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.

Former President Donald Trump says he will run for president again in 2024, and Louisiana Congressional delegates are beginning to react. Many Trump-backed candidates fared poorly in the November 8th elections. Republicans took the simple majority in the House, but the Senate remains under Democratic leadership. Cassidy says his party should see the election results as a “teachable moment”…:
Cut 6 (09) “any given individual”

In a historic move, the LSU Band has been nominated for a Grammy thanks to their collaboration with Lake Charles musician Sean Ardoin. Ardoin’s album Full Circle, which features the Golden Band from Tigerland on every track received the nod for Best Regional Roots Music Album on Tuesday. He is elated…:
Cut 10 (11) “right now”
The awards take place in February.

A New Orleans Police officer who shot a man who pulled a knife outside the Superdome has been placed on administrative leave. The NOPD says officers were called to help the security team with a man who was occupying space in front of a ticket booth when the man pulled a knife and was then shot by the cop. The man shot was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The matter is under investigation.

Today Southern University will host a remembrance ceremony for the on-campus shooting 50 years ago. Whitney Thomas has that story…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

US Senator Bill Cassidy comments on Donald Trump running for president again in 2024. Many Trump-backed candidates fared poorly in the November 8th elections. Cassidy says most voters who were concerned with inflation, crime, and the border all voted Republican, but many seem to have had misgivings about their candidates:
Cut 5 (11) “about the future”
Cassidy avoided saying he doesn’t approve of Trump running again but indicated the party’s focus should be more on moving forward.

A Webster Parish tow truck driver receives a special award for saving a woman from a burning vehicle in an October 9th crash. Andrew Lincoln says the driver’s door was jammed when he raced in to help..:
CUT 13 (10) “few minutes”
Lincoln was honored with a lifesaving award by Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker.

The House Republican Caucus on Tuesday elected Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise for Majority Leader. Scalise says he’s humbled to be selected for the position.

A man from Clinton was killed in an ATV accident Tuesday. State Police say 45-year-old Gregory Kent went off the road and kit a culvert before being thrown into a utility pole. Kent died at the scene.

The first-of-its-kind collaboration of Lake Charles musician Sean Ardoin and the Golden Band from Tigerland, earns a Grammy nomination. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Donald Trump says he will run for president again in 2024, and one Louisiana senator has some thoughts on that. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A school bus driver in Hammond was arrested Tuesday on charges of pornography involving juveniles, indecent behavior and computer aided solicitation of a juvenile amid allegations he was having inappropriate communication with a student. 62-year-old Rufus Addison of Loranger was fired yesterday.

Today, Southern University is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the shooting death of 2 students during a protest that happened November 16th, 1972. Advocate Columnist Ed Pratt was just an 18-year-old freshman during the tragedy and says Denver Smith and Leonard Brown were in the wrong place at the wrong time…:
CUT 9 (06) “the killing”
The university named the Smith-Brown Memorial Union building in honor of both students.

A tow truck driver in Webster Parish received a special award from the sheriff for saving a woman’s life. Andrew Lincoln pulled the crash victim from a burning vehicle on October 9th, and says he’s thrilled to hear she’s recovering…:
Cut 15 (10) “back to work”
Lincoln and was honored with a lifesaving award by Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker.