If you’ve ever wanted to be a Louisiana State Police trooper, your chance might be just around the corner. A new cadet class begins in February. But you have to apply soon. Marsanne Golsby reports.
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Animal shelters across Louisiana continue to be overwhelmed with abandoned and even owner-surrendered animals. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Louisiana State Police will conduct a new cadet training class in February, but if you want to become a trooper, the deadline to apply is Monday. Trooper Kate Stegall says for the right person, it’s a terrific job.
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The class runs for 23 weeks full-time. Trooper Stegall says if you’re interested go to lsp.org and click on Become a Trooper. That’s also where you’ll find the list of requirements. You do not have to already be a law enforcement officer to take the training.
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LSP’s website says the demanding training includes physical fitness training, instruction in defensive tactics, firearms, patrolling, and managing civil disturbances. Trooper Stegall says LSP is big enough to offer interesting careers to folks with a wide variety of skills and interests.
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After three people were killed in Lake Charles and an officer-involved shooting State Police are also investigating the incident that happened Thursday afternoon at a 7th Street residence. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles PD reportedly fired shots at a naked man who then retreated into the house and then a SWAT team deployed a robot into the house.
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Senegal says upon entry into the home, Lake Charles police discovered the naked man whom they initially fired shots at deceased in the home.
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Senegal says the two other persons had apparently been dead for several days. The investigation is ongoing, and Senegal says it was good that they were able to use a robot in the incident to minimize additional risks.
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Names of the victims have not been released.
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Over the summer animal shelters in Louisiana and across the country were at max capacity and animal advocates say things have not improved whatsoever. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says in their 34-year history they’ve never experienced such an influx of owner-surrendered animals.
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Dorson says about half of the parishes in the state actually have shelters and he implores individuals if they aren’t able to adopt to at least donate to a local shelter so they can assist as many animals as possible.
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In addition to donations, Dorson suggests considering fostering a pet while it awaits a forever home. And if you’re a pet owner, he implores you to spay or neuter your pet. He says Louisiana has one of the lowest spay and neuter rates in the country and it’s only making the problem worse.
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If you are considering having to give up your pet animal advocates, ask you to reconsider and to never abandon your pet. He says the abandoned pets are starving to death and even being hit by cars.
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New Orleans officials say shortened parade routes will be used again for Mardi Gras 2023. The Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Panel made the announcement Thursday night. The City sites the shortage of police manpower to properly patrol and protect the traditionally longer routes. Mardi Gras historian and publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide Arthur Hardy says at least the decision came well in advance this year…:
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After the COVID pandemic cancelled Mardi Gras in 2020 and ’21, parade routes were shortened for 2022. However many complained there was too little notice of that change. Hardy says some businesses says they lost money, because they were no longer on or near the parade route…:
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Hardy says many are obviously disappointed at the news, but New Orleans will survive this…:
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Mardi Gras 2023 is February 21st. Krewe parades will crank up about 4 weeks beforehand. Carnival Season officially begins January 6th, also called “Twelfth Night”, “the Feast of the Epiphany” and “King Day.”