Authorities say the double murder suspect, Antonio Tyson, did not have a connection with his victims before he allegedly burned them beyond recognition.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Whitney Thomas.”
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For the first time in over 40 years, Louisiana is being visited by a President of France today. Kevin Gallagher has more on Emmanuel Macron’s arrival in New Orleans…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”
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The Queen of Country Pop adds New Orleans to her 2023 tour and tickets go on sale today. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is urging voters to vote yes on constitutional amendment number one on the December 10th ballot. A yes vote would prohibit non-citizens from voting in Louisiana, even though it’s already unlawful for them to vote in state and federal elections.
Cut 4 (09) “…their elections.”
When registering to vote there’s a box to check attesting citizenship. Ardoin says there have only been a few incidents where a non-citizen has voted or attempted to vote in Louisiana.
The amendment was placed on the ballot after a bill authored by Kenner Republican Representative Debbie Villio, passed in the 2022 regular legislative session. Ardoin says current language in the state constitution could be construed to allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.
Early voting for the December 10th election ends tomorrow.
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Authorities are not releasing a motive in the double homicide of a retired priest and a longtime church worker at St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington. Covington Police Lieutenant Kevin Collins says Father Otis Young and Ruth Prats were standing outside in the neighborhood on Sunday when they casually passed words with the suspect Antonio Tyson. Moments later things took a drastic turn.
Cut 7 (13) “…Pratts residence.”
Collins says the bodies of Young and Prats were found Monday morning behind a business in downtown Covington burned beyond recognition.
St. Tammany Parish Coroner Charles Preston says the autopsies confirmed the cause of death.
Ruth was a member of the St. Peter church for decades, as a minister and pastoral assistant while Young led the church as the pastor for 10 years. Father Daniel Brouillette, the current pastor of St. Peter says the two victims were passionate about the community.
Authorities say they arrested Tyson in Prats’ vehicle at a Walgreens, but detectives do not believe Tyson knew his victims before Sunday’s deadly encounter.
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The President of France visits New Orleans today; the first time a French leader has done so since 1976. President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Governor John Bel Edwards and other officials, tour the French Quarter and attend a special dinner with film and entertainment figures. Faycal Falaky (Fie-sul fa-LAH-key) is a professor of French at Tulane University. He says Macron’s visit makes sense because Louisiana remains tied culturally to everything French…:
Cut 10 (07) “…talk about that.”
Macron will meet with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, then stroll through the French Quarter and meet with Governor John Bel Edwards. Falaky says the leaders have a lot to discuss…:
Cut 11 (07) “…in Louisiana and New Orleans”
Falaky says Macron and local leaders are expected to address transitioning to “green” energy and climate change concerns…:
Cut 12 (12) “…sign some treaties”
Macron will also talk about preservation of French culture and language in Louisiana. Falaky says he will attend a reception for the French President.
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The top-selling country female artist of all time will make a stop in Louisiana on her 2023 world tour. Tickets for Shania Twain’s July 24th New Orleans concert go on sale today at 10 AM. Shania broke records and boundaries in the 90s and Baton Rouge 100-point-7 The Tiger DJ Abby Leigh says her fan base runs the gamut.
Cut 13 (08) “…millions of fans.”
When Shania burst onto the country charts the Canadian singer was also able to successfully crossover to the pop charts. Leigh says Shania was the trailblazer for country music female artists.
There was such an overwhelming response for tickets to The Queen of Me tour that Shania added five stops and one of those is New Orleans. The Queen of Country Pop is known for hits like “You’re Still the One,” and Leigh says her 1999 release of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” also spawned a memorable music video.
Mickey Guyton, the first Black woman to ever be nominated for a Grammy in Best Country Solo Performance category will open for Shania in New Orleans.
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LSU looks to be at full strength for tomorrow’s SEC Championship game against unbeaten and top ranked Georgia. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is fine after injuring his ankle last week, cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse has returned from a concussion and Coach Brian Kelly says leading rusher Josh Williams appears ready to go
This is the second straight year Georgia enters the SEC Championship game undefeated. Last year they were knocked off by Alabama. Kelly says his team understands the challenge they face Saturday…
The College Football Playoff announced it will expand to 12 teams starting with the 2024 season. Kelly likes having more teams involved in the playoff…
Cut 18 (18) “…college football.”
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Tulane hosts UCF tomorrow as the Green Wave try to win their first conference championship since 1998 as they look to win the American Athletic Conference. Green Wave Coach Willie Fritz hopes this is just the first of many tries to win a conference title in the years to come…
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The Saints will face Tampa Bay on Monday. New Orleans was shutout last Sunday and Quarterback Andy Dalton expects they’ll execute better against the Buccaneers….