City’s number-one corner this year and one of the best in the AFC. He was with the team for last year’s loss to the Bengals and says he and his teammates are ready to avenge the missed opportunity…

Cut 18 (07) “…not fall short” 

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The LSU men’s basketball team fell again in a 60-40 loss to Arkansas Tuesday night. The Tigers have lost their last seven straight after opening conference play with a win. LSU struggled only shooting only 265 from the floor and 11% from beyond the arc. First-year coach Matt McMahon says he knew there would be struggles when rebuilding a program…

Cut 19 (18) “…the toughness”

The Tigers will face Texas Tech in the SEC-Big 12 showdown this weekend. Guard Justice Winslow will return to the team and suit up for the matchup after stepping away from the team last week. McMahon says he and his team are excited for the weekend despite their recent struggles…

Cut 20 (20)  “…Saturday afternoon’s game” 

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The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed while working on an asphalt project in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florein hit two DOTD vehicles.

Cut 10 (10)  “…behind the truck”

Odom reminds motorists to obey the speed limit and avoid all distractions while driving.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was asked about allegations she had an extra-martial affair with her bodyguard that’s also an NOPD officer. Cantrell says it’s a false rumor…

Cut 13 (08) “…all pronouns.” 

Since the tragic assault and death of LSU student Madison Brooks made the headlines, it’s inspired two freshman students to create a group to help other female students get home safely. Alisha Ortolano says that sadly females are abandoned without a way home more often than you’d think.

Cut 4 (07)  “…this situation.”

It’s called LSU GIRLS RIDES on the app GroupMe.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s not all fun and games. Schexnayder says there are economic development meetings with the goal of bringing more manufacturing jobs to the state
Cut 9 (08) “…get it done” 

Over the next three days, he says there will be several different dinners featuring Louisiana cuisine and there are also plenty of social events.

A federal judge sentences 21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette for attempting to kill a gay man he groomed on the dating app, Grindr. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Police says a DOTD worker from Lake Charles was killed yesterday afternoon when an empty log truck struck two work crew vehicles on U-S Highway 171 in Desoto Parish. 35-year-old Christopher Gray was pronounced dead at the scene. no charges have been filed as of yet.

Charges against 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose have been upgraded to second-degree murder after authorities say he sold a 15-year-old female drugs that led to her death. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captian Brennan Matherne says on October 27th, deputies first responded to a 16-year-old male in Galliano.

Cut 4 (10) “…suspected overdose.”

toxicology results indicated high levels of fentanyl in her system.

Many Louisiana elected officials are attending Washington Mardi Gras. Discussions take place during the day on how to make Louisiana better, and at night there are numerous social events. the Advocate newspaper reporter Mark Ballard says a big topic of discussion is whether Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will run for governor.

Cut 11 (11) “…Garret Graves.”

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has reportedly selected Graves as the chairman of the Republican leadership.

21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette is sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempted murder of a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says hate crimes are a top priority for the D-O-J and they take these kinds of cases very seriously…
Cut 8 (11) “…ever gets out.”
The 21-year-old Seneca has already served 2 1/2 years of his 45-year sentence.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responded to allegations she had a sexual relationship with a New Orleans Police Officer assigned to be her bodyguard. Those claims were made in divorce papers by the estranged wife of NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie. Cantrell says this is a personal matter for the Vappie family.
Cut 12 (03) “…of yours.”
Cantrell has denied the allegations after a FOX 8 tv investigation showed video of Vappie sending time with herr during the day and late at night at the city own apartment.

Drug distribution charges against a Larose man have been upgraded to second-degree murder. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says over the next three days, says there will be several different dinners featuring Louisiana cuisine and there are plenty of social events at night…
Cut 10 (11) “…hazardously”

Many Louisiana elected officials are in our nation’s capitol for Washington Mardi Gras. Discussions take place during the day on ways to make Louisiana better at night there are numerous social events. The Advocate newspaper’s D-C news correspondent Mark Ballard says a big topic of discussion is whether Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will run for governor.
Cut 11 (11) “…Garret Graves”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has reportedly selected Graves as the chairman of the Republican leadership. If true, it’s likely Graves will not run for governor.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was asked about allegations she had an extra martial affair with her body guard that’s also an NOPD officer. Cantrell says it’s a false rumor…
cut 13 (08) “…pronouns”

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says Chance Seneca used the dating app, Grindr, to groom his victim and in 2020, he handcuffed his victim inside a Lafayette home and tried to dismember him…
Cut 6 (07) “…changed his mind”
The victim is 21-year-old Holden White who says the attack has left him with no feeling in his hands, a limited voice and permanent scars.

19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose has been charged with second-degree murder for selling a pill containing fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old female’s overdose death last October. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the victim thought she was taking Percocet, but the toxicology report said otherwise.
Cut 3 (12) “…second-degree murder.”
Bail for Terrebonne has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette is sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempted murder of a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon says hate crimes are a top priority for the D-O-J and they take these kinds of cases very seriously…

Cut 8 (11)  “…ever gets out.” 

Charges against 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose have been upgraded after authorities say he sold 15-year-old female drugs in October that led to her death. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says detectives identified Terrebonne as the suspect and originally charged him with drug distribution.

Cut 5 (09) “…our office.”

The indicated high levels of fentanyl.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responded to allegations she had a sexual relationship with a New Orleans Police Officer assigned to be her bodyguard. Those claims were made in divorce papers by the estranged wife of NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie. Cantrell says this is a personal matter for the Vappie family.

Cut 12 (03) “…of yours.”

Cantrell has denied the allegations after a FOX 8 tv investigation showed video of Vappie sending time with herr during the day and late at night at the city own apartment.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says over the next three days, says there will be several different dinners featuring Louisiana cuisine and there are also plenty of social events at night…

Cut 10 (11) “…hazardously” 

Charges against 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose have been upgraded to second-degree murder after authorities say he sold 15-year-old female drugs that led to her death. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says on October 27^th, deputies first responded to a 16-year-male in Galliano.

Cut  4 (10)  “…suspected overdose.” 

Toxicology results indicated high levels of fentanyl in her system.

The state department of corrections says it’s reviewing a U-S Department of Justice report that finds the state is routinely keeping inmates in prison past their release dates, which is a violation of the 14th amendment. Baton Rouge attorney Lindsey Blouin says it’s been a problem for over a decade…

cut 12 (09) “…issues fixed”

A federal judge sentences 21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette for attempting to kill a gay man he groomed on the dating app, Grindr. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating inmates constitutional rights by routinely holding them past their release dates. The report highlighted a four-month period last year where 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release dates. Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says this practice costs Louisiana millions of dollars…
cut 11 (09) “….thousands of people”
Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says the department of corrections needs more money to update their computer system.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s not all fun and games. Schexnayder says there are economic development meetings with the goal of bringing more manufacturing jobs to the state
Cut 9 (08) “…get it done”
21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette has been sentenced to 45 years in a federal prison for attempting to dismember a gay man that he met on the dating app Grindr. US Attorney Brandon Brown says Seneca became fixated with the idea of killing gay men and he was fascinated with notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer…
cut 7 (07) “…quite some time”
The victim survived the attack, but has physical, emotional and psychological scars.

19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose has been charged with second-degree murder for selling a pill containing fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old female’s overdose death last October. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the victim thought she was taking Percocet, but the toxicology report said otherwise.
Cut 3 (12) “…second-degree murder.”
Bail for Terrebonne has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says Chance Seneca used the dating app, Grindr, to groom his victim and in 2020, he handcuffed his victim at a Lafayette home and tried to dismember him…
cut 6 (07) “…changed his mind”
The victim is 21-year-old Holden White who says the attack has left him with no feeling in his hands, a limited voice and permanent scars.

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections regularly violates the Fourteenth Amendment when it holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.
Cut 10 (06) “…update their status.”
The D-O-C says it’s reviewing the D-O-J report, which says between January and April last year, nearly 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release date.

Three Louisiana teachers received a $25 thousand dollar award for their outstanding educator skills.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today in D-C as Governor Edwards and several elected officials and business leaders from Louisiana conduct meetings with federal officials. But there is also partying and LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says including a formal ball on Saturday…
cut 8 (09) “…Carnival style”

The Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating the 14th Amendment by holding inmates beyond their release date. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose with second-degree murder in the death of a 15-year-old girl who overdosed on fentanyl last October. Blayne Terrebonne was originally arrested for drug distribution, but investigators say they’ve learned Terrebonne sold the victim a pill pressed from pure fentanyl.

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. The event has become a staple for political folk who want to “see-and-be-seen,” network and fund raise. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is in the nation’s capital…
Cut 7 (13) “…events take place.”
Candidates running for governor will use Washington Mardi Gras as a chance to build their campaign teams and fund raise.

Lafayette Parish third grade teacher Corrie Campbell is one of three teachers in Louisiana to receive a 25-thousand dollar award from the Milken Family Foundation because of her outstanding teaching skills…
cut 6 (14) “…more engaging”
Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic and Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan also received the Milken Educator Award.