Students are mourning the tragic death of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members, Whitney Thomas has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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Crime data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows a reduction in property crimes, but violent crime is up. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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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 this is unsettling because of how close their members are.

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. Avery says this is surreal for the Southern community.

Cut 5 (08) “…to Sunday.”

Gay sustained no injuries however,  laboratory tests will be done to check for any impairment. Issah Clay, a current Southern University student says the victims were well-rounded and will be missed.

Cut 6 (07)  “…on campus.” 

Southern Chancellor Dennis Shields sent a letter of condolence to the families and students affected. On-campus counseling has also been offered to assist students in emotional need. Clay says the students were legacies to be honored.

Cut 7 (09) “..honor their names.”

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It’s the season for Christmas festivals and Alexandria has one they are very proud of. AlexWinterFete kicks off this evening at five and continues for four days. Event manager Liz Lowery says the location is convenient for a nice little road trip.

Cut 8 (08)  “…for the night.”

She says the free, family-friendly festival is the sister festival to Alex River Fete, held in May. She says the 2017 AlexWinterFete was named Festival of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Tourism.

It features local food vendors, booths for holiday shopping, music, Santa Claus, and a Christmas parade. She says the ice skating rink is a key attraction and will be ready to go even in this unseasonably warm weather.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we’ve brought in.”

The festival began in 2015, had a drive-through event in 2020, and resumed last year. Lowery says she’s expecting approximately 40,000 people will attend this year’s festival

Cut 10 (09) “…interest in.” 

AlexWinterFete continues until Sunday 8 pm. For more information go to AlexWinterFete.com

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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. Vice President for Policy and Strategy with the Institute Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime…

Cut 11 (06)  “…all about.”

The study shows property crime in Louisiana is down 30 percent over the last two decades. And there’s been a 25-percent decrease in burglaries and robberies in the last five years.

When you look at violent crime in Louisiana, she says the rate was flat from 2014 to 2019, but in 2020 Bendily says things changed drastically.

Cut 12 (07) “…phenomenon.”

Bendily says the data also shows it’s possible to reduce incarceration rates, especially among nonviolent offenders, and reduce crime at the same time. Programs designed to rehabilitate nonviolent criminals, for example, drug offenders, are keeping the recidivism rate down.

Cut 13 (08) “…with employment.”

Bendily says Louisiana is already seeing improvements in recidivism rates by incarcerating more violent offenders and implementing programs to give nonviolent offenders a second chance and proper guidance.

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The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesars Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Earlier in the football season, 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.”

Two championship games will be played tonight, three on Friday and three more on Saturday. Bonine says a 25-dollar ticket gets you in the Dome for the day…

Cut 15 (14)  “…is reasonable”

This year’s Prep Classic features some familiar teams like Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, Lafayette Christian, St. Charles Catholic, and Union Parish. But Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back in the Dome for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…

Cut  16 (13)  “…to get here.” 

The first game kicks off at 3:30 today, Homer versus Oak Grove.

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Cut 17 (17) “….message was” 

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Cut 18 (21) “…great situation” 

Cut 19 (18) “….to get there”

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Cut 20 (11) “…on that”

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. 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.

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The University is now offering grief counseling to students.

Troopers from Louisiana state police are investigating a single fatal crash   on LA Highway 40 near Highway 445 when the accident occurred. Trooper William 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…

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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 facing 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…

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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…:

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Three Southern University band members were killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler last night. State Police says the students were on the side of the road changing a tire when the truck hit them and their Jeep, killing them instantly. 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.”
The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break.

Monroe Police have charged 47-year-old Jarrell Walker of Monroe with negligent homicide for his role in two fentanyl overdose deaths that occurred in the city on Saturday. Detective Matt Schmitz says there is a deadly batch of fentanyl circulating the area and they urge those with addiction issues to seek help…
cut 8 (08) “….their life”

Port Barre police arrest two 15-year-olds after they allegedly made a bomb threat towards the high school on Monday. Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux says they continue to investigate similar threats to Port Barre High School and the Middle School made on November 23rd and December 1st and they do have suspects…
cut 14 (10) “…expert”

A JMC Analytics poll of 625 Louisiana residents finds that 58-percent of the respondents believe climate change is occurring and 51-percent say climate change has contributed to recent destructive hurricanes. Pollster John Couvillon says 80-percent of those surveyed says foreign countries with more carbon pollution should be required to pay a fee when their high carbon products enter the U-S….
cut 4 (11) “…heavy polluter or not”

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”

Meanwhile in Tangipahoa Parish, two people from Covington were killed in a single vehicle wreck near Loranger yesterday afternoon. Trooper William Huggins says vehicle ran off the road….
cut 10 (09) “…under investigation”
The victims have been identified as 67-year-old John Bitter and 64-year-old Janice Pellegrin.

Two 15-year-olds have been arrested after they allegedly made a bomb threat towards Port Barre High School in St. Landry Parish on Monday. Police Chief Deon Boudreaux says one boy is charged with terrorizing and the other accessory to terrorizing…
cut 13 (08) “…two guys”
Boudreaux says the teenagers are in the custody of their parents, because the juvenile jail is full.

A poll by JMC Analytics of 625 Louisiana residents finds that 58-percent believe climate change is occurring and 51-percent say climate change has contributed to the recent major hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Pollster John Couvillon says his survey revealed large numbers of us would alter their consumer habits, if it meant helping slow climate change…
cut 5 (14) “…..higher polluting country”
84-percent of the respondents also say countries like China and Russia should be held accountable for their carbon pollution.

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 around 7 pm and multiple first responders worked the accident.

Cut 16 (09)  “…working the crash.”

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

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.

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”

First responders in Baton Rouge are searching an area of the Mississippi River after a person was reportedly spotted in the water. Baton Rouge Police says crews are located near the Planetarium in the downtown area of the capital city. No other details were provided.

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 the Powhatan 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. Authorities says all three were declared dead on the scene and the driver of the commercial vehicle was unharmed. This is an active investigation.

Southern University released a statement regarding the fatalities and is offering grief counseling to students.

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) “…lot of chaos.” 

Boudreaux says one boy is charged with terrorizing, and the other with accessory to terrorizing. Both carry sentences of up to 15 years in prison.

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.” 

After learning three members of the Human Jukebox were killed in a traffic accident last night, the Southern University community is in shock. The students were reportedly on their way home to Texas for Christmas break. According to a Facebook post Dylan Young, Brody Moore, and Tyron Williams were killed in the crash with an 18-wheeler near Natchitoches Tuesday night. The accident happened on I-49 North near Powhatan.

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. Schmitz says they are still waiting on toxicology reports. As for the other two overdose deaths…

Cut 7 (05)  “…other two.”

Police are concerned a deadly batch of fentanyl is circulating in the community and they are asking for the communities help with tips.

A new round of federal small business assistance will bring over $ 100 million to Louisiana’s locally-owned businesses. More from Whitney Thomas…:

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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 06 (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 uspected to be involved in the deaths.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day; the anniversary of the Japanese attack on a U.S. naval base in Hawaii that triggered the U.S. to enter World War II. On this 81st anniversary, a Louisiana sailor who died that day – Seaman Houston Temples of Varnado – is finally being laid to rest. His surviving niece, Shirley Hayman says the family is gratified…:

CUT 11 (07) “…coming home.”

Three members of the Southern University marching band were killed in an overnight crash with a big rig. It happened on I-49 North in Natchitoches Parish. We have few details at this time, but will update the story through the afternoon.

Can these unseasonably warm days so close to Christmas have a chilling effect on holiday shopping? Brooke Thorington asks an expert…:
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Three Southern University students were killed in a car crash last night, the students were reportedly members of the school’s band the Human Jukebox. According to a Facebook post Dylan Young, Brody Moore, and Tyron Williams were on their way home to Texas for Christmas break when the crash with an 18-wheeler happened near Natchitoches.

The U.S. Treasury approves Louisiana’s application for up to $ 113 million in support for the state’s small business owners; a part of the $10-billion State Small Business Credit Initiative.  Governor John Bel Edwards says the funds will be of particular assistance to the state’s many minority-owned small businesses…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…that we’re successful.” 

In Monroe police have arrested 47-year-old Jarrell Lee Walker in connection with two of the four overdose deaths that happened over the weekend.

81 years ago today, Seaman 1st Class Houston Temples died when Pearl Harbor was attacked. His remains were finally identified and today he will be buried in Bogalusa. His niece Shirley Temples Hayman was only five months old when her uncle was killed, says her was her son suggested having his funeral on this significant day.

Cut 10 (05) “…Harbor day.” 

Can the weather impact your shopping habits. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says yes but it depends on where you live, the kind of weather, and the time of the year. He says when the weather is mild retailers tend to see more foot traffic but if it’s cold and rainy some products see a boost in sales.

Cut 14 (13)  “…do outdoors.”

After 81 years, a Louisiana sailor is properly laid to rest today. Seaman 1st Class Houston Temples, of Varnado, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941. Today he will be buried in Bogalusa. His niece Shirley Temples Hayman recalls a letter he sent home while he served in the Navy…:

CUT 09(07)      “…my country.”

Hayman and family members are extremely proud of Temples’ military service and they are very grateful to be able to honor his memory. The funeral will take place at 2 pm at Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa.

The weather is pretty warm, considering Christmas is just a couple weeks away. Does a muggy holiday season affect holiday spending? LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says yes it can…just as lousy wet weather can affect in-store shopping…:

CUT 13(07)      “…online shopping.”

He says hot winter weather even slows online buying because we just don’t FEEL like Christmas.

A new round of federal small business assistance will bring over $ 100 million to Louisiana’s locally-owned businesses. More from Whitney Thomas…:

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A former Catholic church deacon in Metairie pleads guilty indecent behavior with a juvenile. Virgil Wheeler III took a plea deal for molesting a boy from 2000 through 2002, which will mean he gets 5 years on probation. He must also register as a sex offender and have no future contact with his victim.