On Easter Monday, Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died at 88 after a 12-year papacy defined by humility, advocacy for the marginalized, and reform.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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DOTD has a message for all you drivers – “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Andrew Greenstein is at DOTD headquarters in Baton Rouge with more.
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Two men are dead after crashing their Jeep while speeding away from pursuing troopers in Alexandria. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says police tried pulling the Jeep over early Saturday morning along the U.S. 165 frontage road.
Cut 3 (06) “…improper lane usage.”
But the driver would not stop and instead sped up and turned onto England Drive. Wallace says it’s a narrow, winding road that leads to Alexandria International Airport.
Cut 4 (08) “…goes through there.”
Almost an hour later, well after troopers had called off the pursuit, they found the Jeep partially submerged in a bayou, and 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite and 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville were ejected from the vehicle. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Wallace says it’s unclear which one was the driver.
Cut 5 (06) “…a normal crash.”
At this time, it’s unknown why Watson and Wright were running from police.
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Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, is dead at the age of 88. He led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. Francis was not afraid to take on challenging issues like climate change, inequality and he welcomed gays and lesbians into the Catholic Church. LSU Professor of Religion Michael Pasquier says his stance on these issues upset some American Catholics, but the pope was taking a global view…
Cut 6 (12) “…American prospective.”
His progressive stance stirred controversy, alienating conservatives who viewed him as doctrinally lenient. Despite missteps in handling clergy abuse, he initiated reforms in Vatican finances and expanded roles for women. Pasquier says Francis highlighted mercy and inclusivity, often clashing with traditionalists.
Cut 7 (12) “…those standards.”
Pasquier says the next step will take place behind closed doors as bishops from around the world gather in conclave to choose the next pope.
Cut 8 (12) “…Catholic Church.”
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With peak road construction season upon us, DOTD is urging you to please pay extra attention and use extra caution when going through work zones. This is National Work Zone Awareness Week; and this year’s theme is, “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Lisa Freeman, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says construction workers are putting their lives on the line for the safety of the rest of us.
Cut 9 (10) “…roads more navigable.”
State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says when you’re going through a construction zone, 100-percent of your attention and focus needs to be on driving safely.
Cut 10 (12) “…dark at night.”
Police are out in full force looking for people driving dangerously through work zones. In Louisiana, all fines for moving violations within work zones are doubled. DOTD secretary Joe Donahue says depending on where you’re at, those fines could go up even more.
Cut 11 (11) “…fines for traffic.”
In 2023, the latest year in which statistics are available, 14 people were killed in Louisiana work zones, with 898 killed nationwide.
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It was 15 years ago yesterday when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off Louisiana’s coast sending 134 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the worst offshore oil spill in the nation’s history. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the marshes impacted by the oil were restored, but several islands that would serve as nesting grounds for pelicans were lost.
Cut 12 (13) “…to our coast.”
Eleven workers were killed when the rig exploded as a result of multiple failures in the drilling process. Five of the victims were from Louisiana. Nungesser says he still thinks about those families that lost loved ones…
Cut 13 (09) “…close to home.”
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A 16-year-old girl is shot and killed in Caddo Parish. It happened last night inside a home in Vivian. 17-year-old Wyatt Sanders and another 16-year-old girl are each facing charges in connection with the girl’s death, including negligent homicide and illegal possession of a handgun. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Breck Scott says the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.
Cut 14 (03) “…to the juvenile.”
Lieutenant Scott says investigators also do not know the exact nature of the relationship between the three.
Cut 15 (03) “…at this time.”
Sanders was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center, and the 16-year-old girl was taken to the Caddo Juvenile Detention Center.