A hitman hired by the ex-wife of a Lake Providence man has been convicted of attempted second degree murder. Back in 2015, Rachel Meadows hired Amin Virani to kill her ex-husband. Virani shot the victim multiple times, but he was able to escape. A jury took only 30 minutes to convict Virani who will be sentenced at a later date. Meadows pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Attorney General Liz Murrill thanked State Police and The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s office for their hard work in the case.

After the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Senator Bill Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump.

Cut 13 (14) “…a sitting president.” 

Cassidy also said that he wants answers from the Secret Service as to how a second assassination attempt could have happened in the first place.

The White House approved Governor Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration, following Hurricane Francine. GOHSEP External Affairs director Scott Adams says Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes will receive federal assistance and FEMA will coordinate the efforts, with an emphasis on public safety and rebuilding.  Adams encourages affected residents to apply for assistance and stay informed on disaster relief efforts.

Cut 11 (10) “…FEMA app.”

This week marks Voter Registration Week. Secretary of State’s spokesperson Joel Watson says citizens can register or update their registration by visiting GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM, that’s G-E-A-U-X Vote dot come. On the site or on the mobile app, citizens can find pooling places, election dates, and deadlines.

Cut 8 (09)  “…November 5th”

Senator Bill Cassidy is despondent over this weekend’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump – the second time in a two-month span that someone tried killing him.

Cut 12 (09) “…or should become.”

Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump.

It’s Voter Registration Week. Secretary of State’s spokesperson Joel Watson says Louisiana has a high registration rate, with about 90-percent of eligible residents registered to vote but there may be some who recently moved to the state or…

Cut 7 (06) “…to do that.”

The deadline to register in time for the November 5th election is October Seventh in person or by mail and October Fifteenth online. Visit GEAUX-VOTE-DOT-COM, and of course that’s G-E-A-U-X Vote dot com.

Governor Jeff Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state was approved by the White House following Hurricane Francine.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Pelicans’ fans can look forward to watching games on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new rights deal with Gray Media will give many more fans the opportunity. In addition, in the coming weeks, the Pelicans will announce the creation of their new streaming platform, Pelicans Plus.

Cut 5 (08) “…and postgame show.”

The little girl who disappeared from her home in Webster Parish has been found safe. An Arkansas company flying a drone spotted 10-year-old Peyton Saintingnan sleeping in a wooded area. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says she had been seen on a trail cam earlier in the day.  And Parker says before she was found, Peyton heard the searchers.

Cut 8 (11)  “…who they were”

She has a history of sleepwalking.

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped a 58-year-old man from carrying out an assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson posted on “X” that no leader in American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient.

Cut 9 (09)  “…American people.”

Despite the recent Me-Too movement, sexual harassment continues to be very prevalent. According to the #MeToo 2024 report by Tulane University’s Newcome Institute, a survey of more than 33-hundred adults found that 82-percent of women and 42-percent of men experience some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Lead researcher Anita Raj says sexual harassment in the workplace remains a concern.

Cut 10 (10) “…the United States.”

The Saints destroyed the Cowboys in Arlington, 44-19 yesterday. The Saints gained 190 yards on the ground –115 of them by Alvin Kamara. Head Coach Dennis Allen says that’s taking a load off quarterback Derek Carr.

Cut 4 (15) “…of protecting him.”

Francine’s damage estimates are coming in. Catastrophe risk modeler, Core Logic estimates the cost is one point five billion dollars. In a news conference Friday, Governor Jeff Landry said the damage should be no excuse for insurance companies to rase their rates even further.

Cut 13 (12)  “…money as well.”

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped another assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson says there are hearings this month for a Task Force on the previous attempt. Reports will be coming out next week.  Johnson expressed deep concern over the growing threats against the former president and emphasized the need for heightened security measures.

Cut 11 (06) “…if necessary.”

A frantic search for a Webster Parish girl has a happy ending. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints are 2 and O – exceeding expectations with their decisive 44-19 win over the Cowboys in Arlington. The Saints gained 190 yards on the ground — 115 by Alvin Kamara. Quarterback Derek Carr says the vigorous off-season workout program that Coach Allen instituted is really paying off.

Cut 5 (12) “…those hard days.”

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife were on their way to Donald Trump’s home when the Secret Service stopped a 58-year-old man from carrying out what authorities are calling an assassination attempt on the former president. Johnson was briefed with the President within 90-minutes of the event by Acting Director of the Secret Service Ron Rowe.  Rowe says agents saw the gun barrel between the bushes and engaged.

Cut 10 (06) “…conversation today.”

Prayers were answered in Webster Parish as a girl who disappeared from her home was found safe. Crews spent all day searching for ten-year-old Peyton Saintignan, and an Arkansas company flying a drone was able to find her asleep in a wooded area. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says a camera captured an image of her earlier in the day.

Cut 6 (10) “…anything like that.”

Sheriff Parker says the young girl has a history of sleepwalking.

Just like last week, the Saints were firing on all cylinders yesterday, as they destroyed the Cowboys in Arlington, 44-19. Alvin Kamara scored four touchdowns, including a 57-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Kamara says offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made it easy.

Cut 3 (09) “…to run, really.”

In all the Saints gained 190 yards on the ground — 115 by Kamara

Francine’s damage estimates are coming in. Catastrophe risk modeler, Core Logic estimates the cost is one point five billion dollars. Much smaller losses than the fourteen-billion-dollar losses due to Hurricane Ida which impacted a similar area. The loss estimate for Francine does not include inland flooding caused by rain or losses to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Cleanup and recovery continue in coastal parishes. In Terrebonne Parish, President Jason Bergeron (BAA-zher-on) says one of the biggest challenges is that power poles are in hard-to-reach areas such as marshes and swamps.

Cut 6 (09) “…and those lines.”

Entergy crews are working around the clock to restore power to everyone left in the dark by Francine. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Second Harvest Food Bank is distributing emergency food boxes, hot meals, and bottled water to shelters and community centers in the hardest-hit areas. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe say they have supplied more than 200-thousand pounds of food and nearly three thousand meals and counting…

Cut 11 (09) “…Orleans Parish.”

Jayroe says Second Harvest remains focused on providing relief and helping families and individuals regain stability after the hurricane.  For more information on how you can donate or volunteer visit no-dash-hunger-dot-org.

Saturday is the Southland Conference opener for McNeese as the Cowboys welcome back Stephen F Austin back to the league by hosting the Lumberjacks at 7 PM. Pokes head coach Gary Goff on the S-F-A defense…

Cut 14 (16) “..protection.”

Avoyelles Parish received a 911 call yesterday from the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse saying an unknown male entered the courthouse in Marksville covering his face and possessing fake plastic guns and carrying packages and bags. Local law enforcement agencies responded and searched the man, his bags, and the courthouse. Fortunately, no explosives were found.  APSO Detectives identified the man as Jaymes Edward Baker of Mulberry, Florida and learned that Baker allegedly went there to make a statement about his dissatisfaction with civil proceedings in a child custody matter.  Baker was arrested and booked for Terrorizing and Simple Assault.  No bond has been set.

Entergy Louisiana crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible. VP of Customer Service Michelle Bourg (BORG) says in the coastal parishes including Assumption, Terrebonne and Lafourche, full restoration will take a little longer.

Cut 5 (08) “…two to three days.”

Bourg notes that South Louisiana’s geography makes it challenging for crews, with many power poles being located in marshes, swamps and heavily wooded areas.

Cleanup and recovery continue in the coastal parishes. In St. Mary Parish, President Sam Jones says things are almost all the way back to normal.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we’re cleaning up.”

Jones says the progress is incredible considering the parish was among those hit hardest by Francine.

Second Harvest Food Bank is mobilizing to address the immediate needs of communities in parishes impacted by Hurricane Francine. The organization is providing food, water, and essential supplies. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says Second Harvest aims to ensure that necessities reach those in need as quickly as possible.

Cut 10 (09) “…lives back together.”

To volunteer or make donations to Second Harvest, visit no dash hunger dot org.

Coastal parishes hit hard by Wednesday night’s hurricane are working diligently to get life back to normal as quickly as possible. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Entergy Louisiana crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible. VP of Customer Service Michelle Bourg (BORG) says with manpower quadrupled, crews are making great progress.

Cut 3 (09) “…to the storm.”

Bourg says in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, full restoration will happen even sooner.

Second Harvest is working to stock food pantries and coordinate long-term relief efforts as the region begins the recovery process. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says they are seeking volunteers and donations to sustain these efforts in the coming weeks. She says volunteers and donations are crucial…

Cut 12 (08) “…for a family.”

Jayroe says Second Harvest remains focused on providing relief and helping families and individuals regain stability after the hurricane.  For more information on how you can donate or volunteer visit no-dash-hunger-dot-org.

The 16th ranked LSU Tigers kick off SEC play on Saturday by facing a confident South Carolina squad, coming off a 31-to-6 road win against Kentucky. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects the Gamecocks to use their run game to move the ball down the field…

Cut 13 (12) “…early on.” 

It’s an early 11 AM kick off in Columbia.

A Downsville Community Charter School teacher was arrested today. Union Parish Sheriff’s Investigators say, after becoming angry with a third-grade class, 70-year-old Robert Mitcham of Ruston threatened students saying he had bullets for his gun, and he would bring it to the school and shoot. He allegedly added some of the students would not survive.  Mitchem told authorities that he was not threatening the children. He said he was overwhelmed and wanted the children to settle down. Mitcham is charged with terrorizing and has been barred from the school.

Louisiana is getting assistance at the federal level for the damage done by Hurricane Francine. President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state and Senator John Kennedy has been working to secure the money needed to help in the recovery effort.

Cut 12 (07) “…we pay taxes.”

Governor Landry and other officials flew over Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes this afternoon. Those three parishes took on the brunt of Francine which made landfall as a Category two storm in Terrebonne. Landry says there’s property damage but he says the bayou parishes were spared from major flooding

Cut 7 (09) “…doing works.”

State officials are trying to get a number on how many households and businesses sustained damages from Francine.

Francine caused widespread power outages across southeast Louisiana, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity. President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana Phillip May is asking for patience and assures residents that crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. While some progress has already been made, full restoration efforts will continue until all residents have power again.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the field.”

A small private aircraft crashed in Lafayette this morning.  Unfortunately, the only occupant of the craft died in the crash that happened upon take-off near Oakbourne Country Club which is just northeast of the Lafayette Regional Airport. The Lafayette Fire Department responded and is conducting an investigation.

Nurses save lives everyday but not always the way Emergency Room Nurse, Miles Crawford did Wednesday night. His rescue of a driver of a pickup truck that was being overtaken by New Orleans floodwaters was captured on live television and Governor Landry took a moment to honor Crawford.

Cut 14 (16) “..Miles for that.”

Television footage suggests Crawford acted in the nick of time.

Hurricane Francine came ashore with 100 mile per hour winds, but it will likely be remembered for the flash flooding it caused in southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says even though the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there that people need to be aware of.

Cut 13 (09) “…sure they’re safe.”