Tragedy in North Louisiana as a 17-year-old hunter from Monroe is killed by a lightning strike in Union Parish over the weekend. Investigators say Colton Honeycutt was inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area Saturday when a storm came through, and a bolt of lightning hit him. Sheriff Dusty Gates says Honeycutt was hunting by himself, so the only way that the sheriff’s department was notified about what happened was by family members who went out to look for him.

Cut 4 (08) “…found him deceased.”

According to third quarter filings, Senator Bill Cassidy has 9.5 million dollars in campaign funds as he gears up for his re-election bid. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy continues to do well in getting donors to support his campaign.

Cut 7 (09) “…five or six million”

A special session begins on Thursday at the state capitol, as lawmakers look at delaying the party primaries for the federal elections. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

President Trump is honoring Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams this afternoon – LSU and LSU-Shreveport. LSU-S Athletic Director Lucas Morgan says this is something that the Pilots have been looking forward to ever since wrapping up their perfect season.

Cut 12 (04) “…probably remember forever.”

A 17-year-old hunter from Monroe is killed by a lightning strike in Union Parish over the weekend. Sheriff Dusty Gates says Colton Honeycutt was inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area when a storm came through Saturday.

Cut 3 (07) “…causing his death.”

Honeycutt’s body was found by family members, who went out to look for him when he failed to return home.

The legislature begins a special session Thursday. The only item on the agenda is adjusting the qualifying period and the primary dates for the 2026 federal elections, as the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the creation of the state’s second Black congressional district. Advocate political reporter Tyler Bridges talked about it on Talk Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06) “…a month.”

Bridges also expects legislation to be filed that would switch next year’s federal elections back to an open primary, pushing qualifying to the summer time.

President Trump is honoring Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams at the White House today – the undefeated LSU-Shreveport Pilots and the LSU Tigers. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says being celebrated at the White House is something he had always dreamed about as a kid.

Cut 10 (11) “…it’s pretty awesome.”

While LSU’s baseball team continues to bask in championship glory, the football team’s title hopes were all but dashed Saturday with a 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt. The Tigers were missing two defensive starters, Bernard Gooden and Whit Weeks. During the game, starting left tackle Tyree Adams went down with a left ankle injury. Kelly says injuries are not an excuse for the team’s performance…

Cut 18 (13) “…well today.”

The latest campaign finance reports involving the candidates for the 2026 Senate show Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy with a large lead over his main challengers. Jeanne Burns has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

We’re expected to learn more this afternoon about a house fire in Shreveport that killed two children last week. Investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set and are looking for those who did it. Firefighters pulled an eight-year-old and a five-year-old from the house; but after a week-long battle, they did not survive.

Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams will be at the White House today. LSU-Shreveport wrapped up an undefeated season with an NAIA World Series title, while LSU won the College World Series in Omaha for the eighth time. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says most of the team was able to make the trip.

Cut 11 (06) “…which is unfortunate.”

While LSU baseball continues to bask in championship glory, the football team’s chances of a title pretty much went up in smoke this weekend, thanks to a 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt. LSU had no answers for Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia (PAH-vee-ah), who threw for 160 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Brian Kelly says the goal was to prevent Pavia from beating them with his legs.

Cut 16 (13) “…good quarterback.”

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish, as he’s shot by a shooting suspect he was confronting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Leland Falcon was grazed by a bullet and is doing fine. One of Falcon’s deputies returned fire during the confrontation and hit the suspect. Cavalier says that suspect and the victim of the original shooting that led to the 911 call were taken to hospitals.

Cut 7 (14) “…with moderate injuries.”

The assistant police chief in Rayville, meanwhile, finds himself on the other side of the law. Czyz (“chizh”) Williams is accused of selling department firearms for his own gain and collecting donations for non-existent crime prevention programs and pocketing the money. State Police Trooper Ryan Davis says incidents like this erodes trust.

Cut 14 (04) “…we’re held to.”

Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says the university is proud to have the name of one of its most prominent graduates affixed to the facility, and she’s a main catalyst behind its construction.

Cut 4 (11) “…state facility renovation.”

You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Site founder Jason Woo says two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (04)  “…and different things.”

The voting is in the form of a six-round single-elimination tournament, until one emerges as the most haunted destination in the country. First round voting is going on right now, and it ends on Saturday.

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish, as he’s shot by a shooting suspect he was confronting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Leland Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded and encountered the suspect.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet, was briefly hospitalized and is doing fine. A deputy returned fire, striking the suspect, who is in critical but stable condition.

With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

An assistant police chief in Richland Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after allegedly selling firearms that belonged to the police department. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans. First round voting is underway right now, and it ends Saturday.

The sheriff of Assumption Parish is recovering after being shot at yesterday afternoon. Sheriff Leland Falcon was confronting a shooting suspect when the suspect grabbed a shotgun and shot towards him. A deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet and was briefly hospitalized.

Cut 8 (08) “…of the process.”

A northeast Louisiana assistant police chief, meanwhile, finds himself on the other side of the law. State Police arrested Rayville Assistant Police Chief Czyz (“chizh”) Williams for theft and malfeasance in office. Trooper Ryan Davis says Williams was selling department property and pocketing the money.

Cut 12 (08) “…for personal gain.”

Davis says Williams was also soliciting donations for non-existing crime prevention programs and keeping the money for himself.

Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. It’s part of the renovation and expansion of D. Vickers Hall, adding an additional 33-thousand square feet to the 80-thousand-square-foot facility. University President Dr. William Wainwright says it’s a building for the entire student body.

Cut 5 (15) “…Broadcast Media Center.”

You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans. The Myrtles has long been recognized as one of the spookiest places in Louisiana, and site founder Jason Woo says he’s not at all surprised at that.

Cut 10 (05) “…quite a bit.”

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish, as he’s shot by a shooting suspect he was confronting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Leland Falcon was grazed by a bullet and is doing fine. He says Falcon never fired his weapon, but one of his deputies returned fire and hit the suspect. Cavalier says that suspect and the victim of the original shooting that led to the 911 call were taken to hospitals.

Cut 7 (14) “…with moderate injuries.”

Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says the university is proud to have the name of one of its most prominent graduates affixed to the facility.

Cut 4 (11) “…state facility renovation.”

An assistant police chief in Richland Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after allegedly selling firearms that belonged to the police department. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Site founder Jason Woo says two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans. First round voting is underway right now, and it ends Saturday.

An area on the LSU campus that was the catalyst for one of the two shootings last weekend will now be off-limits for the remainder of the football season. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The legislature begins a special session next week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Come next school year, high school sophomores will have fewer standardized tests to contend with. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Yesterday, LSU announced a series of security enhancements for the remainder of the football season after a pair of shootings on campus last weekend. One of those shootings stemmed from an unsanctioned event at a field that the university broke up, and Interim President Matt Lee says that venue is now off-limits.

Cut 4 (14) “…inaccessible to everyone.”

Unity Field, which is located near the intersection of Highland Road and South Stadium Drive, is where most of the school’s Black fraternity members tailgate. Lee denies that race has anything to do with the decision to cordon it off.

Cut 5 (07) “…problems for us.”

Lee says a student group, which he did not specify, organized the unsanctioned event that culminated in the shooting and is being held accountable.

Cut 6 (10) “…our existing policies.”

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Governor Landry has called a special session to adjust the calendar for the 2026 election cycle amid the Supreme Court case on the state’s second majority Black congressional district. The session will start next Thursday and will last 22 days. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says the governor set the length to be on the safe side.

Cut 7 (11) “…proposals from lawmakers.”

The plan is to move the calendar back 30 days – qualifying to mid-February, the primary to May 16th and a runoff, if necessary, to June 27th. Alford says even though there’s a Republican supermajority in both houses of the legislature, getting everyone on the same page is not a slam-dunk.

Cut 8 (10) “…support for that.”

All this comes as the Supreme Court considers its ruling on the constitutionality of the creation of the state’s second majority Black congressional district. Alford notes that if the calendar is not altered, the state would be forced to use the current map for the 2026 election cycle even if the Supreme Court strikes down the current map.

Cut 9 (11)  “…maps is settled.”

A redrawing of the map will not be part of this special session.

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High school sophomores will soon have fewer standardized tests to take at the end of the school year. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the number of standardized tests they will take will go down from six to four. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s one less thing that those students will have to worry about.

Cut 10 (09) “…with their teacher.”

Currently, sophomores at the end of the school year take two tests in English, two tests in math and one each in biology and civics. Brumley says the new tests will essentially combine the two English and math tests into one each.

Cut 11 (08) “…making reductions there.”

Brumley says students will need to pass the English and math tests, along with either the biology or the civics test, in order to earn their high school diploma.

Cut 12 (10) “…to that diploma.”

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The Fighting Tigers are at Vanderbilt tomorrow, and two starters on defense could miss the game. Coach Brian Kelly gave an updated injury report yesterday.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Gooden is doubtful.”

Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive tackle Bernard Gooden are starters on LSU’s defense. Weeks’ ankle that had offseason surgery on it is bothering him, and Gooden has an injured collarbone.

LSU’s defense will be challenged with facing Vanderbilt’s number-seven scoring offense. Kelly says the Tigers’ defense has to play disciplined throughout the entire game while doing its one-eleventh.

Cut 14 (12) “…to beat you.”

LSU wide receiver Barion Brown only had two receptions for 22 yards in the 20-10 win over South Carolina. Kelly says the coaching staff has to be able to create more opportunities for Brown to be the playmaker he is capable of being.

Cut 15 (15) “…opportunities for him.”

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ULM is coming off a messy 23-8 loss to Coastal Carolina last week after the Warhawks turned the ball over three times. As ULM prepares to face a red-hot Troy team, head coach Bryant Vincent says his team is focused on winning each week and learning from their prior mistakes.

Cut 16 (13) “…to get there.”

With an early Sun Belt conference loss, the Warhawks will most likely have to win out if they want to contend for the Sun Belt Championship. Vincent says each game is a must win moving forward.

Cut 17 (21) “…out this year.”

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Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will face the Saints for the first time since being fired by the team in November last year. Allen says that he has lots of great memories in New Orleans, but winning on Sunday remains the main focus.

Cut 18 (17) “…challenge this week.”

Even though it’s Allen’s first time facing the Saints since being fired, he says the game between the Bears and Saints should be fixated on the players rather than him facing his old team.

Cut 19 (15) “…of the game.”

Allen spent over ten years total coaching in New Orleans during his career. Defensive end Cam Jordan says that he appreciated his many years with Allen as his defensive coordinator and says no love has been lost.

Cut 20 (12) “…of my games.”

The legislature is being called into a special session. Governor Landry says lawmakers will tackle adjusting the calendar for the 2026 election cycle amid the Supreme Court case on the state’s second majority Black district. The session will start next Thursday and will run 22 days.

LSU announces enhanced security measures for football home games for the rest of the season. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

About four in five Louisiana children are missing out on afterschool programs according to a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance. Afterschool Alliance executive director Jodi Grant says 48-percent of Louisiana parents say the programs are too expensive.

Cut 6 (10) “…programs.”

Grant says the survey also found that 44-percent say afterschool programs are unavailable in their community.

The EPA has returned the Smitty’s Supply site back to the company and the Tangipahoa River and connecting ponds back to the State of Louisiana. EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says there is still some cleanup left to go.

Cut 10 (11) “…prevent further releases.”

Governor Landry has called a special session to adjust the calendar for the 2026 election cycle amid the Supreme Court case on the state’s second majority Black congressional district. The session will start one week from today and will last 22 days. Currently, the agenda does not include a redrawing of district lines.

A new survey finds strong support for more federal funding for afterschool programs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the remainder of the football season, those going to LSU home games can expect beefed-up security following a pair of shootings outside the stadium last week. Scott Ballard, the chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, says there will be additional police presence – not only those you can see, but also those you CAN’T see.

Cut 3 (09) “…behavior very quickly.”

Part of that surveillance support includes the use of drones.

The EPA has returned the Smitty’s Supply site back to the company and the Tangipahoa River and connecting ponds back to the State of Louisiana. EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says this is the result of the cleanup progress following the explosion at the chemical plant in August. Mason says the EPA, however, is not going away.

Cut 9 (10)  “…are being met.”