An Opelousas man has been arrested in connection with the burglary of a dozen squirrel monkeys from a Broussard zoo last month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Free speech advocates are irked by Attorney General Jeff Landry’s efforts to keep adult material in public libraries out of the reach of kids. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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More than 100,000 Tradespeople are now using BoomNation to connect with other skilled workers, showcase their credentials, and find jobs. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Co-CEO Brent Falvin on the platform has grown exponentially…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”
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Police have arrested a man in connection with the burglary of a dozen squirrel monkeys last month from a Lafayette Parish zoo. Broussard PD Chief Vance Olivier says they’ve arrested 61-year-old Joseph Randell of Opelousas.
Cut 4 (10) “…Correctional Center.”
Despite an arrest, the 12 monkeys were not recovered.
On January 29th Broussard Police responded to a report of a burglary at Zoosiana in which several squirrel monkeys were taken from their habitat. Olivier limited his comments because it’s an ongoing investigation and says there could be more arrests.
A day after the Zoosiana burglary two emperor tamarin monkeys were stolen from a Dallas Zoo. 24-year-old Davion Irvin was arrested last week in connection with that burglary. Olivier says they have not ruled out that the two could be connected.
Cut 5 (05) “…theft as well.”
As for a motive in the Zoosiana burglary Olivier says it appears to be monetary value.
Cut 6 (06) “…find out.”
Randell faces burglary charges and 12 counts of Cruelty to Animals.
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Crime Stoppers of North Delta will pay up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Isszvian Webb who is considered extremely dangerous. Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan says Webb is wanted for three counts of attempted first-degree murder after a shooting at three officers Sunday multiple times with an AR-15-style rifle.
Cut 7 (11) “…going back.”
Zordan says Webb has evaded authorities for about a year after escaping from Green Oaks Juvenile Detention Center and the mugshot they have of Zordan is over a year old.
Cut 8 (05) “…really does.”
Zordan says they are asking for the public’s help to locate Webb and they are on high alert and have notified law enforcement in the area to approach Webb with extreme caution.
Cut 9 (07) “…any problems.”
If you have any information, you’re asked to call the Monroe Police Department or Crime Stoppers of North Delta.
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A Louisiana free speech advocacy group is concerned about Attorney General Jeff Landry’s efforts to curb what kids can access at public libraries. Landry unveiled his office’s Protecting Innocence Report; containing information and laying out guidelines for libraries to assure kids cannot access adult materials. Lynette Mejia, with Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship, says it is primarily up to parents to monitor what their kids read and see…:
Cut 10 (10) “…legislation for that.”
Mejia (pronounced “meh-HEE-uh”) says most all libraries have tiered lending systems in place to prevent minors from viewing borrowing adult literature, and have adult materials out of their reach. She says Landry is creating “a solution in search of a problem”…:
Cut 11 (09) “…to campaign on.”
Turkey Creek state Senator Heather Cloud has filed a bill that would require libraries to assure children cannot see or borrow adult materials. Mejia says that is censorship and not necessary, but Landry says no one intends to censor anything…:
Cut 12 (07) “…of children.”
Landry asks critics to download the report from his website, and read it…then decide for one’s self…:
Cut 13 (08) “…for all children.”
Report is online at “AGJeffLandry.com”
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BoomNation announces more than 100,000 skilled workers are using the website to help connect with other tradespeople and find jobs. BoomNation connects tradespeople and employers and allows workers to showcase their skills and credentials. Co-CEO Brent Flavin says BoomNation provides a unique opportunity for skilled workers…
Cut 14 (14) “…getting started.”
The Lake Charles native said that the skilled worker industry is one that really hasn’t changed since the 18th century. Flavin hopes that his “LinkedIn for Blue Collar will help to innovate an outdated industry…
Cut 15 (12) “…absolutely deserve.”
BoomNation has been doing just that…booming. With over 100,000 users, the platform has a cumulative year-to-year increase of over 457%. Flavin says the platform has also been effective in finding people jobs…
Cut 16 (12) “…January 2023.”
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The Louisiana Tech Baseball team are preseason favorites to win the Conference USA for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs won the conference tournament championship last year after finishing second in the regular season. Coach Lane Burroughs says they are still playing with a chip on their shoulder…
Cut 17 (16) “…feel about it.”
The LA Tech baseball program has rebuilt and redefined itself under Burroughs, literally. The Bulldogs exploded onto the national stage in 2021 in their first season in their new stadium and hosted a super regional for the first time in program history. Burroughs says they’ve worked to build a culture of success and resilience exactly as he envisioned when he first arrived in Ruston…
Cut 18 (18) “…in that process.”
Conference USA will see the most changes of any Division I conference over the next few years with Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss having already left for the Sun-Belt. Southern Miss boasted one of the strongest baseball programs in the conference, but Burroughs believes the league won’t see a drop-off in competition…
Cut 19 (17) “…I really do.”