Three suspects have now been arrested in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. Kyle Thurman was arrested in Port Allen yesterday, and Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean (ELL-jeen) McKneely says police had expected Thurman to turn himself in as well.

Cut 9 (06)  “…this past Friday.”

23-year-old Caleb McCray turned himself in last Friday

Louisiana’s growing black bear population is making another bear hunting season possible, says John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and this one would be even bigger than last year with more lottery tags available.

Cut 8 (11) “…are excess animals.”

If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell heads to Washington D.C. to attend a mayoral conference after the City Council issues a travel ban for all nonessential travel.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

At his introductory press conference, New Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore said he had been looking forward to going through a process to determine if Quarterback Derek Carr should return for a third season. He says it didn’t take long to determine that Carr should be the quarterback to lead the team in 2025…

Cut 13 (10)  “…special ways.”

Carr’s contract was restructured over the weekend, converting part of the contract to a signing bonus. The Saints also restructured the contracts of guard Cesar Ruiz, defensive end Carl Granderson and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, giving the team 13-million dollars in salary cap space.

The city council president in New Orleans is blasting Mayor Latoya Cantrell for attending a mayor’s conference in Washington D.C., despite a city-wide travel ban for all nonessential travel.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If a bear hunting season for 2025 gets the green light, it will be bigger than last year’s. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell criticized Mayor LaToya Cantrell for violating a travel ban by attending the Yale Mayor’s College Conference in Washington, D.C.

Cut 3 (14) “…claim we have”

The ban, which will be in effect until at least the end of April, prohibits non-essential travel and related expenses. Morrell’s letter argues that pre-approved travel is not exempt, as the ordinance even includes provisions for reimbursing canceled trips. He demands a full accounting of any expenses incurred.

Cut 4 (11) “…people from Yale.”

The city claims the conference was scheduled before the ban and asserts no costs will be incurred. The controversy arises amid financial concerns and scrutiny of the mayor’s travel. Morrell’s letter condemns the mayor’s actions, arguing she should prioritize financial discipline.

Cut 5 (14) “…law went into effect.”

In response, the city defends the trip as beneficial for leadership development and dismisses criticism as divisive.

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There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…Terrebonne, Iberia.”

Hanks says the number of tags would go up. Last year, there were ten tags available in Area 4. That would go up to 14 in Area 4, along with eight in Area 1 and three in Area 2. And just like last year, there would be a lottery for those tags, and the odds will be quite long.

Cut 7 (11) “…for those permits.”

Hanks says the growing bear population is making it possible to have a bear hunting season.

Cut 8 (11) “…are excess animals.”

If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.

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Three suspects are now under arrest in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. Kyle Thurman was arrested in Port Allen yesterday, and Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean (ELL-jeen) McKneely says police had expected Thurman to turn himself in as well.

Cut 9 (06)  “…this past Friday.”

Lieutenant McKneely says, however, that never materialized.

Cut 10 (09) “…to apprehend him”

23-year-old Caleb McCray turned himself in last Friday. Investigators say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. McKneely says it’s possible that more arrests could be forthcoming.

Cut 11 (09) “…have been arrested.”

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Saints Coach Kellen Moore says he’s excited to work with quarterback Derek Carr as the 33-year-old signal caller is staying in New Orleans. Moore says he had a good conversation with Carr before he agreed to a restructured contract….

Cut 12 (12) “…going to provide”

At his introductory press conference, Moore said he was looking forward to going through a process to determine if Carr should return for a third season. Moore says it didn’t take long to determine that Carr should be the quarterback to lead the team in 2025…

Cut 13 (10)  “…special ways.”

Carr’s contract was restructured over the weekend, converting part of the contract to a signing bonus. The move saves the Saints 30-million dollars in salary cap space, and it means Carr will get his full 40-million dollars in salary for 2025. Moore is glad Carr will be with the Black and Gold in 2025…

Cut 14 (07) “…good situation.”

The Saints have also restructured the contracts of guard Cesar Ruiz, defensive end Carl Granderson and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, giving the team 13-million dollars in salary cap space.

New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell criticized Mayor LaToya Cantrell for violating a travel ban by attending the Yale Mayor’s College Conference in Washington, D.C.

Cut 3 (14) “…claim we have”

Saints Coach Kellen Moore says he’s excited to work with quarterback Derek Carr as the 33-year-old signal caller is staying in New Orleans. Moore says he had a good conversation with Carr before he agreed to a restructured contract….

Cut 12 (12) “…going to provide”

If a bear hunting season for 2025 gets the green light, it will be bigger than last year’s. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board held the 8th Annual Pardoning of the Crawfish at Parc des Ponts Breaux in Breaux Bridge. Sherbin the Crawfish, named after Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette, was pardoned and released into Lake Fausse Point State Park to celebrate Louisiana’s seafood culture.

A third suspect wanted in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson has surrendered. Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Smith along with 23-year-old Caleb McCray and Kyle Thurman are facing felony charges for their role in Wilson’s death last month. Authorities say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. McCray was arrested late last week, and Thurman was arrested by Baton Rouge Police and U.S. marshals yesterday.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s trip to Washington, DC, amid a city-imposed travel ban is not sitting well with the president of the city council. J.P. Morrell is demanding a full accounting of any expenses incurred by Cantrell during her trip.

Cut 4 (11) “…people from Yale.”

The unanimously-approved travel ban runs through at least the end of next month.

There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. The department is looking to expand the areas to include much of South Louisiana.  John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the number of tags would go up from 11 to 26 – but your odds of scoring one would be quite long.

Cut 7 (11) “…for those permits.”

If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…Terrebonne, Iberia.”

Hanks says the number of tags would go up from 11 last year to 26 for the season that would run from December 6^th to the 21^st.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, rates are starting to trend in the right direction.

Cut 10 (09) “…overall reinsurance market.”

Temple says this year the state has approved seven rate decreases from residential insurers. That is more than what was approved between 2022 to 2024.

A third suspect involved in the hazing death investigation of Southern University student Caleb Wilson has surrendered to authorities. Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Smith along with 23-year-old Caleb McCray and Kyle Thurman are facing felony charges for their role in Caleb Wilson’s death. Authorities say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

One lucky crawfish will not go into the boiling pot this crawfish season.  Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, many property insurance premiums are no longer skyrocketing.

Cut 12 (09) “…are coming down.”

Not only that, Temple says some insurers are starting to file rate decreases. He says since last year, his department has licensed ten new insurers.

The lease for the temporary housing facility in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood that housed homeless people during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras will be extended on a week-to-week basis. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says there are far fewer people in the transitional center today.

Cut 8 (09) “…down to 78.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has pardoned a crawfish today. It’s part of an unofficial kickoff to crawfish season here in Louisiana. 

Cut 4 (12) “…here in Louisiana.”

The crawfish is named Pat Huval, after the late former mayor of Henderson, just east of Lafayette, and the namesake of Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant, where the ceremony took place. The crawfish is being given a police escort to a state park, where he will live the rest of his life, while his family will be boiled and eaten.

New Orleans native Quannas White, the current associate head coach at the University of Houston, has been named the new head coach of the U-L Lafayette men’s basketball team. The Advocate’s Kevin Foote says it’s a huge win for the Ragin’ Cajuns program.

Cut 14 (10) “…great hire.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms are working. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A second person has been arrested in the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson of Kenner. Baton Rouge Police say the 20-year-old Wilson died from a hazing incident as he was punched in the chest while pledging Omega Psi Phi. Twenty-five-year-old Kyle Thurman was arrested yesterday in Port Allen. Twenty-three-year-old Caleb McCray was the first suspect arrested and a third suspect is still at large.

The lease for the temporary housing facility in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood that housed homeless people during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras expires today, but it will remain open for the time being. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says they will extend the lease of the facility on France Road as long as necessary in short chunks.

Cut 7 (06) “…week by week basis.”

Steele says at one point there were 183 people in the transitional center and it’s now down to 78.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is pardoning a crawfish today. For the last nine years, Nungesser has spared the life of one crawfish, keeping it from going into a boiling pot of mudbugs….

Cut 6 (09) “….beautiful state parks”

The pardoning of the crawfish will take place at Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, rates are starting to trend in the right direction.

Cut 10 (09) “…overall reinsurance market.”

Temple says this year the state has approved seven rate decreases from residential insurers. That is more than what was approved between 2022 to 2024. Also, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has licensed ten new homeowners insurers since the 2024 legislative session.

Funeral Services for Former Louisiana First Lady Alice Foster will be at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Franklin tomorrow at noon. Alice Foster passed away last Thursday at the age of 84. She was married to former two-term Governor Mike Foster for 40 years. Governor Foster’s Press Secretary Marsanne Golsby…

Cut 21 (06) “…nerves of steel.”

One lucky crawfish will be treated like royalty as he will have his life spared this morning. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Ragin Cajuns have a new men’s basketball coach. New Orleans native Quannas White, who is currently the associate head coach at Houston, will take over the U-L Lafayette men’s basketball program. The Advocate’s Kevin Foote says White has strong local ties……

Cut 13 (09) “…at St. Aug…

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says there are signs that the state’s property insurance market is improving. In the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers approved several property insurance reforms and Temple says since that time, the Department of Insurance has licensed ten new homeowners’ insurers. Temple believes more competition will help bring down rates. He says in the first two months of 2025, the state has approved seven rate decreases from residential insurers, all between four and 11 percent. He says that is more than the state approved for the calendar years of 2024, 2023 and 2022 combined. Temple says the reforms approved last year are also working faster than what Florida did…

Cut 11 (08) “…seeing the impact”

This year lawmakers are expected to look at auto insurance reform, in particular trying to lower rates for commercial auto insurance.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will pardon a crawfish today. This is the ninth year he has taken part in the ritual as part of an unofficial kickoff to crawfish season in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…here in Louisiana.”

The pardon will take place at Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson and the lucky crawfish that will be spared has been named Pat Huval, the former mayor Henderson who died in 2018.

New Orleans native Quannas White, the current associate head coach at the University of Houston, has been named the new head coach of the  U-L Lafayette men’s basketball team

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”