Wednesday marks another 20th anniversary of a hurricane that devastated Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A fishing accident left two people dead near a boat launch on Dorcheat Bayou in Webster Parish over the weekend.  Webster Parish Sheriff’s officials say evidence at the scene indicated that 54 year old Annie Ruth Buggs and 41 year old Deandrea Perez Ford both drowned yesterday morning.  Authorities believe that one fell from a chair into the water, the other went in to try and save the other.

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Australian-based Woodside Energy says it wants to be an outstanding community partner as it builds a 17-point-five billion dollar liquefied natural gas facility in Calcasieu Parish near Sulphur. Chief Operating Officer Daniel Kalms says Louisiana L-N-G will be a huge contributor to U-S L-N-G exports, which will strengthen global energy security and generate billions of dollars in local and national revenues…

Cut 7 (09) “…community.”

A new pickleball park is coming in southeastern Caddo Parish. Stacey Brown, the executive director of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, says pickleball is very popular in the area, and the new park is designed to attract pickleball tournaments.

Cut 4 (10) “…had the courts.”

Out state’s looking at a dry weekend as abnormally dry conditions have developed across south Louisiana and along the Arkansas border. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says nearly half of the state is on the verge of drought conditions which will likely worsen as we move into fall as La Nina conditions are expected to develop…

Cut 5 (10) “…and spring”

Two people are dead, multiple others injured, after a shooting in Shreveport overnight.  Shreveport Police say it happened in a vacant lot on Poland Street around where a crowd of people was gathered around one this morning.  We’re told multiple victims were hit by gunfire, with two victims dying at the scene. Others were taken by ambulance and private vehicles to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. So far, there’s no word on suspects.

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A jury in Calcasieu Parish has found 43-year-old Christer Cater guilty in the 2023 murder of 72 year old Sheila Orgega. Prosecutors say Cater killed Ortega while he was intoxicated. An LSU forensic expert testified Ortega’s injuries included bone fractures to her spine, neck and face. DA Stephen Dwight says Cater was renting a room from Ortega at the time.

Cut 11 (12) “…estate dry.”

The Saints hit the road for the first time this season as New Orleans takes on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Lumen Field is one of the hardest places to play in the NFL, but defensive end Cam Jordan says that outside distractions are the least of the team’s worries this weekend.

Cut 14 (12) “…a win.”

Drought conditions are starting to develop across Louisiana as the state is in store for another dry weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The longtime face of New Orleans Mardi Gras is calling it a career. Arthur Hardy, the longtime publisher of the Mardi Gras Guide magazine, says after a half century, the 2026 edition will be his last and he and he has lots of post-retirement plans.

Cut 7 (08) “…in Oslo, Norway.”

Hardy launched the Mardi Gras Guide with his wife in 1977 as a way to make it easy for people to keep up with parade schedules.

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LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is good to go tonight as the Tigers host Southeastern.  Nussmeier has been dealing with a torso injury and has had to adjust to playing in a different way than usual. Now that Nussmeier is feeling more like himself, Coach Brian Kelly says that the offense will benefit greatly.

Cut 13 (13)  “…and comfortably..”

Tulane looks to stay undefeated as the Green Wave takes on Ole Miss in Oxford tonight at 6:30. UL-Lafayette will continue its road trip for the second straight week as the Cajuns face Eastern Michigan at 2:30.  Grambling State who’s coming off a 37-31 win over Kentucky State last week, will host East Texas A&M tonight at 6.  And ULM is in El Paso where they’ll take on a very talented UTEP team tonight at 8. The Warhawks are looking to get back on track after suffering a blowout loss to Alabama.

It took  Calcasieu Parish jury just over an hour to find a southwest Louisiana man guilty of murder in the brutal death of a 72-year-old woman in 2023. District Attorney Stephen Dwight says 43-year-old Christopher Cater killed Sheila Ortega and drove around with the woman’s body for a month.

Cut 10 (12) “…guilty verdict.”

Louisiana is facing a long, dry weekend as abnormally dry conditions have developed across south Louisiana and along the Arkansas border. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says nearly half of the state is on the verge of drought conditions and other than a pop up thunderstorm here or there, there’s not a significant chance for rain for several days…

Cut 4 (07) “…for rain.”

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The longtime voice of New Orleans Mardi Gras is calling it a career. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is good to go as the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana today. Nussmeier has been dealing with a torso injury, but head coach Brian Kelly says that he showed no signs of being hurt in practice this week.

Cut 12 (10) “…he’s comfortable”

Kick-off is at 6:45.

Two people are dead, multiple others injured, after a shooting in Shreveport overnight.  Shreveport Police say it happened in a vacant lot on Poland Street around where a crowd of people was gathered around one this morning.  We’re told multiple victims were hit by gunfire, with two victims dying at the scene. Others were taken by ambulance and private vehicles to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. So far, there’s no word on suspects.

A Calcasieu Parish jury has found a southwest Louisiana man guilty of murder in the brutal death of a 72-year-old woman in 2023. District Attorney Stephen Dwight says after 43-year-old Christopher Cater killed Sheila Ortega, he drove around with the woman’s body for a month…

Cut 9 (07)  “…during the summer.”

It took just over an hour for a jury to convict Cater of first-degree murder and unlawful disposal of remains.  He will face sentencing on an identity theft charge October 7^th.

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The longtime face of New Orleans Mardi Gras is calling it a career. Arthur Hardy, the longtime publisher of the Mardi Gras Guide magazine, says after a half century, the 2026 edition will be his last.

Cut 6 (09) “…time as any.”

The Mardi Gras Guide is now published by Georges Media and will continue to bear Hardy’s name.

We are looking at a dry weekend across the state and abnormally dry conditions have developed across south Louisiana and along the Arkansas border. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says nearly half of the state is on the verge of drought conditions according to the Drought Monitor…

Cut 3 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

Several Louisiana legislators have received postcards with graphic images of a lynching. The postcard has a image of two people hanging from a noose with the words “Thank You.” Republican State Representative Mike Bayham of Chalmette says the postcard has the Department of Homeland Security’s mailing address with Secretary Kristi Noem’s name.

Cut 8 (10) “…federal authorities.”

Bayham says the F-B-I is now investigating.

Another death from a deadly flesh-eating bacteria has been reported in Louisiana.  Health officials warning that infections from Vibrio vulnificus, are now up to 26 cases in Louisiana this year.  In all six, six cases have been fatal.  Typically Louisiana sees only one death per year related to this flesh eating bacteria.

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The Washington Post is reporting that the White House is planning to deploy up to a thousand National Guard troops to various cities throughout Louisiana. Governor Landry supports the idea. But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter, who represents New Orleans, says Landry and State Police have already implemented an alternative to the National Guard that has proven to lower crime in New Orleans – with Troop NOLA.

Cut 15 (11) “…making a difference.”

The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction has set an ambitious goal of fixing 62 small bridges in rural areas of Louisiana by end of next year.  Director Archie Chaisson says it typically takes two years for DOTD to repair a bridge, but the state legislature gave the his office the ability to cut through the red tape faster so it can get the job done.

Cut 11 (11) “…quicker”

The legislature used 100-million dollars from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to pay for the bridge replacement program.

The Washington Post is reporting the White House has plans to send as many as one-thousand National Guard troops to various cities in Louisiana. Reaction to the possibility is mixed. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Officials in Terrebonne Parish have announced the arrests of two Houma men in connection with the 2015 murder of Pamela Johson.  70 year old Charles Johnson and 43 year old Shannon Robinson are both facing charges of First-Degree Murder and Solicitation for murder in the death of Johnson, who was 56 the night she was found shot to death.  They’re being held in the Terrebonne Parish Detention Center without bond.

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Several Louisiana legislators have received postcards containing graphic images of a lynching. Republican State Representative Mike Bayham of Chalmette was one of the lawmakers who received the nefarious postcard.

Cut 7 (13) “…disturbing images.”

Bayham says the F-B-I is now investigating.

The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction has set an ambitious goal of fixing 62 small bridges in rural areas of Louisiana by end of next year. The Louisiana Legislature established this new office earlier this year and granted the new agency with emergency procurement powers. The director of this new office, Archie Chaisson, says that allows them to hire contractors faster…

Cut 10 (09) “…quicker”

The Washington Post is reporting that the White House is planning to deploy up to a thousand National Guard troops to various cities throughout Louisiana. Governor Landry supports the idea.

Cut 13 (09)  “…already war zones.”

Democratic Congressman Troy Carter, who represents New Orleans, doesn’t see it that way. He says the Crescent City already has Troop Nola to help with crime and says sending in the National Guard is counterproductive.

Cut 14 (13) “…insult to injury.”

Governor Landry has said that reducing crime with the help of the National Guard will ultimately help attract business.

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A new Louisiana transportation agency is working on repairing dozens of rural bridges by the end of 2026. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another Louisiana school is reporting surging enrollment. LSU Alexandria has announced that its enrollment has almost up t0 77-hundred students. Abbey Bain, the vice chancellor for enrollment and student engagement, says it’s a the latest in a long streak of wins for the school.

Cut 4 (05) “…record-breaking enrollment.”

Louisiana’s chronic absenteeism rate dropped two-percent for the 2024-25 school year after seeing it rise following the COVID pandemic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Scary afternoon for some Vernon Parish students yesterday as their bus was involved in a crash with another vehicle on Louisiana Avenue at Fort Polk.   A Facebook post by the installation reported some children were injured. We’re told the driver of the other vehicle had to be airlifted for treatment.

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Operation Lifesaver is using this week to spread awareness of the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks. Nan Arthur, the state coordinator for international organization says the week has daily themes…today’s is Operation Clear Track.

Cut 9 (12)  “…just be warned.”

A little good news for officials at McNeese this fall where they’ve seen an end to a 14-year decline in enrollment. University President Dr. Wade Rousse (“roose”) says more and more students are choosing to attend McNeese.

Cut 4 (12) “…in 22 years.”

Dr. Rousse says what he’s most proud of is the more than 13-percent increase in the size of this year’s freshman class.

Louisiana’s public school absenteeism rate is finally headed in the right direction.  Chronic absenteeism in our state hit a high of nearly 25 percent in 2023-24, but last year it dropped two percent.  Misty Davis, the executive director of attendance strategies at the department of education, says a special task force was formed to address the issue and local school systems are also making prioritizing consistent attendance.

Cut 12 (08) “…and packets.”

An international organization is using this week to spread awareness of the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks.  According to operation Lifesaver, it’s a big problem in Louisiana.  In fact more than ten people have been killed by trains while trespassing on railroad tracks in the last year.  Nan Arthur, the state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver.

Cut 8 (10) “…that’s illegal.”

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Trump has announced that nearly  $500 million in federal funds will be redirected to historically Black colleges and universities and tribally controlled colleges and universities.  The news comes days after Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said her department would end discretionary funding to some grant  programs that required meeting racial or ethnic quotas.