Tragedy in Shreveport as a Shreveport police officer is killed in a rollover crash and another is critically hurt. Shreveport Police say the officers were in a private vehicle and were headed to work at around two Friday afternoon. The other officer was rushed to a hospital, and that officer’s injuries are life-threatening.Two other vehicles were involved in the crash. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the crash are unclear.

In Lake Charles, United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene. United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help.

Cut 13 (08) “…neighbors in Florida.”

Durel says the very best thing you can donate is cash, but they will accept in-kind donations as well.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Pioneer will celebrate National Public Lands Day at ten Saturday morning with a ranger-led hike. Poverty Point Site Manager Mark Brink says National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort, promoting environmental stewardship and encouraging the use of public spaces for recreation, education, and health.

Cut 5 (13) “…parks as well.”

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns this weekend in downtown New Iberia. Join King Sucrose and Queen Sugar as they preside over the festivities, keeping the tradition alive. President Lisa Norris says families can explore Shadows-on-the-Teche, featuring a petting zoo, cookie decorating, a cupcake walk, and more kid-friendly activities.

Cut 4 (06) “…games and prizes.”

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Poverty Point World Heritage site in Pioneer this Saturday at 10 AM with a ranger-led hike.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Amazon’s investment in Louisiana continues with the opening of its new massive fulfillment center in Shreveport.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns this weekend in downtown New Iberia.  As Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region, Iberia Parish is the ideal host for this annual event.  Sugar Cane Festival President Lisa Norris says festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of activities, including parades, carnival rides, and livestock shows.

Cut 3 (09) “…farmers.”

Join King Sucrose and Queen Sugar as they preside over the festivities, keeping the tradition alive. Norris says families can explore Shadows-on-the-Teche, featuring a petting zoo, cookie decorating, a cupcake walk, and more kid-friendly activities.

Cut 4 (06) “…games and prizes.”

For more information, visit the event website.

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Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Pioneer will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday at 10 AM with a ranger-led hike. Poverty Point Site Manager Mark Brink says National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort, promoting environmental stewardship and encouraging the use of public spaces for recreation, education, and health.

Cut 5 (13) “…parks as well.”

The guided hike will explore the ancient mounds and earthworks of Poverty Point, highlighting the historical and natural significance of the site. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves to help pick up litter along the trail. The hike, which begins at the museum, will last about two hours, depending on the group’s pace. The event is subject to weather conditions.

Cut 6 (07) “…of Earthworks.”

The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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LSU is about a three touchdown favorite heading into Saturday night’s matchup with South Alabama out of the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars are 2-and-2 and they’ve scored 135 points in their last two games, which has the attention Coach Brian Kelly and the players…

Cut 7 (08) “…they have.”

South Alabama averages 48 points a game and averages 7.6 yards a play. The Tigers have a problem when it comes to giving up big plays. Kelly wants his defense to play fundamentally sound, especially in the secondary…

Cut 8 (09) “…better back there.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 6:45 and the weather should be perfect for a night game in Tiger Stadium.

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Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport. Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says this is the culmination of the cooperation of a lot of entities.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in our communities.”

The five-floor 2.5-million-square-foot facility is expected to serve three-million customer shipments per week. Carter says Louisiana currently employs more than three-thousand people throughout the state.

Cut 10 (14) “…positioned for tomorrow.”

And Carter says those are just the direct jobs. She says Amazon has made a commitment to the state that has supported many more indirect jobs.

Cut 11 (10) “…around our state.”

Amazon has also partnered with community schools to set up career pipelines.

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In Lake Charles, United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Cut 12 (12) “…Florida are today.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help.

Cut 13 (08) “…neighbors in Florida.” 

Durel says the very best thing you can donate is cash.

Cut 14 (05) “…in-kind as well.”

You can make your contribution either on United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s website, by texting UNITEDGULF – one word – to 40403 or through the U.S. Mail.

One of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Black motorist Ronald Greene has had his negligent homicide charge dropped. Legal analyst Tim Meche (MESH) says Greene’s exact cause of death remains unclear, weakening the case against State Trooper Kory York.

Cut 15 (09) “…Ronald Greene.”

York still faces a lesser charge of felony malfeasance.

As New Orleans gets set to host the Super Bowl, DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says what’s unique about this is that DOTD is working on city-owned streets.

Cut 7 (13) “…striping in crosswalks.”

Boyle says the work will be done by December 15th.

After nearly 12-thousand registered for the fortified roofs lottery, the number of people chosen for the grants has doubled from 300 to 600. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says feedback has been nothing short of positive.

Cut 12 (13) “…their house faster.”

Temple says those selected are in the process of being notified.

The state achieves a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent, up from 47-percent since 2021. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the goal is to hit 60-percent by 2030…

Cut 4 (12) “…degree or beyond.”

The 51-percent represents over 30-thousand Louisianians who have earned degrees or credentials.

Prosecutors drop the negligent homicide charge against one of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Black motorist Ronald Greene. Legal Analyst Tim Meche (mesh) says the decision to dismiss the charge against State Trooper Kory York a month before trial isn’t as big a deal as it may seem…

Cut 13 (12)  “…malfeasance in office.”

Greene was dragged, shackled, and restrained face down following a high-speed chase and died of his injuries. 

DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome as New Orleans prepares to host the Super Bowl for the 11th time. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says the work will be done well before the city welcomes the world for Super Bowl Week.

Cut 8 (07) “…by December 15th.”

The “Louisiana Prospers” initiative achieved a record-high educational attainment level since its launch in 2019.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The vice chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents resigns in protest of Governor Landry’s chair appointment. Jay Seale the Third calls the appointment of Misty Cordell “deeply offensive,” saying he put her in charge because she’s loyal to him. Seale also took issue with Landry making the appointment without notifying former chair Gary Solomon Junior. Under a new law, the governor now has the power to appoint chairs of boards.

The Louisiana Board of Regents launched the “Louisiana Prospers” initiative in 2019 and this year achieved a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Due to tremendous response, the insurance commissioner has doubled the number of grants this round in the Fortified Homes program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The negligent homicide charge against State Trooper Kory York has been dropped in the 2019 arrest and death of Ronald Greene.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The state has achieved a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent, up from 47-percent since 2021, and represents over 30-thousand Louisianians who have earned degrees or credentials. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says goal is to hit 60-percent by 2030…

Cut 4 (12) “…degree or beyond.”

This progress shows ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education, improve workforce readiness, and create pathways for residents to gain valuable credentials. Reed says the plan serves as a roadmap for building a more prosperous future for Louisiana’s workforce.

Cut 5 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

With six years remaining to reach its 2030 target, Reed says “Louisiana Prospers” is on track to make a significant impact, positioning the state’s residents to better compete in the modern job market and enhance their overall quality of life.

Cut 6 (09) …it’s a destination.”

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DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome as New Orleans prepares to host the Super Bowl for the 11th time. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says what’s unique about this is that DOTD is working on city-owned streets.

Cut 7 (13) “…striping in crosswalks.”

Boyle says the work will be done well before the city welcomes the world for Super Bowl Week.

Cut 8 (07) “…by December 15th.”

Boyle says the work being done will benefit the city long after the game is played and everyone returns home.

Cut 9 (10)  “…come after that.”

The Louisiana legislature has allocated just over five-million dollars for these four projects.

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The State of Louisiana now has a very good idea of how popular the fortified roofs grant program is. Last week, nearly 12-thousand registered for the lottery that was originally going to select 300 people to receive a grant of up to ten-thousand dollars for a fortified roof. Due to the overwhelming response, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple doubled the number of grants for this period to 600. Temple says there’s plenty of funding to accommodate that number.

Cut 10 (11) “…current fiscal year.”

Temple says before they up that number even further, they want to make sure the limited number of inspectors can handle the load.

Cut 11 (13) “…the next round.”

As for feedback on the fortified roofs themselves, Temple says it’s been nothing but positive.

Cut 12 (13) “…their house faster.”

Temple says those who have been selected in this round of grants for the Fortified Homes Program are in the process of being notified.

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Louisiana prosecutors have dropped the negligent homicide charge against State Trooper Kory York, one of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist. Greene died after being dragged, shackled, and restrained face down following a high-speed chase. Legal Analyst Tim Meche (mesh)says the decision to dismiss the charge, just a month before York’s trial isn’t as big a deal as it may seem…

Cut 13 (12)  “…malfeasance in office.”

Kory York faces a lesser charge of felony malfeasance. Union Parish District Attorney John Belton stated that the evidence against York did not meet the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard required for conviction. Meche says Belton’s goal was to present a more focused case to the jury…

Cut 14 (04) “…matters that just don’t matter.”

While a forensic pathologist cited factors such as cocaine use, stun gun applications, and physical struggle as contributing to Greene’s death, the exact cause remains unclear, weakening the case.

Cut 15 (09) “…Ronald Greene.”

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Saints quarterback Derek Carr isn’t lamenting over the loss of center Erik McCoy.

Cut 16 (09)   “…in there playing.”

Lucas Patrick took over at center last week after McCoy went down with the groin injury that’s going to keep him out for as much as eight weeks. It’s unclear at this time who will start at center this Sunday in Atlanta. Whoever it is, Carr says he’s ready.

Cut 17 (15) “…things like that.”

The Saints will try to get back to their winning ways on Sunday; kickoff is at noon.

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Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play on Saturday as they visit F-I-U. The Bulldogs have scored just eight offensive touchdowns in three games. Coach Sonny Cumbie admits players on offense are pressing to make big plays happen…

Cut 18 (18)  “…good players.”

Tech is coming off an overtime loss at home to Tulsa. They are 1-and-2 on the season, with the only win coming against an F-C-S team. Cumbie still feels really good about his team…

Cut 19 (19) “….put it together.”  

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The LSU Tigers will face a South Alabama team on Saturday night that’s scored 135 points in its last two games. Coach Brian Kelly says quarterback Gio Lopez can run it and throw it and the Jaguars leading rusher Fluff Bothwell is averaging nearly ten yards a carry…

Cut 20 (18) “…extremely efficient” 

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a post he made on X calling Haitians thugs and slapstick gangsters. It was in response to an article about a Haitian nonprofit suing former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance over claims of them eating pets. Democrats, including the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, have called on the House to censure Higgins. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s unlikely, however, that Higgins’ fellow Republicans will hold him accountable.

Cut 7 (13) “…dogs and cats.”

Higgins has since deleted his post; and in talking with reporters at the Capitol, he seemed to walk back those comments. Higgins said it was never meant to be a dig against Haitian people as a whole.

Cut 12 (09) “…not a color.”

Higgins said he realized his words hurt several people, and that’s why he took the post down.

A man arrested more than 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish was arrested again this week. Sheriff Mike Tregre (treg) says this arrest stemmed from an investigation that began in June, targeting Casey Spies for suspected involvement in distributing methamphetamine.

Cut 3 (08) “…keep arresting him.”

Judge Vercell Fiffie (fee-fee) set Spies’ bond at $10,500, which he posted after paying a 10-percent cash bond of $1,050.

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a new pilot program aimed at increasing opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. Dr. Stephanie Taylor, the medical director of the STD/HIV program for LDH, says the state has had significant challenges with congenital syphilis which cause severe complications, including fetal death and miscarriage. Dr. Taylor says it’s a rapid test.

Cut 9 (07)  “…treatment that day.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a post he made on X calling Haitians thugs and slapstick gangsters. It was in response to an article about a Haitian nonprofit suing former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance over claims of them eating pets.  ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins displayed this kind of behavior even before he was elected to Congress.

Cut 8 (09) “…of a camera.”

Democrats, including the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, have called on the House to censure Higgins, but Cross says that’s likely not going to happen.

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a new pilot program aimed at increasing opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. Dr. Stephanie Taylor, the medical director of the STD/HIV program for LDH, says it’s a rapid test.

Cut 9 (07)  “…treatment that day.”

A Laplace man arrested over 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish, was arrested again this week and was out on bond less than three hours later.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Lake Charles man arrested this month for allegedly sexually abusing a girl under 13 now has more charges. Further investigation revealed that 32-year-old Andrew Taraba offered to pay the girl during two of the incidents, so he is now charged with trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

Kenner Police seize a scam website that mimicked the Geaux Pass website. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says people, including some of his officers, got a text message with an image demanding the payment of a $3.75 toll. 

Cut 13 (12)  “…out of Russia.”

Chief Conley says the scammers were using that small amount to gain access to other valuable information.

Louisiana Tech says this year’s freshman class is the largest in the school’s 130-year history. There are more than 12-thousand students enrolled in the 2024 Fall Quarter and 24-hundred are freshman.

Cut 10 (06) “…competitive advantage.”

University President Jim Henderson says Louisiana Tech’s investment in modern facilities, leading-edge research, and personalized student service also contributes to its rising enrollment.

The Louisiana Board of Regents is asked to develop plans to accommodate a potential 250-million-dollar systemwide budget cut for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This, as a point-four-five-percent sales tax would be scheduled to sunset then. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says such a budget cut would be devastating.

Cut 7 (14) “…would be applied.”

Hunter Reed says those cuts would have a disastrous ripple effect.

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is coming under fire for a post on X he made about Haitians. After a Haitian nonprofit sued Former President Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance over their claims of them eating pets, Higgins repeated that claim in his post, telling them they’d better get out of the country on January 20th. Higgins has deleted the post.

The sunsetting of a .45-percent state sales tax has Louisiana’s public colleges and universities preparing for a big reduction in state funding. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Tech’s enrollment for this fall quarter is the largest in school history. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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The Kenner Police Department seizes a foreign website that spoofed the Geaux Pass website. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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As Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is working on his Social Security Reform bill with a Democratic colleague from Virginia, Senator Bill Cassidy is working on the Senate’s version. Like Graves’ bill, Cassidy’s Senate bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset

Cut 4 (08) “…to be corrected.”

The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces the earned Social Security benefits of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security while the Government Pension Offset reduces by two-thirds the benefit received by surviving spouses who also collect a government pension. Cassidy says one way or the other, those two provisions will be gone one day.

Cut 5 (10) “…pay for it.”

Cassidy says those who spend only a portion of their work career in the public sector are paying too high a penalty for doing so.

Cut 6 (11) …be getting cut.”

This is not a controversial bill; the vast majority of House members from both parties have signed a discharge petition to force a vote by the full house. Cassidy says the bill likely will not get onto President Biden’s desk until after the November election.

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The Louisiana Board of Regents is asked to develop plans to accommodate a potential 250-million-dollar systemwide budget cut for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This, as a point-45-percent sales tax would be scheduled to sunset then. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says such a budget cut would be devastating.

Cut 7 (14) “…would be applied.”

And those cuts would, in turn, have additional negative impacts.

Cut 8 (07) “…would be untouched.”

Hunter Reed says higher education is a solution to the state’s economy, so everything needs to be done to fully support it.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in our communities.”

The Board of Regents will be presenting a worst-case scenario budget on February 28th.

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Louisiana Tech says this year’s freshman class is the largest in the school’s 130-year history. There are more than 12-thousand students enrolled in the 2024 Fall Quarter and 24-hundred are freshman. University President Jim Henderson on why students are choosing La Tech…

Cut 10 (06) “…competitive advantage.”

Henderson says Louisiana Tech’s faculty has shown they can develop a student to their full potential and prepare team to thrive in a future of boundless opportunity….

Cut 11 (11) “…an employer.”

Total enrollment for the quarter is 12,039, a nearly four percent increase over 2023 and it’s the school’s highest enrollment since 2018. Henderson says a student at Tech has more than 135 degree programs to choose from., which is one of many reasons why a student wants to be a Bulldog..

Cut 12 (08) “…the city.”

Henderson says Louisiana Tech’s investment in modern facilities, leading-edge research, and personalized student service also contributes to its rising enrollment.

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Kenner Police take down a scam website that mimicked the Geaux Pass website. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says people, including some of his officers, were alerted to the website after getting a text message from an unknown number with an image demanding the payment of a $3.75 toll.

Cut 13 (12)  “…out of Russia.”

Chief Conley says the scammers were using that small amount to gain access to other valuable information.

Cut 14 (09) “…lick at it.”

Conley especially singled out Detective Brad Ricke (“Ricky”) for his diligent work that ultimately culminated with the department seizing the website.

Cut 15 (11) “…of that nature.”

Conley says people need to know that no government agency will ever ask for money through any electronic means. While you can certainly pay online, all payment requests are done through the U.S. Mail.

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Saints Coach Dennis Allen says starting Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy is headed to injured reserve because of a groin injury that requires surgery. It’s been reported McCoy will miss six to eight weeks. Allen is not providing a timetable, but in the meantime, the team needs to keep pushing forward…

Cut 16 (15)   “…with it”

McCoy has been called the glue of the offensive line and someone who is relied on to communicate blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage. Veteran Lucas Patrick is expected to replace McCoy at center. Allen says McCoy will be missed, but they have others who can step up…

Cut 17 (17) “…absence .”

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The injury to veteran defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory has given freshman Ahmad Breaux a chance to start on LSU’s defensive line. Breaux was a defensive end for the Ruston Bearcats last season, a state champion football team. With LSU short on defensive tackles, Breaux was asked to beef up so they can move him to the interior…

Cut 18 (18)  “…for months.”

Breaux says he’s added nearly 35 pounds since arriving in Baton Rouge and he’s up to 285 pounds. But Breaux says thanks to LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis, he plays much bigger than his listed weight…

Cut 19 (18) “….play like one.”  

LSU hosts South Alabama on Saturday

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The Ragin Cajuns will be at Wake Forest on Saturday. U-L Lafayette is coming off a loss to Tulane, where they gave up 272 rushing yards. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux expects the Demon Deacons to run the football…

Cut 20 (18) “…help em too” 

At least for the time being, the scorching hot days in Louisiana are coming to an end, as a cold front is barreling towards Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as a result, fans attending Saturday’s LSU football game should not have brutally hot temperatures to contend with.

Cut 8 (11) “…be about 82.”

And there’s virtually no chance of rain.

A new pilot program begins next Tuesday, in which library card holders can obtain a free one-day pass to any of Louisiana’s state parks or historic sites.

Cut 3 (08) “…be return users.”

State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says when they obtain a park pass at the library branch, they can also check out a backpack for the occasion, containing all the essentials needed when visiting a state park.

A DOTD worker assisting a disabled vehicle was struck and killed by a driver who veered off the road on I-610 in New Orleans.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Entergy Louisiana is sending 130 lineworkers and support personnel to assist Georgia Power in response to the potential impacts from Hurricane Helene. Dylan Granger is leading a convoy of bucket trucks to the Peach State.

Cut 15 (07) “…the lights on.”