Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The school is offering grief counseling and student, Issah Clay, says the three band members were well-thought-of.

Cut 7 (09) “..honor their names.”

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy has compiled crime data in the state to see what works and what doesn’t. Vice President for Policy and Strategy with the Institute Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says programs designed to rehabilitate nonviolent criminals, for example, drug offenders, are keeping the recidivism rate down.

Cut 13 (08) “…with employment.”

In Lafayette qualifying for the mayoral race is still months away but two residents say they are launching their campaigns next week. Attorney Jan Swift and incumbent Mayor Josh Guillory have scheduled announcements on December 15^th.  Both candidates are Republicans.

The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Southern University has identified 3 Human Jukebox band members who were killed in a crash Tuesday night. They are 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Keymonte Avery is a former band member…:
Cut 5 (08) “to Sunday”

Data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows property crime is down, but violent crime is up.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The High School Football Championships get underway today at the Superdome in New Orleans. Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…:
Cut 16 (13) “to get here”
The first game kicks off at 3:30 between Homer and Oak Grove.

This coming weekend is a big one for Christmas Festivals in Louisiana and there’s a big one in Alexandria that kicks off today: AlexWinterFete. Santa will be there, a Polar Express, crafts and vendors and live music. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery on their key attraction…:
Cut 9 (09) “we’ve brought in”
The Festival runs through Sunday and you can get the details at AlexWinterFete.com.

Southern University is mourning the loss of three members of the Human Jukebox band who were killed when they were run over by an 18 wheeler as the trio was changing a tire on the side of the road in Natchitoches Tuesday night. Isaiah Clay is a student at Southern…
Cut 6 (07) “on campus”
The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas.

State Police say two men helped saved a family of four from drowning, including two children, after their vehicle entered a canal and became submerged Wednesday morning in Assumption Parish. Jeff Lapeyrouse of Bourg and Chase Dupre of Chauvin both entered the water and pulled the four occupants out of the vehicle through thick mud and marsh. Only minor injuries were reported in the crash.

Crime data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows a reduction in property crimes, but violent crime is up. Vice President for Policy and Strategy Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime…:
Cut 11 (06) “all about”
Bendily says the data also shows it’s possible to reduce incarceration rates, especially among nonviolent offenders, and reduce crime at the same time.

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesars Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Eddie Bonine is the Executive Director of the LHSAA and he says a $25 ticket gets you in the Dome for the day…:
CUt 15 (14) “is reasonable”
Two championship games will be played tonight, three on Friday and three more on Saturday.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members, Whitney Thomas has the story…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

If you have homeowners’ insurance through United Property & Casualty, you’ll have to find new coverage next year. The Florida based company is the latest to announce it’s leaving Louisiana amid the state’s growing insurance crisis. UPC had the 5th largest share of Louisiana’s home insurance market in 2021. It will stop renewing policies in 2023.

One of Louisiana’s most popular Christmas Festivals kicks off today in downtown Alexandria. Alex Winter Fete includes ice skating, live music, craft and food vendors, street performers, fireworks, Polar Express Train, and Santa’s Village where Santa and Mrs. Claus will take photos. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery says it’s worth the road trip…
Cut 8 (08) “for the night”
Check the Alex Winter Fete Facebook Page for details.

No shortage of road trips to New Orleans this weekend as the LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight the Caesars Superdome. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s led to more competitive games.:
Cut 14 (10) “all belong”
The first game kicks at 4:30 today as it’s Ouachita Christian versus Vermilion Catholic.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Former band member Keymonte Avery says Southern’s band is like a family…:
Cut 4 (11) “…different feeling.”
According to State Police, a tractor-trailer driven by Clyde Gay, of Coushatta, drifted into the shoulder, hitting the Jeep, and immediately killed the three students. Two of the students were tuba players and the other was a percussionist.

The St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man is under arrest for allegedly trying to steal a marked Hummer parked outside the parish jail. They said the man told staff he was a deputy taking the Hummer to be serviced. 53 year old Pete Dunhurst is booked for vehicle burglary, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to the Pelican Institute for Public Policy property crimes in the Bayou State are decreasing but violent crime is up, which mirrors a nationwide trend. Institute Vice President Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says when you look at violent crime in Louisiana, the rate was flat before 2020
Cut 12 (07) “phenomenon”
She says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime.

Lots of high school football fans are headed to New Orleans today for the state football championships which get underway in the Caesars Superdome. Two games happen tonight. The Division Four non-select title game has Homer facing Oak Grove. And in the Division Four select title game, Ouachita Christian battles Vermilion Catholic.

Students are mourning the tragic death of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members, Whitney Thomas has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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Crime data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows a reduction in property crimes, but violent crime is up. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Former band member Keymonte Avery says this is unsettling because of how close their members are.

Cut 4 (11)  “…different feeling.”

According to State Police, a tractor-trailer driven by Clyde Gay, of Coushatta, drifted into the shoulder, hitting the Jeep, and immediately killed the three students. Avery says this is surreal for the Southern community.

Cut 5 (08) “…to Sunday.”

Gay sustained no injuries however,  laboratory tests will be done to check for any impairment. Issah Clay, a current Southern University student says the victims were well-rounded and will be missed.

Cut 6 (07)  “…on campus.” 

Southern Chancellor Dennis Shields sent a letter of condolence to the families and students affected. On-campus counseling has also been offered to assist students in emotional need. Clay says the students were legacies to be honored.

Cut 7 (09) “..honor their names.”

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It’s the season for Christmas festivals and Alexandria has one they are very proud of. AlexWinterFete kicks off this evening at five and continues for four days. Event manager Liz Lowery says the location is convenient for a nice little road trip.

Cut 8 (08)  “…for the night.”

She says the free, family-friendly festival is the sister festival to Alex River Fete, held in May. She says the 2017 AlexWinterFete was named Festival of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Tourism.

It features local food vendors, booths for holiday shopping, music, Santa Claus, and a Christmas parade. She says the ice skating rink is a key attraction and will be ready to go even in this unseasonably warm weather.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we’ve brought in.”

The festival began in 2015, had a drive-through event in 2020, and resumed last year. Lowery says she’s expecting approximately 40,000 people will attend this year’s festival

Cut 10 (09) “…interest in.” 

AlexWinterFete continues until Sunday 8 pm. For more information go to AlexWinterFete.com

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According to the Pelican Institute for Public Policy property crimes in the Bayou State are decreasing but violent crime is up, which mirrors a nationwide trend. Vice President for Policy and Strategy with the Institute Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime…

Cut 11 (06)  “…all about.”

The study shows property crime in Louisiana is down 30 percent over the last two decades. And there’s been a 25-percent decrease in burglaries and robberies in the last five years.

When you look at violent crime in Louisiana, she says the rate was flat from 2014 to 2019, but in 2020 Bendily says things changed drastically.

Cut 12 (07) “…phenomenon.”

Bendily says the data also shows it’s possible to reduce incarceration rates, especially among nonviolent offenders, and reduce crime at the same time. Programs designed to rehabilitate nonviolent criminals, for example, drug offenders, are keeping the recidivism rate down.

Cut 13 (08) “…with employment.”

Bendily says Louisiana is already seeing improvements in recidivism rates by incarcerating more violent offenders and implementing programs to give nonviolent offenders a second chance and proper guidance.

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The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesars Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Earlier in the football season, the LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s led to more competitive games

Cut 14 (10)  “…all belong.”

Two championship games will be played tonight, three on Friday and three more on Saturday. Bonine says a 25-dollar ticket gets you in the Dome for the day…

Cut 15 (14)  “…is reasonable”

This year’s Prep Classic features some familiar teams like Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, Lafayette Christian, St. Charles Catholic, and Union Parish. But Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back in the Dome for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…

Cut  16 (13)  “…to get here.” 

The first game kicks off at 3:30 today, Homer versus Oak Grove.

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Cut 17 (17) “….message was” 

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Cut 18 (21) “…great situation” 

Cut 19 (18) “….to get there”

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Cut 20 (11) “…on that”

Three Southern University band members were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler last night. The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break. State Police are investigating and say Tyran Williams, Dylan Young, and Broderick Moore were killed while trying to change a flat tire.

Moran says multiple first responders worked the accident.

Cut 16 

The University is now offering grief counseling to students.

Troopers from Louisiana state police are investigating a single fatal crash   on LA Highway 40 near Highway 445 when the accident occurred. Trooper William Huggins says the investigation will include obtaining phone records and crash data recordings. Huggins says that’s similar to a Blackbox recording on a plane and it has valuable information like…

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After responding to four overdose deaths in a 72-hour period over the weekend, police in Monroe have one suspect in custody. Detective Matt Schmitz says 47-year-old Jarrell Lee Walker has been arrested facing several charges including two counts of negligent homicide. Schmitz says they are still waiting on toxicology reports, and they believe fentanyl is suspected to be involved in the deaths. As for the other two overdose deaths…

Cut 7 

A new statewide poll shows a majority of Louisianans accept climate change as a reality, but feel it’s not up to the U.S. alone to address it. John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics & Polling, says the survey of over 600 residents found a majority (42%) feel it’s a real problem…:

cut 3

Three Southern University band members were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler last night. State Police says the students were on the side of the road changing a tire when the truck hit them and their Jeep, killing them instantly. Captain Tony Moran with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened on I-49 near Natchitoches around 7 pm.

Cut 15 (09) “…situation.”
The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break.

Monroe Police have charged 47-year-old Jarrell Walker of Monroe with negligent homicide for his role in two fentanyl overdose deaths that occurred in the city on Saturday. Detective Matt Schmitz says there is a deadly batch of fentanyl circulating the area and they urge those with addiction issues to seek help…
cut 8 (08) “….their life”

Port Barre police arrest two 15-year-olds after they allegedly made a bomb threat towards the high school on Monday. Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux says they continue to investigate similar threats to Port Barre High School and the Middle School made on November 23rd and December 1st and they do have suspects…
cut 14 (10) “…expert”

A JMC Analytics poll of 625 Louisiana residents finds that 58-percent of the respondents believe climate change is occurring and 51-percent say climate change has contributed to recent destructive hurricanes. Pollster John Couvillon says 80-percent of those surveyed says foreign countries with more carbon pollution should be required to pay a fee when their high carbon products enter the U-S….
cut 4 (11) “…heavy polluter or not”