After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life wants to remind you of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A young flight instructor and her student are presumed dead after their Cessna plane crashed into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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High school football quarterfinals kick off this weekend. Kace Kieschnick has LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett’s games to watch in the non-select brackets.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Regardless of the mode of transportation, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says almost seven-million people in the West South Central Region will hit the road this holiday; so if you’re heading out today, do so as soon as possible.

Cut 4 (08) “…bulk of people.”

Redman says the best part about traveling by car this year is cheap gas.

Cut 5 (10) “…head into Christmas.”

More than 430-thousand will be taking to the friendly skies, and Redman says another mode of transportation has gained popularity this year.

Cut 6 (10) “…sure of that.”

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After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life is reminding everyone of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Policy Director Erica Inzina says the purpose is to protect the life of the newborn baby.

Cut 7 (12) “…no questions asked.”

(Up to 60 days old, the mother can drop the baby off at a designated surrender location with no questions asked.) A mother can drop the baby off at any hospital, a staffed fire station or a staffed law enforcement station. In addition, Inzina says in South Louisiana, there are two Safe Haven drop-off boxes.

Cut 8 (15) “…has walked away.”

Inzina says in light of what happened in Denham Springs this week, there needs to be more outreach to let people know that the Safe Haven Law exists in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a safe option.”

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A flight instructor and her student are presumed dead after a plane that took off from the New Orleans Lakefront Airport crashed into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night. The owner of Apollo Flight School, Michael Carasto, says it’s unknown why the instructional flight over the lake turned into a tragedy.

Cut 10 (12) “…or what happened.”

Carasto says the Cessna plane they were flying was a late 70s or 80s model, but it was maintained to regulation standards. He says there was no distress call, and the plane disintegrated once it hit the water, so the chances of survival were slim.

Cut 11 (14) “…much in shock.”

Carasto says the instructor was highly qualified with 13-hundred flying hours. He says both victims were in their 20s.

Cut 12 (06) “…is my first.”

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The Saints have cut 27-year-old kicker Blake Grupe after he missed two more field goals on Sunday, and they’ve signed former LSU Tiger Cade York. Grupe’s eight missed field goals this season leads the NFL. WWL radio NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the offensively-challenged Saints could no longer wait for Grupe to snap out of his slump.

Cut 13 (10)  “…they’re loaded offensively.”

York was on LSU’s 2019 national championship team, and he made 82-percent of field goals in three seasons at LSU. He struggled his rookie season with the Bengals in 2022, and he only appeared in six games last season. Detillier says York has not kicked in the NFL this year.

Cut 14 (11) “…a bit inconsistent.”

The Saints passed on signing kicker Justin Tucker, who recently completed a ten-game suspension for alleged improper behavior with massage therapists. Detillier says there’s simply too much baggage with Tucker.

Cut 15 (12) “…his NFL career.”

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The quarterfinals of the Louisiana high school football playoffs kick off Friday. LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett says the chaos of the D-1 non-select bracket has lived up to the hype. 26th seeded Barbe upset Northwood and West Monroe, but Verrett says their Cinderella run will have to go through second-ranked Neville.

Cut 16 (16) “…offense keep going.”

Verrett says he’s circling Belle Chasse versus West Feliciana in Division Two. Coach Stephen Meyers’ Cardinals have the makings of a championship contender.

Cut 17 (16)  “…back in Louisiana.”

Third-seeded St. James will take on sixth seeded Oak Grove Friday in the division three quarterfinals. Verrett says this will be a matchup between two dynamic offenses.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to possibly win.”

Oak Grove is outscoring opponents 89-0 in the playoffs this year so far.

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UL-Lafayette football is just one win away from becoming bowl eligible for the eighth straight year. The Cajuns take on the ULM Warhawks Saturday for rivalry weekend, and head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says he wants his team to start out faster and be able to finish the season strong.

Cut 19 (13) “…postseason dreams alive.”

In the Cajuns’ 34-30 win over Arkansas State, starting center Cooper Fordham and veteran reserve Mackey Maillho (MAIL-oh) suffered season-ending injuries. UL-Lafayette is now up to nine offensive linemen who are out for the year. Desormeaux says everyone has elevated their play to get the team to this point.

Cut 20 (21) “…handle and weather.”

Kickoff in Lafayette Saturday is at 2 p.m.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is criticizing a judge for granting bail to a death row inmate. Judge Alvin Sharp threw out Jimmy Duncan’s 1998 first-degree murder conviction for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter and granted him 150-thousand dollars bail. Murrill says since the case is on appeal at the state Supreme Court, the decision to grant Duncan bail was not Sharp’s to make.

Cut 4 (06) “…orders at all.”

LSU kicks off the Death Valley Concert Series with a performance by Zach Bryan March 28th. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Clay Harris says both LSU and the city are putting emphasis on bringing live music to Tiger Stadium.

Cut 8 (08) “…you name it.”

Harris says the school feels that it’s important to open the doors to Tiger Stadium more than seven times a year for football games.

This holiday week, police departments are out in full force watching out for people in vehicles who are not wearing their seatbelts. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Click It or Ticket Campaign is going on now through Sunday; and spokesman Greg Fischer says since seat belt violations are a primary offense in Louisiana, an officer can pull you over just for not being buckled up.

Cut 9 (09)  “…your seat belt.”

Willis Knighton Health’s Progressive Care Center in Shreveport earned a Best Nursing Home Award for 2026 by U.S. News and World Report. Administrator Debra Crump says all glory goes to her staff.

Cut 12 (09) “…that we do.”

The publication evaluates centers on their patient and resident outcomes, staffing ratio and inspection results.

A man on death row for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter is granted bail after his murder conviction is thrown out. However, he won’t be walking out as a free man anytime soon. Back in April, District Court Judge Alvin Sharp threw out Jimmy Duncan’s first-degree murder conviction and set Duncan’s bail at 150-thousand dollars – an action that Attorney General Liz Murrill says was outside his authority.

Cut 3 (08) “…the underlying ruling.”

Willis Knighton Health’s Progressive Care Center in Shreveport earns a Best Nursing Home Award for 2026 by U.S. News and World Report. Administrator Debra Crump says they’re dedicated to helping their patients recover from illness, injury or surgery.

Cut 14 (13) “…home environment.”

There’s “Something in the Orange” in Tiger Stadium this spring. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham has just been tapped as the Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the number-two job at the agency. During his time as the state’s first surgeon general, Abraham worked to end the promotion of vaccination clinics in the state.

A death row inmate is granted bail, but he won’t be walking out a free man anytime soon. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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There’s “Something in the Orange” in Tiger Stadium this spring. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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A man on death row for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter is granted bail after his murder conviction is thrown out. However, he won’t be walking out as a free man anytime soon. Back in April, District Court Judge Alvin Sharp threw out Jimmy Duncan’s first-degree murder conviction, saying that bite mark analysis was not scientifically defensible and that a jailhouse informant had recanted his testimony. Sharp set Duncan’s bail at 150-thousand dollars – an action that Attorney General Liz Murrill says was completely outside his lawful authority.

Cut 3 (08) “…the underlying ruling.”

Murrill says as such, the decision to grant Duncan bail was not Sharp’s decision to make.

Cut 4 (06) “…orders at all.”

Murrill says this case is an example of the decades-old post-conviction relief that she has been fighting to clamp down on, so that the families of the victims can get the justice they deserve a lot sooner.

Cut 5 (10) “…forever and ever.”

As of late this morning, Duncan is still at Angola, and he’s waiting to be picked up by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office to be taken to the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center.

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Death Valley is set to host multi-platinum artist Zach Bryan March 28th. It will be the first show in Tiger stadium since Garth Brooks’ 2022 performance. Opened by Caamp and J.R. Carroll, the concert will be the fourth stop on his With Heaven On Tour, which LSU Deputy Athletic Director Clay Harris says features multiple college football stadiums.

Cut 6 (08) “…the community.”

Bryan will kickoff the new Death Valley Live series, which Harris says will bring top artists to Baton Rouge each spring. He says they felt it was important to open the doors to Tiger stadium more than seven times a year for football games, and fans can expect another announcement soon.

Cut 7 (09) “…Memorial weekend.”

The series was put together in partnership with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, visit Baton Rouge, and the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. Harris says both LSU and the city are putting emphasis on bringing live music to Tiger stadium.

Cut 8 (08) “…you name it.”

Presale begins December 3rd, and public tickets go on sale December 5th.

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This holiday week, police departments are out in full force watching out for people in vehicles who are not wearing their seatbelts. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Click It or Ticket Campaign is going on now through Sunday; and spokesman Greg Fischer says since seat belt violations are a primary offense in Louisiana, an officer can pull you over just for not being buckled up.

Cut 9 (09)  “…your seat belt.”

A recent audit shows that more than 88-percent of drivers in Louisiana wear their seatbelts. Fischer says while that’s good, that’s not good enough.

Cut 10 (06) “…above 91-percent.”

Fischer says drivers who are not wearing seatbelts account for a disproportionate percentage of those killed in crashes.

Cut 11 (12) “…in car crashes.”

That figure, to be more precise, is more than 56-percent.

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Willis Knighton Health’s Progressive Care Center in Shreveport earned a Best Nursing Home Award for 2026 by U.S. News and World Report. Administrator Debra Crump says all glory goes to her staff.

Cut 12 (09) “…that we do.”

The publication evaluates centers on their patient and resident outcomes, staffing ratio and inspection results. Of the nearly 15-thousand nursing homes examined, Crump says Progressive Care Center was near the top.

Cut 13 (11)  “…year three.”

The 48-bed skilled nursing facility specializes in short-term rehabilitation care. Crump says they’re dedicated to helping their patients recover from illness, injury or surgery.

Cut 14 (13) “…home environment.”

A man on death row for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter had his conviction thrown out, is granted a new trial and is granted 150-thousand dollars bail. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the case of Jimmy Duncan is an example of the decades-old post-conviction relief that she has been fighting to clamp down on, so that the families of the victims can get the justice they deserve a lot sooner.

Cut 5 (10) “…forever and ever.”

Multi-platinum artist Zach Bryan will rock Tiger Stadium March 28th, kicking off the new Death Valley Live concert series. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Clay Harris says it’s important to open the doors to Tiger stadium more than seven times a year for football games, and fans can expect another announcement soon.

Cut 7 (09) “…Memorial weekend.”

It’s Click It or Ticket time again in Louisiana. Police officers are out in full force, working overtime to make sure everyone inside motor vehicles is buckled up; and if not, that’s a 50-dollar ticket. A recent audit showed that more than 88-percent of Louisianans buckle up; Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says while that’s good, that’s not good enough.

Cut 10 (06) “…above 91-percent.”

Willis Knighton Health’s Progressive Care Center in Shreveport earned a Best Nursing Home Award for 2026 by U.S. News and World Report. The publication evaluates centers on their patient and resident outcomes, staffing ratio, and inspection results. Administrator Debra Crump says of the nearly 15-thousand nursing homes examined, Progressive Care Center was near the top.

Cut 13 (11)  “…year three.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is criticizing a judge for granting bail to a death row inmate. Judge Alvin Sharp threw out Jimmy Duncan’s 1998 first-degree murder conviction for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter and granted him 150-thousand dollars bail. Murrill says since the case is on appeal at the state Supreme Court, the decision to grant Duncan bail was not Sharp’s to make.

Cut 4 (06) “…orders at all.”

This holiday week, police departments are out in full force watching out for people in vehicles who are not wearing their seatbelts. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Click It or Ticket Campaign is going on now through Sunday; and spokesman Greg Fischer says since seat belt violations are a primary offense in Louisiana, an officer can pull you over just for not being buckled up.

Cut 9 (09)  “…your seat belt.”

There’s “Something in the Orange” in Tiger Stadium this spring. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham has just been tapped as the Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the number-two job at the agency. During his time as the state’s first surgeon general, Abraham worked to end the promotion of vaccination clinics in the state.

A man on death row for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter is granted bail after his murder conviction is thrown out. However, he won’t be walking out as a free man anytime soon. Back in April, District Court Judge Alvin Sharp threw out Jimmy Duncan’s first-degree murder conviction and set Duncan’s bail at 150-thousand dollars – an action that Attorney General Liz Murrill says was outside his authority.

Cut 3 (08) “…the underlying ruling.”

A new statewide survey by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute finds that while rates of sexual and physical violence in Louisiana have declined since 2023, it still remains a problem. Lead researcher Anita Raj says nearly one in four women report forced sex in their lifetime and more than one in four say a partner had burned, chocked, or used a weapon against them.

Cut 8 (09) “…we see there.”

The most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history had a tryout with the Saints. Jeff Palermo reports Justin Tucker is looking for a new team now that his ten-game suspension is over.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former LSU head football coach Brian Kelly says by firing him for cause, not only is the school looking to get out of paying him his 54-million-dollar buyout, but it’s made it nearly impossible for him to find a new football job. In a letter to the school, Kelly noted that press releases issued the day after the loss to Texas A&M state that the decision was performance-related.

The most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history had a tryout with the Saints. Jeff Palermo reports Justin Tucker is looking for a new team now that his ten-game suspension is over.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A Grant Parish detective helps take down a suspected child predator from Canada. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Fans going to the Bayou Classic in New Orleans can expect beefed-up security. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Thanksgiving is two days away; and if you have not started thawing your frozen turkey, you’d better act soon. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you’ll need to use the cold water method.

Cut 4 (06) “…every 30 minutes.”

Strain says never thaw a turkey on the counter.

He says when you cook the turkey, set the oven at 350 degrees, and the turkey is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Strain says an eight to 12-pound turkey should take one and a half to two hours.

Cut 5 (12) “…to 3.5 hours.”

Strain says when frying a turkey, make sure the fryer is outside, away from any structure. He says heat three to five gallons of peanut oil or any other oil to 375-degrees before putting the turkey in the fryer.

Cut 6 (13) “…minutes per pound.”

A fried turkey is safe to eat once the internal temperature reaches 165-degrees, and never put a frozen turkey in the fryer.

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A new statewide survey by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute finds rates of sexual and physical violence in Louisiana have declined since 2023. Lead researcher Anita Raj says physical violence has decreased slightly among men, and women continue to face higher risks of sexual and intimate partner violence.

Cut 7 (13) “…happening from partners.”

Raj says nearly one in four women report forced sex in their lifetime and more than one in four say a partner had burned, chocked, or used a weapon against them.

Cut 8 (09) “…we see there.”

Raj says the study showed that adults who lacked money for food or basic needs in the past year were two to six times more likely to experience violence.

Cut 9 (06)  “…forms of violence.”

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Same M-O, different country – A Canadian man is under arrest for allegedly trying to solicit a young girl in Louisiana. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says 35-year-old Eddy Butler was engaging in a lewd conversation.

Cut 10 (09) “…Canada to Louisiana.”

However, the child that Butler thought he was talking to was actually a Grant Parish detective. McCain says where Butler was taking those pictures is horrifying.

Cut 11 (05) “…his child’s bedroom.”

McCain says the detective contacted her counterparts in the Province of Ontario.

Cut 12 (10) “…him into custody.”

McCain says there won’t be any need to extradite Butler to Louisiana, because he feels that the Canadian authorities have a strong enough case to put him behind bars for a very long time.

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Fans in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic can expect beefed-up security in the French Quarter this weekend. State Police troopers will join New Orleans Police and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to help keep visitors from Baton Rouge and Grambling safe from Friday through Sunday. Trooper Jacob Pucheu (PEE-shoo) says new for this year, they will be activating the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone which had previously been in place for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a certain size.”

Pucheu says the National Guard will be brought in to help troopers maintain security in that area, which will span from Canal to St. Ann streets between Royal and Dauphine streets.

Cut 14 (07) “…everybody is safe.”

In addition to vehicles being prohibited, coolers and ice chests are also not allowed. Those who have reservations at hotels within that zone can still get their luggage in, but there will be special procedures in place.

Cut 15 (10) “…everything is fine.”

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Southern and Grambling will play in the Bayou Classic in the Caesar’s Superdome for the 51^st time on Saturday. Despite being 1-and-10, Southern head coach Fred McNair says this game will bring out the best in his team.

Cut 16 (15) “…will show out.”

The Grambling State Tigers are looking to beat Southern for the first time since 2021, which would give Grambling its first 8-win season since 2017. Head coach Mickey Joseph says the rivalry between the two teams will only last until the game is over.

Cut 17 (16)  “…of the boot.”

McNair and Joseph coached together at Alcorn State in 2013, when Joseph was the wide receivers coach and McNair was the quarterbacks coach. Kickoff in New Orleans Saturday is at 1 p.m.

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LSU’s offense will have its hands full Saturday as the Tigers square off against Oklahoma, who boast the number-six scoring defense in the country. The Sooners’ opponents average 14 points a game, and LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson says they have no weaknesses.

Cut 18 (16)  “…they contest passes.”

While Oklahoma is playing for a College Football Playoff berth this Saturday, LSU is fighting for an eight-win season. Wilson says there is a lot to play for, with pride at the top of that list.

Cut 19 (18) “…to beat you.”

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Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the media for the first time since last Wednesday. The Rebels are set to play Mississippi State in Starkville in the annual Egg Bowl Friday. Ole Miss says it will make an announcement on Kiffin’s future the following day. Kiffin would not discuss the rumors of him leaving, but he made it clear he wants to finish the season out.

Cut 20 (11) “…different than that.”

Kickoff in Starkville Friday is at 11 a.m.

A disturbing story out of Livingston Parish as a Denham Springs teenager is accused of killing her newborn baby. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrived at the 14-year-old girl’s home and found the newborn dead inside a tote bag with extensive neck injuries. Sheriff Jason Ard says investigators believe that the woman carried the baby to full term and killed the baby immediately after giving birth.

There’s the potential for severe weather tonight and tomorrow morning. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is working with Washington Democrat Kim Shrier on a bipartisan maternal support bill. Letlow says a key component of the Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit, or NEST, Act is giving new mothers access to newborn supply kits, which would include diapers, wipes and breastfeeding supplies, as well as postpartum mental health resources. Letlow says the foundation is already in place.

Cut 13 (08)  “…to new moms.”

If you’d like to join Louisiana State Police, you once again have a chance. Registration for Cadet Class 109 is now open, and the deadline is January 6th. The class begins June 28th and ends December 11th. Captain Johnnie Brown says the class lasts 24 weeks because there’s a lot to cover.

Cut 11 (12) “…and so forth.”

Senator Bill Cassidy finds himself on the defensive after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. goes back on his word about not spreading misconceptions about vaccines and autism. This, after the CDC’s website was changed to state that the claim of vaccines not causing autism is not based on evidence. On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper asked Cassidy why he would not criticize Kennedy by name.

Cut 8 (13) “…make America healthy.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is working with Washington Democrat Kim Shrier on a bipartisan maternal support bill. Letlow says a key component of the Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit, or NEST, Act is giving new mothers access to newborn supply kits.

Cut 12 (08) “…and breastfeeding supplies.”

There’s the potential for severe weather tonight and tomorrow morning. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Registration for the next State Police’s cadet class is now open. Captain Johnnie Brown says the deadline to register for Cadet Class 109 is January 6th, and the class will take up almost the entire second half of next year, all of which is paid.

Cut 10 (06) “…finish December 11th.”