A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house Tuesday in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon behind bars the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

The rains are coming and Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall so some areas may experience some localized flooding mainly across southern Louisiana on Saturday. And there’s a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across the immediate coast.

Cut 5 (06) “…to expect.”  

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting 2023 tax returns on January 29 and they say if you’re getting a refund and you file online, you should get it in four weeks — 8 weeks if you file a paper return. You can minimize delays by keeping your contact information up to date. Those changes can be made online at Louisiana File Online where you can also file and pay taxes, check the status of refunds, make changes to returns, and file for extensions.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

Before you leave the house to catch some beads Saturday, you’ll want to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered and Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning suggests you remember to take your raincoat with you.

Cut 4 (11) “… Saturday night.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer there’s a responsible way to celebrate safely. He says make plans for a sober driver.

Cut 11 (13) “…just wait.”

With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting 2023 tax returns this week. The deadline to file is May 15^th and LDR says if you’re getting a refund and you file online, you should get it in four weeks. It will take 8 weeks if you file a paper return. You can minimize delays by keeping your contact information up to date. Those changes can be made online at Louisiana File Online where you can also file and pay taxes, check the status of refunds, make changes to returns, and file for extensions.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and in addition to Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

According to Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer, Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest times to be on the roads due to the number of impaired drivers. And it’s not just alcohol.

Cut 10 (09) “…all distractions.”

And while most of the attention is on New Orleans, there were no accidents reported in the Crescent City in 2022. But there were fatal accidents in Acadia, Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, and Webster Parishes during carnival season in 2022.

A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says   it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon’s arrest the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (14) “…for Sunday.”  

Tragic news out of Ruston as an 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student died after what appears to be an accidental shooting. Ruston PD responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive thru around 2 a m Friday. When the arrived, they found Austin Johnson suffering from a gun shoot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital but succumbed to his injury. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

While parade goers are snagging beads this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking.

A lawsuit has been filed against the most recently passed congressional map, claiming it racially segregates Louisiana voters. Here’s Brooke Thorrington.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A jury could not reach a verdict in a lawsuit accusing Baton Rouge Police of using abusive tactics and faking evidence while responding to protests following the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling. A mistrial was declared in the trial yesterday about six hours of deliberations. So far there’s no word on a retrial date.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses looking to be adopted following the end of carnival season. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”
Dorson says they’ve got photos, bios, information about each horse’s personality, and which parade they trotted in on a Facebook page. And to make sure all horses are placed in good homes…

Cut 6 (12) “…adoption fee.”

You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. Monroe attorney Paul Hurd says like the congressional map in the 1990s that created a Z-shaped district, this map is drawn along racial lines, not communities of interests.

Cut 13 (11)  “…unconstitutional.”
State Transportation and Calcasieu Bridge Partners have reached a new agreement on a public-private partnership to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (12) “…before.”

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Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about 2 weeks and Governor Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. Landry says Louisiana is obligated to the victims…

Cut 7 (11) “…should receive.”

The state’s last death row execution was in 2010.

A 61-year-old Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing people to sell narcotics out of her residence. Police first received an anonymous tip in June of last year. Rosie Lee Jenkins, known as “Momma Rose,” allegedly accepted narcotics and money in exchange for allowing the illegal sales. She has been charged with Letting a Disorderly Place.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he has spoken with former President Trump about the Southern border crisis and applauded Trump’s use of executive orders to curb illegal crossing. He says President Biden has reversed Trump’s orders and is responsible for the ongoing flood of illegal immigration.

Cut 8 (11) “…to us.” 

The newest congressional map with two majority black districts is the subject of a lawsuit. La-Politics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says while it seems like the congressional map based on the 2020 Census has been back and forth, it’s nothing new, the same thing happened with the congressional map from the 1990 Census. As for the weight of the newest litigation…

Cut 11 (11) “…have to see.”

A GoFundMe initiative by the Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana hopes to raise money to support those who experience homelessness. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

A 61-year-old Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing people to sell narcotics out of her residence. Police first received an anonymous tip in June of last year. Rosie Lee Jenkins, known as “Momma Rose,” allegedly accepted narcotics and money in exchange for allowing the illegal sales. She has been charged with Letting a Disorderly Place.

A lawsuit challenging the state’s newest congressional map with two majority-Black districts has been filed. The map stretches the 6^th congressional district from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. La-Politics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says politics are involved with the suit, as some of the plaintiffs are supporters of Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves.

Cut 10 (09) “…new lines.”

Qualifying dates for the November 5^th election are June 17^th through the 19^th.

House Speaker Mike Johnson blames President Biden and the Senate for the ongoing crisis at the Mexican border. Johnson says he’s been waiting two months to read the bipartisan Senate legislation and he hopes what he’s hearing about the bill isn’t true.

Cut 6  (15) “…the House.” 

The Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana is asking for a handout through its GoFundMe initiative to help support the homeless population in Central Louisiana. Director Kitty Wynn says the need for support to provide for the homeless is ongoing…

Cut 3 (12) “…when available.”  

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has requested federal assistance for crawfish farmers who have seen a dramatic decline in production because of last year’s historic drought and the recent freeze. The LSU AgCenter estimates the potential losses to be nearly 140 million dollar. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s hearing some bad stories from crawfish farmers…

Cut 14 (08) “…no water.

A lawsuit has been filed against the latest congressional map approved by the state legislature that contains two majority-Black districts. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

House Speaker Mike Johnson blames President Biden and the Senate for the ongoing crisis at the Mexican border. When asked if he was trying to stall the bipartisan senate legislation as a political favor to former President Trump this was Johnson’s response.

Cut 7 (10) “…Biden.” 

A 61-year-old Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing people to sell narcotics out of her residence. Police first received an anonymous tip in June of last year. Rosie Lee Jenkins, known as “Momma Rose,” allegedly accepted narcotics and money in exchange for allowing the illegal sales. Authorities reportedly provided the witness with a recording device and involved the witness in controlled purchases of narcotics which eventually led to Jenkins’ arrest last week.

She has been charged with Letting a Disorderly Place.

More than a thousand people experienced homelessness statewide on a single night in January 2023, according to Housing Urban Development and the Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana is asking for help through its GoFundMe initiative. Director Kitty Wynn says they help homeless people from across the country and additional funding is needed to keep their facility open.

Cut 4 (13) “…to Montana.”