Three suspects are in custody, arrested for their alleged involvement in a Ruston shooting that left an 18-year-old girl dead in May. The Ruston Police Department says Haleei Newton was in a vehicle that was shot on I-20 on May 25. She was taken to a hospital at the time of the shooting and later died there. 19-year-old Jamion James, 18-year-old Emmanuel Seals, Jr. and 18-year-old Earnest Chatman were arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

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 and she says the very best thing you can donate is cash.

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.”

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.

King Sucrose and Queen Sugar will preside over the festivities at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival this weekend in downtown New Iberia. Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris…

Cut 4 (06) “…games and prizes.”

Iberia Parish is the ideal place for the festival as they are Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region.

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.

Cut 5 (13) “…parks as well.”

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

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a strongly worded post on X he made about Haitians calling them thugs and repeating Former President Donald Trump’s claims that they eat pets. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins didn’t hold back in front of the cameras when was with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office before he was ever elected to congress.

Cut 8 (09) “…of a camera.”

Higgins told reporters he deleted the post after praying and considering a colleague’s thoughts. He said he realized his words hurt several people but he told CNN his social media record is, for the most part, a good one.

Cut 14 (04) “…record around here.”

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

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A 58-year-old man is dead after authorities say he aggressively pointed a gun in the direction of deputies prompting them to discharge their weapons. The incident started when St. Charles parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a man walking down street in Hahnville pointing a gun at two people. They found Charles Verdin who was known to them sitting in a van facing Nicholas Street. Deputies said before Verdin pointed what appeared to be an AR15-style rifle at them, they tried for several minutes to convince him to put the gun down and exit his vehicle. Verdin died at the scene, and it was later discovered that the gun was a realistic looking airsoft type gun.

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is coming under fire for a social media post about Haitians…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A man arrested over 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish, was apprehended again this week. This arrest stemmed from a St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation targeting Casey Spies for suspected involvement in distributing methamphetamine. Sheriff Mike Tregre (treg)…

Cut 3 (08) “…keep arresting him.”

Spies’ criminal record dates to 2008

Survivors of Hurricane Francine in nine parishes can now apply for low interest federal loans to help with their damages and expenses related to the storm. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters in declared major disaster areas. Homeowners and renters who still have needs after FEMA assistance may be eligible for loans up to $500,000 for structural repairs or $100,000 to replace essential person property. Businesses of all sizes may be eligible for loans of up to $2 million.

A new pilot program being launched by the Louisiana Department of Health aims to increase opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. Dr. Stephanie Taylor, medical director of the STD/HIV program at LDH, says currently, only 50-percent of pregnant women get adequately screened and there’s no scheduled end date for the program.

Cut 11 (14) “…have an impact.”

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a strongly worded post on X he made about Haitians calling them thugs and repeating Former President Donald Trump’s claims that they eat pets. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s basically Higgins being Higgins.

Cut 6 (13) “…quite wide margins.”

Higgins said it was never meant to be a dig against Haitian people as a whole. Reporters caught up with Higgins at the Capitol

Cut 13 (22) “…the post down.” 

A man arrested over 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish, was apprehended again this week booked at the Sherman Walker Correctional Center on charges of resisting an officer, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Mike Tregre (treg) says he doesn’t know how Casey Spies keeps getting released and arrested over and over. Judge Vercell Fiffie (fee-fee) set Spies’ bond for this arrest at $10,500, which he posted after paying a 10-percent cash bond of $1,050, resulting in his release two and a half hours later.

Cut 5 (07) “…leave it at that.”

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a new pilot program to increase opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. LDH STD/HIV program director, Dr. Stephanie Taylor says currently, only 50-percent of pregnant women get adequately screened.

Cut 10 (10) “…test was available.”

Having passed up a re-election bid, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is trying to squeeze his legislative priorities into the three-plus months he has left in office. He is working with New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter on legislation that would, among other things, remove income limits to qualify for grants to pay off disaster recovery loans.

Cut 15 (13) “…very little money.”

The Senate will again take up Senator Bill Cassidy’s RISEE (RISE) Act. Cassidy says RISEE, or Reinvesting in Shorelines Economies and Ecosystems Act amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and removing the revenue-sharing cap will bring tremendous benefits to the state.

Cut 10 (12) “…good-paying jobs.”

The Natchitoches Christmas Parade has its grand marshal for 2024. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With less than six weeks until the 2024 election, voter interest appears to be waning, as indicated by multiple data points. Founder and President of JNC Analytics John Couvillion says some possible indicators are…

Cut 12 (13) “…election cycle.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is again bringing his RISEE (RISE) Act before the Senate. He says RISEE, or Reinvesting in Shorelines Economies and Ecosystems Act will bring billions to the state to rebuild shorelines, support flood structures and bring in thousands of good paying jobs. Cassidy hopes to bring the bill to the finish line this time around.

Cut 11 (09) “…hard on that.”

The Senate Energy and National Resources Committee is slated to mark up the bill on Thursday

An increasing number of undecided voters and lower-than-expected turnout at campaign events suggest that enthusiasm may be significantly lower compared to previous election cycles says President of JNC Analytics, John Couvillion and he expects to learn more from participation in mail-in ballots…

Cut 14 (11) “…October 18th.”

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane. The exact landfall location remains uncertain. Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grimes…

Cut 5 (11) “…bayou state.”

Grymes says we here in Louisiana can expect a cold front.

It’s the 98th year for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and they’re excited about this year’s grand marshal for the Christmas Parade. Jill Leo, the director of festivals and events with the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, says organizers weren’t sure if the National Champion LSU Gymnastics Team would accept their invitation.

Cut 8 (13) “…honor for us.”

Apparent dissatisfaction with the direction of both major parties seems to be impacting voter interest in the upcoming election. Founder and President of JNC Analytics John Couvillion says polarizing candidates and repetitive media coverage are contributing and he blames the lower interest compared to the 2020 election on election fatigue…

Cut 13 (08) “…him and Biden.” 

Couvillion adds, lower-than-expected turnout at campaign events suggests that enthusiasm may be significantly lower.

The Senate will again take up Senator Bill Cassidy’s RISEE (RISE) Act. Cassidy says RISEE, or Reinvesting in Shorelines Economies and Ecosystems Act amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and removing the revenue-sharing cap will bring tremendous benefits to the state.

Cut 10 (12) “…good-paying jobs.”

Cassidy hopes to bring the bill to the finish line this time around.

Tropical Storm Helene is moving northwest near the western Caribbean and not expected to impact Louisiana. Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grimes…

Cut 4 (11) “…support development.”

Grymes says to stay prepared but the closer we get to November Louisiana’s risk of hurricanes drops to nearly zero.

The Natchitoches Christmas Parade has its grand marshal for 2024. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is again bringing his RISEE (RISE) Act before the Senate. He says RISEE, or Reinvesting in Shorelines Economies and Ecosystems Act and bring billions to the state to rebuild shorelines, support flood structures and bring in thousands of good paying jobs.

Cassidy hopes to bring the bill to the finish line this time around.

Cut 11 (09) “…hard on that.”

The Senate Energy and National Resources Committee is slated to mark up the bill on Thursday.

With less than six weeks until the 2024 election, voter interest appears to be waning, as indicated by multiple data points. Founder and President of JNC Analytics John Couvillion says a growing sense of fatigue among voters, with some disengaging from political discourse.

Cut 12 (13) “…election cycle.”

As she strengthens, Louisiana appears to be out of Tropical Storm Helene’s crosshairs.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This is the 98th year for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and they are excited to announce their grand marshal for the 2024 Christmas Parade.

Cut 6 (06) …we are thrilled.”

Jill Leo, the director of festivals and events with the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, says the defending national champions have everything that organizers look for in a grand marshal. She says the team represents great camaraderie, wholesome family fun and great values.

Lawmakers could soon be headed back to Baton Rouge to hash out tax reform. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting for the November 5^th election begins October 18^th. In the 5^th congressional district, Democrat Michael Vallien and Republican Vinney Mendoza are challenging incumbent Republican Julia Letlow and she is taking her message directly to the voters in a newly released ad campaign saying she’s worked in Congress to secure billions in investments…

Cut 15 (04) “…our people.”

Louisiana is experiencing relatively calm weather at the beginning of the week. However, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Kein says future Tropical Storm Helene could bring more significant activity as the week progresses. A cold front is expected to move through the region, which may shift conditions, but it isn’t anticipated to cause major disruptions.

Cut 10 (12) “…ensuing days.”

Louisiana Tech rallied back from a ten-point, fourth quarter deficit, only to lose in overtime 23-20 to Tulsa. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is disappointed they could not send Bulldog fans home with a win…

Cut 19 (09) “….like to”