Outrage in Beauregard Parish as a judge goes easy on a former mayor. Andrew Greenstein reports…:
Cut 2 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson received a prestigious national award Tuesday in Washington, D.C., recognizing her philanthropy, community service, and humanitarian efforts. Benson was named the 2026 recipient of the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award, presented by the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation.

Louisiana is launching a statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says hundreds of children and teens are hospitalized from ATV/UTV wrecks. He says parents often buy their kids a vehicle they can grow into…:
Cut 6 (09) “operating the vehicle”
Cripple says common causes of youth injury include reckless speeds and lack of proper safety equipment.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species…:
Cut 13 (06) “next four years”
Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

Citizens in Beauregard Parish are expressing disappointment in the 90 day sentence of former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts who had sex with a 16 year old while in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution sought 17 years…:
Cut 10 (11) “for these crimes”
Roberts also must pay a $5,000 fine, attend therapy and is ordered to stay away from the victim and his family.

4 years after killing a Covington priest and parishioner, Antonio Tyson pleaded guilty and was formally sentenced to spend the rest of his life on death row. St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims says they originally sought the death penalty but then medical records were disclosed showing Tyson had intellectual disabilities..:
Cut 7 (10) “resolve the case”
Tyson was charged in connection with the murders of Rev. Otis Young and his friend Ruth Prats.

The Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force is uniting law enforcement, education and healthcare professionals to protect young people across the state. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

North Carolina State is reportedly investigating whether LSU violated state unfair trade practices laws during its hiring of men’s basketball coach Will Wade. School officials reportedly believe LSU may have helped Wade avoid a larger buyout payment. Wade paid a $4 million buyout to leave NC State, though his contract called for a $5 million buyout if he departed before April 1, and LSU announced his hiring on March 26.

Several state agencies will come together today to officially launch the Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force, a statewide effort aimed at protecting young riders through education, awareness, and collaboration. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says ATV and UTV crashes send approximately 500 children and teenagers to the hospital each year…:
Cut 4 (08) “fatalities a year”
He says the task force aims to promote safe riding and increase awareness.

The former Mayor of Deridder, Misty Roberts, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. American Press Reporter Pamela Sleezer has been covering the trial and says the judge was swayed by the defense argument that Roberts was low risk for re-offense…:
Cut 11 (10) “sentencing and everything”
The prosecution argued for the maximum sentence of 17 years and are disappointed the judge showed leniency for a sex crime against a teenager.

Duck hunters can enjoy a special black-bellied whistling duck season beginning this year. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

NC State is reportedly investigating whether LSU improperly persuaded basketball coach Will Wade to break his contract with the Wolfpack and return to Baton Rouge. WRAL News in Raleigh says the school is also refusing to release LSU from potential legal action as it examines whether any state laws were violated in Wade’s departure. They say NC State believes LSU may have helped Wade avoid a larger buyout payment, based on correspondence between the two universities.

The Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force is uniting law enforcement, education and healthcare professionals to protect young people across the state. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Outrage in Beauregard Parish as a judge goes easy on a former mayor. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Duck hunters can enjoy a special black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana is launching a statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says ATV and UTV wrecks result in 500 hospital trips per year and the most injured group is 10 to 19-year-olds.

Cut 4 (08) “…fatalities a year.”

The task force will be a collaboration between law enforcement, state, safety, education and healthcare officials with the goal of spreading awareness to Louisiana families. Cripple says one effort will be promoting the nationally-recognized training program offered by Louisiana 4-H.

Cut 5 (12) “…of these tragedies.”

Cripple says common causes of youth injury include reckless speeds, lack of proper safety equipment, and vehicles with size and power kids are unable to control. He says parents often buy their kids a vehicle they can grow into, which is not a good idea.

Cut 6 (09) “…operating the vehicle.”

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A man who killed a Covington priest and his caretaker shortly after being released from prison will spend the rest of his natural life on death row. 49-year-old Antonio Tyson had pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the 2022 killings of Father Otis Young and Ruth Prats. St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims says he and the victims’ families had originally sought the death penalty; however, late disclosures regarding Tyson’s low IQ forced a change of direction.

Cut 7 (10) “…resolve the case.”

So Sims secured a plea deal which calls for Tyson to serve his life prison sentence on death row. He says it’s essentially a death sentence without the execution.

Cut 8 (13) “…so we did.”

Sims says what makes this case all the more tragic is that just months before killing Young and Prats, Tyson had been released from the Rayburn Correctional Facility after serving 30 years of a 40-year sentence for forcible rape, armed robbery and burglary.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Department of Corrections.”

As part of his plea deal, Tyson has agreed to waive all rights to pursue sentence reductions, judicial reviews or release mechanisms.

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She faced up to 17 years in prison; instead, she got 90 days. That was the sentence Judge Kent Savoie handed to former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, who was convicted back in March of having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution was not happy with the lenient sentence.

Cut 10 (11) “…for these crimes.”

The victim’s mother called the 44-year-old a predator with hair extensions in high heels during her impact statement. Sleezer says while Savoie acknowledged the mother’s statement, he considered other factors as well.

Cut 11 (10) “…sentencing and everything.”

During the sentencing, the prosecution implored Judge Savoie to be mindful of the fact that Roberts committed this crime while she was serving as mayor. Sleezer says Savoie was unfazed by that.

Cut 12 (11) “…that this occurred.”

Roberts must also pay a five-thousand-dollar fine, undergo regular drug screenings and psychological therapy, and register as a sex offender.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species.

Cut 13 (06)  “…next four years.”

Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

Olszak says the black-bellied whistling duck population has shown it can support more harvesting opportunities over the last two decades.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the year.”

The season will run later in the year than teal season due to the species’ late nesting. Olszak says historically, black-bellied whistling ducks left the state or gravitated towards urban areas, but recent research shows that’s changing.

Cut 15 (08) “…end of January.”

Office of Motor Vehicle locations had to shut down today because of network outages. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the Office of Technology Services says connectivity issues began while installing new network equipment….

Cut 12 (08) “…started going out.”

But Mule says they have the connectivity issues ironed out and OMV offices are expected to be open tomorrow.

The Chairman of the Louisiana House Insurance Committee is considering a run for Congress. Gabe Firment from Grant Parish would run for the seat that fellow Republican Julia Letlow is leaving….

Cut 8 (10) “…sense to me.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is planning on running in the fifth district. Qualifying is in the first week of August.

Meta announced the launch of America’s Workforce Academy, a nationwide AI infrastructure jobs training program with an academy in Baton Rouge. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says the program will pay participants to train in a variety of jobs..

Cut 3 (09) “…next decade.”

The academy requires no prior experience and provides tuition, airfare and lodging. For more information go to meta-dot-com-backslash Americas-Workforce Academy.

The Louisiana America 250 commission is hosting a free Fourth of July concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be live music in Repentance Park starting at 2 p.m. and culminating with a big fireworks show over the Mississippi River…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to America.”

The concert will feature performances from local stars Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., John Schneider and Wayne Toups

The former mayor of DeRidder Misty Roberts was sentenced to 90 days in prison for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at pool party at her home while she was still the mayor. The 44-year-old Roberts was facing up to 17 years in prison. The victim’s mother called Roberts a predator with hair extensions in high heels during her impact statement.

A Meta AI infrastructure training facility is coming to Baton Rouge….

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles is experiencing network outages that started Sunday when the Office of Technology Services started replacing a legacy piece of hardware. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the OTS says during the migration, some are experiencing connectivity issues.

Cut 13 (09) “…the new system.”

Mule’ hopes the OMV will be back online tomorrow.

There will be a free Fourth of July concert in Baton Rouge as part of the festivities put on by the Louisiana America 250 Commission. There will be live music starting at 2 p.m. through the evening ending with fireworks on the Mississippi River. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Capitol City, there will likely be a celebration near you

Cut 11 (09) “…over Louisiana.”

A full list of celebrations across the state can be found at america250la.org

Problems at the OMV today due to network outages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to a report by the Louisiana Illuminator, state lawmakers have until June 23^rd to decide if 168-million dollars should be taken away from public school operations so that teachers do not receive a two-thousand dollar pay cut. This is Governor Landry’s plan to fund a teacher stipend, but it needs a two-thirds vote in both the House and Sente for it to happen.

Meta has launched an AI infrastructure jobs training program and will have a training academy in Baton Rouge. Meta has already begun construction on a 27-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish.

Cut 5 (11) “…down the road”

Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says Meta will pay for the four to five week bootcamp and upon graduation, trainees are employed by that contractor partner and assigned to work on-site at a Meta data center construction site.

Republican State Representative Gabe Firment of Grant Parish says he’s looking at running for Congress. Firment says he’s fielded numerous calls about running for the open fifth district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and he believes he would be very effective.

Cut 7 (12) “…philosophy to Congress.”

Firment says he plans to make a decision next month.

The OMV continues experiencing network outages. It started Sunday when the Office of Technology Services started replacing a legacy piece of hardware. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the OTS says during the migration, some are experiencing connectivity issues.

Cut 13 (09) “…the new system.”

Mule’ says the switch is the equivalent of a 1992 Honda Civic to a 2026 McLaren 750.

Could State Representative Gabe Firment have his sights set on something bigger, like the U.S. House of Representatives? The Republican from Pollock says several people have reached out to him over the past couple weeks asking him if he’d be interested in running for the open seat in the fifth district.

Cut 6 (12) “…an intriguing opportunity.”

Meta announces the launch of America’s Workforce Academy. It’s a nationwide A-I infrastructure jobs training program with a pilot academy in Baton Rouge. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says participants will receive guaranteed job placement upon graduation from the four to five-week program.

Cut 4 (09) “…to do so.”

The Louisiana America 250 commission is hosting a free Fourth of July concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the celebration will highlight the great talent that comes out of the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (11) “…has to offer.” 

The concert will feature performances from local stars Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., John Schneider and Wayne Toups.

Meta announced the launch of the America’s Workforce Academy with a facility in Baton Rouge. Louisiana joins Texas, Indiana and Ohio as the four states to host pilot locations for the AI infrastructure jobs training program. Meta has already begun construction on a 27-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says Meta’s partnership with the Associated Builders and Contractors Baton Rouge training facility and its investment in Louisiana make it a perfect location.

Cut 5 (11) “…down the road.”

Network outages have forced some OMV offices around the state to close, and some online services are affected as well. Thomas Mule’ with the Office of Technology Services says it’s unclear when everything will be back up and running.

Cut 14 (08) “…tomorrow at eight.”

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment could have his eyes set on something bigger after more than six years in the Louisiana House. He says he’s fielded numerous calls about running for the open fifth district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and he believes he would be very effective.

Cut 7 (12) “…philosophy to Congress.”

There will be a free Fourth of July concert in Baton Rouge as part of the festivities put on by the Louisiana America 250 Commission. There will be live music starting at 2 p.m. through the evening ending with fireworks on the Mississippi River. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Capitol City, there will likely be a celebration near you

Cut 11 (09) “…over Louisiana.”

A full list of celebrations across the state can be found at america250la.org

If you’re trying to get things done at the OMV, either in person or online, you may have a little difficulty right now. That’s because the office is experiencing network outages. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the Office of Technology Services says they started replacing a legacy piece of hardware Sunday….

Cut 12 (08) “…started going out.”

Mule’ says it’s part of switching the network from what he says is the equivalent of a 1992 Honda Civic to a 2026 McLaren 750. He says during the migration, some are experiencing connectivity issues.

State Representative and Chairman of the House Insurance Committee is considering a run for Congress. Gabe Firment from Grant Parish would run for the seat that fellow Republican Julia Letlow is leaving….

Cut 8 (10) “…sense to me.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is planning on running in the fifth district. Qualifying is in the first week of August.

A Meta AI infrastructure training facility is coming to Baton Rouge. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Faith Technologies Incorporated has announced it will build an 80-million-dollar manufacturing facility in Ouachita Parish that will create at least 200 new jobs. This is the company’s first location in Louisiana, and it will help them expand production capacity of electrical components and solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects. Construction is already underway.