Police chief announces arrest after viral rap video raises Strawberry Festival threat concerns

By Erin Lowrey

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    PONCHATOULA, Louisiana (WDSU) — A 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with a viral video that the Ponchatoula police chief said threatened the security of the annual Strawberry Festival.

According to Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson, the viral video, described as a rap video, had a lyric that referenced the Strawberry Festival.

The video has since gained over 80,000 views, and numerous people have expressed concern that the song lyrics and hand gestures might be a threat, according to Layrisson.

Following an investigation, Amari Sexton, 19, was arrested at his home in Hammond.

The Hammond Police Department seized several electronics from Sexton’s home.

Out of an abundance of caution, Layrisson said Sexton is banned from the festival.

The investigation comes on the heels of the first year the festival is operating on shorter hours.

Amid security concerns in 2025, the festival made the decision to close at 8 p.m.

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival runs April 10-12.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to call the Ponchatoula Police Department at 985-386-6548.

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Gucci Mane allegedly kidnapped, robbed at gunpoint in Dallas studio ambush involving Pooh Shiesty, Big30, DOJ says

By Sergio Candido

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    Texas (KTVT) — Nine people, including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, have been federally charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping and armed robbery targeting music industry figures, including Atlanta rap superstar Gucci Mane, at a Dallas recording studio, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Eight of the nine defendants were arrested this week in Dallas and Memphis. Prosecutors say the group orchestrated a violent ambush on Jan. 10 after luring victims to Texas under the guise of a business meeting.

How prosecutors say the Dallas studio ambush unfolded According to a federal criminal complaint, the victims, including Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, flew into Dallas that Saturday afternoon for what they believed was a meeting to discuss a recording contract dispute involving Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr.

Instead, authorities say nine suspects carried out a coordinated armed takeover inside the studio on Dallas Parkway.

Investigators say the suspects entered the studio around 3:43 p.m. that Saturday and quickly separated the victims, with Pooh Shiesty taking Gucci Mane into a recording room while others remained in a control room.

Inside the recording room, Pooh Shiesty allegedly pulled an AK-style pistol and forced Gucci Mane, described in the criminal complaint as the head of record label 1017 Records, to sign paperwork releasing him from his contract at gunpoint.

As that was happening, prosecutors say the remaining suspects drew firearms and began robbing others in the studio.

One victim was pushed onto a couch and had his wallet and jewelry stolen, while another was choked from behind to the point of near unconsciousness and robbed of a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton bag, and other valuables.

Authorities say Rodney Wright Jr., known as Big30, helped block the studio door, preventing victims from escaping while armed suspects carried out the robbery.

At one point, victims believed they were about to be executed, according to the complaint, before being ordered out of the studio.

Evidence includes surveillance, cell data and social media posts The group then fled the scene in multiple vehicles, including a Dodge Charger Hellcat, a Dodge Ram truck and a rented Buick Enclave, investigators said.

Federal agents say the attack was planned in advance.

According to the complaint, Pooh Shiesty’s father helped arrange the meeting and even visited a Staples store hours earlier, where investigators believe contract documents used in the alleged extortion were printed.

Cellphone records, surveillance footage and license plate reader data showed several suspects traveled together from Memphis to Dallas in the days leading up to the incident and stayed overnight at a Dallas hotel after the robbery.

Investigators also cited electronic monitoring data showing Pooh Shiesty was at the studio despite being on home confinement for a prior federal firearms conviction.

In the hours and days after the incident, prosecutors say several suspects posted photos and videos on social media displaying large amounts of cash and jewelry believed to be stolen during the robbery.

Fingerprint evidence recovered from items inside the studio, including red plastic cups, also tied multiple suspects to the scene, according to the complaint.

Charges and potential penalties All nine defendants are charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison.

The FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation, with assistance from multiple federal, state and local agencies across Texas and Tennessee.

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Capy Hour Cafe brings unique capybara coffee experience to Idaho

By Alexandra Coenjaerts

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    COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (KXLY) — Coffee lovers seeking an unusual experience can now sip Brazilian-inspired beverages while spending time with capybaras at a new café just outside downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Capy Hour Café opens its doors Friday and offers customers 30- and 45-minute sessions to interact with what many consider the world’s happiest animals. The business combines a coffee shop atmosphere with the opportunity to feed and socialize with the large South American rodents.

“We want people to come in here, relax, and really get a feel for the capys and the whole café experience of it all,” Ginger Harris said. She and her son, Jace, developed the idea over the last six weeks. The family has spent weeks developing the concept, which has generated excitement in the community.

“We just listened to our community, and they said they wanted a unique experience,” Jace Harris said.

The café creates what the owners believe is a rare offering in the United States that cannot be found anywhere else in the region.

Guests book timed sessions that include selecting drinks from a Brazilian-inspired menu and receiving feeding cups to interact with the capybaras. The café’s current capybaras are still babies, meaning they could grow to more than quadruple their current size over the coming years.

“We really get to enjoy the time we get to spend with them while they are little, and learn their personalities. It is incredible,” Ginger Harris said.

The Harris family said they are still working on naming the capybaras. Capy Hour Café operates Friday through Monday. The owners recommend booking appointments in advance as sessions are filling up quickly following their opening.

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Naked burglar strikes again in Virginia. This time, he was caught on camera

By Thomas Robertson

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    CENTREVILLE, Virginia (WTOP) — The same neighborhood in Centreville, Virginia, has been terrorized for the past month by a naked man who’s entered several homes, and police said they believe the same man tried to enter another home Wednesday morning.

Now, police and neighbors have a better idea of who they’re looking for. The nude intruder was caught on camera around 5 a.m. Wednesday trying to enter a home in the 14800 block of Palmerston Square.

Police described the suspect as a Black male with a thin build who’s between 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 6 feet, 3 inches tall. The man’s attempt to enter the home Wednesday was unsuccessful, police said. However, detectives believe he’s connected to a string of other, successful entries into homes in the same London Towne neighborhood of Centreville that date back to March 5.

Most instances occurred in the early morning hours, and the suspect fled the homes when confronted.

This is the fifth burglary or attempted burglary in the neighborhood over the past month. In three cases, the man successfully entered a home, but has taken nothing.

“We’re hopeful that by sharing these images, more tips will continue to come in, whether it’s phone calls to our detectives, whether it’s anonymously through our Crime Solvers, we know someone has information about him, and we know likely that suspect himself is probably going to see this later on today — come forward, turn yourself in,” Maj. James Curry with the Fairfax County Police Department said.

Police said anyone with information about the burglaries or who may recognize the man in the surveillance footage and images should call the Sully District Station at 703-814-7000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 866-411-8477 or visiting the Crime Solvers website.

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Former manager of Georgia trailer park arrested three times in 25-hour span, officers say

By Zach Rainey

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    LAVONIA, Georgia (WYFF) — A now former trailer park manager in Lavonia, Georgia, was arrested three times in a 25-hour span, according to police.

On the night of Monday, March 30, April Taylor called the Lavonia Police Department and reported that she had been shot at while she was in the Beaver Creek Trailer Park after someone allegedly attempted to break into her vehicle.

Officers responded and canvassed the area, but found no evidence to support a shooting or any related claims. Officers said Taylor was the manager of the trailer park.

The next morning, an officer on patrol found Taylor’s vehicle parked sideways in the roadway on Wright Street near the entrance of Beaver Creek Trailer Park. Taylor was getting out of the passenger side of another vehicle and told police that she was attempting to block access to the trailer park.

Following an investigation, police arrested Taylor for DUI (drugs) and other traffic offenses. She was later released from the Hart County Detention Center on bond.

Additionally, investigators secured a warrant for false statements related to the reported shooting. Later the same day, Taylor was found at a business near the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. She was then taken into custody and transported to the Franklin County Detention Center by the Lavonia Police Department.

We are told she was released on bond later that evening.

Just before midnight, Taylor returned to Beaver Creek Trailer Park, where she allegedly entered another individual’s home without permission. Officers responded, but she had already left the scene. Warrants for criminal trespass and disorderly conduct were secured that night.

On Wednesday morning, officers found Taylor at a gas station in Lavonia, where she was arrested for a third time within 25 hours of her first arrest.

Officers also discovered that Taylor had been formally banned from the Beaver Creek property on March 31 after she was fired from her role as trailer park manager. As a result, an additional criminal trespass warrant was obtained.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Surveillance video reveals Walmart stabbing and bystanders stopping the fleeing suspect

By WXMI News Staff

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    ALPINE TWP., Michigan (WXMI) — Newly obtained surveillance and body camera footage shows the moments surrounding a stabbing at an Alpine Township Walmart last August, as well as the arrest of the suspect.

Christian Thompson faces one charge of assault to do great bodily harm less than murder. The footage was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

Video shows Thompson entering the store, the altercation, his exit, and his subsequent arrest. According to a probable cause affidavit, Thompson told police the incident was a “spur of the moment” reaction driven by frustration over not being able to find his truck. He believed the group of three people he approached might have had something to do with his truck being stolen.

The victim told police he was looking at speakers with his brother and a friend when he was stabbed multiple times.

Surveillance video captures Thompson fleeing on foot through the parking lot. Several bystanders intervened to stop him. One person hit Thompson with a car, and another used a shopping cart to pin him to the ground until deputies arrived.

Body camera footage shows an arresting officer handcuffing Thompson, pulling him from the ground, searching him, and placing him in a police cruiser.

The case is currently in Circuit Court. A status conference for Thompson is scheduled for later this month, according to online court records.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXMI’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Toddler goes viral for chanting ‘U of A’ in his crib after Wildcats advance to the Final Four

By Jordan Bontke

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    GILBERT, Arizona (KNXV) — A 1-and-a-half-year-old boy from Gilbert went viral on social media after a video showed him chanting for the University of Arizona in his crib following the Arizona Wildcats’ victory over the Purdue Boilermakers to reach the Final Four.

Aiden Maracigan stayed up late chanting “U of A” with his family as the Wildcats won. His parents, Abyee and Jenna Maracigan, posted the video online, which led to hundreds of thousands of views.

“Growing up in Tucson, I think it’s in your blood, the Wildcats are all you have. Especially the basketball program were so good for so many years, we’ll have that little boy saying ‘U of A’ forever,” said Jenna Maracigan.

The Tucson natives both played basketball and say their family is very superstitious, wearing the same U of A shirts for every game so far this tournament.

“We started our own little mini chants here. He was loving it. One thing about him is that he loves sports. Like he’ll watch games with us,” said Abyee Maracigan.

Aside from his chanting, Aiden also showed off his jump shot and how he can run with a football.

The Wildcats are headed to their first Final Four since 2001 and will take on Michigan in the national semifinals on Saturday in Indianapolis.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KNXV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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New Orleans attorneys resign amid improper AI use investigation

By Bun Choum, Erin Lowrey

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — Two attorneys in the City of New Orleans Law Department have resigned after an investigation found they used artificial intelligence to create fake case citations in a court filing.

The resignations follow sanctions issued by a federal judge, who ruled that both attorneys filed a motion that included nine made-up case citations generated by AI.

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ordered the attorneys to appear in court after he discovered the false citations in a January 2026 motion filed in a lawsuit brought by Daniel Gentry. Gentry is suing the City of New Orleans, former Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the New Orleans Police Department and several officers, claiming they violated his civil rights.

According to federal court records, Assistant City Attorney Jalen Harris admitted during a March 19 hearing that he used ChatGPT to help research the motion. He said he first searched Westlaw but then turned to AI to speed up the work. Harris said he did not check whether the AI‑generated cases were real and did not read them before adding them to the brief. He apologized repeatedly in court.

Harris has worked in the City Attorney’s Office since 2024. The court ruled that his actions violated Rule 11, which requires lawyers to make sure their filings are based on real law and facts.

Deputy City Attorney James Roquemore also apologized. As Harris’s supervisor, he reviewed the motion before it was filed but did not question the strange formatting of the fake citations, which appeared as bullet points. The court said Roquemore held more responsibility because he supervised Harris and has 30 years of legal experience.

Chief Deputy City Attorney Corwin St. Raymond and newly appointed City Attorney Charline Gipson also addressed the court. Gipson took office only three days before the motion was filed but was listed on the signature block. Both officials said the office has already taken steps to stop improper AI use, including a department-wide meeting, new training and a written policy on AI.

The City Attorney’s Office said the new AI policy took effect on March 27.

Below is a statement from New Orleans City Attorney Charline Gipson about the changes:

“The City Attorney’s Office takes every step to ensure accuracy in directing and supervising the legal affairs of the City of New Orleans. Early in the administration, it was discovered that artificial intelligence was used in connection with a pleading submitted to federal court. The City Attorney was not enrolled in the case when the offending brief was submitted. Two attorneys in the Law Department were sanctioned by the Court in connection with the filing and those attorneys have subsequently tendered their respective resignations. Effective March 27, 2026, the City Attorney implemented a Law Department Policy regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In addition to mandating disclosure of any previous use of AI in the production of work product, the Office now also requires annual certification of compliance with the policy. The policy recognizes the benefits of innovation and efficiency offered by AI, which is rapidly transforming the legal field, while safeguarding against the potential harms and misuse or abuse of AI.”

In an order signed March 20, Judge Barbier said the attorneys appeared genuinely remorseful. But he ruled that they violated Rule 11 and needed to face consequences.

The judge ordered Harris to pay a $250 fine and Roquemore to pay $1,000. The court did not fine St. Raymond but issued him a formal warning about improper AI use in his department.

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Woman survives after dog attacks her for more than an hour

By Shantel Davis

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    ABITA SPRINGS, Louisiana (WDSU) — With tears in her eyes, Corinna Berndt reflects on everything her sister, 56‑year‑old Justine Rickman, endured alone, inside of her Abita Springs home.

“I was waiting to find out more news. She was in surgery for so long, on Saturday, I didn’t even hear back from my nephew until 10 p.m.” Berndt said, that’s when he told me to brace myself and that she had lost her arm.”

Berndt lives in Colorado. She tells WDSU Justine was attacked by her roommate’s dog last month.

Justine lived with the dog for more than two years. However, on this particular Saturday morning, while Justine put away the other dogs in the kennel, Mustang came into her room.

“So he just came over and nipped her, and she was like Mustang, stop, and it jumped up and grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her down.”

According to Berndt, that attack lasted more than an hour.

“It wasn’t just her left arm she lost. She lost part of her right breast, and she doesn’t have use of her right arm because it mangled that as well.” Berndt said.

She tells WDSU the dog only stopped attacking once it was exhausted.

Justine Managed to order it into its kennel, but her injuries were so severe she couldn’t call 911.

“She got to the kitchen, and she was like she just had to rest, but she said she knew if she went to sleep, she was going to die right there,” Berndt said.

Justine scooted out of her house, using her feet to open the door.

She collapsed outside, where someone saw her and called 911.

“I was in shock. I had never been to Justine’s house before, so I was kind of hoping I was in the wrong place, but I knew something was wrong.” William Eberlin said.

Eberlin is Justine’s boss at Fat Boys Pizza & Savvy Sliders in Covington.

His staff grew concerned when she didn’t show up for work, so he went to her house to check on her and saw a dozen police cars outside.

“Unfortunately, Justine is not going to be able to come back to work; she will get a prosthetic arm for her left arm.” Eberlin said, “Her right arm has a long road to recovery.”

The dog has since been put down.

Eberlin tells WDSU his team is rallying behind Justine, adding she is important to his team and always has a warm spirit.

“I can honestly go on and on, you can’t say enough good things about this young lady.” Eberlin said, “She is the epitome of hospitality.”

They are hosting several fundraisers, including a family-friendly event that will include food, activities for the kids and a D.J.

That event is happening Sunday, April 12, and a percentage of the sales will go to Justine’s journey to recovery.

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Student’s zero-g indicator mascot design takes off with Artemis II


KPIX

By Sooji Nam

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Lucas Ye, 8, is the brains behind the masterpiece, “Rise,” that won NASA’s mascot competition for Artemis II.

“This is the Apollo on the right side, and it’s the past moon mission. And this is the space launch system,” he said, motioning to his plushie design of a moon with an Earth cap.

“I especially did the design and the idea,” he told CBS News Bay Area.

Ye said he was inspired by the iconic photograph of Earth from Apollo 8.

“It was called Earth Rise, and the Earth on top of the plushie’s head was representing Earth Rise,” he said.

NASA said they had more than 2,600 submissions from around the world for the zero-gravity indicator mascot. Officials added that the Artemis II crew was inspired by Ye’s creativity.

“The view that the Artemis II crew has indicated they’re really excited to be able to see for themselves with their own eyes,” Lora Bleacher, the strategic communications director for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, told CBS News Bay Area. “Representing what they see as their role and representing all of humanity. And helping to bring humanity along for the ride, and having this iconic experience for this new Artemis generation of explorers.”

Ye’s parents said his passion for space started when he was 3 1/2 years old.

“He sometimes talks like that he’s a rocket scientist,” Clara Zhao, Ye’s mother, told CBS News Bay Area. “He likes to read. He enjoys sometimes his quiet time.”

Ye is excited that a version of his plushie will be orbiting the moon on Artemis II. It was a surreal moment seeing his design in the hands of NASA astronauts.

CBS News Bay Area’s Sooji Nam asked Ye what he wants to be when he grows up.

“Probably work at NASA or be an astrophysicist,” Ye said.

Additionally, inside the plushie is an SD card that contains the names of 5.6 million people who submitted their names on NASA’s website. There are also digital images of the 25 finalists of the competition.

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