A young engaged couple from Jefferson Parish is killed after being hit by an SUV in Baton Rouge early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the crash happened in an unlit section of Nicholson Drive, near Tigerland. 

Cut 4 (11) “…early morning hours.”

Leah Fonte was pronounced dead at the scene; her fiance, Shane Hirstius (HERSE-tus), died of his injuries at a hospital. The driver, Mia Dawson, is facing several charges.

A Webster Parish homeowner fatally shoots a man who was breaking into his home. Sheriff Jayson Parker says after getting into a crash, 44-year-old Billy McFarland walked to a nearby mobile home and broke into it.

Cut 7 (09) “…by the homeowner.”

The homeowner shot McFarland several times, killing him. Parker says since the homeowner had every right to defend himself inside his own home, he will not be facing any charges.

The latest campaign finance reports show Republican Julia Letlow with a slight fundraising edge over Democrat Jamie Davis in the U-S Senate race. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re getting new details of a deadly shooting near Ville Platte High School’s homecoming game that led to the game’s cancellation. Investigators say there were five gunshots, and the shooting did not happen on stadium grounds. The victim who died in the shooting is identified as 24-year-old Deondra Thomas of Texas. Two others were hurt. So far, police have not made any arrests.

High school sweethearts were killed by a suspected impaired driver near the LSU campus. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A fatal shooting on Friday night near Ville Platte High’s homecoming game left one person dead and two injured. The person fatally shot has been identified as Deondra Thomas. Fans, coaches and players heard the gunshots and ran for safety, which led to the cancellation of the game. No word on if anyone has been arrested.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jayson Parker says a homeowner who fatally shot a man attempting to break into his home, will NOT face any charges. Forty-four-year-old Billy McFarland was fatally shot several times and Parker says the homeowner had no idea who he was…

Cut 8 (09) “…in the house”

Parker says McFarland was just involved in a domestic disturbance with a woman at another location before he was fatally shot.

LSU campus police removed a student who tried to question members of the LSU Board of Supervisors about the university’s handling of rape allegations against LSU football player Damien Shanklin. Ziad Eissa raised the issue during public comment at a meeting where comments were limited to LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s contract.

Cut 13 (10) “…item.”

Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Mallett said his office contacted Eissa before the meeting and offered to discuss his concerns privately.

Tragedy in Baton Rouge as a young engaged couple from Jefferson Parish is killed after being hit by an SUV early Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says 21-year-olds Shane Hirstius (HERSE-tus) and Leah Fonte were walking on the shoulder along Nicholson Drive, near Tigerland, when they were hit.

Cut 3 (11) “…of his injuries.”

20-year-old Mia Dawson faces several charges, including vehicular homicide and, despite being under the limit, DWI because she’s under 21.

Hirstius played one season of college baseball at Delgado Community College in New Orleans in 2024. Delgado Head Coach Joe Scheuermann (“sherman”) says Hirstius had his future plans clearly in focus, and that meant giving up baseball. He recalled the conversation Hirstius had with him when he said he was leaving baseball behind.

Cut 6 (11) “…with my life.”

A Webster Parish homeowner fatally shoots a man who was breaking into his home. Investigators say following a crash, 44-year-old Billy McFarland tried breaking into a mobile home. The homeowner shot McFarland several times, killing him. Sheriff Jayson Parker says because homeowners have every right to defend themselves inside their own homes, the department will not be filing any charges against the homeowner.

Cut 9 (08)  “…well as himself.”

The latest campaign finance report shows that Republican Julia Letlow has 476-thousand dollars more in cash on hand than her Democratic opponent Jamie Davis. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Davis has done well in raising money despite never having run for a statewide office before.

Cut 12 (11) “…Democratic candidate.”

A 20-year-old woman who fatally struck two people walking down Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge near Tigerland is facing several charges including operating a vehicle while impaired. Baton Rouge Police Lt. L’ Jean McKneely says the crash happened early Sunday morning…

Cut 4 (11) “…early morning”

Twenty-one-year-olds Leah Fonte and Shane Hirstius died from their injuries. They were engaged to be married.

A Webster Parish homeowner fatally shoots a man who was breaking into his home. Investigators say 44-year-old Billy McFarland got into an argument with a woman as she was driving along U.S. Highway 80; and during the argument, McFarland jumped on top of her, causing her to crash while the vehicle was going more than 100 miles an hour. Sheriff Jayson Parker says after the crash, McFarland walked to a nearby mobile home and broke into it.

Cut 7 (10) “…by the homeowner.”

Parker says the homeowners will not face any charges.

The latest campaign finance reports show Republican Julia Letlow has a slight fundraising edge over Democrat Jamie Davis in the U-S Senate race. Letlow has 476-thousand dollars more in cash on hand. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Letlow has raised nearly seven million dollars. But Cross says that’s a far cry from what was raised by the winners of Louisiana’s last two U-S Senate races…

Cut 11 (12) “…12-million dollars”

It’s important to note that Letlow’s campaign is only nine months old.

Louisiana Tech has won the governor’s cup as they have defeated U-L Lafayette and ULM in football this year. The Bulldogs blanked the Warhawks 24 to nothing on Saturday night. It was a scoreless first half. Tech coach Sonny Cumbie on the message he delivered to his team at halftime…

Cut 16 (16) “….the football”

The Warhawks have lost 14 in a row, dating back to last year.

An LSU student and her 21-year-old finance were fatally struck by a 20-year-old driver during the early morning hours on Nicholson Drive. Baton Rouge Police say 21-year-old Leah Fonte died of her injuries at the scene, while 21-year-old Shane Hirstus died at a local hospital. The couple was from Metairie and Hristus played on Delgado’s Baseball team in 2024. Coach Joe Scheuermann received a call from Hirstius’ high school coach, Rummel’s Frank Cazeaux on Sunday morning…

Cut 5 (08) “…in the stomach”

The 20-year-old faces several charges including operating while impaired.

Louisiana ranks ninth in the country by Area Development for business competitiveness. Louisiana Department of Economic Development spokesperson, Emma Wagner, says the state’s access to electric power is a factor in the ranking…

Cut 8 (11) “…rate payers”

Up to 60 LSU football players are participating in a study that’s looking at if saliva can determine if someone has a concussion. Lead trauma researcher at FMOL Health, Doctor Guillaume Spielmann, says their study involves a sideline spit test that will be examined to determine to see if the proteins in the saliva have changed, which could signal the player has a concussion. Spielmann says if successful, this type of testing could be used for other activities…

Cut (13) “…they’re not”

The 18^th ranked LSU football team played really well on Saturday as the Tigers shutout Mississippi State 31-0. The Bulldogs were without their starting quarterback and running back, but Coach Lane Kiffin says his team has injuries too…

Cut 13 (09) “…game after game”

The Tigers are at Auburn this Saturday.

Still waiting on more information from the Ville Platte Police Department, on Friday night’s fatal shooting near Ville Platte’s high school’s stadium, which ended their homecoming game against Church Point in the second quarter. Video shows fans and players running for cover. The person killed has been identified as Deondre Thomas. No word on any arrests.

Up to 60 LSU football players will participate in a study that could change how concussions are detected. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Banana Ball returns to Louisiana as the Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball will play two games in Baton Rouge, one at Alex Box Stadium on March 4^th and the other on a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium on March 6^th. Executive vice president of Visit Baton Rouge, Laura Cating, says by holding one of the games in Tiger Stadium, they can accommodate a lot more fans…

Cut 5 (11) “…to Baton Rouge”

LSU moved up to 18^th in the AP Top 25 poll after a shutout win over Mississippi State. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 289 yards and four touchdown. And Leavitt didn’t turn the ball over once.

Cut 15 (08) “…go make plays.”

LSU is at Auburn this Saturday. The War Eagles upset previously number one ranked Georgia in a chaotic day of college football.

An LSU student and her finance are dead after they were struck by a vehicle during the overnight hours on Sunday by a suspected drunk driver. Baton Rouge Police have arrested 20-year-old Mia Dawson. She’s facing several charges including Operating While Impaired and Hit and Run driving. Twenty-one-year Leah Fonte, an LSU student, her finance, 21-year-old Shane Hirstius, a volunteer firefighter in Jefferson Parish, both died from their injuries at a local hospital.

For the second year in a row, Louisiana ranks in the Top 10 for business competitiveness. Louisiana Economic Development spokesperson Emma Wagner says tax reforms approved in 2024 helped the state crack the Top Ten last year for the first time since 2019. She expects Louisiana to remain in the Top 10 …

Cut 9 (08) “…momentum”

Banana Ball is returning to Louisiana in 2027 as they will play two games in Baton Rouge on March 4^th and sixth. The first game will be at Alex Box Stadium and the second game will be in Tiger Stadium. Executive vice president of Visit Baton Rouge, Laura Cating, says tickets are available through the Savannah Bananas…

Cut 6 (08) “….through October 31^st”

Go to banana-ball-dot-com for more information.

In Tiger Stadium this past Saturday, LSU shutout its first SEC opponent since 2007 as the Bayou Bengals banked Mississippi State 31 to nothing. Linebacker TJ Dottery was glad to see the second unit preserve the shutout in the fourth quarter…

Cut 14 (11) “…standard for sure”

The Giants scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, but the Saints held on a for a 34-27 win over New York. The Black and Gold are now in Paris getting ready for this Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

There was a fatal shooting on Friday night near Ville Platte High School’s stadium that ended their homecoming game in the second quarter against Church Point. One person was killed and two others injured. No word on any arrests.

FMOL Health and Pennington Biomedical Researchers are conducting a study to determine if you can detect whether a person has a concussion by testing their saliva for changing proteins that can be used to identify biomarkers associated with concussions.  Lead trauma researcher at FMOL Health, Doctor Guillaume Speilmann says up to 60 LSU football players are participating in the study…

Cut 11 (13) “….your safety”

The research study is expected to be completed by June 2027.

The Savannah Bananas are returning to Louisiana in 2027. Executive Vice President of Visit Baton Rouge, Laura Cating says the Banans will play the Firefighters twice in the Capitol City…

Cut 4 (11) “….in Tiger Stadium”

To get tickets, register at the Banana Ball Ticket Lottery before October 31^st.

LSU football had an easy win over Mississippi State on Saturday. Andrew Greenstein was there…

Cut 3 (36) “….I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Louisiana is once again ranked among the nation’s top 10 states for business competitiveness. The publication Area Development ranks Louisiana ninth in its latest report, marking the second consecutive year the state has made the top 10. Louisiana Economic Development spokesperson Emma Wagner….

Cut 7 (10) “…tax environment.”

Researchers are working with up to 60 LSU football players to develop a non-invasive sideline test that can use a player’s saliva to detect concussions. FMOL Health lead trauma researcher Dr. Guillaume Spielmann (GEEyulm SPEEL-uh-mun) says concussions are typically identified by looking for changes in specific proteins in blood, but this test tracks the same changes in saliva.

Cut 10 (11) “…in players.”

Banana Ball is coming back to Louisiana – this time, returning to Baton Rouge. Cade Voisin reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Cade Voisin.”

The Saints snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday, by beating the New York Giants. New Orleans flew to Paris after the game, where they’ll play the Steelers this Sunday. LSU is ranked18th after shutting out Mississippi State and will visit Auburn this Saturday. Tech blanked ULM and the Ragin Cajuns trounced Troy.

One person is reportedly dead and at least two others are injured after gunfire broke out near the Ville Platte High School football stadium during Friday night’s homecoming game. The shooting happened in the second quarter leading game officials to cancel the remainder of the contest. The investigation is ongoing.

Saints owner Gayle Benson said her team’s performance this season has been unacceptable, but what does that really mean for the Black and Gold? Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Saints and Giants kickoff Sunday at noon

A dry cold front will bring Louisiana fall-like temperatures this weekend but will also elevate the risk for wildfires. Meteorologist Brad Bryant with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says outside of southeast Louisiana, the state is experiencing severe drought to exceptional drought conditions and when combined with low humidity and breezy conditions, it will not take much for a wildfire to spread quickly.

Cut 13 (08) “…dried out.”

Louisiana is projected to have finished last fiscal year with a 565-million-dollar budget surplus. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says it’s the result of higher-than-expected tax collections plus the Landry Administration and this state legislature have limited the growth of state government. He expects Louisiana will avoid tough budget times in the future, because of the job creation that’s happening.

Cut 11 (09) “…Louisiana.”