Louisiana

Lady Toppers use second half comeback to beat Louisiana Tech

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

Lady Toppers use second half comeback to beat Louisiana Tech

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – WKU women’s basketball (14-10, 5-4 CUSA) rallied to get a 64-56 win against Louisiana Tech (8-15, 2-6 CUSA) after being down as much as 19 points on Wednesday night in E.A. Diddle Arena.

The win gave head coach Greg Collins his 100th victory as head coach at WKU. He’s just the fourth head coach in program history to notch 100 wins.

“The box score looks a lot more like what our box scores used to look like,” said head coach Greg Collins. “We forced 21 turnovers, we get 18 steals and we got to the free throw line. I felt like they played really hard. We had a lot of contributions tonight. I felt like the second half was more like how we have played. It was nice to see some shots go in, finally.”

Alexis Mead led the Lady Toppers with 21 points, eight rebounds, five steals and five assists. Teresa Faustino had 11 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Josie Gilvin finished with eight points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Karris Allen added nine points and two rebounds.

The Lady Toppers were shorthanded with Acacia Hayes and Destiny Salary sitting out. Hayes is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Salary was serving a one game suspension.

It was the ninth come-from-behind win of the season for WKU. It was the fourth time WKU has comeback from a double-digit deficit. It was the seventh win for the Lady Toppers when trailing at halftime and the fifth when trailing during the fourth quarter.

LA Tech scored the first points of the game, but WKU quickly followed up with back-to-back baskets to take a 4-2 lead. The Lady Techsters used an 8-0 run go back ahead. A three from Mead and a layup from Faustino cut the lead back down to one, but LA Tech scored five straight to end the quarter up 15-9.

The Lady Techsters took their largest lead of the game in the second quarter, going ahead 19 with 2:52 left behind a 9-0 run. The Lady Toppers responded with an 8-0 run to get it back down to 11, but a three from LA Tech just before the break pushed it back out to 14 at halftime.

WKU doubled up LA Tech in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Techsters 19-8 in the frame. After a free throw from the Lady Techsters, WKU went on a 13-2 run to chip away at the lead, trailing only by four at that point. A three and a jumper from LA Tech extended the lead back out to nine, but WKU ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to go into the final period down 44-41.

A jumper from Mead to open the fourth quarter brought WKU within one. Gilvin followed with a bucket to give WKU its first lead since the first quarter. LA Tech came right back and regained the lead with five straight points, but buckets from Odeth Betancourt and Faustino tied the game with 6:35 left. LA Tech scored next, but WKU went on an 8-0 run to go ahead 57-51. With 1:15 left, LA Tech made basket to cut it to four, but had to foul to get the ball back.

WKU connected on six free throws and made defensive stops to extend the lead to 63-53 with 28 seconds left. LA Tech ended their drought with a three with 26 seconds left, but the damage was done. A free throw from Mead sealed the deal.

WKU will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. against Jacksonville State in Diddle Arena.

Source link

Louisiana

This Japanese partnership will advance carbon capture in Louisiana

Published

11 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes.

The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.

The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.

Read the full story.

Source link

Louisiana

Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

Read the full story.

Source link

Louisiana

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.

Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.

Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.

“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.

Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.

“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.

Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.

“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”

The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.

“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”

Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.