Two 15-year-old boys are charged with making a bomb threat at Port Barre High school Monday. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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Three members of Southern University’s Human Jukebox band were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler near Natchitoches last night. Brooke Thorington has the tragic details….

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A new statewide poll shows a majority of Louisianans accept climate change as a reality, but feel it’s not up to the U.S. alone to address it. John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics & Polling, says the survey of over 600 residents found a majority (42%) feel it’s a real problem…:

Cut 3 (08) “…something about it.” 

Majorities polled feel climate change contributes to the severity of hurricanes, and that congress should work to address it. However, Couvillon says, large percentages also feel it’s not only up to the U.S. to fix, and favor an alternative approach…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…heavy polluter or not.” 

The U.S. has already lowered greenhouse gas emissions (believed to aggravate warming) tremendously, while other countries have not. What’s more Couvillon says his survey revealed large numbers of us would be willing to alter our consuming habits, if it meant helping slow climate change..:

Cut 5 (14) “…higher polluting country.”

You can view the entire survey at “winwithjmc.com”, click on “blogs.”

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After responding to four overdose deaths in a 72-hour period over the weekend, police in Monroe have one suspect in custody. Detective Matt Schmitz says 47-year-old Jarrell Lee Walker has been arrested and charged with the deaths of two persons who were found deceased on December third.

Cut 6 (07)  “…illicit drug.”

Walker faces several charges including two counts of negligent homicide. Schmitz says they are still waiting on toxicology reports, and they believe fentanyl is suspected to be involved in the deaths. As for the other two overdose deaths…

Cut 7 (05)  “…other two.”

Due to the number of drug overdose deaths in such a short period, Schmitz says they are warning the public of a suspected deadly batch of fentanyl circulating in the area. And they urge those with addiction issues to seek help.

Cut 8 (08)  “…their life.“

Walker was booked and processed at the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center.

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Authorities are investigating a double traffic fatality that happened around 4 pm Tuesday in Tangipahoa Parish. Trooper William Huggins says 67-year-old John Bitter was driving a Nissan and traveling eastbound on LA Highway 40 near Highway 445 when the single-vehicle crash occurred.

Cut 9 (11) “….a tree.” 

The passenger, 64-year-old Janice Pellegrin was also killed. Both victims are from Covington.

Huggins says Bitter and Pellegrin were both properly restrained and died as a result of the crash.

Cut 10 (09) “…under investigation.” 

Huggins says the investigation will include obtaining phone records and crash data recordings. Huggins says that’s similar to a Blackbox recording on a plane and it has valuable information like…

Cut 11 (09)  “…happened.”

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Port Barre (BARRY) police have arrested two fifteen-year-old boys for allegedly making a bomb threat at Port Barre High School Monday.  Police chief Deon Boudreaux one of the boys wrote a threat on a school bathroom wall, and the other conspired with him to do it.

Cut 12 (09) “… a lot of chaos.” 

Boudreaux says one boy is charged with terrorizing, and the other with accessory to terrorizing….

Cut 13 (08) “…two guys.”  

Boudreaux says the two are in the custody of their parents because the juvenile jail is full. Port Barre High School and Middle School are on the same campus. He says similar threats were made at the middle school on November 23^rd and December first^. The chief says the two suspects arrested for the alleged high school threat are not suspects in the threats at the middle school. He says they do have some suspects in the investigation at the middle school.

Cut 14 (10)   “…expert.”

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Three Southern University band members were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler last night. The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break. Captain Tony Moran with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened on I-49 near Natchitoches around 7 pm.

Cut 15 (09) “…situation.”

State Police are investigating and say Tyran Williams, Dylan Young, and Broderick Moore were killed while trying to change a flat tire.

Moran says multiple first responders worked the accident.

Cut  16 (07)  “…coroners office.”

Southern University is offering grief counseling to students.

The Saints suffered an absolute gut punch of a loss last night as New Orleans blew a 13-point lead to the Buccaneers and lost 17-16. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Data from the Louisiana Secretary of State show the youngest voters did not turn out heavily here in the November 8^th election as they did in other states. Marsanne Golsby has more.

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When the 118^th Congress convenes next year, members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation assume new leadership roles. Congressman Steve Scalise will serve as House Majority Leader and Representative Troy Carter will serve as Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Cut 3 (12) “…will assume.” 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow will serve on House Appropriations. Congressman Clay Higgins, a ranking member of Homeland Security, could possibly chair that committee. Carter says these roles says will allow Louisiana to be uniquely positioned to have a seat at the table…

Cut 4 (09)  “…of Louisiana.” 

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will move into a key role on Transportation and Infrastructure and Rep Mike Johnson has a pivotal role on the Judiciary Committee. And while Carter is the lone Democrat representing the state in DC, he’s very proud of the roles other members will serve in Congress.

Cut 5 (08) “…best for Louisiana.”

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Political analysts are still examining the reason the expected red wave did not happen in national elections. ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says the youngest voters had a key impact

Cut 6 (10)  “…thirty years.”

But numbers we’ve acquired from the Louisiana Secretary of State show that didn’t happen in Louisiana. Here, the youngest voters had the lowest turnout, and the oldest had the highest. Stockley says that’s because the Louisiana ballot was humdrum compared to those in other states.

Cut 7 (11)  “…economic issues.”

In Louisiana, numbers show a clear progression of higher turnout through the age groups, from a low of just 28 percent amongst voters ages 18 to 20, to a high of 66 percent amongst voters 65 and older. Stockley says older voters have long dominated the electorate because they are more settled in the community.

Cut 8 (09)  “…day-to-day lives.“

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Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s filed legislation to give tax relief to people impacted by Hurricane Ida. Cassidy says bill would create special tax deductions for those who suffered personal casualty losses.

Cut 9 (10) “….standard deduction.” 

Cassidy says the bill gives tax relief to those using their own money to recover from their storm losses, and he adds it will waive the standard ten percent floor for deductions. He says a homeowner who is short 30-thousand dollars would get a three thousand dollar benefit.

Cut 10 (07) “…bring relief.” 

Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Louisiana’s southeastern coast on August 29th, 2021, causing $75 billion in damage. Cassidy says he is also looking at potential legislation to help with the skyrocketing costs of the National Flood Insurance Program. And he says he is taking a close look at the way FEMA is administering the program.

Cut 11 (12)  “…risk of flooding.”

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LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte says he’s staying. The New Iberia native says he’ll play his senior year at LSU instead of opting for the NFL draft. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says this is huge news for the Bayou Bengals 2023 season and quite a nod to head coach Brian Kelly.

Cut 12 (13) “…he’s on board.” 

At the beginning of the season, there were rumors of tension between Boutte and the new head coach, but as the season progressed, Weathers says the relationship grew and Boutte’s choice to return signifies that.

Cut 13 (09) “…right in.”  

Weathers says he believes name, image, and likeness deals play a factor in a player’s decision to stay or go early. He says Boutte’s choice to stay will inspire others on the fence to remain as well.

Cut 14 (08)   “…in store.”

While Boutte is returning to LSU, another Tigers receiver from the Acadiana area is looking to leave. Jack Beche (Besh) has entered the transfer portal after catching 16 passes this season. As a freshman, the Lafayette native led LSU in receiving with 43 catches.