Latest news with #NewOrleans-area
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A third person has been arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
A third person was arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans, providing fresh evidence of what authorities described Friday as an organized plot to drug and rob people. Police in Kenner, just west of New Orleans, accused Christian Anderson of renting the car used by Danette Colbert, one of two suspects previously charged with second-degree murder, fraud and theft crimes in the Feb. 5 death of Adan Manzano, 27. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has described Colbert, 48, as a "serial fraudster." In a news release, the Kenner Police Department said that Anderson, 33, allegedly provided logistical support and spoke extensively with Colbert after Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel. The department also accused Anderson of seeking to benefit from Manzano's stolen assets. Investigators reviewed text messages and digital communications showing that Anderson allegedly 'played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' the department said. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of money, bank fraud and computer fraud, the department said. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Manzano, a Telemundo reporter, was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. He was last seen entering his hotel room with Colbert on the morning of Feb. 5, Kenner police officials have said. Authorities have partly blamed Manzano's death on the combined toxic effects of alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug often sold under the brand name Xanax, and ethanol. It isn't clear how the drug, which Manzano did not have a prescription for, got into his system. A device believed to be Manzano's cellphone was found at Colbert's home, police officials have said, and she allegedly used his credit card at a New Orleans-area store. The third alleged accomplice, Rickey White, 34, was arrested in Florida in March on fraud and theft charges. He was extradited to Louisiana and charged with second-degree murder earlier this month. An attorney for White has denied the charges. Lawyers for Colbert have not responded to requests for comment but have said in court that she should not be judged on her criminal history. Colbert has previously been charged in several other similar fraud cases, some of which included allegations of drugging. In one case, the victim accused her of drugging him, leaving him for dead and stealing tens of thousands of dollars through accounts linked to his iPhone. Colbert was convicted of computer fraud and other charges in October. Despite pleas from the victim, David Butler, that Colbert be given the maximum penalty for what he described in an impact statement as her 'continued disregard for others,' she was sentenced to five years of probation in December, two months before Manzano's death. After NBC News reported on Butler's case, the Louisiana Attorney General Office intervened and sought a tougher penalty for Colbert. Earlier this month, the judge who imposed probation found Colbert to be a 'habitual offender' and sentenced her to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor's office said. 'Danette Colbert will finally be held accountable, and she will no longer be free to continue preying on innocent people,' Butler said afterward. 'I sincerely hope this decision brings some peace to other survivors and helps restore their faith in the justice system.' A lawyer for Colbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on
NBC News
4 days ago
- NBC News
A third person has been arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans
A third person was arrested in the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans, providing fresh evidence of what authorities described Friday as an organized plot to drug and rob people. Police in Kenner, just west of New Orleans, accused Christian Anderson of renting the car used by Danette Colbert, one of two suspects previously charged with second-degree murder, fraud and theft crimes in the Feb. 5 death of Adan Manzano, 27. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has described Colbert, 48, as a "serial fraudster." In a news release, the Kenner Police Department said that Anderson, 33, allegedly provided logistical support and spoke extensively with Colbert after Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel. The department also accused Anderson of seeking to benefit from Manzano's stolen assets. Investigators reviewed text messages and digital communications showing that Anderson allegedly 'played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' the department said. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of money, bank fraud and computer fraud, the department said. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Manzano, a Telemundo reporter, was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. He was last seen entering his hotel room with Colbert on the morning of Feb. 5, Kenner police officials have said. Authorities have partly blamed Manzano's death on the combined toxic effects of alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug often sold under the brand name Xanax, and ethanol. It isn't clear how the drug, which Manzano did not have a prescription for, got into his system. A device believed to be Manzano's cellphone was found at Colbert's home, police officials have said, and she allegedly used his credit card at a New Orleans-area store. The third alleged accomplice, Rickey White, 34, was arrested in Florida in March on fraud and theft charges. He was extradited to Louisiana and charged with second-degree murder earlier this month. An attorney for White has denied the charges. Lawyers for Colbert have not responded to requests for comment but have said in court that she should not be judged on her criminal history. Colbert has previously been charged in several other similar fraud cases, some of which included allegations of drugging. In one case, the victim accused her of drugging him, leaving him for dead and stealing tens of thousands of dollars through accounts linked to his iPhone. Colbert was convicted of computer fraud and other charges in October. Despite pleas from the victim, David Butler, that Colbert be given the maximum penalty for what he described in an impact statement as her 'continued disregard for others,' she was sentenced to five years of probation in December, two months before Manzano's death. After NBC News reported on Butler's case, the Louisiana Attorney General Office intervened and sought a tougher penalty for Colbert. Earlier this month, the judge who imposed probation found Colbert to be a 'habitual offender' and sentenced her to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor's office said. 'Danette Colbert will finally be held accountable, and she will no longer be free to continue preying on innocent people,' Butler said afterward. 'I sincerely hope this decision brings some peace to other survivors and helps restore their faith in the justice system.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senate will reduce funding for Gov. Landry's private school vouchers, chamber leader says
Senate President Cameron Henry, left, speaks with Sen. Pat Connick in the Louisiana Senate on May 27, 2025. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The Louisiana Senate president said his chamber will dramatically scale back funding for the new private school voucher program from what Gov. Jeff Landry and the House of Representatives have pledged. Sen. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, has said for weeks that the Senate will only fund the new program with $50 million for 2025-26, its first school year. The governor and House lawmakers have allocated considerably more – $94 million – for LA GATOR in their own budget proposals. At $50 million, LA GATOR would only be able to cover the private school tuition costs of 6,000 students in Louisiana's existing school voucher program for the 2025-2025 school year. Landry has pushed to expand private school assistance to 5,300 more children by spending $44 million more. Yet Henry has expressed skepticism about the new voucher initiative and said the Senate voted last year to set up LA GATOR on the condition it would be rolled out cautiously. Senators agreed to cover education expenses for longstanding voucher students in its first year, but no more than that, he said. 'We originally agreed there would be $50 million, and we're going to stick with that,' Henry said in an interview with reporters Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LA GATOR will use state tax dollars to pay for private school student expenses, including tuition, uniforms, after-school tutoring and computers. Those who homeschool could also use LA GATOR to cover their education costs. Eventually, the program is meant to have no income restrictions – meaning students from wealthy, middle-class and poor families could all qualify for the publicly funded private school assistance. In the first year of the program, however, it was expected to be confined mostly to low-income students and children with disabilities because of the limited slots available. Landry touts LA GATOR as one of his signature initiatives and has put public pressure on Henry to dedicate more money to the program. Earlier this month, the governor attended a rally near the State Capitol in support of LA GATOR with more than 100 students from New Orleans-area private schools. Landry led the students in a chant of 'Please support GATOR scholarships!' in the courtyard of the Pentagon Barracks, the dormitory for state lawmakers during the legislative session. Louisiana homeowners might get option to insure their properties for 'stated value' Conservative groups aligned with Landry have also launched advertising campaigns in recent weeks that promote the LA GATOR scholarship and that urge Henry and other senators to 'fully fund' the program. But on Tuesday, Henry appeared unfazed by the political pressure. 'Not all conservative Republicans agree with what the governor wants to do,' he said. Instead of spending an extra $44 million on LA GATOR, Henry said the Senate would put the money toward a tutoring program for kindergarten to third-grade students that launched last year but is currently unfunded in the budget. The extra money could also be used to cover pay increases for public school teachers who work in hard-to-fill positions such as special education, math and science. Some of the money could also go to local sheriffs who house state prisoners, Henry said. The senator's primary concern over LA GATOR is the long-term impact on state finances. He worries the program could potentially become so expensive as it expands that it would become harder for the state to pay for infrastructure projects, higher education and other priorities. Similar private education voucher programs have caused money problems in other states. The Texas voucher program is expected to cost $1 billion per year when it starts in 2026. The Florida program, started in 2023, costs $3.9 billion, or one out of every $13 of that state government's general fund, according to the Associated Press, A large chunk of voucher funding in Florida and Arizona goes to wealthy families. Over two-thirds of the students drawing down the grants in Florida already went to private school before receiving the voucher, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Henry would like to prevent a similar situation in Louisiana, wherein the state finds itself subsidizing private education for families who would pay for it otherwise. He fears LA GATOR would result in the state not only having to pay for public schools, but also private schools it doesn't currently support. 'We also don't want this to turn into where people are just creating schools just for [LA GATOR],' Henry said. 'The point is to have established schools or programs that are helping these kids move from where they are to where they want to be.' University of New Orleans transfer to LSU System expected to cost $23 million this year The same education advocates pushing for LA GATOR also pressed for Louisiana's current voucher program, set up under former Gov. Bobby Jindal in 2012. That initiative, which is focused exclusively on low-income families, has failed to live up to its promises, Henry said. Students enrolled in the Jindal voucher program have performed worse on standardized tests than their peers in public schools, according to The Times-Picayune, despite the state spending a half a billion dollars on their private education over the past decade. Voucher advocates deserve skepticism after they promoted a program that performed poorly, according to Henry. 'If the voucher program was doing so well, we wouldn't be changing it,' he said. The Senate is expected to unveil its markup of the budget next week and will have to reach a compromise with the Louisiana House over the final product by June 12. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged accomplice in Kansas City reporter death case will face second-degree murder charge: KPD
KENNER, La. (WGNO) — A man identified as an alleged accomplice in the investigation of the death of a Kansas City sports reporter will face another charge, according to the Kenner Police Department. On Monday, May 5, the KPD reported that a warrant was obtained for Rickey White's arrest on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the February death of 27-year-old Adan Manzano, a Telemundo reporter who was on assignment in New Orleans. White was initially arrested on property charges in the case. Grand Isle prostitution investigation lands four suspects in Jefferson Parish jail White is accused of being the accomplice of Danette Colbert, who had been arrested on property charges in connection with the investigation on Feb. 7. Colbert is accused of using Manzano's credit card at New Orleans-area businesses. Kenner Police Chief Kieth Conely said Colbert and Manzano were allegedly seen on surveillance footage entering a Kenner hotel together and Colbert leaving alone. Police allege Colbert has a record of drugging men and stealing credit cards. One man arrested, another at-large in alleged Covington store theft At a Feb. 25 court hearing, it was announced that Xanax had been found in Manzano's autopsy. In March, KPD officials reported that Colbert would face a second-degree murder charge in the case and identified White as an alleged accomplice. On April 3, a Jefferson Parish judge ruled that White would be held without concern for flash flooding. Flash Flood Watch issued from Tuesday-Thursday. McMahon says Harvard is no longer eligible for new federal research grants Alleged accomplice in Kansas City reporter death case will face second-degree murder charge: KPD He missed the flight that killed 138 Now he's giving back in Vietnam Water deliveries to Mexico resume Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox Sports
23-04-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
PGA Tour's Zurich Classic extends title sponsorship through 2030
Associated Press AVONDALE, La. (AP) — The PGA Tour has locked up Zurich Insurance as the sponsor of its only two-man team event through 2030. Wednesday's announcement came on the eve of Thursday's first round of the Zurich Classic. The length of the deal corresponds to the remaining years on the PGA Tour's television broadcast rights contracts. Zurich has sponsored the tour's New Orleans-area event since 2005, the first year the tournament was held at the Pete Dye-designed TPC Louisiana, and just months before Hurricane Katrina flooded much of the area. A number of Zurich's charitable endeavors in the years following the storm focused on the area's recovery from widespread destruction. The Zurich Classic was an individual event until 2017, when it became the only team event to offer FedEx Cup points. 'Our connection to this resilient city runs deep, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has supported that resilience over the past two decades,' Zurich CEO of North America Kristof Terryn said. 'As the only team event on the PGA Tour, the Zurich Classic lets players compete alongside family and friends.' Defending champions Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland are close friends. The Zurich is McIlroy's first event since he won the Masters on April 13 to complete the career Grand Slam. This year's field also includes former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick of England alongside his brother, Alex. Players on the winning team each earn 400 FedEx Cup points and $1.66 million. The event has raised more than $30 million for local charities since Zurich became the title sponsor, officials said. ___ AP golf: recommended in this topic
