An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

Before you leave the house to catch some beads Saturday, you’ll want to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered and Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning suggests you remember to take your raincoat with you.

Cut 4 (11) “… Saturday night.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer there’s a responsible way to celebrate safely. He says make plans for a sober driver.

Cut 11 (13) “…just wait.”

With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting 2023 tax returns this week. The deadline to file is May 15^th and LDR says if you’re getting a refund and you file online, you should get it in four weeks. It will take 8 weeks if you file a paper return. You can minimize delays by keeping your contact information up to date. Those changes can be made online at Louisiana File Online where you can also file and pay taxes, check the status of refunds, make changes to returns, and file for extensions.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and in addition to Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

According to Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer, Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest times to be on the roads due to the number of impaired drivers. And it’s not just alcohol.

Cut 10 (09) “…all distractions.”

And while most of the attention is on New Orleans, there were no accidents reported in the Crescent City in 2022. But there were fatal accidents in Acadia, Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, and Webster Parishes during carnival season in 2022.

With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (13) “…for Sunday.”  

Before you leave the house to catch some beads you’ll want to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered and Manning says don’t forget to take your raincoat with you.

Cut 4 (11) “… Saturday night.”

Manning says there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall so some areas may experience some localized flooding mainly across southern Louisiana on Saturday. And there’s a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across the immediate coast.

Cut 5 (06) “…to expect.”  

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46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Shortly after, Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and in addition to Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

And while few details were released about the victim, Rodrigue says there is an association between the victim and the suspect. She says the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

Rodrigue says it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon behind bars the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

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While parade goers are snagging necklaces this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During the 2022 Mardi Gras holiday, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a driver who had been drinking, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation.

Fischer says Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest times to be on the roads due to the number of impaired drivers. And it’s not just alcohol.

Cut 10 (09) “…all distractions.”

And while most of the attention is on New Orleans, there were no accidents reported in the Crescent City in 2022. But there were fatal accidents in Acadia, Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, and Webster Parishes during carnival season in 2022.

Fischer says there’s a responsible way to celebrate safely. He says make plans for a sober driver.

Cut 11 (13) “…just wait.”

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Cut 12 (09)  “…the election.”  

Cut 13 (12) “…pocket.” 

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Cut  14 (12) “…and determine.”

Cut 15 (11) “…her decision”

Cut  16 (07)   “…California bayou boy”

A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says   it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon’s arrest the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (14) “…for Sunday.”  

Tragic news out of Ruston as an 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student died after what appears to be an accidental shooting. Ruston PD responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive thru around 2 a m Friday. When the arrived, they found Austin Johnson suffering from a gun shoot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital but succumbed to his injury. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

While parade goers are snagging beads this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Shortly after, Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about two weeks and Governor Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. Landry failing to carry out that sentence goes further than fighting crime…

Cut 24 (09) “…we do.” 

The state’s last death row execution was in 2010.

A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional map has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. Monroe attorney Paul Hurd says the map resembles one that was deemed unconstitutional in the 90s and says his clients filed the suit to put voters in communities of interest back together.

Cut 15 (13) …in Louisiana. “

State Transportation and Calcasieu Bridge Partners have reached a new agreement on a public-private partnership to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says expenses related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, wetland impact mitigation, and others the state is responsible for have been significantly lowered.

Cut 11 (13) “…25 percent.” 

Lawmakers are about 2 weeks from the governor’s special session on crime and Governor Landry is expected to push for expanding Louisiana’s death penalty. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The National Weather Service is predicting inclement weather statewide for Saturday and Mardi Gras Krewes are adjusting parade schedules and times. Krewes in Baton Rouge and Lafayette have adjusted time. But Shreveport, Lake Charles, and New Orleans still plan to let the good times roll.

A new deal has been reached to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (11) “…before.”

Donahue says the total cost for the project has been reduced by more than 20 percent.

It’s that time again! The Humane Society of Louisiana announce more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses are up for adoption during their annual Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”

The program has saved over 90 horses from potentially being sent to slaughter. You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses this year. HSLA partners with Cascade Stables which brings in horses to meet the demand of Mardi Gras krewes. President Jeff Dorson says the program has had 100 percent success since 2017 and he hopes to find homes for more horses.

Cut 5 (11) “…stable now.” 
A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. The map in question was passed by the legislature in a special session last month Monroe attorney Paul Hurd, says he hopes the unconstitutional nature of the 6^th district is as apparent to the court as it is to his clients.

Cut 14 (11) “…and we will.

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Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about two weeks and Governor Jeff Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. The state’s last death row execution was in 2010. And with the recent shortage on lethal injection drugs, many wonder how Louisiana can make it happen. Governor Landry.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to death.”

A jury could not reach a verdict in a lawsuit accusing Baton Rouge Police of using abusive tactics and faking evidence while responding to protests following the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling. You’ll recall the killing sparked days of unrest across the city, resulting in more than 200 protestor arrests. A mistrial was declared in the trial yesterday about six hours of deliberations. So far there’s no word on a retrial date.

A lawsuit has been filed against the most recently passed congressional map, claiming it racially segregates Louisiana voters. Here’s Brooke Thorrington.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A jury could not reach a verdict in a lawsuit accusing Baton Rouge Police of using abusive tactics and faking evidence while responding to protests following the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling. A mistrial was declared in the trial yesterday about six hours of deliberations. So far there’s no word on a retrial date.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses looking to be adopted following the end of carnival season. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”
Dorson says they’ve got photos, bios, information about each horse’s personality, and which parade they trotted in on a Facebook page. And to make sure all horses are placed in good homes…

Cut 6 (12) “…adoption fee.”

You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.