A Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit with Gonzales Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office that began in Ascension Parish ended with a tragic murder-suicide in St. James Parish. A preliminary state police investigation revealed that after the pursuit ended it was discovered that the fleeing driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then a 1-year-old child who was a passenger was found to have suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

A 71-year-old Gueydan man faces a fine for Hunter Harassment. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited Ernest Patin (pa-tan) after complaints that he repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says Patin admitted his actions were meant to scare deer away from his neighbor’s hunting area due to a personal dispute. Sonnier urges people to cooperate with neighbors so we can all enjoy Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise.

Cut 12 (08) “…someone else’s day”

Control of the House remains with the Republicans and the current speaker remains as speaker. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana’s private sector had the lowest incidence rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses out of 41 reporting states. The private-sector incidence rate declined across several industries from 2022 to 2023. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-win) says this was a concerted effort across all industries…

Cut 9 (08)  “…very seriously.”

Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson was unanimously elected as speaker of the 119th Congress.  In a news conference, Speaker Johnson said House Republicans are unified in working on their agenda for the American people.

Cut 3 (14) “…of all that.”

LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says while Johnson goes into the new Congress with a more unified Republican caucus, he still will have very little leeway, with the G-O-P only holding a slim majority, which will be made slimmer with at least three resignations by those tapped to serve in President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet.

Cut 6 (11) “…a little easier.”

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 19 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-wen) attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety. She highlighted the state’s achievement as a standard for further progress in creating safe work environments.

Cut 8 (08) “…in the future.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited a Vermilion Parish man for alleged hunter harassment. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says 71-year-old Ernest Patin (pa-tan) admitted to these actions, explaining that he aimed to scare deer away from his neighbor’s hunting area due to a personal dispute.

Cut 11 (12) “…ruining somebody’s hunt.”

Hunter Harassment carries up to a $350 fine.

House Republicans have unanimously selected Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the 119th Congress.  LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says it’s no surprise that Johnson was voted unanimously by his fellow Republicans as speaker.

Cut 5 (08) “…the Republican Party.” 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited a Southwest man for alleged hunter harassment in Vermilion Parish. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says this citation followed a complaint filed on October 24 by a resident of Gueydan (Gay-daan), who reported that 71-year-old Ernest Patin (pa-tan) had repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting.

Cut 10 (05) “…other disputes.”

Hunter harassment carries a fine of up to $350.

A House committee approves legislation to apply local and state sales taxes on 41 services that are currently not taxed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 26 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tropical Depression 19 formed in the Caribbean Thursday morning. The system is not expected to bring impacts to Louisiana thanks to a cold front moving in this week.  However, the system is expected to rapidly intensify into Hurricane Sara. Models are showing Florida could see major impacts from the storm with Louisiana  only seeing some possible rain.

Meet the new House speaker – same as the old House speaker. House Republicans have unanimously selected Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the 119th Congress. In a news conference, Speaker Johnson said House Republicans are unified in working on their agenda for the American people.

Cut 3 (14) “…of all that.”

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 9 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen says Louisiana had the lowest incidence rate among 41 participating states, second only to the District of Columbia.

Cut 7 (07) “…injuries and illness.”

Schowen attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of two young women inside a home in Lake Charles. Sheriff Stitch Guillory says deputies arrived at a home and heard gunfire. That’s when they called in the SWAT team.

Cut 8 (10) “…of gunshot wounds.”

The women are identified as Dahlen Semar and Madison Guillory – no relation to the sheriff – and they were both 23 years old. Sheriff Guillory says it appears this was either a murder-suicide or a double-suicide.

For the second time in three years, LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has landed the nation’s top recruiting class. This time it’s for the 2025 recruiting class, as four, five-star prospects signed with the Lady Tigers on National Signing Day. Matthew Brune covers LSU for the Bengal Tiger and says high school players are drawn to Mulkey, because she’s a winner…

Cut 14 (07) “…win championships.”

On a 16-to-2 vote, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced a bill that would apply sales taxes to 41 services currently not taxed. This would generate 500 million dollars in tax revenues and help offset the loss of tax dollars from a proposed cut to income taxes. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the two “no” votes; she rattled off several services that would be taxed because of this legislation…

Cut 4 (16) “…taxes on them.”

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the plan also calls for the elimination of sales taxes on prescription drugs…

Cut 7 (07) “…as well.”

The measure could receive a vote on the House floor by the end of the week.

Change is on the way in the weather here in Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is going to drop temperatures considerably; and with those low overnight temperatures will come lower daytime high temperatures, making for an absolutely delightful weekend.

Cut 13 (08)  “…very nice out.”

Two women are found dead inside a home in Lake Charles in an incident believed to be either a murder-suicide or a double suicide. The women are identified as Dahlen Semar and Madison Guillory, both 23 years old. Sheriff Stitch Guillory – no relation to one of the victims – says 24-year-old Gabriel Williams was the one who contacted authorities, and he provided false and misleading information to deputies.

Cut 10 (11) “…inside the residence.”

Williams was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center; his bond is pending.

A bill that would apply sales taxes to 41 services currently not taxed moves to the full house. This would generate 500 million dollars in tax revenues and help offset the loss of tax dollars from a proposed cut to income taxes. The vote in the House Ways and Means Committee was 16-to-2, with New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry casting one of the two “no” votes. She says it would tax several services, including home repair…

Cut 5 (08) “…raising taxes.” 

The bill’s author, Columbia Representative Neil Riser, says the expansion of the sales tax base is part of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. And the entire plan will result in more money in the pockets of Louisiana residents…

Cut 6 (07) “…is greater.”

The plan also calls for the elimination of sales taxes on prescription drugs. The measure could receive a vote on the House floor by the end of the week.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of two young women inside a home in Lake Charles. The women are identified as Dahlen Semar and Madison Guillory, and they were both 23 years old. Sheriff Stitch Guillory – no relation to one of the victims – says even though this appears to be either a murder-suicide or a double-suicide given the fact that the women were the only ones inside, the investigation is still ongoing.

Cut 9 (06)  “…the same gun.”

For the second time in three years, LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has landed the nation’s top recruiting class, as four, five-star prospects signed with the Lady Tigers on National Signing Day. Matthew Brune (BREW-knee) covers LSU for the Bengal Tiger and says among the class is a big time scorer out of New Mexico in Bella Hines.

Cut 15 (15) “…out of California.”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of two women found inside a home in Lake Charles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Change is on the way in the weather here in Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is going to drop temperatures considerably with some lows in the 40’s and lower daytime temperatures too.
Cut 13 (08)  “…very nice out.”

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House Ways and Means approved the bill to expand the sales tax base on a 16 to 2 vote. Two Lawmakers voted against it because it would tax several services, including home repair.  Governor Jeff Landry has said his tax reform plan will result in more money in the pockets of Louisiana residents. And Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the plan also calls for the elimination of sales taxes on prescription drugs…

Cut 7 (07) “…as well.”

The measure could receive a vote on the House floor by the end of the week.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says Garrett Nussmeier is still the starting quarterback for the Fighting Tigers despite six turnovers over the last six quarters. Kelly says they are looking at simplifying things for their first-year starter at quarterback…

Cut 18 (12)   “…less is more.”

The 22^nd ranked Tigers at Florida on Saturday.

A House committee approves legislation to apply local and state sales taxes on 41 services that are currently not taxed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is on track to keeping his job as House Speaker after winning the House Republican nomination yesterday.  President Donald Trump endorsed Johnson ahead of a full House vote in the new year.  Johnson has no serious challenger, but there is dissent from hard-right conservatives. Johnson will need majority support of the full House to take hold of the gavel on January3 when the new Congress convenes.

_____________________________

For the second time in three years, LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has landed the nation’s top recruiting class. This time it’s for the 2025 recruiting class, as four, five-star prospects signed with the Lady Tigers on National Signing Day. Matthew Brune (Brew-knee) covers LSU for the Bengal Tiger and says high school players are drawn to Mulkey, because she’s a winner…

Cut 14 (07) “…win championships.”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says Garrett Nussmeier is still the starting quarterback for the Fighting Tigers despite committing six turnovers over the last six quarters. The mistakes have contributed to the Tigers two-game losing streak,  but Kelly says they have not considered making a change at quarterback…

Cut 16 (13) “….we believe in him.”