In the largest fentanyl bust in Livingston Parish history, four individuals were arrested, and over 100-thousand doses of fentanyl were seized following a multi-agency investigation. Sheriff Jason Ard says Tyrone Broadway was the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation and undercover agents made multiple purchases from his group, uncovering approximately 36-thousand pressed fentanyl pills. Broadway, along with Eugene Skinner, Donald McCray, and Devonte Skinner, were arrested as a result of the investigation. Ard says he’s pleased these drug dealers are off the street.

Cut 11 (06) “…time in prison.”

The CDC is continuing to monitor the first severe case of human bird flu in the U.S. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis with the CDC says bird flu has been around for many years, including human cases outside the U.S. and there’s something unique about this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…their related products.” (First case linked to a non-commercial backyard flock)

Daskalakis says the CDC is monitoring the condition of the patient, who’s from southwest Louisiana.

Caddo and Bossier parish firefighters now have access to free cancer screenings through a new health initiative by Willis Knighton.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

People and some pets in Caddo Parish near the Texas border felt the earth move at least once this morning. The U.S. Geological Survey says they recorded a 3.3 magnitude earthquake around 6:00 this morning. The epicenter was about 25 miles from Shreveport in Harrison County, Texas and had a depth of about three miles. There have been no reports of damage or injuries but residents in the area report having upset pets, and seeing rattling cabinets, and a few pictures and wall hangings fall.

In the largest fentanyl bust in Livingston Parish history, four individuals were arrested, and over 100-thousand doses of fentanyl were seized following a multi-agency investigation. Sheriff Jason Ard search warrants were executed at residences in Livingston and Tangipahoa Parishes leading to the discovery of nearly 68-thousand additional pressed fentanyl pills, and 46 pounds of fentanyl…

Cut 10 (11) “…150-thousand people.”

He says Tyrone Broadway was the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation and undercover agents made multiple purchases from his group.

The Louisiana National Guard is celebrating 30 years of its Youth Challenge Program. Lieutenant Colonel Kenny Paul says the program is an alternative education program for 16- to 18-year-olds, emphasizing teamwork, discipline and personal development.

Cut 7 (13) “…in that arena.”

The CDC is monitoring the first severe case of human bird flu in the U.S. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Firefighters are 14-percent more likely to develop cancer than any other occupation and Willis Knighton is partnering with local fire districts and cities on new health initiative providing free annual physicals and cancer screenings for 1,500 active and retired firefighters in Caddo and Bossier parishes aligning with a state law requiring local governments to provide no-cost cancer screenings for full-time and retired firefighters.  CEO Jaf Fielder says Firefighters from says

Cut 5 (07) “…care of them.”

An Opelousas man was arrested after fleeing a Youngsville mental health facility on foot, stealing a school bus and causing a four-vehicle crash in Lafayette on Sunday night. He then stole a truck from a bystander who stopped to help. Lafayette PD Senior Corporal Ashley Wood says 26-year-old Marion Baker was arrested after he crashed that truck in Rayne.

Cut 3 (10) “…collision with four vehicles.”

Lafayette P-D reports several individuals received moderate injuries as a result of the crash.

52 men and women began their journey to become State Troopers today. The 24-week academy is said to be challenging as cadets receive training in areas involving defensive and de-escalation tactics, detection of impaired driving, fair and impartial policing, use of force and civil rights, criminal, and traffic law. Cadets look forward to graduating at the end of May.

Reading scores are up among the state’s youngest learners. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report says Louisiana’s teacher workforce is significantly less diverse than its population. Teach for America Executive Director Ge’ron Tatum says to address this, strategies include recruiting from historically Black colleges and offering financial support to prospective teachers.

Cut 11 (15) “…entering the profession.”

A former Bossier City Deputy Chief of Police and pastor of Embrace Me Ministries has been arrested for an alleged child sex crime. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says the arrest of 57, year old Richard Broom McGee came after they were contacted by the DA’s office. They say it was a secret indictment, and they don’t know which agency conducted the investigation. McGee was taken to the Caddo Correctional Center around noon and charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He is held on a $150,000 bond.

State troopers don’t know why the driver of a Silverado, Logan Schmalz of Franklinton, crossed the centerline on LA 25 in Washington Parish, where a head on crash that took the lives of 3 people including a 3-year-old and 11-year-old, but Trooper Marc Gremillion says State Police has this message.

Cut 13 (07)  “…or speed.”

Louisiana’s teacher workforce is significantly less diverse than its population of college-educated adults, according to a National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report. Teach for America Executive Director Ge’ron Tatum says Louisiana teachers earn 5-thousayd-dollars less than the Southern regional average and 15-thousdand dollars below the national average, deterring people of color from entering or staying in the profession. Tatum stresses that representation matters, as research shows teachers of color significantly benefit student outcomes.

Cut 10 (11) “…leads to great results.”

Last year’s Louisiana kindergarteners improved their reading scores by more than 20 points as first graders. Deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says several factors contributed. She says better reading scores at the early levels set kids up for success later in their education and, in effect, later in life.

Cut 8 (06) “…improvement.”

Three people are dead, including two children, as a result of a head-on collision between an SUV and a pickup truck on L-A 25 in Washington Parish. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion says the adult who was killed has been identified as 42-year-old Tequilla Santee. Gremillion says the two children who died were 11 and three years old…

Cut 12 (10) “…deceased on the scene.”

Several people sustained moderate injuries in a four-vehicle crash in Lafayette caused by an Opelousas man who stole a school bus after fleeing a Youngsville mental health facility Sunday. Lafayette PD Senior Corporal Ashley Wood says after the crash, 26-year-old Marion Baker fled the scene in a truck he stole from someone who had stopped to help. He was arrested after crashing the bystander’s truck in Rayne. Baker is currently being held without bail in Lafayette Parish Jail.

Cut 5 (09) “…as well as theft.”

A National Council on Teacher Quality report says Louisiana teachers are less diverse than its population. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Students in kindergarten through third grade are improving their reading scores, thanks to a new focus on phonics-based literacy instruction. Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on), the deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education, says several factors are contributing to the rise in reading proficiency among those children.

Cut 7 (12) “…Science of Reading.”

Dr. Chiasson says tutoring has also helped improve reading scores, with kids getting individualized instruction.

The Louisiana Department of Health has detected the first possible human case of a highly pathogenic strain of Bird Flu. The state says the person lives in southwest Louisiana and is hospitalized. LDH says while the current public risk for Bird Flu is relatively low, those who work with or have recreational exposure to birds, poultry or cows are at higher risk.

Billy Cannon’s legacy is celebrated at Baton Rouge’s Capitol Park Museum. Organized by his youngest daughter, Bunnie Cannon, the exhibit, titled “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” showcases nearly 200 artifacts, including his Heisman Trophy and high school letterman jacket. Bunnie, deeply tied to LSU like her father, aims to preserve his legacy through this exhibition

Cut 12 (13) “…the first process.”

The exhibit opens next Tuesday.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act moves to the Senate after unanimous approval by the house.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A bill spurred in part by the September 2017 hazing death of LSU freshman Max Gruver passes both houses unanimously.  Senator Bill Cassidy who co-sponsored it says the legislation establishes a hazing education and prevention program.

Cut 4 (13) “…that have violated.”

Cassidy says fraternities and sororities across the country are in full support of this legislation.

A bill that addresses hazing on college campuses passed both houses. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The House unanimously approved the FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act, co-authored by Congressmen Garret Graves. The bill enables local governments and co-ops to secure loans for disaster recovery while awaiting FEMA reimbursement…

Cut 7 (14) “…FEMA takes to process claims.”

Café du Monde on Decatur in the French Quarter closed unexpectedly Friday. In a Facebook post, they cited a maintenance issue. WWL reported police officers and fire crews cordoned off the area due to structural concerns at the French Market. Structural engineering crews reportedly found support pillars that appeared to be split in the attic, and wooden rafter beams that appeared to be split or separated. Café Du Monde’s Facebook post says that it would be closed for the rest of the day and hope to reopen Saturday.

High school playoffs continue in the Superdome and for the first time since 1987, the Archbishop Shaw Eagles are state champions. Shaw outlasted ED White 28-25 to become the Division II Select champions. Ruston is looking to defend its Division one non-select state championship when it faces Central. Bearcats Coach Jerrod Baugh says starting quarterback Josh Brantley is playing at a high level…

Cut 11 (10) “…for us.”

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act, co-authored by Congressmen Garret Graves requiring FEMA to pay interest on delayed reimbursements to local governments and electrical cooperatives is headed to the senate after passing the house.

Cut 8 (11) “…it has substance.”

The bill enables local governments and co-ops to secure loans for disaster recovery while awaiting FEMA reimbursement. This approach incentivizes faster FEMA processing.

Both houses of Congress unanimously passed a bill spurred in part by the September 2017 hazing death of LSU freshman Max Gruver. It requires college campuses to post the organizations found guilty of hazing and establish hazing education and prevention programs. Senator Bill Cassidy who introduced the bill says fraternities and sororities across the country are in full support of this legislation.

Cut 5 (11) “…endorse this concept.”

Alexandria Senior High is making its first trip to the Superdome to play in a state championship Saturday at noon. Coach Thomas Bachmann says their fanbase can’t wait….

Cut 10 (09) “…experience that.”

They face Edna Karr who will be going for their seventh state championship.

Billy Cannon’s legacy is celebrated through an extensive exhibit of memorabilia at Baton Rouge’s Capitol Park Museum. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon, organized the exhibit, titled “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” She says it reminds Louisiana of Cannon’s significant contributions, including putting Baton Rouge on the map by winning LSU’s first Heisman.

Cut 14 (12) “…on the map.”

The exhibition opens next Tuesday.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act, co-authored by Congressmen Garret Graves was unanimously approved by the house and now moves to the Senate.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A bill that Senator Bill Cassidy introduced along with Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar to address hazing on college campuses is now on President Biden’s desk. The bill passed both houses unanimously. Cassidy says it requires college campuses to post all instances in which an organization has been found guilty of hazing.

Cut 3 (10) “…particular campus organization.”

The legislation was spurred in part by the September 2017 hazing death of LSU freshman Max Gruver.

Edna Karr will go after their seventh state championship tomorrow when they Alexandria Senior High in the Division One select state championship game. The Cougars are undefeated, and Coach Brice Brown says his team does a lot of things well…

Cut 9 (13)  “…(laughs),”

The exhibit, “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,”  opens next Tuesday at Capitol Park Museum. On display is memorabilia that reflects his journey as a celebrated athlete and his redemption story following a 1983 counterfeiting arrest. After serving 2 ½ years in prison, he served 23 years as a dentist at Angola. His daughter Bunnie Cannon hopes that time in her father’s life doesn’t overshadow his legacy.

Cut 13 (10)  “…anything for anybody.”

Congressman Garrett Graves says he’s been given assurance that the Social Security Fairness Act he sponsored in the house will get a vote in the Senate before the end of the session.

Cut 5 (16) “…mid next week.”

The act would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Penalty, and the Government Pension Offset, that have historically lowered Social Security benefits for public sector workers like teachers, police officers and firefighters.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking deer hunters to be on the lookout for deer exhibiting signs of chronic wasting disease. This, as a deer at a captive deer farm in Jeff Davis Parish tested positive for the disease last month.

Cut 9 (10)  “…been detected there,”

It’s a Christmas miracle…crawfish season has begun in Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Archbishop Shaw Football Coach Hank Tierney believed his coaching days ended in December 2021 but instead of retiring, he returned to Shaw. Now in his third season back at Shaw, he leads the 11-2 Eagles to the Division II Select state final Friday.

Cut 12 (10) “…everyone involved.”

They meet E.D. White at noon.