Latest news with #WVUE
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Man who claims to be New Orleans jail escapee says plan wasn't his
Man who claims to be New Orleans jail escapee says plan wasn't his Show Caption Hide Caption New Orleans escapees arrested in Texas, police body cam footage shows Two New Orleans escapees Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate, were captured in Texas, according to Huntsville Police Department. Authorities are investigating whether one of the two inmates still on the run after last month's New Orleans jail escape posted a social media video, claiming the jailbreak wasn't his idea. On May 16, a total of 10 inmates escaped the Orleans Parish jail through a hole in a wall left by a ripped-away toilet and sink unit, officials said. Police have since captured eight of the men, leaving both Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27, at large. An Instagram video posted Sunday, June 1 appears to have been from Massey, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune and local station WVUE. In the video, a man who identified himself as Massey dismissed rumors that he was the mastermind behind the jail break. a web site operated by the Times-Picayune, quoted a deputy U.S. marshal and another source, confirming authorities were investigating the video. "I'm one of the ones that was let out of Orleans Parish jail where they said I escaped, right?' he said speaking directly to the camera wearing the same facial tattoos as Massey. "They say that I broke out. I didn't break out. I was let out." The man in the video also proclaimed his innocence and said he fled the Orleans Parish jail to avoid being charged for a crime he did not commit, reported. "The reason why I left the jail is because these people were trying to give me a life sentence in both parishes for something that I did not do," the man said in the video. The post, which is no longer available as of Monday, June 2, was shared by an account named "@_007chucky" that is no longer searchable, WVUE reported. USA TODAY has reached out to the officials with the U.S Marshall, FBI and the New Orleans Police Department for comment. Man rejects statements from arrested jail maintenance worker The man in the video also said not to believe jail maintenance worker Sterling Williams, 33, the reported. Williams told police one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a homemade knife known as a "shank," according to an arrest affidavit for Williams. WVUE reported that the man said in the video that he never tried to "shank" Williams. Williams was arrested in connection with the prison escape and is accused of being in contact with the escapees alongside several others. He is charged with being a principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. Williams allegedly admitted he shut off the water to a cell after one of the inmates requested so, allowing them to escape through the ripped out a toilet and sink unit, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said last month. Michael Kennedy, a lawyer for Sterling Williams, told USA TODAY last week that his client didn't know about the escape plan and only shut down the water because of a clogged toilet. Why was Massey in jail? Massey is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation. He's also charged with theft of a motor vehicle, Orleans Parish records show. A warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish shows he is wanted for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from a November incident, a spokesperson for the parish sheriff's office confirmed with USA TODAY. He is wanted alongside Groves, who last October was convicted of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder in connection to a 2018 Mardi Gras shooting. Three of the escaped inmates were recaptured by the end May 16, the same day as the escape. A week later, two more were found. Within two weeks, authorities had caught all except Groves and Massey. Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of either of them. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, Jorge L. Ortiz, and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Louisiana Republican Points to 'Big White Lines' From Planes as Proof Government Is Manipulating Weather
A bill aimed at banning so-called "chemtrails" advanced in the Louisiana House of Representatives on May 29, with State Rep. Kimberly Landry Coates (R-Ponchatoula) citing the appearance of "big white lines" in the sky as evidence of government-led weather manipulation. Coates defended the bill, SB46, by claiming that aircraft are dispersing chemicals that she said alter weather patterns, WVUE reported. "This bill is to prevent any chemicals above us in the air, specifically to modify the weather," she said on the House floor. Reuters Despite overwhelming scientific consensus that these lines — condensation trails, commonly known as contrails — are harmless byproducts of aircraft exhaust interacting with cold air, Coates and other lawmakers insist they are evidence of a broader government conspiracy. "I've seen the documents with at least nine federal agencies," Coates claimed, when asked who she believes is responsible. She did not offer additional details on the nature of the documents or name the federal agencies. As to which chemicals are being dispersed, Coates cited nanoparticles or aluminum and barium, along with "some with long words I can't pronounce." Contrary to Coates' assertions, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have repeatedly denied use of weather modification programs or chemical agents in the sky. The bill passed with a 58-32 vote, along with amendments requiring the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to log resident complaints about "chemtrails" and share the data with the Louisiana Air National Guard. Penalties for violators were removed from the bill, with Coates saying enforcement should wait until state agencies "understand chemtrails better." "When you look up in the air, you watch for the big white lines across the sky," Coates told Democratic Rep. C. Denise Marcelle (D-Baton-Rouge), saying she sees them on a weekly basis. The bill now heads back to the Senate for concurrence on the House amendments. Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee have also brought forward legislation based on similar unsubstantiated conspiracy theories involving chemtrails, geoengineering, and weather modification. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy applauded the efforts of states "to ban geoengineering our climate by dousing our citizens, our waterways and landscapes with toxins." "This is a movement every MAHA needs to support," Kennedy wrote on X. "HHS will do its part." Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
RTDNA Awards 81 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards to 38 Gray Television Stations
ATLANTA, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Media announced today that the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) awarded a combined 81 regional Edward R. Murrow awards for excellence in journalism to 38 of Gray's local stations, led by 9 separate awards to WMTV in Madison, Wisconsin and 8 to WVUE in New Orleans, Louisiana. Among the highest honors: Four awards for Overall Excellence — the highest honor bestowed — to KTUU in Anchorage, Alaska; WVLT in Knoxville, Tennessee; WPTA in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and WMTV in Madison. Nine awards for News Series to Hawaii News Now in Honolulu, Hawaii; WMTV in Madison; KMOV in St. Louis, Missouri; KOLN in Lincoln, Nebraska; WTVG in Toledo, Ohio; WIS in Columbia, South Carolina; WSMV in Nashville, Tennessee; WRDW in Augusta, Georgia; and WVUE in New Orleans. Seven awards for Best Newscast to KKTV in Colorado Springs, Colorado; WMTV in Madison; KCTV in Kansas City, Missouri; WCSC in Charleston, South Carolina; WVUE in New Orleans; WCAX in Burlington, Vermont; and WWBT in Richmond, Virginia. Six awards for Investigative Reporting to KPTV in Portland, Oregon; Hawaii News Now in Honolulu; KFVS in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; KMOV in St. Louis; WIS in Columbia; and WRDW in Augusta. Six awards for Excellence in Innovation to WIBW in Topeka, Kansas; KBTX in Bryan, Texas; WMTV in Madison; WVUE in New Orleans; WTVG in Toledo; and WCAX in Burlington. Six awards for Continuing Coverage to KOLD in Tucson, Arizona; KMOV in St. Louis; KBTX in Bryan; WTVG in Toledo; WVUE in New Orleans; and WRDW in Augusta. Six awards for Hard News to WKYT in Lexington, Kentucky; WMTV in Madison; KFVS in Cape Girardeau; WVUE in New Orleans; WCAX in Burlington; and WRDW in Augusta. Six awards for News Documentary to Hawaii News Now in Honolulu; Arizona's Family in Phoenix, Arizona; KMOV in St. Louis; WNDU in South Bend, Indiana; WOIO in Cleveland, Ohio; and WVUE in New Orleans. Five awards for Digital to Arizona's Family in Phoenix; WMTV in Madison; KMOV in St. Louis; KWTX in Waco, Texas; and WCSC in Charleston. Five awards for Podcast to Hawaii News Now in Honolulu; WSAW in Wausau, Wisconsin; WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia; WANF in Atlanta, Georgia; and WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida. 'Gray is firmly committed to providing content that serves our communities in every newscast and on every platform,' said Gray Chairman and CEO Hilton H. Howell Jr. 'I am proud of these honors and all the dedicated journalists in this company who exemplify our mission.' 'Congratulations to our recognized news teams for demonstrating excellence and an abiding commitment to local journalism that makes an impact,' stated Gray Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sandy Breland. The Edward R. Murrow Awards have been awarded for outstanding broadcast and digital journalism since 1971. Gray's regional award winners will move on to the national round of the annual competition. National awards will be announced in August. About Gray Media: Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more information, please visit Gray Contact: Sandy Breland, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 404-266-8333 # # #Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
9-Year-Old Shields Her Sister During a Shootout, and Then the Unthinkable Happens
A New Orleans familywas left heartbroken after a senseless act of violence earlier this month. Nine-year-old Lee'Lani Brooks was playing outside of her New Orleans home around 2 p.m. on Monday (May 12), according to a statement by NOPD. Then gunshots rang out, forcing her and her mother, Letisha Johnson, back inside their home. Although they made it indoors, Brooks' younger sister was still in the line of danger. So just as any older sibling would, Brooks rushed to her little sister's rescue. A stray bullet flew through the family's home, striking Brooks in the head. 'I've never had to deal with anything like this before in my life,' her mother, Johnson, told WVUE. The nine-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared brain dead and placed on life support, according to 'That's what we want the world to remember her as: a hero,' community activist Mike Willis said, according to WVUE. 'Someone who was so selfless at nine years old.' One day after the shooting (May 13), Evans Rogers, 18, was arrested following a 'multi-hour standoff' with police, according to NOPD. Devante Traylor, 22, was also arrested. Three days later (May 16), Brooks' family made the gut-wrenching decision to remove her from the machines. 'I just want everyone to remember my baby for who she was,' Johnson said. A GoFundMe to help with funeral costs received over $10,300 in donations. 'Lee'Lani was taken from us too soon from a senseless act of violence in Her community,' Johnson wrote. Both men's charges were upgraded to second-degree murder and illegal use of weapon, following news of Brooks' death. As the investigation into the crime continues, NOPD also announced a third man, Dr. Kerry Sterling, was wanted in connection to the shooting, according to 4WWL. Earlier this year, Sterling was accused of being an accessory to a separate manslaughter incident. According to police, Sterling allegedly tried to con authorities into removing his sister's, Kyana Traylor, ankle bracelet, 4WWL also reported. She was out on $650,000 bail for the killing of a mentally disabled man in 2023. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mosquitoes are bringing West Nile virus to major US metros. Here's how to fend them off
Health authorities in southern U.S. cities are reporting the season's first confirmed West Nile virus cases. In Texas, officials in Houston's Harris County said Thursday that they were responding to the first positive sample of the mosquito-borne disease by spraying adulticide, an insecticide used to target adult bugs. 'West Nile virus has been in our area since 2002,' Dr. Courtney Standlee, the interim director of the department's Mosquito and Vector Control Division, said in a statement. 'As we head into the summer months, we remind our community members to enjoy the outdoors but remember to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne illnesses.' Along the Gulf Coast, a human case was reported in an unidentified individual earlier this month in Mobile County, Alabama, according to FOX 10. The city of New Orleans in neighboring Louisiana is also spraying repellent after the virus was detected in mosquitoes on the east bank of Orleans Parish, WVUE said. It's not just the South. The Illinois Department of Public Health said its first positive test was detected in Winnebago County. On the West Coast, officials in San Diego reported the virus in two dead crows. It's unclear exactly how many cases have been detected across the country thus far, but last year was especially active. There were nearly 1,500 human cases recorded by federal health officials. Contracting the illness - the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S. - can come with terrible consequences, including paralysis and death. However, many people who are infected with West Nile virus, which affects the central nervous system, show no or mild symptoms. More severe signs can include a stiff neck, high fever, disorientation, and encephalitis. The seriousness of an illness may depend on a person's health and age. Those over the age of 60 are at greatest risk, as well as people with underlying medical conditions. There is no specific treatment, although pain relievers and fluids are recommended. Most people with fever from the virus recover completely. The virus is spread from the bite of infected mosquitoes. It cannot be spread from person to person. Risk is tied to ripe conditions for mosquitoes to breed. They need water and they need warm temperatures. Typically active from May through November, the summer offers both -- and it's only going to get worse. Scientists say higher temperatures linked to the climate crisis can accelerate mosquito population growth and biting rates. So, what can people do? Harris County tells people to remember the three 'Ts.' Tip empty standing water, toss any stagnant water, and take action by using mosquito repellent, treating standing water with larvicides, turning off outdoor or leaky faucets, putting screens on doors and windows, and wearing long pants, sleeves, and socks.
