A major drug bust in Ruston. Authorities announce the indictments of 14 people who they say took part in a plot to distribute methamphetamine. The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place mainly in Ruston, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now also charged with kidnapping. Investigators say 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit. 17-year-old Michael Lanier is the third suspect, but Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says he’s not being charged with kidnapping.

Cut 13 (05)  “…in the vehicle.”

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Speaking of weather – bad weather forecast for this weekend is forcing changes to certain events. In Baton Rouge, the Kite Fest is being moved from Saturday to Sunday, and it will run from noon to four. And in New Orleans, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather, has now been cancelled.

A major drug bust in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Six Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Correctional Deputies are receiving medical treatment after being exposed to fentanyl during an offender’s booking. The incident occurred Thursday at the correctional center when a suspect threw a white powder, later confirmed as fentanyl, at deputies. Sheriff Mark Garber highlighted the daily dangers officers face.

Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System.  UNO has attempted to resize the university by cutting its budget, which has resulted in lay-offs of administrators and the consolidation of some colleges. But the school is still facing a 30-million dollar shortfall.

Board of Regents member Darren Mire says they are also recommending that the Legislature hires a third-party to perform a financial audit…

Cut 4 (05) “…accounting firm”

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures across the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean will fuel storm development, leading to rapid intensification.

Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Board of Regents member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study it…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.”

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva predicts 13-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes…

Cut 6 (07) “…this year.”

14 people are indicted in Lincoln Parish for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. It took place from January of 2022 through November of last year. The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook says this is a major bust for North Louisiana.

Cut 11 (12) “…safer and flourish.”

If convicted, all 14 defendants face between ten years and life in prison. Out of the 14 people indicted, 12 are from Louisiana and eight are from Ruston.

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit.

Cut 12 (09) “…and Waughtal refused.”

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Investigators say 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni stresses, however, that the girls were not forced in by the suspects.

Cut 14 (07) “…we want out.”

The Board of Regents is recommending that the financially-troubled University of New Orleans be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says a third-party also needs to be hired to do an academic programs assessment.

Cut 5 (09) “…so forth.”

The legislature will have the final say.

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Speaking of weather – bad weather forecast for this weekend is forcing changes to certain events. In Baton Rouge, the Kite Fest is being moved from Saturday to Sunday, and it will run from noon to four. And in New Orleans, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather, has now been cancelled.

Two of the teenagers already facing murder charges for their roles in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Candies are now facing kidnapping charges. Candies was killed last weekend during a high-speed police chase. Investigators say there were two females in the car begging to get out of the vehicles but the teens charged with kidnapping did let them out. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says a third suspect, 17-year-old Michael Lanier, is not being charged with kidnapping…

Cut 13 (05) “….in the vehicle”

Accuweather has released its 2025 hurricane forecast today and they are calling for 13-18 named storms, seven to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. Accuweather lead hurricane expert Alex DeSilva says the possibility of a LaNina developing in the fall could lead to an active October…

Cut 8 (10) “….month of November”

We learned today about a major drug bust in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state department of transportation says an 18-million dollar overlay project will begin on Monday on a nine-mile section of I-20 from the Bienville Parish line to Louisiana Highway 149. DOTD says intermittent lane closures will be necessary. The outside lane of I-20 westbound will be closed Monday and Tuesday I-20 eastbound will have a lane closure.

Accuweather has released its hurricane forecast for 2025 and they are expecting 13 to 18 named storms, seven to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. Accuweather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures will result in rapid intensification of storms…

Cut 7 (11) “…forecast”

Hurricane season officially begins June 1^st.

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Clint Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit.

Cut 12 (09) “…and Waughtal refused.”

Acting U-S Attorney Alexander Hook announced today that 14 people have been indicted drug and firearms charges as a result of a drug trafficking investigation into the Ruston area. Van Hook says this case is part of Take Back America…

Cut 10 (17) “…drug trafficking”

Out of the 14 people indicted, 12 are from Louisiana and eight of them are from Ruston.

Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the financially troubled University of New Orleans be moved from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System. A dramatic decline in enrollment over the last 20 years has resulted in a financial crisis at UNO. Board of Regents member Darren Mire says they are also recommending a third-party financial audit…

Cut 4 (05) “….accounting firm”

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva predicts 13-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes…

Cut 6 (07) “…this year.”

DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures will fuel storm development, leading to rapid intensification.

14 people were indicted in Lincoln Parish for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place in the Ruston area, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

If convicted, all 14 defendants face between ten years and life in prison

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit state-funded schools from serving foods that contain additives. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two of the teenagers already facing charges for their roles in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Candies are now facing kidnapping charges. Candies was killed last weekend during a high-speed police chase. Investigators say there were two females in the car begging to get out of the vehicles but the teens charged with kidnapping did let them out.

The Heritage Foundation says Louisiana is second in the nation in election integrity, but the state wants to get to the top of the list. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the state has always had secure elections, and it’s keeping the momentum going with new machines that will have a paper component to them, printing out a voter’s ballot so that the voter can confirm his or her selections before casting it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…after every election.”

Whereas Louisiana ranks second in election integrity, it also ranks third in stress. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub. Analyst Chip Lupo says Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country; and those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors.

Cut 12 (09) “…diagnosed with depression.”

The Board of Regents recommends the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month ,legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study the issue…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.” 

UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Final approval would come from the legislature.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives. McMath says it’s something that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to do.

Cut 6 (12) “…food safety program.”