After LSU student Madison Brooks never made it home, two freshman students created a group in the app GroupMe to help others find a safe ride home.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One of the wounded victims in the January 22nd mass shooting in Shreveport has died. Officials in Caddo Parish confirmed 33 year old Latounda Bryant succumbed to her injuries Thursday morning. She was one of 8 people hit by what police believe was a drive by shooting on Sunday. No arrests have been made in the case.

The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed on Wednesday afternoon while filling potholes in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker hit two DOTD vehicles…:
Cut 10 (10) “…behind the truck”
Gray was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking for the longest married couple. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says the deadline for entries is February sixth and the honorees will be recognized on Valentine’s Day…
cut 9 (08) “…this year”
You can find an entry form at LAfamilyforum.org

The state department of transportation is mourning the death of DOTD worker Christopher Gray of Lake Charles, who was killed when a empty log truck hit two DOTD vehicles on US Highway 171 in DeSoto Parish Wednesday, one of the DOTD vehicles hit Gray and he was pronounced dead at the scene. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says as of now, the driver of the log truck has not been charged…
cut 11 (06) “….under investigation”

LSU’s campus is still reeling after details were released this week about the death of LSU student Madison Brooks. The 19-year-old from Madisonville was struck and killed on Burbank Road after she was allegedly raped in a vehicle. Alisha Ortolano has created a group called LSU GIRLS RIDES on the Groupme app and it’s a place where females can request a safe ride home…
cut 5 (07) “…700 girls”
Ortoloano hopes students at other schools follow their lead.

Former LSU QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals will try to reach the Super Bowl for a second straight year as they visit the Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Title game.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Louisiana Family Forum is seeking nominations for the Longest Married Couple that will be honored on Valentine’s Day. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says last year’s winner was Patsy and Gail Richardson of Gonzales. They were married 81 years…
cut 8 (11) “…any occasions”
You can submit a nomination at the Louisiana Family Forum’s website.

Two freshman students at LSU have created a GroupMe chat for other female students who may need a safe ride home. It’s inspired by the death of Madison Brooks, who was hit by a car, after leaving a vehicle where she was allegedly raped. Alisha Ortolano hopes other schools follow their lead and she reminds women to look out for each other…
cut 6 (10) “….speak out”

On the campus of Dillard University in New Orleans, they are installing a new school president this weekend as Doctor Rochelle Ford takes over. Ford says tomorrow they will break ground on the Living Learning Communities, a new residential hall for students on Norman Mayer Boulevard. She says professors will also have the opportunity to live there…
Cut 13 (09) “….living communities.”

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office is looking for a 55-year-old woman who has not been seen since Christmas Day. Her name is Shelia Baker. Baker’s last location of travel is believed to be near Bunkie. A Lafayette TV station reports Baker was supposed to go to Lake Charles to visit her mother after staying with another family member for Christmas.

The search for the state’s longest-married couple is underway. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can nominate a duo that’s been married for seven decades or more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette is sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempted murder of a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says hate crimes are a top priority for the D-O-J and they take these kinds of cases very seriously…
Cut 8 (11) “…ever gets out.”
The 21-year-old Seneca has already served 2 1/2 years of his 45-year sentence.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responded to allegations she had a sexual relationship with a New Orleans Police Officer assigned to be her bodyguard. Those claims were made in divorce papers by the estranged wife of NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie. Cantrell says this is a personal matter for the Vappie family.
Cut 12 (03) “…of yours.”
Cantrell has denied the allegations after a FOX 8 tv investigation showed video of Vappie sending time with herr during the day and late at night at the city own apartment.

Drug distribution charges against a Larose man have been upgraded to second-degree murder. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says over the next three days, says there will be several different dinners featuring Louisiana cuisine and there are plenty of social events at night…
Cut 10 (11) “…hazardously”

Many Louisiana elected officials are in our nation’s capitol for Washington Mardi Gras. Discussions take place during the day on ways to make Louisiana better at night there are numerous social events. The Advocate newspaper’s D-C news correspondent Mark Ballard says a big topic of discussion is whether Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will run for governor.
Cut 11 (11) “…Garret Graves”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has reportedly selected Graves as the chairman of the Republican leadership. If true, it’s likely Graves will not run for governor.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was asked about allegations she had an extra martial affair with her body guard that’s also an NOPD officer. Cantrell says it’s a false rumor…
cut 13 (08) “…pronouns”

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says Chance Seneca used the dating app, Grindr, to groom his victim and in 2020, he handcuffed his victim inside a Lafayette home and tried to dismember him…
Cut 6 (07) “…changed his mind”
The victim is 21-year-old Holden White who says the attack has left him with no feeling in his hands, a limited voice and permanent scars.

19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose has been charged with second-degree murder for selling a pill containing fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old female’s overdose death last October. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the victim thought she was taking Percocet, but the toxicology report said otherwise.
Cut 3 (12) “…second-degree murder.”
Bail for Terrebonne has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating inmates constitutional rights by routinely holding them past their release dates. The report highlighted a four-month period last year where 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release dates. Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says this practice costs Louisiana millions of dollars…
cut 11 (09) “….thousands of people”
Defense attorney Lindsey Blouin says the department of corrections needs more money to update their computer system.

Many elected officials from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington Mardi Gras, but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s not all fun and games. Schexnayder says there are economic development meetings with the goal of bringing more manufacturing jobs to the state
Cut 9 (08) “…get it done”
21-year-old Chance Seneca of Lafayette has been sentenced to 45 years in a federal prison for attempting to dismember a gay man that he met on the dating app Grindr. US Attorney Brandon Brown says Seneca became fixated with the idea of killing gay men and he was fascinated with notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer…
cut 7 (07) “…quite some time”
The victim survived the attack, but has physical, emotional and psychological scars.

19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose has been charged with second-degree murder for selling a pill containing fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old female’s overdose death last October. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the victim thought she was taking Percocet, but the toxicology report said otherwise.
Cut 3 (12) “…second-degree murder.”
Bail for Terrebonne has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a hate crime scheme. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says Chance Seneca used the dating app, Grindr, to groom his victim and in 2020, he handcuffed his victim at a Lafayette home and tried to dismember him…
cut 6 (07) “…changed his mind”
The victim is 21-year-old Holden White who says the attack has left him with no feeling in his hands, a limited voice and permanent scars.

The U-S Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections regularly violates the Fourteenth Amendment when it holds inmates past their release date. Baton Rouge Defense Attorney Lindsay Blouin (blu-in) says the pandemic revealed a number of deficiencies within the criminal justice system that should be fixed.
Cut 10 (06) “…update their status.”
The D-O-C says it’s reviewing the D-O-J report, which says between January and April last year, nearly 27-percent of the people released from state custody were held past their release date.

Three Louisiana teachers received a $25 thousand dollar award for their outstanding educator skills.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today in D-C as Governor Edwards and several elected officials and business leaders from Louisiana conduct meetings with federal officials. But there is also partying and LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says including a formal ball on Saturday…
cut 8 (09) “…Carnival style”

The Department of Justice says the Louisiana Department of Corrections is violating the 14th Amendment by holding inmates beyond their release date. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year-old Blayne Terrebonne of Larose with second-degree murder in the death of a 15-year-old girl who overdosed on fentanyl last October. Blayne Terrebonne was originally arrested for drug distribution, but investigators say they’ve learned Terrebonne sold the victim a pill pressed from pure fentanyl.

The annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras gets underway today. The event has become a staple for political folk who want to “see-and-be-seen,” network and fund raise. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is in the nation’s capital…
Cut 7 (13) “…events take place.”
Candidates running for governor will use Washington Mardi Gras as a chance to build their campaign teams and fund raise.

Lafayette Parish third grade teacher Corrie Campbell is one of three teachers in Louisiana to receive a 25-thousand dollar award from the Milken Family Foundation because of her outstanding teaching skills…
cut 6 (14) “…more engaging”
Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic and Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan also received the Milken Educator Award.

The state department of corrections says it’s reviewing a U-S Department of Justice report that finds the state is routinely keeping inmates in prison passed their release dates, which is a violation of the 14th amendment. Baton Rouge attorney Lindsey Blouin says it’s been a problem for over a decade…
cut 12 (09) “…issues fixed”

Washington Mardi Gras gets underway today and numerous elected officials are in D-C conducting business, building relationships and since this is an election year, they are also raising cash….
cut 9 (07) “…raising money”
La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says gubernatorial candidates Jeff Landry and John Schroder held fundraisers last night and this afternoon Sharon Hewitt will hold one.

Authorities arrested a 15-year-old female who allegedly called in bomb threats into a restaurant in Opelousas and five schools in St. Landry Parish. Deputy Chief of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Eddie Thibodaux says they got involved yesterday when Northwest High School received a bomb threat. He says the school was evacuated and bomb dogs were brought in…
Cut 13 (10) “…received one.”
A final bomb threat was called into Washington Career Center.

Three south Louisiana teachers are $25 thousand dollars richer for receiving the Milken Educator Award which goes to about 40 elementary educators across the country every year. The three recipients are Prairieville teacher Elise Frederic, Port Allen’s Dereka Duncan, and Lafayette Parish teacher Corrie Campbell. Frederick won the award for her innovative teaching skills with first graders.
Cut 4 (12) “…appreciate it.”