The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit displayed the results of a major drug bust Thursday. Major Tommy Carnline says after a months long investigation the RADE Unit arrested an alleged major narcotics trafficker, 31-year old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Carnline says they confiscated cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and crack cocaine all valued as high as one point 5 million dollars.

Cut 4 (12) “…has a handgun.”

Carline says the investigation is ongoing and additional suspects have been identified, and more arrest are probable.

Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mothers car was elected president of the National Youth Program representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in may categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LSU baseball team will host Arkansas this weekend in the final regular season series at Alex Box Stadium this season. The Tigers are 15-and-9 in the SEC, but they have struggled to score runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson is not overly concerned.

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Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The city of New Orleans celebrated Cam Jordan day yesterday. The Saints defensive end has been an inspiration and a community leader since he was drafted in 2011.  Jordan was honored by the recognition…

Cut 28 (12) “…be in the community”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit says it made its largest drug bust when they apprehended 31-year-old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Major Tommy Carnline says not only did they arrest a major drug trafficker, but they also confiscated 65 pounds of powder cocaine, nearly 100 pounds of meth, six pounds of fentanyl and several other types of drugs in large quantities…

Cut 5 (11) this gentlemen

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

On this Mother’s Day, make a special effort to check on the mental health of the women who are near and dear to you. Research has shown that one in five women experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives. Dr. Dana Lawson with Louisiana Healthcare Connections says just being there to lend a sympathetic ear can make a woman’s day.

Cut 14 (09) “…to be heard.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline (KARN-line) says over the past few months, the RADE Unit investigated 31-year old Dequavious Wagner.

Cut 3 (11) “…subsequent arrest.” 

Carnline says the confiscated items included 65 pounds of powder cocaine, 96 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of fentanyl, more than a pound of heroin, more than a pound of synthetic marijuana, 252 grams of marijuana, and 87 grams of crack cocaine.

Catholics in Louisiana and all across the country are still abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church. LSU professor of religious studies and history Michael Pasquier (pass-KAY) says Robert Prevost’s papal name, Leo the 14th, is an indication of how he will lead the church, pointing to one encyclical that Leo the 13th wrote called Rarem Novarum, which serves as Catholic social teaching as we know it today.

Cut 9 (13)  “…capitalism and socialism.”

Webster Parish deputies are investigating the deaths of the former Registrar of Voters and her husband. Sheriff Justin Parker says 63-year-old Melanie Smith and 58-year-old Kenny Smith were found dead at around eight Wednesday night inside their home during a welfare check.

Cut 10 (07) “…in the residence.”

On this Mother’s Day, take some time to keep tabs on the mental health of expectant and new mothers. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

If you want to treat your mom to some crawfish this weekend, you can do so and still have plenty of money left over for a nice gift for her. According to The Crawfish App, live crawfish is averaging $2.55 a pound. That’s down a nickel from last week and the lowest price all year long. Boiled crawfish is averaging $4.89 a pound.

A study reveals that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable says the impact spans sectors like manufacturing, retail, and finance. The report estimates a “tort tax” exceeding one-thousand dollars per resident annually.

Cut 5 (11) “…families are paying.”

On this Mother’s Day, make a special effort to check on the mental health of the women who are near and dear to you. Research has shown that one in five women experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives. Dr. Dana Lawson with Louisiana Healthcare Connections says even small acts of kindness go a long way.

Cut 15 (10) “…her nails done.”

For the first time ever, the head of the Catholic church is a man born in the United States. Pope Leo the 14th was born in Chicago, and records indicate that his grandparents once lived in New Orleans. LSU professor of religious studies and history Michael Pasquier (pass-KAY) says the former Robert Prevost took his papal name after Pope Leo the 13th, who was pope in the late 19th Century and into the beginning of the 20th Century.

Cut 8 (15) “…the Catholic church.”

State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Tangipahoa Parish last night. At this time, we don’t know a whole lot about the incident that took place near Highway 40 in Independence. All we know is that one suspect was shot and was taken to a hospital for treatment. No word on his or her condition. No sheriff’s deputies were hurt during the incident.

Catholics in Louisiana are abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Franklin Parish’s own Lainey Wilson was the big winner at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards as she was named the entertainer of the year for a second consecutive year. Wilson also added to her trophy collection by winning female artist and album of the year.

The former Webster Parish registrar of voters and her husband were found dead in their home on Wednesday night and Sheriff Jason Parker says they are waiting to release a cause of death until the autopsy report comes back on 63-year-old Melanie Smith and 58-year-old Kenny Smith…

Cut 11 (08) “…to the family”

Melanie Smith was the Registrar of Voters for 29 years for Webster Parish and Kenny Smith was a retired local businessman.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and hopefully it will be a stress free day for all of the Moms out there. Louisiana Healthcare Connections says unfortunately one in five women experience a mental health crisis and Doctor Dana Lawson says just being there to lend a sympathetic ear can make a women’s day…

Cut 14 (09) “…to be heard”

Catholics in Louisiana are abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church.  Robert Prevost was elected on the second day of the conclave at the Vatican, and he has chosen Leo the 14th as his papal name. LSU professor of religious studies and history Michael Pasquier (pass-KAY) says Leo the 14th was already a worldly figure before his ascension to the head of the Catholic church.

Cut 7 (13) “…the wider Americas.”

And Pope Leo has connections to Louisiana as records indicate his grandparents lived in New Orleans.

Webster Parish deputies are investigating the deaths of the former Registrar of Voters and her husband. Sheriff Justin Parker says 63-year-old Melanie Smith and 58-year-old Kenny Smith were found dead at around eight Wednesday night inside their home during a welfare check.

Cut 10 (07) “…in the residence.”

A cause of death has not been released.

A study reveals that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable says excessive litigation has led to nearly 40-thousand lost jobs, 2.9-billion-dollars in lost personal income, and over 240-million dollars in annual state revenue losses.

Cut 4 (11) “…retail establishments.”

Louisiana lawmakers in the legislative session are taking another stab at tort reform for car crashes that go to court.

The third ranked LSU baseball team will host seventh ranked Arkansas this weekend. The Tigers are 15-and-9 in the SEC, but they have struggled to score runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson is not overly concerned.

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First pitch is at 6:30.