With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Tech community is mourning the loss of one of its students. A police investigation is underway after 18-year-old Austin Johnson of Bossier City was shot in what is believed to be a tragic accident in a fast food drive through.  We’re told he was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then airlifted to LSU-Shreveport, where he later passed away.

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While parade goers are snagging necklaces this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire earlier in the week. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Dixon was quickly apprehended and also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator announces his plans to retire early to accept a state appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons. Partor was appointed by Governor Jeff Landry. Prator is among the longest-serving sheriffs in Caddo Parish, and at the end of his current term, he will have served 24 years.

Forecasters are predicting inclement weather over the weekend and some krewes have moved or rescheduled parade times. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning…

Cut 3 (13) “…for Sunday.”  

So make sure to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered.

Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol during Mardi Gras season to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house Tuesday in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon behind bars the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

The rains are coming and Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall so some areas may experience some localized flooding mainly across southern Louisiana on Saturday. And there’s a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across the immediate coast.

Cut 5 (06) “…to expect.”  

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting 2023 tax returns on January 29 and they say if you’re getting a refund and you file online, you should get it in four weeks — 8 weeks if you file a paper return. You can minimize delays by keeping your contact information up to date. Those changes can be made online at Louisiana File Online where you can also file and pay taxes, check the status of refunds, make changes to returns, and file for extensions.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

Before you leave the house to catch some beads Saturday, you’ll want to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered and Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning suggests you remember to take your raincoat with you.

Cut 4 (11) “… Saturday night.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer there’s a responsible way to celebrate safely. He says make plans for a sober driver.

Cut 11 (13) “…just wait.”

With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting 2023 tax returns this week. The deadline to file is May 15^th and LDR says if you’re getting a refund and you file online, you should get it in four weeks. It will take 8 weeks if you file a paper return. You can minimize delays by keeping your contact information up to date. Those changes can be made online at Louisiana File Online where you can also file and pay taxes, check the status of refunds, make changes to returns, and file for extensions.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and in addition to Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

According to Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer, Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest times to be on the roads due to the number of impaired drivers. And it’s not just alcohol.

Cut 10 (09) “…all distractions.”

And while most of the attention is on New Orleans, there were no accidents reported in the Crescent City in 2022. But there were fatal accidents in Acadia, Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, and Webster Parishes during carnival season in 2022.

With heavy rainfall anticipated many parade times have been changed or canceled. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (13) “…for Sunday.”  

Before you leave the house to catch some beads you’ll want to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered and Manning says don’t forget to take your raincoat with you.

Cut 4 (11) “… Saturday night.”

Manning says there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall so some areas may experience some localized flooding mainly across southern Louisiana on Saturday. And there’s a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across the immediate coast.

Cut 5 (06) “…to expect.”  

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46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when the Bunkie Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday evening, they found the back porch engulfed in flames and one of the residents safely outside.

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Shortly after, Dixon was quickly apprehended nearby and in addition to Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

And while few details were released about the victim, Rodrigue says there is an association between the victim and the suspect. She says the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

Rodrigue says it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon behind bars the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

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While parade goers are snagging necklaces this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During the 2022 Mardi Gras holiday, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a driver who had been drinking, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation.

Fischer says Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest times to be on the roads due to the number of impaired drivers. And it’s not just alcohol.

Cut 10 (09) “…all distractions.”

And while most of the attention is on New Orleans, there were no accidents reported in the Crescent City in 2022. But there were fatal accidents in Acadia, Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, and Webster Parishes during carnival season in 2022.

Fischer says there’s a responsible way to celebrate safely. He says make plans for a sober driver.

Cut 11 (13) “…just wait.”

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Cut 12 (09)  “…the election.”  

Cut 13 (12) “…pocket.” 

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Cut  14 (12) “…and determine.”

Cut 15 (11) “…her decision”

Cut  16 (07)   “…California bayou boy”

A Bunkie man is behind bars after he allegedly set fire to a house in an alleged attempt to murder the resident. 46-year-old Jefferey Dixon faces attempted murder, arson, violation of a protective order and simple burglary charges. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says   it was a cooperative effort that put Dixon’s arrest the same night the blaze was set.

Cut 8 (07) “…so quickly.” 

Dixon was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail Tuesday evening.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student has died after being accidentally shot in the chest while in a car with friends. Ruston Police responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive-thru around 2 a m Friday morning. and found Austin Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital where he died. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is helping fund local law enforcement with Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to keep impaired drivers off the road this Mardi Gras season. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Parade times have been either moved or canceled due to the threat of heavy rain this weekend. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says rain chances will begin to increase in northwest Louisiana Friday evening and filter to the southeast by Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (14) “…for Sunday.”  

Tragic news out of Ruston as an 18-year-old Louisiana Tech Student died after what appears to be an accidental shooting. Ruston PD responded to reports of gunshots in the Cane’s drive thru around 2 a m Friday. When the arrived, they found Austin Johnson suffering from a gun shoot wound to his chest. He was transported to a Shreveport hospital but succumbed to his injury. 19-year-old Matthew Embry was arrested on a charge of negligent homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted 2^nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson charges, he also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges in connection with a house fire Tuesday. And while few details were released about the victim, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the resident in the home stated they heard a sound, smelled smoke, and found the porch in flames.

Cut 7 (08) “…unnerving.” 

While parade goers are snagging beads this Mardi Gras season, Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

During Mardi Gras 2022, 11 people were killed and 120 people were hurt in crashes that involved a person who had been drinking.