Louisiana’s youngest students made great strides in reading proficiency. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LDH announces that the Louisiana Carrot Initiative is now available at all Louisiana Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. The Carrot Initiative provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and veggies. Participants can earn up to 25 dollars in bonus benefits each month.

An 80-million-dollar Faith Technologies Incorporated manufacturing facility is coming to Monroe. Construction is already underway and expected to be completed spring 2027. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facility will produce electrical assemblies and energy solutions to ship to project sites along the I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (09)  “…power-first economy.”

Have you seen the social media posts involving former LSU star Paul Skenes playing catch with a group of little leaguers at a park in Pittsburgh? Eddie Dubuis, is a father of two of the kids that had a chance to meet Skenes…

Cut 4 (09) “…talking about”

The Pirates All-Star was driving around on his off day, saw the kids playing baseball, and decided to stop his car and watch. Before you knew it, he was playing catch with the little leaguers and signing autographs.

Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been sentenced to 90 days jail for having sex with a teenager….

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The victim’s mother calls Roberts a predator with hair extensions and high heels. Roberts told the court she blames herself for what happened on July 20th 2024 during her teenage son’s birthday party. Roberts added she’s been an embarrassment to the city.

Also, Louisiana Radio Network regrets the error sent to our affiliates that wrongly identified Roberts as Misty Cordell, a candidate for Congress.

The Department of Education says literacy screening results show that at the end of the school year, more than 66-percent of students from kindergarten through third grade were reading at or above grade level– an increase of more than 16 percentage points. John Wyble, the CEO of the Center for Literacy and Learning, says this increase can be attributed to a return to the science of reading.

Cut 6 (11) “…what they read.”

What a thrill for a group of little leaguers in Pittsburgh as former LSU star and Pirates ace Paul Skenes stopped by their practice Monday and played catch with the kids and signed autographs. A father of one of the little leaguers, Eddie Dubis, says it’s something you don’t see very often from the modern professional athlete,….

Cut 5 (12) “…city of Pittsburgh”

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 man convicted of killing a Covington priest and his caretaker in 2022 has been sentenced to life. St. Tammany Parish DA Collin Sims says Antonio Tyson will serve his sentence on Angola’s death row, but will not be executed because of his mental health issues…

Cut 8 (13) “….so we did”

LDWF will hold a special black-bellied whistling duck season that will run from October third to the 11th. Hunters can target black-bellied whistling ducks during the regular duck hunting season that runs from November into January, but Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says surveys indicate there is also an opportunity to harvest black bellied whistling ducks in early October…

Cut 14 (08) “…earlier in the year”

Sportsmen are not allowed to hunt Black-bellied whistling ducks during the September teal season, so now they have that opportunity in early October.

A little league team in the north suburbs of Pittsburgh got a surprise visit from the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Monday evening. Paul Skenes was driving by Ingomar Franklin Park when he saw the lights on for a little league practice and decided to check it out. Eddie Dubis, a coach in the league and father of two of the kids, says it only took a few minutes for the 6-6 superstar to be noticed.

Cut 3 (10) “…two hours.”

Skenes pitched well last night against the Dodgers, but the Pirates still lost to the two-time defending World Series champions.

Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been sentenced to 90 days in prison for having sex with a teenage boy during a pool party. The prosecution was looking for the max sentence, 17 years, because the illegal act occurred while she was mayor. Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says Judge Kent Savoie did not her elected position into consideration…

Cut 12 (07) “…this occurred”

Louisiana Radio Network distributed information to its affiliates that misidentified the former Mayor as Misti Cordell. LRN regrets the error.

Antonio Tyson will live the rest of his life on death row for the 2022 brutal murders of Father Otis Young of Covington and his caretaker Ruth Prats. ST. Tammany D-A Collin Sims says Tyson committed the murders after serving 30 years for charges of forcible rape, armed robbery and burglary…

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

Tyson will serve his life sentence on death row, but will not be put to death, because of his mental health issues.

According to the Louisiana Emergency Response Network, ATV and UTV wrecks cause 500 hospital trips a year, 100 of those are ICU visits, between nine and 14 result in deaths. That’s why the state is launching a Statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force Initiative. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission, says Louisiana 4-H has a nationally recognized training program, which they plan to promote…

Cut 5 (12) “…of these tragedies”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is providing a special black-bellied whistling duck hunting season. It will run from October 3^rd to the 11^th with a possession limit of 12. LDWF Waterfowl Program manager Jason Olszak says there’s been a growing abundance of this species…

Cut 15 (08) “…end of January”

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.”