In 2022, New Orleans was known as the murder capital as the city reported 265 murders. The NOPD investigated fewer homicides in 2023 and Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the number of murders went down again in 2024…

Cut 10 (08) “…in murders”

In 2024 there were 124 murders in New Orleans.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

Captain Matherne says these assaults had been going on for quite some time.

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow and Congressman Clay Higgins have asked President Trump to slap tariffs as high as 100-percent on rice imports from India, Thailand, China, Pakistan and Vietnam. In a letter to the President, the two Republicans from Louisiana says the rice industry contributes 34-billion dollars to the U-S economy, but it’s being displaced by heavily subsidized imported rice.

A 60-year-old Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) is accused of assaulting at least four girls, ranging in age between seven and 16, over the course of several years.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

As Mardi Gras approaches, crawfish prices are on the way down. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says more crawfish are moving around, making them easier to catch and increasing supply for retailers.

Cut 4 (12) “…down this week.”

The former murder capital of America is shedding that dubious distinction. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says murders in the city have dropped by more than 50-percent in the last two years, from 265 in 2022 to 124 last year. She says the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime in the city.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Those of you traveling on I-49 approaching Alexandria, a heads-up – the freeway is closed in both directions due to a tanker truck that spilled oil onto the roadway. In all, a 14-mile stretch is closed between exits 80 and 94 – U.S. 71 and Rapides Station Road. You can use U.S. 71 to get around the closure for the time being.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In 2022, New Orleans was known as the murder capital as the city reported 265 murders. The NOPD investigated fewer homicides in 2023 and Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the number of murders went down again in 2024…

Cut 10 (08) “…in murders”

In 2024 there were 124 murders in New Orleans.

The Saints have reportedly hired Brandon Staley as the team’s defensive coordinator. Kellen Moore was an assistant under Staley when Brandon was the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Staley was the defensive coordinator for the Rams in 2020 and NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says the Rams had one of the best defensives in the NFL that season…

Cut 12 (11) “…build around”

Staley was the head coach for the Chargers for three seasons from 2021 to 2023, leading L-A to one playoff appearance. He was fired right before the end of the 2023 season and was an assistant-head coach for the 49ers last season.

The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll found that over half of parents worry about affording childcare, with costs averaging 633 dollars a month per child.  Mattilyn Batson at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says for those without subsidies, expenses rise to nearly 12 hundred dollars monthly.

Cut 14 (08) “…dollars a year.”

Baston they released this poll in hopes lawmakers will provide more funding to help families pay for childcare.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against at least four girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) has been doing this for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

Matherne says Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars. He says investigators believe there are additional victims.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said year-over-year, murders were down 35-percent, non-fatal shootings are down 44-percent and carjackings are down 49-percent.

As Mardi Gras ramps up, crawfish prices go down and are expected to keep falling. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

King said current crawfish prices are largely in line with what they usually are this time of year.

Crawfish prices continue to decline this Mardi Gras season. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. According to Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, this week saw a big price dip..

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.” 

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars. If anyone has come into contact with Dupre, contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll shows parents are struggling with cost and availability to child care. Mattilyn Batson, the director of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, highlights the struggles parents face balancing work with childcare access and affordability.

Cut 13 (11)  “…not work at all.”

Could NHL hockey be coming to New Orleans? NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says a potential New Orleans ownership group had a productive meeting with Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly this week. Weekes says while the identity of this ownership group is currently unknown, they are hockey people from top to bottom.

Cut 10 (09) “…hockey fans themselves.”

New Orleans joins a long list of cities pursuing NHL expansion teams.

After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Among the first slated to be executed is Jessie Hoffman, who raped Molly Elliott and killed her execution-style in 1996. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the death warrant.

Cut 4 (07) “…and heinous offenders.”

You can add New Orleans to the growing list of cities lobbying for an NHL franchise. NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says even though there’s only one U.S. NHL market smaller than New Orleans – that being Buffalo – New Orleans would be a great NHL city, as evidenced by how well it hosted the biggest event of any kind in the U.S., the Super Bowl.

Cut 12 (09) “…amazing entertainment experience.”

Houston and Atlanta are among other cities seeking NHL franchises.

Results from the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll, conducted by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, show parents are struggling with childcare cost and accessibility. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occur during Carnival than any other holiday.

After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Barring any delays or court orders Jessie Hoffman, who raped and killed Molly Elliott execution-style in 1996 will be executed by way of lethal gas. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, says seeking the death penalty and carrying one out are not moves to be taken lightly.

Cut 5 (07) “…that it is.”

During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect beads and throws, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Greg Fischer says police will be out in force.

Cut 7 (10) “…the absolute truth.”

According to the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll Childcare disruptions impacted employment, with 70-percent of parents missing work in the past three months. Mattilyn Batson with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children contends that without action, families will face financial strain, and Louisiana’s workforce will suffer from lost economic potential.

Cut 15 (13) “…early learning centers.”

Louisiana Tech baseball is in Hattiesburg this weekend for a three-game series against former Conference USA rival Southern Miss. The Bulldogs opened the season by sweeping a four-game series from Maine. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs like how well his team played defensively

Cut 16 (16) “…moments”

Louisiana will carry out its first execution in 15 years next month. Barring any delays or court orders, Jessie Hoffman, who raped and killed Molly Elliott execution-style in 1996 will be executed by lethal gas. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes says while the execution of a death row inmate may bring justice and closure, it is not something to be celebrated.

Cut 6 (08) “…and it’s horrible.”

It’s Carnival Season and the Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over Campaign underway in Louisiana.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Greg Fischer since 2020, more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occurred during Carnival than any other holiday.

Cut 8 (11) “…a serious injury.”

To enhance enforcement, National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration funds additional patrols.

New Orleans has emerged as a potential home for an NHL expansion team. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll found that over half of parents worry about affording childcare, with costs averaging 633 dollars a month per child.  Mattilyn Batson, the director of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says for those without subsidies, expenses rise to nearly 12 hundred dollars monthly.

Cut 14 (08) “…dollars a year.”