On August 5, 2023, a Lafayette Police Officer was shot in the line of duty and now is sharing her story about the long road to recovery she has been on since that night. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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31 LSU athletes will represent the Tigers at this year’s Paris Olympics competing in basketball, beach volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, diving, tennis, and track and field. Kace Kieschnick has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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Three have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder after former Southern Student Steven Harris was reported missing when he missed a July 17th child custody hearing.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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It’s been nearly a year since Lafayette Police Officer Hali Bradford was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect 31-year-old John Nicholas opened fire on officers, hitting Bradford in the right buttock, which caused severe nerve damage and partial paralysis in her left foot. The shooting also killed 19-month-old Kaci Cyprian and injured her older brother, Kaisyn Cyprian, and an elderly woman. Bradford says the rehabilitation has been grueling.
Cut 4 (11) “…progress but its progress.”
Bradford says her journey has been challenging both physically and emotionally. Initially, a CrossFit athlete, adapting to her new physical limitations has been difficult. However, she has made significant strides in her recovery. Despite these advancements, the cost of continued therapy will cost 140 thousand dollars.
Cut 5 (04) “…kind of money.”
The community has rallied to support her through a GoFundMe campaign to cover her medical expenses not covered by worker’s compensation. Bradford remains hopeful about her future, aiming to return to full duty and resume her active lifestyle.
Cut 6 (09) “…in life.”
Nicholas was arrested on first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder
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The Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association is now Film Louisiana. President Jason Waguespack says because movies have been made in Louisiana for over a century and the association represents over 1,000 people in the state…
Cut 7 (12) “…in Film Louisiana.”
As a result of the name change, they’ve created a new logo and website which Waguespack says is more functional for clients and productions choosing to film in the Bayou State.
Cut 8 (08) “…we bring.”
Being known as Hollywood South, Waguespack says Louisiana was one of the first states to adopt a film incentive program, and ever since 38 others have followed. He says Louisiana is generally just a fantastic place to film, with the variety of locations and scenery…
Cut 9 (10) “…production here.”
In the last two decades thanks to incentives, Waguespack says Louisiana’s film industry has attracted more business, created more jobs, and helped create school curriculums to support the industry.
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The 2024 Paris Olympics open today, and 31 current and former LSU athletes will represent 20 countries at the Paris games. Former Tigers beach volleyball duo Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth have made headlines as the second-ranked team in the world and will make their Olympics debut at the base of the Eifel Tower tomorrow at 3 P.M. LSU Senior Associate Sports Information Director Kent Lowe says most of their matches will take place in the afternoon our time…
Cut 10 (08) “…medal rounds.”
Many Tigers will represent countries around the world. LSU gymnastics national champion Aleeah Finnegan will compete for the Philippines. Associate basketball head coach David Patrick will coach the Australia squad and former player Duop Reath. Lowe says former LSU pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis is a big favorite to defend his 2020 gold for Sweden…
Cut 11 (12) “…these games.”
14 LSU track and field athletes will compete for 8 different countries. Headlining the US team is world-champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson set an NCAA record for the 100 meter in her only season at LSU, becoming one of the 10 fastest women in history as a 19-year-old. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but was unable to compete after a failed drug-test. Lowe says there’s no doubt Richardson could bring home gold…
Cut 12 (11) “…100 meters.”
The Olympic Opening Ceremony is set for 12:30 central time.
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Three arrests have been made in the shooting death of 20-year-old Steven Harris, the former Southern student who was reported missing on July 17th when he didn’t return for a custody hearing for his one-year-old son. His body was found in Mississippi days later. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman says they believe the hearing played a role in his murder.
Cut 13 (09) “…their child.”
21-year-old Martin, along with 20-year-old Calajia (Cah-lie-ah) Jack (Female), and 21-year-old Derek Terrell Hollins are also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Hollins is also charged with possession of a machine gun. The three were arrested Thursday and are being held in the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center.
Spillman says they believe the three lured Harris under the pretense they were going to attend a party or meet friends.
Cut 14 (09) “…disposed of in Mississippi,”
Spillman says they received information about where Harris’s body was possibly located and West Feliciana detectives traveled to Wilkinson County and found the body. He says the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency and Harris’ body was sent to Jackson for an autopsy.
He says it’s a heartbreaking case and Spillman recalls when he had to make the death notification to Harris’ parents…
Cut 15 (06) “…very difficult.”
Spillman expects the three will soon face charges in Mississippi also.
Harris, who lived in St. Francisville with his parents, was a former member of Southern’s marching band, the Human Jukebox.
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Saints training camp is underway in Irvine, California as Dennis Allen’s squad prepares for the 2024 season. The black and gold defense has been a strength under Allen, but some fans are worried about holes on the d-line and aging veteran stars. 35-year-old linebacker Demario Davis has anchored the unit since 2017, and says last year’s effort was effective but not up to standard…
Cut 16 (18) “…be dominant.”
The Saints have missed the playoffs the last two seasons under Dennis Allen. The front office brought in new Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak to hopefully spark some change in the franchise, but if nothing changes this season, Allen could find himself on the hot seat. Davis says he has confidence in his head coach…
Cut 17 (19) “…from a coach.”
Despite a winning season last year, many fans have been disappointed in the Saints performance in the post-Drew Brees era. The roster has talent and it’s clear the front office is trying to win, but the results aren’t matching. Davis says the elephant in the locker room is the team is underperforming, but they’re working to give Saints fans something to cheer about…
Cut 18 (18) “…can show.”
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Cut 19 (11) “…four or five more years”
Cut 20 (13) “…higher results.”