Former Catholic priest and admitted serial child molester, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in the 1970s.  93-year-old Lawrence Hecker’s plea was welcomed by survivors prepared to testify about decades of abuse. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams described the plea as significant for survivors seeking justice.

Cut 11 (13) “…hurt other people.”

The state breaks ground on the Maurepas Swamp Project in St. John the Baptist Parish.  A freshwater divergence that will reconnect the Mississippi River to Maurepas Swamp.   Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Communication Director James Karst says CRCL is also working in conjunction with the state…

Cut 6 (09) “…in the swamp.”

LSU football has lost a five-star commitment on the eve of national signing day. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Four years ago, LSU promised to make improvements to its Title Nine office after the release of an investigative report by USA Today. However, a new report by the Louisiana Illuminator says there’s been little to no progress. Piper Hutchinson is conducting the investigation for the Illuminator in conjunction with Tiger Rag Magazine. She says some of the Title Nine complaints involved the Title Nine office itself.

Cut 5 (11) “…Department of Education.”

A 93-year-old former Catholic priest and admitted serial child molester, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in the 1970s.  Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says Lawrence Hecker’s victim, who was assaulted in a church bell tower converted into a weightlifting room, had reported the attack to his school principal, who failed to inform authorities.

Cut 10 (14) “…predator to run.”

In Opelousas, a mother turned herself into St. Landry Parish authorities Monday, telling deputies at the parish jail that she physically and sexually abused her children, both under the age of 4 years, citing extreme stress stemming from a divorce. There were no outstanding arrest warrants for 31-year-old Keirsten White but with her cooperation, detectives determined the extent of the criminal activity. White has been charged with indecent behavior with juveniles, first degree rape, sexual battery, and cruelty to juveniles.

Four years after an investigative report uncovered serious allegations against LSU’s Title Nine office, a new report suggests that little has been done about it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Maurepas Swamp Project in St. John the Baptist Parish, a freshwater divergence that will reconnect the Mississippi River to Maurepas Swamp, breaks ground today. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Communication Director James Karst says volunteers and environmental groups will plant bald cypress and water tupelo trees to stabilize the ecosystem and provide resilience from hurricanes and flooding.

Cut 8 (11) “…swamp land again.”

Some aspects of Louisiana’s newly passed tax reform package will need voter approval on March 29th. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says citizens will vote on what is essentially a complete rewrite of Article 7, the tax and spending section of the state constitution.

Cut 4 (10) “…rainy day fund.”

Procopio says the rewritten article also includes options for local governments.

Monroe-area Congressman Julia Letlow has landed a spot on the Republican’s Steering Committee. Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say on what the 119^th Congress will look like…

Cut 7 (11) “…selections.”

New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a 3-year-old child dead, and nine others injured. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says group fights on Canal and Bourbon Streets led to three shootings on Saturday night and into early Sunday, wounding six people…

Cut 3 (14) “…settling their beefs.”

McNeese Football legend and Hall of Fame Coach Matt Viator is returning to McNeese. Athletic Director Heath Schroyer made the announcement today that the former head football coach will be the next Cowboys coach. Schroyer said he wanted a coach who embraced the expectations and standards of McNeese, and he said, they got the man who set them. Viator’s record at McNeese from 2006 to 2015 was 78 and 33 with two undefeated regular seasons and he was named SLC Coach of the Year in 2006,2007, and 2015 and was inducted into the McNeese Hall of Fame in 2021.

New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a child dead. 3-year-old Rudy Ratliff died from a gunshot wound at a Willow Street home in Central City.  NOPD Sgt. Ron Howard says the child found a gun inside Tatisha Refuge’s home and accidentally killed himself.  Howard says Refuge is facing criminal charges…

Cut 5 (13) “…investigation on Ms. Refuge.”

Refuge turned herself into police custody today

There were 18 named storms in the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season that ended Sunday. Louisiana saw damage from two hurricanes, Beryl made landfall in Texas and Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish. LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry Keim…

Cut 14 (11) “…pretty good year.”

Another Louisiana representative is added to a powerful GOP committee. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Despite three consecutive losing seasons, Louisiana Tech is bringing back football coach Sonny Cumbie for a fourth season. The Bulldogs went 5-and-7 this season and there are Bulldog fans who say athletics director Ryan Ivey kept Cumbie, because the buyout to fire him was too expensive but 97.7 Sports talk host, Sean Fox doesn’t see it that way

Cut 11 (13) “…a chance.”

Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with selecting chairs for all standing committees and deciding on the strategy for the Republican caucus. Letlow says she’s looking forward to serving on the committee.

Cut 6 (07) “…that they desire.”

Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say in shaping the 119^th Congress

The very active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended Saturday. LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says after a mid-season lull, we saw lot of activity in September and October with Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Cut 13 (08)  “…Hurricane Harvey.”

Hurricane Francine impacted Southeast Louisiana.

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (26) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Saints are now 4 and 8 after falling to the Los Angeles Rams yesterday. New Orleans visits the Giants on Sunday without one of their best offensive playmakers. Taysom Hill was carted off the field in the fourth quarter and is out for the rest of the season. Quarterback Derek Carr…

Cut 15 (11) “…part of it.”

Edit

State Police says the man shot by an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputy in Marksville on Monday has died. L-S-P says the deputy fired his weapon when he was investigating several previous shootings near the Bethune Community Center. Authorities say multiple subjects approached the deputy and that’s when the officer fired his weapon, killing one person.

.The hurricane season ends on Saturday. Colorado State Univeristy Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms. Klotzbach says they are already working on it, but they also understand a lot of the conditions can change during the winter…

Cut 8 (08) “…active seasons.”

Tomorrow is arguably the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. And especially with Black Friday falling on the latest possible date, retailers are rolling out huge discounts in an all-out effort to drive foot traffic into their stores. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says if you’re looking for huge bargains, your best bets will be the major department stores like JCPenney, Belk and Macy’s.

Cut 3 (07) “…57-percent.”

64 high school football are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night.  Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says one of the best quarterfinal matchups will take place in Stonewall as Cecilia will visit North Desoto

Cut 11 (12) “…the game.”

Five hurricanes made U.S. landfall, tied for the second most in history, with major hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage. The season caused approximately 250 fatalities and 100 billion dollars in damages. The record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and cool neutral conditions contributed to low vertical wind shear, fostering hurricane development. Klotzbach says despite these factors, a mid-season lull occurred due to dry air

Cut 7 (05) “…peak of the season.”

Ready  or not, Black Friday is tomorrow, and retailers are rolling out the discounts. Wallet Hub Analyst Chip Lupo says the most discounted items are

Cut 5 (14) “…JC Penny’s for example.”

It’s the quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs and there are several teams in central Louisiana looking for their first state championship. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saturday is the 51st annual Bayou Classic. The 7-and-4 Jags have already clinched a spot in the SWAC Championship against Jackson St. The Tigers are playing for pride at 5-and-6, but Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph says neither team will phone it in…

Cut 13 (1o)  “…be a battle (2x)”

Kickoff in the Superdome is at 1:00.

Tomorrow is Black Friday – the day that retailers pull out all the stops in offering their biggest discounts of the year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane season ends on Saturday and it was extremely active, though slightly below forecasts issued by Colorado State University. CSU Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms, slightly less than the 25 predicted in July…

Cut 6 (07) “…over forecast that.”

It’s Thanksgiving Day but 64 high school football teams get to practice today as they are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night. Vermilion Catholic is the top seed in Division Four select and they are led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who has rushed for 21-hundred yards and 34 touchdowns. He also has 19 passing touchdowns. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says Dartez is a dynamic player…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

Southern and Grambling will face off in the 51st annual Bayou Classic in the Superdome Saturday. Jaguars Coach Terrence Graves says this is the unofficial state championship…

Cut 12 (17) “…New Orleans.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is hailing the tax reform package. She says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

Cut 4 (08) “…they can create.”

Bourgeois said Louisiana was one of a small handful of states that still have a franchise tax, but that will go away on January 1st.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says her family is deeply touched by the honor that her late husband has received…

Cut 12 (05) “…about it.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

It’s time to find that perfect Christmas tree. Sean Richardson spoke with a Christmas tree farmer…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

If you’re planning to bring food for your Thanksgiving feast with you on an airplane, you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says some items will need to be in your checked baggage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…smear or pour.”

Those include cranberry sauce, gravy, beverages, canned fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and soup. On the other hand, baked goods, meats, stuffing, casseroles and fresh produce can go into your carry-on bag.