Southern University has identified 3 Human Jukebox band members who were killed in a crash Tuesday night. They are 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Keymonte Avery is a former band member…:
Cut 5 (08) “to Sunday”

Data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows property crime is down, but violent crime is up.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The High School Football Championships get underway today at the Superdome in New Orleans. Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…:
Cut 16 (13) “to get here”
The first game kicks off at 3:30 between Homer and Oak Grove.

This coming weekend is a big one for Christmas Festivals in Louisiana and there’s a big one in Alexandria that kicks off today: AlexWinterFete. Santa will be there, a Polar Express, crafts and vendors and live music. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery on their key attraction…:
Cut 9 (09) “we’ve brought in”
The Festival runs through Sunday and you can get the details at AlexWinterFete.com.

Southern University is mourning the loss of three members of the Human Jukebox band who were killed when they were run over by an 18 wheeler as the trio was changing a tire on the side of the road in Natchitoches Tuesday night. Isaiah Clay is a student at Southern…
Cut 6 (07) “on campus”
The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas.

State Police say two men helped saved a family of four from drowning, including two children, after their vehicle entered a canal and became submerged Wednesday morning in Assumption Parish. Jeff Lapeyrouse of Bourg and Chase Dupre of Chauvin both entered the water and pulled the four occupants out of the vehicle through thick mud and marsh. Only minor injuries were reported in the crash.

Crime data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows a reduction in property crimes, but violent crime is up. Vice President for Policy and Strategy Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime…:
Cut 11 (06) “all about”
Bendily says the data also shows it’s possible to reduce incarceration rates, especially among nonviolent offenders, and reduce crime at the same time.

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesars Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Eddie Bonine is the Executive Director of the LHSAA and he says a $25 ticket gets you in the Dome for the day…:
CUt 15 (14) “is reasonable”
Two championship games will be played tonight, three on Friday and three more on Saturday.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members, Whitney Thomas has the story…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

If you have homeowners’ insurance through United Property & Casualty, you’ll have to find new coverage next year. The Florida based company is the latest to announce it’s leaving Louisiana amid the state’s growing insurance crisis. UPC had the 5th largest share of Louisiana’s home insurance market in 2021. It will stop renewing policies in 2023.

One of Louisiana’s most popular Christmas Festivals kicks off today in downtown Alexandria. Alex Winter Fete includes ice skating, live music, craft and food vendors, street performers, fireworks, Polar Express Train, and Santa’s Village where Santa and Mrs. Claus will take photos. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery says it’s worth the road trip…
Cut 8 (08) “for the night”
Check the Alex Winter Fete Facebook Page for details.

No shortage of road trips to New Orleans this weekend as the LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight the Caesars Superdome. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s led to more competitive games.:
Cut 14 (10) “all belong”
The first game kicks at 4:30 today as it’s Ouachita Christian versus Vermilion Catholic.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Former band member Keymonte Avery says Southern’s band is like a family…:
Cut 4 (11) “…different feeling.”
According to State Police, a tractor-trailer driven by Clyde Gay, of Coushatta, drifted into the shoulder, hitting the Jeep, and immediately killed the three students. Two of the students were tuba players and the other was a percussionist.

The St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man is under arrest for allegedly trying to steal a marked Hummer parked outside the parish jail. They said the man told staff he was a deputy taking the Hummer to be serviced. 53 year old Pete Dunhurst is booked for vehicle burglary, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to the Pelican Institute for Public Policy property crimes in the Bayou State are decreasing but violent crime is up, which mirrors a nationwide trend. Institute Vice President Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says when you look at violent crime in Louisiana, the rate was flat before 2020
Cut 12 (07) “phenomenon”
She says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime.

Lots of high school football fans are headed to New Orleans today for the state football championships which get underway in the Caesars Superdome. Two games happen tonight. The Division Four non-select title game has Homer facing Oak Grove. And in the Division Four select title game, Ouachita Christian battles Vermilion Catholic.

This year’s Holiday Shopping season is going well, and economists are predicting spending could be up 6-8 percent from 2021. LSU Marketing Associate Professor Dan Rice says the prediction also has to account for record inflation…:
Cut 13 (11) “up seventeen percent”
And barring any supply chain disruptions, an increase in fuel costs, etc., Rice expects sales to continue to go well for most retailers.

This year’s sugarcane crop could set a new record as sugar recovery levels are performing well. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says the crop could produce 245 pounds of sugar for each ton of cane harvested…:
CUT 8 (06) “crop”
Nearly 17,000 jobs throughout Louisiana are supported by sugarcane.

The runoff election for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 3 is getting national attention—and a lot of money is being spent…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Bowl games have been set and the LSU Tigers are once again Orlando-bound and will face Purdue for the first time in the Citrus Bowl on January 2nd. LSU has been to the Citrus Bowl five times most recently in a matchup with a Brian Kelly led Notre Dame team in 2018. UL-Lafayette is going to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport for the first time ever to face Houston. And AAC champs Tulane will play USC in the Cotton Bowl.

The race for Louisiana Public Service Commission’s third district is getting national attention. Incumbent Lambert Boissiere the third is facing a stiff challenge from activist Davante Lewis in the December 10th runoff. Both are Democrats. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis has raised so much money that Lambert is taking note:
Cut 4 (09) “election”
He says Lewis is also getting help from out of state environmental activists who want the energy industry to shift away from fossil fuels.

The Secretary of State’s Office says over 110,000 residents in Louisiana participated in the Early voting period ahead of the election.

A cruise ship crewmember is in the hospital after the Coast Guard airlifted her from the vessel just south of New Orleans. She was last reported to be in stable condition, according to a news release.

Federal officials say inflation has slowed somewhat in recent weeks. But is it enough to be felt at street level, by the average consumer?
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Saints will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Monday Night Football action tonight. Despite having a 4 and 8 record, New Orleans is still alive to win the NFC South as the Bucs are in 1st place with a 5-6 record. Kickoff tonight is at 7:15pm.

The holiday shopping season got off to a good start for retailers and it’s anticipated to continue. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Gas prices continue to fall in Louisiana. AAA reports the current statewide average is $2.96 which is down from $3.07 from the same time last week, and over 11 cents lower than a year ago.

Inflation has slowed slightly according to the federal Department of Commerce. Rising costs and prices had been at over 8 percent from last year recently, but now is at about 6 percent. U.L.-Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner thinks the labor market will continue to slow, meaning the economy will continue to worsen…:
Cut 11 (11) “real consistent yet”

The LSU AgCenter says this year’s sugarcane crop could set a new record if sugar recovery levels continue to perform well. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says a couple of dry months in the harvest season, allowed the sugarcane harvest in south Louisiana to get off to a fast start…:
Cut 7 (10) “for harvest”

The federal Department of Commerce reports inflation has slowed slightly; now about 6 percent higher than one year ago. Rising costs and prices had been at over 8 percent recently, posting 40-year highs. Will this small decrease be enough to be felt by consumers? U.L.-Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner says the answer is probably “no”…:
Cut 10 (12) “at least into 2023”

But consumers aren’t slowing down their holiday shopping and spending this year is expected to increase 6-8 percent from last year. LSU Marketing Associate Professor Dan Rice…:
Cut 15 (08) “earlier and earlier”
He also attributes the increase in shopping to more people using their phones to make online purchases.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission December 10th runoff in the third district is getting national attention, and out of state dollars. Incumbent Lambert Boissiere is facing a stiff challenge from activist Davante Lewis. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis’ support is likely rooted in anger over skyrocketing electric bills..:
Cut 5 (08) “at it”
Environmental advocates are keeping a close eye on the PSC race, as the push to shift away from fossil fuels rages.

LSU is headed to the Citrus Bowl and will face Purdue for the first time ever. The game will be on January 2nd. UL-Lafayette will appear in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport for the first time ever and will face Houston on December 23rd. Tulane won the AAC and will play USC in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd.