A lawyer representing the mother of Madison Brooks, the LSU co-ed who was killed by traffic after being allegedly gang-raped and dumped alongside a darkened road, is calling out defense attorneys representing four men accused of sexual assault for trying the case in the media; just moments after they said they wouldn’t. Attorney Kerry Miller says, in a press conference last week, they proceeded to blame the victim…:

CUT 09(12)      “…very offensive.”

The suspects’ lawyers say Brooks was alive and well when the men dropped her off, and she consented to whatever sex happened the night of her death.

LSU announced today the launch of Bayou Tradition, which is a collective that will open up more opportunities for athletes to get paid through name, image and likeness deals. Bayou Traditions President Brent Cunningham says fans can donate to the collective…:

CUT 03(07)      “…specifically.”

Cunningham says fans have the opportunity to make one-time, monthly and annual payments, anywhere from 10-dollars a month to 50-thousand dollars a year.

A Lake Arthur man is arrested for vehicular homicide for a January 9^th crash in Vermilion Parish that killed a bicyclist. LSP Trooper Tom Gossen says the first thought the cyclist was rising on the wrong side of the road, but later found the man driving the Toyota pickup had crossed the center line…:

CUT 13(10)      “…this determination.”

20-year-old Kane LeBlanc is charged with vehicular homicide, DWI and more.

State Police in Livingston Parish say a Walker man died early this morning, when his vehicle veered off a wet roadway, plunged into a drainage canal and slammed into a tree. 46-year-old Corey Bennett was apparently not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle on impact. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A routine blood toxicology sample was taken to determine if he was impaired at the time of the crash.

A Hammond man is charged with murder for shooting a woman he was riding in a car with last night. Hammond PD Chief Ed Bergeron says the suspect, 19-year-old Johnny Williams, the victim, 24-year-old Tori Banks and her boyfriend (unnamed) were riding around together…:

CUT 07(11)      “…shot the girlfriend”

Williams then ran away, but police tracked him to his house and arrested him for murder and attempted murder.

Remember Zachary Richard’s old song “Who stole My Monkey?” Police is Broussard are seeking the thief or thieves who broke in and stole several squirrel monkeys from Zoosiana Saturday night. All other animals at the park are accounted for. People have been known to keep them as pets, but experts say they are “highly destructive” and require tons of care, cleaning-up after and attention. Maybe the thieves will find that out and bring them back.

State Police arrest a Lake Arthur man for hitting a bicyclist and killing him earlier this month. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 60-year-old Allen Vincent, of Geydan, was cycling along state Highway 717 on the night of January 9th, when he was hit by a Toyota pickup. Gossen says they initially thought the cyclist was in the wrong lane, but learned otherwise…:

CUT 12(10)      “…correct direction.”

LeBlanc’s blood toxicology report revealed he was under the influence at the time of the crash. He is charged with vehicular homicide, DWI and more.

…and now time for today’s commodities report…

Police in Hammond arrest a 19-year-old man for shooting and killing a woman in a car he was riding in. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron says the woman’s boyfriend flagged down a cop and told him the woman had been shot by a passenger in the car and the man who did ran away…:

CUT 06 (12)      officer down

19-year-old Johnny Williams was identified as that passenger. The victim, 24-year-old Tori Banks, died at a local hospital. Bergeron says an investigation led them to charge Williams with murder.

State Lawmakers convene a special session today to discuss approving a $45-million incentive fund to hopefully lure new property insurance companies to the state and lessen the burden on homeowners. However, some lawmakers have reservations and others are solidly behind the plan…like Marrero Rep. Kyle Green…:

Cut 10  (08)      “…voting for it.

Alexandria Police are investigating two teens found shot and wounded in the parking lot of an IHOP restaurant. Both boys are expected to recover. Not so for two young men found shot to death inside a car parked outside a Waffle House in Baton Rouge early this morning.

Louisiana’s own Archie Williams, whose story of redemption and voice amazed the judges of America’s Got Talent in 2020 will perform again tonight…:

CUT 03 (33)      “…Thorington.”

Lawyers for the men accused of raping an LSU co-ed, and dumping her on a dark roadway shortly before she was hit & killed by traffic, say they have video evidence that shows the victim got in the car willingly and was let out unharmed. They also say video taken inside the car shows she consented to sex. Attorney Joe Long says if 19-year-old Madison Brooks was still alive this would not be a crime…:

CUT 05(07)      “…did not do that.”

Imagine winning $50-thousand and then missing out on collecting it. That just happened, as a 50-k winning Lottery ticket sold in Ascension Parish passed its collection deadline yesterday. Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says this happens pretty often…:

CUT 06(10)      “…larger ones.”

He says check your tickets thoroughly, because you may win a smaller prize – still worth having.

Car thefts and carjacking are at epidemic proportions in the city of New Orleans. NOPD says nearly 600 vehicles have been stolen so far in 2023. 600. Many have been used in commission of crimes in other parishes, and even in Mississippi. State Police have created a specialized unit to try to get the problem in check.

An FDA advisory panel is proposing a plan to simplify COVID vaccines, and a Louisiana expert weighs in on that…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

An FDA advisory panel is proposing a plan to simplify COVID vaccines and a Louisiana expert weighs in…:

Cut 02  (31)      “…Thorington”

Two teen girls have admitted making threats that led to the lockdown of Jennings High School Wednesday. Deputies in Jeff Davis Parish says the youths admitted to officers they had made the threat via phone call, then followed it up with two more calls. Charged with Terrorizing, the girls have been booked and released.

Lawyers for the young men accused of raping LSU co-ed Madison Brooks, before dumping her on a dark roadway where she later was hit by traffic and killed, say they have video evidence of their client’s innocence. Attorney Ron Haley says the video shows that Brooks consented to sex and was dropped off unharmed….:

CUT 04(06)      “…very clear.”

He says taken inside the car will also provide evidence that a rape did not occur.

The President of Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, says he will retire at the end of the current school year. Dr. John Crain has been SELU President since 2009, and has been a faculty member for over 35 years. Crain has led the university through setbacks from state budget cuts, multiple hurricanes (most recently Ida) and the pandemic. He’s also seen it through the launch of new degree programs, numerous facility upgrades and advances in academic achievement and sports…:

CUT 10(10)      “…you’re proud of.”

Attorneys representing the suspects accused of participating in the rape of LSU student Madison Brooks, before she died, say she was not raped. Attorney Ron Haley says Brooks consented to have sex with two individuals in a vehicle before she was dropped off…:

CUT 03(13)      “…factually inaccurate.”

Haley says there’s video of Brooks leaving the vehicle unharmed and in good health. Haley says at this time they are not releasing the video as they work with the district attorney’s office and allow the judicial process to take place.

The FDA is currently reviewing plans to move COVID shot recommendations to a single yearly inoculation, like the flu shot. Tulane University epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says this may take some stigma over the word “Pfizer” and COVID shots. She says no one sweats who manufactures their annual flu shot…:

CUT 13(10)      “…every year.”

Somebody missed out on $50-thousand. The Louisiana Lottery says the deadline to claim a Powerball ticket worth 50-k expired Thursday. The ticket was purchased at Fisherman’s One Stop on L-A 22 in Ascension Parish. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison it’s possible the player gave up hope after seeing they didn’t match all the numbers…:

CUT 07(10)      “…way to win.”

Expired and uncollected prize money is deposited into an unclaimed prize fund for a second-chance drawing.

A ten-year-old in Lake Charles is credited with taking fast action that may have saved his mom’s life. Peyton Farrell was riding with his mother, when she passed out behind the wheel. The car crashed into a culvert and the airbags deployed. The little boy quickly activated the car’s OnStar, which brought help to the scene quickly. Thanks to his fast action, both he and mom escaped with just cuts and bruises.

A plan to streamline COVID vaccination protocols is under consideration. The FDA advisory panel is recommending a move towards an annual vaccination routine similar to flu shots. In New Orleans, Tulane University epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says such a plan could encourage those skeptical of the vaccine to get protected…:

CUT 12(12)      “…preventative effort.”

Perhaps you’ve seen the TV ads of Lafayette business woman Katie Bernhardt that seem to tease she’ll run for governor. Some state Democrats are angry that the woman who is the chair of the state party would make such a move, and call for her to step down, if she intends to run. Some feel her ambition is a conflict of interests; her own and the party’s. Still, others feel Bernhardt is a proven leader and fundraiser, and would do the Democrats proud. So far, she has not announced a run for governor.

The President of Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, says he will retire at the end of the current school year. Dr. John Crain has been SELU President since 2009, and has been a faculty member for over 35 years. Crain says he’s proud of his time leading the university, but he’s reaching a new chapter in his life…:

CUT 09  (10)        the next president

Crain says, in some ways, retirement is a “bittersweet proposition” for him. He says he announced it now, so a proper search could be done to find SELU’s next president. Crain will step down at the end of the school year.

…and now a look at commodity prices…

Since the alleged assault and death of LSU student Madison Brooks made the headlines, it’s inspired two freshman students to create a group to help other female students get home safely. Alisha Ortolano says that sadly females are abandoned without a way home more often than you’d think…:

CUT 04(06)      “…this situation.”

So Ortolano and her friend Caitlynn Bakewell created a group called LSU GIRLS RIDES on the app GroupMe. Female students are verified and when one requests a ride other members can answer the call.

Somebody missed out on 50-thousand dollars. The Louisiana Lottery says the deadline to claim a Powerball ticket worth 50-thousand dollars expired Thursday. The ticket was purchased at Fisherman’s One Stop on L-A 22 in Ascension Parish. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says it’s common for prizes to go unclaimed..:

CUT 06(10)      “….larger ones.”

Berwick High School, in St. Mary Parish, is under lockdown at this hour after a note was found threatening something bad. At this hour, LRN doesn’t know the nature of the threat. Classrooms were evacuated and the school searched, but nothing was found. However, they remain on lockdown while officers investigate.

The search for the state’s longest-married couple is underway. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can nominate a duo that’s been married for seven decades or more…:

CUT 02(28)      “…Thorington.”

Trouble for notorious Tigerland bar Reggie’s in Baton Rouge; its liquor license is suspended after 4 underage youths were served – and likely overserved – and then went on to allegedly gang rape an LSU co-ed. Scott Wilfong is on the local Alcoholic Beverage Control board. He says Reggie’s has been cited for serving minors before. He says an investigation is warranted…:

CUT 04(12)      “…the license.”

He says state and local lawmakers should consider measures to curtail underage drinking. Police say 19-year-old Madison Brooks had a blood alcohol level of .319 when she was hit and killed by a car, after the suspects in her attack dropped her on the roadside.

Ouachita Parish deputies are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in West Monroe Wednesday. A requested welfare check of the home revealed that Zane Brantley and Gwen Brantley were both dead. They says it looks like one killed the other, then themselves.

It’s National Passenger Safety Week and passengers are being encouraged to speak up. Whitney Thomas reports…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Whitney Thomas.”

The National Weather Service confirms that an EF1 tornado hit the town of Ventress in Pointe Coupee Parish last night. The twister tossed multiple mobile homes onto their side and even tore one apart. Three people were treated for minor to moderate injuries.

The Baton Rouge Tigerland bar, where 19-year-old student Madison Brooks got drunk with four men accused of raping her, has had their liquor license suspended by the state.  Baton Rouge Alcoholic Beverage Control board member Scott Wilfong says while the state investigates Reggie’s bar, it’s out of their hands…:

CUT 03  (08)        “…take action.”

Reggie’s has been cited before for serving minors. Wilfong says the age to even ENTER a bar should be 21.

I’d call this a big “oops”. The state’s Legislative Auditor says LSU accidentally overpaid head football coach Brian Kelly by #1-million last summer. Kelly received supplemental payments that are in his contract, but the university paid him twice by mistake. They also found other irregularities in coaching staff pay and in the Tiger athletic Foundation. The full audit is available online.

In his weekly media availability, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked about classified federal documents recently found in President Biden’s office in Philadelphia, and in two homes in Delaware. Cassidy says there’s no good reason for a former Vice President to have such files in his personal possession. Does he think this also applies to fellow Republicans Donald Trump and Mike Pence; both accused of doing the same? He says “absolutely”…:

CUT 08(14)      “…safe, secure environment.”

It’s National Passenger Safety Week and State Police say it’s OK for passengers to speak up and help the driver to see and avoid possible hazards. Trooper Ross Brennan…:

CUT 10(11)      “…hazardously.”

Brennan says buckle up.