Tragedy in Baton Rouge as a young engaged couple from Jefferson Parish is killed after being hit by an SUV early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says 21-year-olds Shane Hirstius (HERSE-tus) and Leah Fonte were walking on the shoulder along Nicholson Drive, near Tigerland, when they were hit.
Cut 3 (11) “…of his injuries.”
20-year-old Mia Dawson faces several charges, including vehicular homicide and, despite being under the limit, DWI because she’s under 21.
Hirstius played one season of college baseball at Delgado Community College in New Orleans in 2024. Delgado Head Coach Joe Scheuermann (“sherman”) says Hirstius had his future plans clearly in focus, and that meant giving up baseball. He recalled the conversation Hirstius had with him when he said he was leaving baseball behind.
A Webster Parish homeowner fatally shoots a man who was breaking into his home. Investigators say following a crash, 44-year-old Billy McFarland tried breaking into a mobile home. The homeowner shot McFarland several times, killing him. Sheriff Jayson Parker says because homeowners have every right to defend themselves inside their own homes, the department will not be filing any charges against the homeowner.
Cut 9 (08) “…well as himself.”
The latest campaign finance report shows that Republican Julia Letlow has 476-thousand dollars more in cash on hand than her Democratic opponent Jamie Davis. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Davis has done well in raising money despite never having run for a statewide office before.