Baton Rouge Police believe Friday’s fatal shooting of 21-year-old Allison Rice was likely a random act, but an exact motive is unknown as the search for her killer continues. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the LSU student attempted to turn her vehicle around at a train crossing when shots were fired.
Cut 10 (07) “…this case.”
Rice worked at the Shed Restaurant and the owners of that business are offering a 10-thousand dollar reward for information that leads to a conviction.

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana fifth in the nation for the number of women killed by men per capita. V-P-C spokesperson Kristen Rand says based on 2020 data most female murder victims are killed by guns and Black women are disproportionally impacted by lethal domestic violence…
cut 5 (14) “….Black women”

Fox News reports new violent crime data shows New Orleans is now, officially, the Murder Capital of the US.
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Caddo Parish is up to 40 homicide victims for 2022. Authorities say 28-year-old D’Shaundre Harris of Shreveport was fatally shot several times Monday night following an argument. No arrest has been made.

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the rate of women murdered by men. That’s according to the Violence Policy Center’s 2020 data. Whitney Thomas has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

 _______________________________________________

Fox News reports new violent crime data shows New Orleans is now, officially, the Murder Capital of the US. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

The murder of an LSU student who was gunned down early Friday morning remains unsolved, and police encourage anyone with information to call them. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana Ranks 5th nation in the number of women killed by men per capita according to the Violence Policy Center.  VPC spokesperson Kristen Rand says in 2020,  98 percent of the women murdered in Louisiana were killed by someone they know.

Cut 4 (08)  “…to tradegy.”

And most of those women are killed by firearms.

The study also shows Black women are disproportionally impacted by lethal domestic violence. Rands says Louisiana is no different.

Cut 5 (12) “…Black women.”

Louisiana has been in the top 10 of states with the highest rate of women murdered by men for 12 years. Rand hopes lawmakers will legislate change to provide more resources for victims of domestic violence.

Cut 6 (12)  “…effective solutions.” 

____________________________________________

Fox News reports New Orleans has assumed the top spot for the most homicides per capita of any city in America. Data collected up until September of last year shows the City That Care Forgot has an average of 52 murders per 100-thousand residents. Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche (goy-uh-NETCH-ee) lays the blame for the city’s rising violent crime on the mayor, D.A., and police…:

Cut 7 (12) “…de-emphasize public safety.”

New Orleans has seen 208 murders so far this year alone. The homicide rate now outstrips St. Louis – the previous U.S. “murder capital”, plus cities like Chicago and New York. Goyeneche says they have been alerting Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other city leaders to the rapidly developing problem for well over two years…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…about it in 2020.l”

Goyeneche says the city’s reputation as being unsafe for visitors needs to reverse soon, or the tourism trade will evaporate. He says the truth is that just over half of the city’s murders and robberies occur in just two policing districts and concentrating police presence and action there will help a lot…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…25-percent citywide.”

Goyeneche says he hopes the mayor will reverse course and take action to stem the tide of crime in the Crescent City.

________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Police continue to investigate the murder of Allison Rice. She was the LSU student who was gunned down last Friday as she attempted to turn her vehicle around at a train crossing. BRPD spokesperson Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they’ve received numerous calls about the case.

Cut 10 (07) “…this case.”

McKneely says they believe the shooting was a random act, even though the majority of women who are murdered know their assailant.

Cut  11 (12)  “…give us a motive.” 

McKneely encourages the public to assist them with the case and to even reach out anonymously through Crimestoppers. Because the case remains under investigation, McKneely limited his comments.

Cut 12 (11) “…may put out.” 

Rice was a senior at LSU and was set to graduate in May. She also worked at The Shed restaurant, which is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction.

________________________________________________

Democrats are blowing their stacks over Republican governors sending illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, but Senator Bill Cassidy says the move was a great wake-up call for liberals about border security. The senator says, for too many, the flood of illegals across the open southern border isn’t a problem they can see or feel. The delivery of illegals to the northern elite conclave changes that…:

Cut 13 (12) “…it is a good idea.”

Cassidy says it is disingenuous of Democrats to rail on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for sending two airline flights of illegals (just over 50) to Martha’s Vineyard when the Biden administration is guilty of the same thing on a grander scale…:

Cut 14 (08)  “…like this isn’t happening.”

Cassidy says the White House has been flying migrants from the border to America’s large and smaller towns for months; often in the dead of night. Cassidy says southern and border states have been pleading with Washington to get illegal immigration under control, but no one is listening. He says dropping unwelcome illegals among the country’s richest sends a clear message…:

Cut 15 (10)  “…only way to do it.”

_______________________________________________

Louisiana Tech lost to Clemson last weekend 48-20 but the Bulldogs showed they can be winners away from the football field. The Clemson football program has been grieving over the death of 15-year-old Ella Bresee, the sister of Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Before Saturday’s game, Tech Coach Sonny Cumbie says the players decided to write handwritten letters to Bresee’s family to offer their sorrow and some words of encouragement…

Cut 16 (19)  “…mandatory deal.” 

Wide receiver Julian Lewis was one of the players who wrote a letter…

Cut 17 (15) “..his family” 

Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they will visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game. Cumbie says he’s proud of how quarterback Parker McNeil performed in the loss against Clemson. McNeil was intercepted twice but threw for 311 yards and a touchdown…

Cut  18 (24)“…the game.”

______________________________________________

After another impressive outing against Mississippi St. Malik Nabors is LSU’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown. Nabors muffed two crucial punts in the season opener vs Florida St but has bounced back with strong showings in the last three games, especially on 3rd and 4th downs. Coach Brian Kelly admires the young wide-out’s resilience…

Cut 19 (20) “…stronger for it.”

LSU’s special team struggles have been the story of their season so far, and coach Brian Kelly says the kicking is at fault for lackluster kickoff coverage that nearly cost LSU the game against Mississippi St. Regardless of these early setbacks, Kelly has no plans to make a switch as of yet but wants to keep all options open…

Cut 20 (15) “ …football team.” 

______________________________________________________

September is suicide prevention Awarness month, and national experts are sounding the alarm.  Amy Wimpley Knight is president of the Children’s Hospital Association. She says the most recent numbers show a 31 percent increase in hospital admissions for children and teens—AND a frightening increase in suicide rates.

Cut 6 (07)  “…alarming statistic.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy says a new report shows the veteran suicide rate fell nearly 10-percent from 2018 to 2020.

Veteran suicide is still too high, but they are making progress. Cassidy says the Senate recently passed his Solid Start Act, in support of veterans’ mental health. Cut 12 (11) “.. .a taste of summer”  

Luke Mixon releases his first TV ad for U.S Senate. The Democrat says he supports codifying Roe v. Wade because republican support of abortion bans, is forcing rape victims to give birth. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the message can become controversial in such a conservative state.

Cut 3 (08) “…more difficult.” 

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave that’s moving towards the Caribbean and a tropical depression that is likely to form within the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says forecast models show this potential storm getting into the Gulf of Mexico next week

Cut 9 (09)  “…stout storm”

The restaurant where murdered LSU student Allie Rice worked is offering a reward for her killer. Staff at The Shed on Burbank Drive told WBRZ in Baton Rouge it plans to give $10-thousand to anyone whose tip ultimately leads to a conviction in Rice’s killing. Rice was gunned down in her SUV while stuck in traffic at a railroad crossing last week.

In his first TV campaign ad, Democrat U.S. Senate challenger Luke Mixon decides to address the abortion issue…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

There’s a tropical wave out in the Caribbean, which could become a tropical depression within several days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it is too early to tell, but the system’s general path is toward the Gulf. He says, even though we’ve reached the peak of hurricane season, we are not out of the woods yet…:

CUT 11(09)      “…relates to Louisiana”

This month is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month and some officials are sounding an alarm over high juvenile suicides. Children’s Hospital association president Amy Wimply-Knight says too many kids’ mental health issues go un-addressed…but then again, not every child needs expansive treatment…:

CUT 08(07)      “…for kids”

Senator Bill Cassidy is working to re-authorize federal funding for youth mental health care.

It’s been a calm hurricane season so far, but that might change. The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression is likely to form in the Caribbean within a week…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby”

Downtown Ruston is a semi-finalist for the 2023 Great American Main Street Award. Candidates are chosen for use of their Main Street to lead community-based transformation strategies; revitalizing these areas. Ruston officials hope to win later this year, but say just being recognized as a contender is an honor.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. National experts on the subject are sounding the alarm. Amy Wimpley Knight is president of the Children’s Hospital Association. She says research shows that half of mental health conditions begin before the age of 14 and go unaddressed for 11 years or more…:

CUT 07(10)      “…attention to.”

Bunkie Democrat Luke Mixon, who’s challenging John Kennedy’s bid for re-election, has begun a series of TV campaign ads. Mixon’s ad discusses Roe vs Wade and codifying abortion into federal law; something popular among his party, but possibly repugnant to many Louisiana voters. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy’s ads, however, will stay close to what got him elected the last time…:

CUT 05(09)      “…next couple of months.”

The election is November 8^th.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave that’s moving towards the Caribbean and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s too soon to panic but it’s not too soon to prepare. He says they will know more in about a week…:

CUT 10(09)      “…toward the tropics.”

So far there have been six named storms this year and no major threats in the Gulf of Mexico.

Senator Bill Cassidy says a new report shows the veteran suicide rate fell nearly 10-percent from 2018 to 2020. He says the rate is still far too high, but progress is being made. He says his Solid Start ACT requires the VA to contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty…:

CUT 13(11)      “…may need to do.”

Veterans in crisis should dial 9-8-8. then press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Luke Mixon releases his first campaign ad. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says having an ad this early is significant and shows Mixon has funding to run expensive TV ads, and he’ll need it to boost his name recognition..:

CUT 04(07)      “…than nothing.”

Incumbent Republican Senator John Kennedy has unveiled his second TV campaign ad highlighting his votes to cut taxes, increase paychecks, fight crime and stand up to Chinese influence.

The restaurant where murdered LSU student Allie Rice worked is offering a reward for her killer or killers. Staff at The Shed on Burbank Drive told WBRZ in Baton Rouge it plans to give $10-thousand to anyone whose tip ultimately leads to a conviction in Rice’s killing. Rice was gunned down in her SUV while stuck in traffic at a railroad crossing last week.

In his first TV campaign ad, Democrat Luke Mixon addresses the abortion issue. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lucille Fremin Babineaux, the mother of former Governor Kathleen Blanco has died at the age of 102. Babineaux was born in 1919 in New Iberia and had seven children of her own. She was the matriarch of a family of 105 and was with her daughter Kathleen Blanco every day when she got sick and died in 2019.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave that’s moving towards the Caribbean and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s very early, but forecast models show this potential storm getting into the Gulf of Mexico…
cut 9 (09) “…stout storm”
Keim says it’s too soon to panic, but not too soon to prepare.

Senator Bill Cassidy says a new report shows the veteran suicide rate fell nearly 10-percent from 2018 to 2020. Cassidy says veteran suicide is still too high, but they are making progress. Cassidy says the Senate recently passed his Solid Start Act strengthens a V-A program that regularly contacts new veterans…
cut 12 (08) “….civilian life”
Cassidy says most suicices among veterans occurs within six months after getting out fo the service.