Authorities are investigating how Iberia Parish Jail inmate Kristian Broussard was able to escape Wednesday. Spokesperson Katherine Breaux says they want to know what security lapses, if any, may have occurred.

Cut 11 (09) “…situation like this.”

Broussard’s initial incarceration stemmed from his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred in New Iberia in January 2019. Breaux says authorities worked diligently to ensure public safety during the manhunt that lasted several hours before Broussard was captured.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser along with the Louisiana Office of Tourism leave tomorrow (Friday) for India. A $300,000 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department is paying for the trip and Nungesser says the goal is to increase tourism from India to Louisiana…

Cut 3 (10) “…coming to Louisiana.”

The delegation’s goal is to showcase Louisiana’s rich culture, heritage, and tourism opportunities to boost international visitors to the state.

Louisiana’s state government has accepted its first cryptocurrency payment, signaling a step toward modernizing the state’s financial systems. State Treasurer Dr. John Fleming aims to modernize both the state government and the Louisiana economy. By incorporating cryptocurrency, Louisiana seeks to embrace emerging technologies that can enhance convenience, efficiency, and transparency in its transactions.

Cut 10 (09) “…bitcoin lightning.”

St. Tammany Parish is responding in a big way to help shelter pets after the parish animal shelter became overcrowded. Shelter Director Rob Bremer says people are showing up in droves to adopt animals during the shelter’s extended hours.

Cut 8 (08)  “…over capacity anymore”

Bremer says the key to ensuring that shelters don’t get overrun is responsible pet ownership, which includes spaying or neutering them.

There has been a second arrest in the murder of the 12-year-old girl shot on Cypress Street in Alexandria Saturday.  31-year-old Deroyce May II turned himself into the Alexandria Police Department Thursday morning. 38-year-old Kayla Wooten of Alexandria was arrested Wednesday. APD are searching for a 3^rd suspect, Latraykus May who is considered armed and dangerous. Little information has been released regarding the shooting that sent another victim to the hospital Saturday morning.

Iberia Parish jail inmate Kristian Broussard escaped custody on Wednesday evening. Broussard was being held on charges of second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in a 2019 shooting in New Iberia. Spokesperson Katherine Breaux says the manhunt lasted several hours while authorities worked diligently to ensure public safety during the search.

Cut 10 (1=07) “…of a mile.”

Breaux says authorities are now investigating how Broussard managed to escape from the facility.

The St. Tammany Parish Animal Shelter puts out an urgent request, and the community responds in a big way. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser along with the Louisiana Office of Tourism leave tomorrow (Friday) for India. The delegation’s goal is to showcase Louisiana’s rich culture, heritage, and tourism opportunities to boost international visitors to the state. Nungesser says India and the Middle East are emerging markets for tourism, and Louisiana’s unique offerings present a compelling case for international travelers.

Cut 4 (10) “…business here.”

A $300,000 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department is paying for the trip.

Entergy says they’ve restored power to virtually all customers who can safely receive electric service after Hurricane Francine. Vice President of Customer Service, Michelle Bourge (BERG) says nearly half of the 300,000 customers who lost power had it restored one day after the storm. She credits the upgrades and improvements to infrastructure after the devastating storms of the last few years…

Cut 26 secret sauce.

Senator Bill Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for former President Donald Trump after a second assassination attempt in a two-month span. Cassidy says he wants answers from the Secret Service as to how a second assassination attempt could have happened in the first place.

Cut 14 (12) “..this stops now.”

Pelicans fans can now watch their favorite team on TV for free. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The White House has approved Governor Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration, following Hurricane Francine. The governor’s office says this declaration will unlock federal assistance to support recovery efforts in affected areas. GOHSEP External Affairs director Scott Adams says Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes will receive federal assistance.

Cut 9 (09)  “…22 parishes.”

A hitman hired by the ex-wife of a Lake Providence man has been convicted of attempted second degree murder. Back in 2015, Rachel Meadows hired Amin Virani to kill her ex-husband. Virani shot the victim multiple times, but he was able to escape. A jury took only 30 minutes to convict Virani who will be sentenced at a later date. Meadows pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Attorney General Liz Murrill thanked State Police and The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s office for their hard work in the case.

After the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Senator Bill Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump.

Cut 13 (14) “…a sitting president.” 

Cassidy also said that he wants answers from the Secret Service as to how a second assassination attempt could have happened in the first place.

The White House approved Governor Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration, following Hurricane Francine. GOHSEP External Affairs director Scott Adams says Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes will receive federal assistance and FEMA will coordinate the efforts, with an emphasis on public safety and rebuilding.  Adams encourages affected residents to apply for assistance and stay informed on disaster relief efforts.

Cut 11 (10) “…FEMA app.”

This week marks Voter Registration Week. Secretary of State’s spokesperson Joel Watson says citizens can register or update their registration by visiting GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM, that’s G-E-A-U-X Vote dot come. On the site or on the mobile app, citizens can find pooling places, election dates, and deadlines.

Cut 8 (09)  “…November 5th”

Senator Bill Cassidy is despondent over this weekend’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump – the second time in a two-month span that someone tried killing him.

Cut 12 (09) “…or should become.”

Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump.

It’s Voter Registration Week. Secretary of State’s spokesperson Joel Watson says Louisiana has a high registration rate, with about 90-percent of eligible residents registered to vote but there may be some who recently moved to the state or…

Cut 7 (06) “…to do that.”

The deadline to register in time for the November 5th election is October Seventh in person or by mail and October Fifteenth online. Visit GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM, and of course that’s G-E-A-U-X Vote dot com.

Governor Jeff Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state was approved by the White House following Hurricane Francine.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Pelicans’ fans can look forward to watching games on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new rights deal with Gray Media will give many more fans the opportunity. In addition, in the coming weeks, the Pelicans will announce the creation of their new streaming platform, Pelicans Plus.

Cut 5 (08) “…and postgame show.”

The little girl who disappeared from her home in Webster Parish has been found safe. An Arkansas company flying a drone spotted 10-year-old Peyton Saintingnan sleeping in a wooded area. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says she had been seen on a trail cam earlier in the day.  And Parker says before she was found, Peyton heard the searchers.

Cut 8 (11)  “…who they were”

She has a history of sleepwalking.

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped a 58-year-old man from carrying out an assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson posted on “X” that no leader in American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient.

Cut 9 (09)  “…American people.”

Despite the recent Me-Too movement, sexual harassment continues to be very prevalent. According to the #MeToo 2024 report by Tulane University’s Newcome Institute, a survey of more than 33-hundred adults found that 82-percent of women and 42-percent of men experience some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Lead researcher Anita Raj says sexual harassment in the workplace remains a concern.

Cut 10 (10) “…the United States.”

The Saints destroyed the Cowboys in Arlington, 44-19 yesterday. The Saints gained 190 yards on the ground –115 of them by Alvin Kamara. Head Coach Dennis Allen says that’s taking a load off quarterback Derek Carr.

Cut 4 (15) “…of protecting him.”

Francine’s damage estimates are coming in. Catastrophe risk modeler, Core Logic estimates the cost is one point five billion dollars. In a news conference Friday, Governor Jeff Landry said the damage should be no excuse for insurance companies to rase their rates even further.

Cut 13 (12)  “…money as well.”

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped another assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson says there are hearings this month for a Task Force on the previous attempt. Reports will be coming out next week.  Johnson expressed deep concern over the growing threats against the former president and emphasized the need for heightened security measures.

Cut 11 (06) “…if necessary.”

A frantic search for a Webster Parish girl has a happy ending. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints are 2 and O – exceeding expectations with their decisive 44-19 win over the Cowboys in Arlington. The Saints gained 190 yards on the ground — 115 by Alvin Kamara. Quarterback Derek Carr says the vigorous off-season workout program that Coach Allen instituted is really paying off.

Cut 5 (12) “…those hard days.”

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped a 58-year-old man from carrying out what authorities are calling an assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson was briefed with the President within 90-minutes of the event by Acting Director of the Secret Service Ron Rowe.  Rowe says agents saw the gun barrel between the bushes and engaged.

Cut 10 (06) “…conversation today.”

Prayers were answered in Webster Parish as a girl who disappeared from her home was found safe. Crews spent all day searching for ten-year-old Peyton Saintignan, and an Arkansas company flying a drone was able to find her asleep in a wooded area. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says a camera captured an image of her earlier in the day.

Cut 6 (10) “…anything like that.”

Sheriff Parker says the young girl has a history of sleepwalking.

Just like last week, the Saints were firing on all cylinders yesterday, as they destroyed the Cowboys in Arlington, 44-19. Alvin Kamara scored four touchdowns, including a 57-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Kamara says offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made it easy.

Cut 3 (09) “…to run, really.”

In all the Saints gained 190 yards on the ground — 115 by Kamara

Francine’s damage estimates are coming in. Catastrophe risk modeler, Core Logic estimates the cost is one point five billion dollars. Much smaller losses than the fourteen-billion-dollar losses due to Hurricane Ida which impacted a similar area. The loss estimate for Francine does not include inland flooding caused by rain or losses to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Cleanup and recovery continue in coastal parishes. In Terrebonne Parish, President Jason Bergeron (BAA-zher-on) says one of the biggest challenges is that power poles are in hard-to-reach areas such as marshes and swamps.

Cut 6 (09) “…and those lines.”

Entergy crews are working around the clock to restore power to everyone left in the dark by Francine. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Second Harvest Food Bank is distributing emergency food boxes, hot meals, and bottled water to shelters and community centers in the hardest-hit areas. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe say they have supplied more than 200-thousand pounds of food and nearly three thousand meals and counting…

Cut 11 (09) “…Orleans Parish.”

Jayroe says Second Harvest remains focused on providing relief and helping families and individuals regain stability after the hurricane.  For more information on how you can donate or volunteer visit no-dash-hunger-dot-org.

Saturday is the Southland Conference opener for McNeese as the Cowboys welcome back Stephen F Austin back to the league by hosting the Lumberjacks at 7 PM. Pokes head coach Gary Goff on the S-F-A defense…

Cut 14 (16) “..protection.”

Avoyelles Parish received a 911 call yesterday from the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse saying an unknown male entered the courthouse in Marksville covering his face and possessing fake plastic guns and carrying packages and bags. Local law enforcement agencies responded and searched the man, his bags, and the courthouse. Fortunately, no explosives were found.  APSO Detectives identified the man as Jaymes Edward Baker of Mulberry, Florida and learned that Baker allegedly went there to make a statement about his dissatisfaction with civil proceedings in a child custody matter.  Baker was arrested and booked for Terrorizing and Simple Assault.  No bond has been set.

Entergy Louisiana crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible. VP of Customer Service Michelle Bourg (BORG) says in the coastal parishes including Assumption, Terrebonne and Lafourche, full restoration will take a little longer.

Cut 5 (08) “…two to three days.”

Bourg notes that South Louisiana’s geography makes it challenging for crews, with many power poles being located in marshes, swamps and heavily wooded areas.

Cleanup and recovery continue in the coastal parishes. In St. Mary Parish, President Sam Jones says things are almost all the way back to normal.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we’re cleaning up.”

Jones says the progress is incredible considering the parish was among those hit hardest by Francine.

Second Harvest Food Bank is mobilizing to address the immediate needs of communities in parishes impacted by Hurricane Francine. The organization is providing food, water, and essential supplies. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says Second Harvest aims to ensure that necessities reach those in need as quickly as possible.

Cut 10 (09) “…lives back together.”

To volunteer or make donations to Second Harvest, visit no dash hunger dot org.