A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says   it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon’s arrest the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (14) “…for Sunday.”  

Tragic news out of Ruston as an 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student died after what appears to be an accidental shooting. Ruston PD responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive thru around 2 a m Friday. When the arrived, they found Austin Johnson suffering from a gun shoot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital but succumbed to his injury. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

While parade goers are snagging beads this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Shortly after, Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about two weeks and Governor Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. Landry failing to carry out that sentence goes further than fighting crime…

Cut 24 (09) “…we do.” 

The state’s last death row execution was in 2010.

A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional map has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. Monroe attorney Paul Hurd says the map resembles one that was deemed unconstitutional in the 90s and says his clients filed the suit to put voters in communities of interest back together.

Cut 15 (13) …in Louisiana. “

State Transportation and Calcasieu Bridge Partners have reached a new agreement on a public-private partnership to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says expenses related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, wetland impact mitigation, and others the state is responsible for have been significantly lowered.

Cut 11 (13) “…25 percent.” 

Lawmakers are about 2 weeks from the governor’s special session on crime and Governor Landry is expected to push for expanding Louisiana’s death penalty. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The National Weather Service is predicting inclement weather statewide for Saturday and Mardi Gras Krewes are adjusting parade schedules and times. Krewes in Baton Rouge and Lafayette have adjusted time. But Shreveport, Lake Charles, and New Orleans still plan to let the good times roll.

A new deal has been reached to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (11) “…before.”

Donahue says the total cost for the project has been reduced by more than 20 percent.

It’s that time again! The Humane Society of Louisiana announce more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses are up for adoption during their annual Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”

The program has saved over 90 horses from potentially being sent to slaughter. You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses this year. HSLA partners with Cascade Stables which brings in horses to meet the demand of Mardi Gras krewes. President Jeff Dorson says the program has had 100 percent success since 2017 and he hopes to find homes for more horses.

Cut 5 (11) “…stable now.” 
A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. The map in question was passed by the legislature in a special session last month Monroe attorney Paul Hurd, says he hopes the unconstitutional nature of the 6^th district is as apparent to the court as it is to his clients.

Cut 14 (11) “…and we will.

————–

Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about two weeks and Governor Jeff Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. The state’s last death row execution was in 2010. And with the recent shortage on lethal injection drugs, many wonder how Louisiana can make it happen. Governor Landry.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to death.”

A jury could not reach a verdict in a lawsuit accusing Baton Rouge Police of using abusive tactics and faking evidence while responding to protests following the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling. You’ll recall the killing sparked days of unrest across the city, resulting in more than 200 protestor arrests. A mistrial was declared in the trial yesterday about six hours of deliberations. So far there’s no word on a retrial date.

A lawsuit has been filed against the most recently passed congressional map, claiming it racially segregates Louisiana voters. Here’s Brooke Thorrington.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A jury could not reach a verdict in a lawsuit accusing Baton Rouge Police of using abusive tactics and faking evidence while responding to protests following the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling. A mistrial was declared in the trial yesterday about six hours of deliberations. So far there’s no word on a retrial date.

———

The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses looking to be adopted following the end of carnival season. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”
Dorson says they’ve got photos, bios, information about each horse’s personality, and which parade they trotted in on a Facebook page. And to make sure all horses are placed in good homes…

Cut 6 (12) “…adoption fee.”

You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. Monroe attorney Paul Hurd says like the congressional map in the 1990s that created a Z-shaped district, this map is drawn along racial lines, not communities of interests.

Cut 13 (11)  “…unconstitutional.”
State Transportation and Calcasieu Bridge Partners have reached a new agreement on a public-private partnership to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (12) “…before.”

——=—

Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about 2 weeks and Governor Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. Landry says Louisiana is obligated to the victims…

Cut 7 (11) “…should receive.”

The state’s last death row execution was in 2010.

A 61-year-old Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing people to sell narcotics out of her residence. Police first received an anonymous tip in June of last year. Rosie Lee Jenkins, known as “Momma Rose,” allegedly accepted narcotics and money in exchange for allowing the illegal sales. She has been charged with Letting a Disorderly Place.

Fifteen Mardi Gras horses will be up for adoption after carnival season. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Lawmakers are about 2 weeks from the governor’s special session on crime and Governor Landry is expected to push for expanding Louisiana’s death penalty. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

______________________________________________

Twelve plaintiffs are named in a lawsuit against the most recently passed congressional map, claiming it racially segregates voters and separates communities of interests. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________________

The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to make sure the good times keep rolling for more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses looking to be adopted following the end of carnival season. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”

HSLA partners with Cascade Stables which brings in horses to meet the demand of Mardi Gras krewes. The program has saved over 90 horses from potentially being sent to slaughter.

Dorson says the adoption fee usually runs from $650 to $850. He says the program has had 100 percent success since 2017 and he hopes to find homes for more horses.

Cut 5 (11) “…stable now.” 

Every year the horses’ names are based on a theme and this year is spices. So expect to adopt nutmeg, poppy, honey, rosemary, pumpkin, and other spice names.

Dorson says they’ve got photos, bios, information about each horse’s personality, and which parade they trotted in on a Facebook page. And to make sure all horses are placed in good homes…

Cut 6 (12) “…adoption fee.”

You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

__________________________________________

Louisiana’s Special Legislative session on crime will begin in about two weeks and Governor Landry has been speaking to lawmakers about possibly expanding the death penalty. The state’s last death row execution was in 2010. Landry says Louisiana is obligated to the victims…

Cut 7 (11) “…should receive.”

Landry says it takes a unanimous jury of 12 to convict someone of a capital crime and then the jury must come back with a 2^nd unanimous decision for a death penalty sentence. He says failing to carry out that sentence goes further than fighting crime…

Cut 8 (09) “…we do.” 

When asked about expanding the death penalty to include specific methods like gas, hanging, and firing squad Landry didn’t comment on the methods themselves but said others are finding ways…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to death.”

_________________________________________________________

State Transportation and Calcasieu Bridge Partners have reached a new agreement on a public-private partnership to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (11) “…before.”

Governor Landry touted the project had been renegotiated and costs have been reduced by more than 20 percent. Donahue explains expenses related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, wetland impact mitigation, and others that the state is responsible for have been lowered.

Cut 11 (11) “…25 percent.” 

The entire project has an estimated price tag of $2.1 billion. Donahue says the retained costs (right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, wetland impact mitigation, etc.) dropped from approximately $415 million to $281 million.

Cut 12 (12) “…accomodate construction.” 

Construction could begin as early as this year and is expected to be completed in approximately seven years.

_____________________________________________________

A lawsuit challenging the most recent congressional has been filed on behalf of twelve plaintiffs who identify themselves as non-African American voters. Monroe attorney Paul Hurd says like the congressional map in the 1990s that created a Z-shaped district, this map is drawn along racial lines, not communities of interests.

Cut 13 (10)  “…unconstitutional.”

The map in question was passed by the legislature in a special session last month that created a second majority-Black district that stretches the 6^th congressional district from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Hurd, who’s litigated congressional maps in Louisiana and other states before, says he hopes the unconstitutional nature of the 6^th district is as apparent to the court as it is to his clients.

Cut 14 (11) “…and we will.

Hurd says his clients filed the suit to put voters in communities of interest back together.

Cut 15 (12) …anymore.“

_______________________________________________________________

Cut 16 (12) “…the program.” 

Cut 17 (12) “…this year.” 

Cut 18 (18)  “…the season.” 

Cut 19 (20) “…for that” 

Cut 20 (16) “…process though.”

A group of voters are taking legal action against the latest congressional map approved by the state legislature that contains two majority-Black districts. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Forecasters are predicting heavy rain, flooding, and possible strong storms across portions of the Bayou State on Saturday – leaving Mardi Gras krewes in limbo on whether to continue to let the good times roll. City and krewe leaders are waiting for more information before making any final decisions.

House Speaker Mike Johnson blames President Biden and the Senate for the ongoing crisis at the Mexican border. Johnson says he’s been waiting two months to read the bipartisan Senate legislation and he hopes what he’s hearing about the bill isn’t true.

Cut 6  (15) “…the House.” 

The Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana launches a GoFundMe campaign to help support and provide for the growing needs of the homeless population in central Louisiana. Director Kitty Wynn says the center offers things that many take for granted like washing laundry and showers.

Cut 5 (10) “…you anything.”  

Wynn says additional funding is needed to keep the facility open and all donation can be made to the GoFundMe account “Help the Homeless in Central Louisiana”.