President Joe Biden met with Senator Bill Cassidy and nine other Republicans last night to begin discussing the possibility for a compromise COVID relief bill. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A woman’s body found in the woods Sunday in Bastrop is being investigated as a homicide. Bastrop Interim Police Chief Anthony Evans says they are not releasing the name of the victim pending next of kin notification. The body has been sent to Little Rock for an autopsy.

Two Texas residents and 21-year-old woman from Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop it was determined a missing 15-year-old juvenile was in the vehicle.

Cut 9 (09) “… testify.”

The suspect from Louisiana under arrest has been identified as 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria.

Economic indicators show the state is recovering quicker than first predicted from the pandemic.  LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says they compared unemployment numbers from April of 2020 to the latest numbers in December and unemployment has recovered by 69%.

Cut 3 (11) “…42-percent.”

He predicts things will continue to improve once the vaccine is more widely available.

Senator Bill Cassidy said he’s not sure if Congress can come to an agreement on another federal coronavirus aid package after he and nine other GOP Senators met with President Biden. The White House proposes a one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief package, while Republicans favor a 618-billion dollar plan…
cut 14 (09) “…rammed through”

Shreveport Police has arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect, Zaokoye Chatman,…
Cut 6 (12) “…staff there”
Heckard says Chatman fled the hospital after the attack, but later surrendered to authorities. New Orleans Police is reportedly investigating whether Chatman is their suspect in a fatal machete attack at a New Orleans gas station on Sunday.

There are signs the state’s economy is recovering quicker than anticipated from the pandemic. Brooke Thorington talks with an LSU economist.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police has announced the arrest of three individuals on charges of human trafficking after law enforcement during a traffic stop in Bunkie found a 15-year-old juvenile being sexually exploited. Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says the officers who conducted the stop should be commended for realizing that this was a case of human trafficking…
cut 11 (07) “…..what was going on”

Senator Bill Cassidy was one of ten Republican Senators to meet with President Biden last night to discuss the next round of COVID relief. Biden backs a 1.9 trillion dollar plan while Cassidy and company prefer a 618 billion dollar bill. Cassidy says the two sides began a dialog.

Cut 12 (11) “his” 

Without ten Republicans in support Democrats would have to pass the package through a process known as reconciliation

Shreveport Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect and they do not know why Zaokoye Chatman attacked the two workers at Ochsner LSU Health…

Cut 8 (09) “…another victim.”

Two Texas residents and 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop found a missing 15-year-old in the vehicle and it’s likely the suspects connected with the 15-year-old through the internet.

Cut 10 (11) “…on line”

While a 69% rebound in unemployment from April of 2020 indicates the state’s economy is recovering, LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott, unfortunately, says the outlook for the oil and gas sector is bleak. He says the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new leases in the Gulf of Mexico is very concerning.

Cut 5  (11) “…forward.” 

Two Texas residents and a 21-year-old woman from Alexandria are facing human trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Bunkie. Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Casey Wallace says during the traffic stop it was determined a missing 15-year-old juvenile was located in the vehicle.

Cut 9 (09) “… testify.”

The suspect from Louisiana has been identified as 21-year-old Areona Ardoin of Alexandria.

Economic indicators show the state unemployment has rebounded by 69% when you compare April to December of 2020. But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott, unfortunately, says the oil and gas sector is actually worse off than it was a year ago. What has rebounded is the retail sector; they have more jobs now than this time last year.

Cut 4 (10) “…ago” 

The state will roll out a new tutoring program designed to help kids catch up on education they may have missed during the pandemic. Matt Doyle has more on the Accelerate program…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Economic indicators show the state is recovering quicker than first predicted from the pandemic.  LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says they compared unemployment numbers from April of 2020 to the latest numbers in December and unemployment has recovered by 69%.

Cut 3 (11)  “…42-percent.”

He predicts things will continue to improve once the vaccine is more widely available.

A man who allegedly attacked people with a large knife inside Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport has been arrested. Sergeant Glen Heckard with Shreveport Police says two people were injured by 27-year-old Zaokoye Chatman, who may be a suspect in a fatal machete attack at a New Orleans gas station Sunday…

Cut 7 (11) “…any of this.”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office arrests three men for an alleged murder for hire scheme that led to the fatal shooting of two women in Montegut last month. District Attorney Joe Waitz Junior says there is a strong case against the three men involved…

cut 15 (09) “….this case”

Authorities say Beaux Cormier of Kaplan hired two men, Andrew Eskine and Delvin Wilson to kill the victim Cormier allegedly raped. Instead, they allegedly killed the victim’s mother and her neighbor.

FEMA wants residents to know that if you suffered hurricane damage from Hurricane Zeta you may be eligible for assistance. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says those who need assistance should register at disasterassistance.gov.

Cut 11 (08) “….help.”

Residents in Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and Terrebonne Parishes are eligible.

Shreveport Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who went inside Ochsner LSU Health and wounded two individuals with a large knife. Sergeant Glen Heckard says one of the victims was the mother of the suspect, Zaokoye Chatman,…

Cut 6 (08) “…to him.”

New Orleans Police are trying to determine if Chatman is also a suspect in Sunday’s fatal machete attack at a New Orleans gas station.

28-year-old Blake Jenkins of Alexandria is under arrest for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old in Acadia Parish and driving her to Lake Charles where he pressured her to have sex with other men for money.  Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says Jenkins is facing kidnapping, human trafficking, and Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile charges…

Cut 5 (09)“..arrest.”

The two met online.

Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. says good police work let to the arrest of three men for a double homicide in Montegut. Beaux Cormier hired two men, Andrew Eskine, and Delvin Wilson to murder his niece that accused him of rape. But they killed Cormier’s sister and her neighbor. All three are charged with two counts each of first-degree murder. Bond is set at $2 million each, but that could change.

Cut 14 (08) “…(2x) the streets.” 

2020 was a tough year between the coronavirus pandemic and hurricanes. FEMA is reminding Louisiana residents they are offering free crisis counseling…

Cut 12 (08) “…confidential.”
FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says to call 1-800-985-5990, that’s 1-800-985-5990 for crisis counseling.

28-year-old Blake Jenkins of Alexandria faces charges of carnal knowledge, kidnapping, and human trafficking after allegedly taking a girl from her home in Acadia Parish and forcing her to have sex with other men for gas money. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department says 406 vaccine providers will receive a very limited number of COVID vaccine doses this week. Go to covid-vaccine-dot-la-dot-gov for a list of participating providers or call 2-1-1 to find a vaccine provider near you.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the pandemic has exacerbated the need to provide children with extra help so L-D-O-E is starting a new initiative called Accelerate, which will provide high-quality tutoring lessons in English Language Arts and math. Brumley says teacher leader advisors will develop these tutoring lessons to help students in grades k-through-eighth…
cut 9 (11) “…used”

FEMA wants to make residents aware in Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and Terrebonne Parishes that they are eligible for federal disaster assistance if they sustained damage from Hurricane Zeta. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says residents can register at disaster-assistance-dot-gov…
cut 11 (08) “…help”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office has announced the arrest of three men for their roles in a murder for hire scheme that led to the fatal shooting of two women in Montegut on January 13th. District Attorney Joe Waitz Junior believes he has a strong case against the suspects…
cut 15 (09) “….this case”
Authorities say Beaux Cormier of Kaplan hired two men, Andrew Eskine and Delvin Wilson to kill the victim Cormier allegedly raped. Instead, they allegedly killed the victim’s mother Brittany Cormier and her neighbor Hope Nettleton.

An Alexandria man is under arrest for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old and pressuring her to have sex with other men for money. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says the victim met 28-year-old Blake Jenkins online…
Cut 4 (11)“…casinos.”
Jenkins is facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges.

The state department of education says it’s launching a new tutoring initative that school systems can offer virtually, in-person, during or outside school hours. And Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says over the summer too…
cut 8 (08) “:…to learn”
The program is called Accelerate and it will provide high-quality tutoring lessons in English Language Arts and math. School systems can use general funds, federal funds or CARES Act money to pay for the program.

FEMA is reminding residents in six southeast Louisiana parishes that they can apply for disaster assistance if they suffered from property damage as a result of Hurricane Zeta in October. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins…
cut 10 (11) “….March 15th”
For more information go diaster-assistance-dot-gov, call 1-800-621-3362 or download the diaster assistance app on your smarthphone.

Many students are behind the curve due to the pandemic and the State Department of Education hopes to reverse that with a new tutoring program. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the Accelerate program focuses on bolstering the math and English language arts education they already receive in regular class hours.
Cut 7 (09) “…kids.”
Teacher Leader Advisors are developing the tutoring lessons and the first set of lessons in grades K-through-eighth grade will be released this spring.

2020 was a tough year between the coronavirus pandemic and hurricanes. FEMA is reminding Louisiana residents they are offering free crisis counseling…
cut 12 (08) “…confidential”
FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says to call 1-800-985-5990 for crisis counseling.

Three men are charged with two counts of first-degree murder each for the homicides of two Montegut women last month. Brooke Thorington has more on the alleged murder for hire scheme.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Shreveport police say the man who attacked two hospital employees with a large knife at the Ochsner LSU Health Hospital has been arrested. One of the victim’s is the suspect’s mother. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old ZaOkoye Chatman and authorities believe Chatman also killed a man Sunday at a gas station in New Orleans with a machete.

Three men are facing first-degree murder charges in the murder of two women in Terrebonne Parish last month. Investigators say Beaux Cormier of Kaplan hired two other men, Andrew Eskine of Carencro and Dalvin Wilson of Rayne to kill a girl he raped, instead they killed the victim’s mother Brittany Cormier and her friend Hope Nettleton. District Attorney Joe Waitz Junior says he’ll ask the victims’ families on how to proceed…
cut 13 (08) “….the table”
Bond has been set at two million dollars for each person charged.

Calcasieu Parish deputies have arrested 28-year-old Blake Jenkins of Alexandria for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl from Acadia Parish and having sex with her. Calcasieu Sheriff Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory says he left the girl at a Lake Charles casino under the pretense of earning gas money…
cut 6 (07) “…work”
Jenkins has been charged with second-degree kidnapping and human trafficking.

The state will roll out a new tutoring program designed to help kids catch up on education they may have missed during the pandemic. Matt Doyle has more on the Accelerate program…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”