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…:
CUT 03 (03) “…Thorington.”

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…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thomas.”

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.

Help is on the way for Louisiana small businesses who are struggling with inflation, labor shortages and more. The U.S. Treasury has approved $113-million in aid, in the form of venture capital, seed capital, low-interest loans and more.  Governor John Bel Edwards says it part of a larger $10-billion federal program for small businesses nationwide. Edwards says a great many locally-owned businesses are struggling in the wake of hurricanes in 2020 and ’21…plus the pandemic…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…federal partners.”

Louisiana Economic Development will administer the program. Information is online at “LouisianaSSBCI.com”

A Louisiana man is under arrest in Utah, after stealing a car then crashing it into a utility pole. 26-year-old Malcolm Van Buren reportedly led cops on a high speed chase leading up to the crash. When caught he told Utah Highway Patrol officers that “demons were after him” and were going to kill him. They suspected drug impairment and a test found high levels of meth in his blood.

On this December the 7^th, afternoon high temperatures will reach into the 80’s. Can the unseasonably warm temperatures change how one shops for the holiday season? Brooke Thorington asks an expert…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

Inflation is causing delays in big road projects on DOTD’s slate. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a new I-10 interchange project just south of Baton Rouge is now about $14-million over budget due to rising costs of…everything. An I-210 project at Nelson Road in Lake Charles in now  $40-million over budget.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day; the day the Japanese attacked a U.S. Naval base in Hawaii triggering America’s entry into World War II. The remains of a Louisiana sailor who died at Pearl Harbor 81 years ago will have a proper burial burial today…:

CUT 02  (33)   “…Thorington.”

amid mounting pressure over rising crime and unhappy staff, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson announced yesterday that he will retire as of December 22nd. Some saw the announcement as a surprise; others not so much. a Search for Ferguson’s replacement is getting underway.

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. The program will give financial help to “mom & pops” in the form of venture capital, seed capital low-interest loans and more. Governor John Bel Edwards says this is great news…:

CUT 04   (07)   “…capital investment.”

Find out more about the assistance at “LouisianaSSBCI.com”

District 2 Congressman Troy Carter says he hopes the agreement signed between Governor Edwards and French officials last week will help bridge the gaps between advocates for clean energy and those who prefer relying on fossil fuels…:

CUT 07   (10)   “…a better way.”