Victoria Cox, the woman who’s been charged in the death of four-year-Erin Brunett along with Daniel Callihan said in Mississippi courtroom Monday that the last time she saw the two girls they were both alive. Callihan confessed to authorities and the media Friday and Jackson Police Chief Joshep Wade believes they have a solid case.

Cut 4 (12) “…the FBI.”

Both Cox and Callihan have been charged with murder and sexual battery in Mississippi. Wade opted not to elaborate on the sexual battery charges as they pertained to the young girls.

Cut 5 (12) “…appropriate charge.”

Wade says the FBI is expected to hand down charges in a matter of days.

Former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles is suing the school over its decision to vacate 37 of his teams’ wins between 2012 and 2015. The vacated victories bring Miles’s career winning percentage from .665 to .597, just under the College Football Hall of Fame’s 60-percent threshold for eligibility. Miles’s attorney Peter Ginsberg says he isn’t seeking monetary compensation…

Cut 7 (11) “…Hall of Fame.”

The lawsuit also names the NCAA and College Football Hall of Fame as defendants and comes only after a lack of action and communication from LSU.

Crestworth Elementary math teacher Derrick Winn received the Milken Educators Award on February 6^th, 2024. After observing Winn for close to a year, getting interviews, and receiving letters from friends and coworkers it was clear that they had the right teacher.

Cut 11

The Milken Educator Awards targets early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future.

The FBI is now the lead agency in the horrific kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old girl from Loranger. Erin Brunett and her 6-year-old sister Jalie were abducted from their home by 36-year-old Daniel Callahan, who allegedly killed their mother Callie Brunett, and took them to Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade…

Cut 4 (14) “…survived.” 

An accomplice 32-year-old Victoria Cox has been arrested in connection with the case

_______________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding residents to stay safe on the water this summer. Major Clay Marquez says the best way to do so is by taking the free online or in-person boating safety course offered by the state. Marquez says it makes a world of difference…

Cut 9 (13) “…education course.” 

Visit LWDF for more information

_______________________

Site preparations for a nearly $3 billion coastal restoration project in Plaquemines Parish are set to resume months after the state issued a stop-work order amid legal disputes. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

______________________

U.S. Representative Garret Graves says he will not seek re-election to Congress.

Graves’ current 6th District was modified for the upcoming race and will stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. This change makes the district a majority-minority.

Graves says, “It is evident that a run in any temporary district will cause actual permanent damage to Louisiana’s great representation in Congress.

A tropical wave in the southeastern corner of the Gulf is expected to bring plenty of rain to southern Florida and eventually bring precipitation to Louisiana next week.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill joined the National Association of Attorneys General to endorse a House Resolution bill known as the “Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024” to target the usage of AI in child exploitation crimes. IT recommends new methods and solutions to improve criminal investigation and prosecution of crimes against children involving AI.

The Louisiana Department of Health reminds everyone to take precautions against mosquito bites this summer that could carry and expose people to West Nile virus.  Mosquitos are more active in the warmer months and that increases the risk of contracting the disease.  State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says most people won’t show any symptoms

Cut 4 (12) “…several weeks.” 

The Saints three-day mandatory minicamp started yesterday and the camp saw many players absent from the Saints OTAs report to their facilities like Alvin Kamara. Many have criticized Kamara and other Saints players for not being at team OTAs this offseason which has created a negative narrative surrounding the players’ participation with the team. Kamara says that he is not going to go along with that narrative because he cares about the team and his teammates.

Cut 10 (13) “…low pressure.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill earlier today reorganizing Louisiana Economic Development, which House Commerce Committee Chair Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says the act, also known as the Positioning Louisiana to Win bill, makes sure every business is fairly represented in state government by establishing a private sector-led board to advise LED.

Cut 7 (05) “…table.”  

The LED senior leadership team was also announced at the signing.

Ray Tanner, the University of South Carolina’s Athletic Director, has shocked the baseball world by selecting Paul Mainieri as the Gamecocks’ next baseball head coach. The move comes after South Carolina fired their head coach Mark Kingston after his seventh season with the program. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says the move is shocking after Mainieri retired three seasons ago citing health concerns.

Cut 4 (12) “…now playing.” 

LSU and South Carolina will face each other in SEC regular season play next year.

The tragic drowning of a 12-year-old in Ascension Parish on Monday serves as a reminder of the dangers of water. In Louisiana drowning is the third cause of death for children ages one to 14. In Baton Rouge, BREC Aquatics Instructor Daniel Burg says through a partnership with the Red Cross they offer free swimming lessons…

Cut 11 (11) ” …ourselves.”

Another bill recently signed by Governor Landry aims to curb the state’s pet overpopulation. The bill allows the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council to sell commemorative pet stamps with the proceeds supporting spay and neuter programs around the state. The stamps cost a minimum of $15 and will be decorative, not used for postage. The Humane Society of Louisiana says the obvious selling point is that the proceeds go to programs that reduce the burgeoning pet overpopulation.

As the crawfish season is coming to an end, just how bad was it? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two Deputies in Richland Parish were stabbed multiple times after catching up to a fleeing suspect Thursday. 23-year-old Colby Bazan answered RPSO’s request to appear at the sheriff’s office regarding a simple assault and criminal trespass warrant for him involving alleged threats against his family members. When Bazan realized he was under arrest authorities say he fled and when deputies caught up to him, he stabbed two of them with a knife in his possession. Both Deputies were treated and released from the hospital. Bazan is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and is being held on a one-million-dollar bond.

The A&E show “Murder at the Motel” featured Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton…

Cut 4 (06) “…at all.” 

Pruitt was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017.

You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says his legislation is designed to protect females, especially young girls…

Cut 9 (10) “…uh oh” 

After signing the bill, Governor Landry said in a statement that he’s proud to sign House Bill 608 which protects women’s safety and reinforces the very definition of what it means to be a woman.

Crawfish season is winding down, to say it was an unpredictable one is an understatement.  LSU Ag Center Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says towards the end of the season April and May, supply increased in some fields, but that wasn’t the case for every crawfish farmer.

Cut 6  (11) “…those fields. ” 

At the start of the season, things looked extremely dire due to the summer drought and extreme heat. December through February Shirley says supply was down around 90 percent.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says his legislation is designed to protect females, especially young girls…

Cut 9 (10) “…uh oh” 

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 11 (10) “…health care.”

This is the third year of the M-J Foster Program and Theriot says last year they had more than ten thousand applicants

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton describes the scene.

Cut 3 (11) “…all over the walls.” 

You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

A survey out of LSU finds 61 percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The Louisiana Survey polled more than one thousand adults in March and April and only 30 percent said the state is heading in the right direction. Director of the Louisiana Survey Professor Michael Henderson says this is the second consecutive year that 61 percent of the respondents said the state is heading in the wrong direction.

Cut 8 (09) “…direction of the state.” 

Twenty-eight percent of the respondents told the Louisiana survey that crime is the biggest problem in the state, up from 19 percent last year.

The Covington Police Department arrested a teacher and a paraprofessional on charges of cruelty to a juvenile with disabilities.

Forty-four-year-old, Catherine Mumphrey and 71-year-old Lauren Brenckle are facing felony charges after being caught on camera. The nature of the victims communication ability made the classroom video crucial role in capture in incident and expediting the investigations.

Mumphey and Brenckle are no longer employees of the school system and presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 10 (08) “…award back.”

Visit the M-J Foster Promise Program for more information.

It’s time to grab those fishing poles and cast a line. This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says you don’t have to have a fishing license this weekend.

Cut 15 (08)  “…stocked was.”

For a listing of the 17 ponds they stock, you can visit their website and click on events and education…

Today is the 80^th anniversary of D-Day. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner will open its doors today for its new land-based casino in Kenner. David Strow (rhymes with how) with Boyd Gaming Corporation says it will be quite a change from their riverboat casino and he’s betting visitors will be impressed.

Cut 11 (11) “…expand the appeal.”

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The Kenny Wayne Shepard band is performing at the Raising Canes River Center on July 13^th in Baton Rouge, and they plan to hold a Battle of the Bands competition at the Texas Club in Baton Rouge on June 21 to feature a local band as their opening act. Kenny Wayne Shepard says this is a great opportunity for an aspiring Louisiana band.

Cut 15 (11)  “…own audience.”

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Bands can submit through June 12^th.

Go to Eagle981.com and click on “Battle of the Louisiana Bands” for more info.

Vincent LaFrance of Pearl River has been arrested in connection with the murder of Douglas LaFrance, his 74-year-old father.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs detectives we called to the home and found LaFrance dead on the front porch of the home.

St. Tammany Corners office performed an autopsy and suspicions were confirmed and LaFrance’s death was ruled a homicide.

Vincent LaFrance was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with his fathers death and was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are still possible.

While legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time, LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says before Thursday it was a question if he would be convicted and now it’s a reality for the former reality TV star.

Cut 15 (10) “…the land.

A chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is threatening to shut down if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Saturday is the official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes of which four to seven will be major hurricanes. Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan emphasizes that it doesn’t necessarily take a major hurricane making landfall to have major impacts on both lives and property…

Cut 6  (09) “…hurricane season. ” 

A new bill would give Governor Jeff Landry the power to appoint almost 150 state board and commission chairs. Until now, the boards selected their chairs, and the most the governor could do was appoint a majority of board members and indirectly name the chair. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell expressed concern over someone outside the board choosing the chair.

Cut 11 (09) ” …the room (x2).”

The bill now heads to Landry’s desk for his signature.

Among the bills to be heard in the Senate is one to eliminate the 30-year statute of limitations where one can be prosecuted for child molestation. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner hopes the bill, which passed unanimously in the House, will be heard in the Senate before the session ends.

Cut 7 (09) “…out there (x2).”

Kerner encourages residents who support the bill to call their state Senator and ask them to pass House Bill 453.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland and Security and Emergency Preparedness are encouraging Louisiana residents to get a hurricane plan together before an above-average season starts Saturday. Director Jacques Thibodeaux says in the event of an evacuation, listen to local officials.

Cut 4 (07) “…time to go.”

Thibodeaux encourages Louisiana residents to visit GOHSEP’s website, getagameplan.org, to help stay hurricane ready.

A Ponchatoula city police officer found dead in her patrol car is remembered fondly. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The bodies of 27-year-old Macy Richard and 57-year-old Jerilyn Hebert, both of Opelousas, were identified from a fatal boating incident at Toledo Bend Lake on Tuesday.

Survivors say a wave capsized their chartered fishing boat, and all six aboard went into the water. Three customers and the fishing guide clung to the boat until LDWF agents arrived. But Richard and Hebert both drowned.