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.
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.
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.
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
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…
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.
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
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…
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…
The first game kicks off at 3:30 today, Homer versus Oak Grove.
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Cut 18 (21) “…great situation”
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