Yesterday St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape identified the child killed in a tragic accident in Slidell Tuesday morning as 5-year-old Carson Lawson. Police say the boy was fatally struck by his grandmother’s vehicle while waiting for his school bus outside their home on Spartan Loop. According to investigators, 55-year-old Kristen Anders was leaving for work when she drove forward from the driveway, unaware that Carson was in front of her SUV. Slidell Police say Anders showed signs of impairment and was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants. She was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the child’s exact cause of death.
–Louisiana State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred around 6:40 p.m. on November 11, 2025, on Waltrip Lane near LA Highway 442 in Tickfaw. Detectives with the LSP Bureau of Investigations were called in by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office to process the scene and gather information. One suspect was shot and taken to a local hospital for treatment, while no deputies were injured. The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information, photos, or videos to contact State Police or submit anonymous tips through the LSP online reporting system or the Fusion Center Hotline.
–The St. Tammany Parish Public School System has announced its 2025-2026 Students of the Year: Brix LaFontaine of Little Oak Middle, Robert Ryals IV of Fontainebleau Junior High, and Beija Lopes-Morgan of Mandeville High. The three students were chosen for their exceptional academic achievement, leadership, character, and community service and will now represent the district at the regional level. Brix, a fifth grader, is known for his community outreach through his “Kicks with Brix” charity; Robert, an eighth grader and black belt in Karate, excels in academics and the arts; and Beija, a Mandeville High senior and state education leader, is deeply involved in civic advocacy. Superintendent Frank Jabbia praised the honorees as outstanding examples of the district’s educational excellence and said he looks forward to seeing their continued success in future competitions and endeavors.
–Student attendance in Tangipahoa Parish public schools is showing strong improvement halfway through the first semester, with Superintendent Melissa Stilley reporting an overall attendance rate of 93.7 percent for the first three months—up from previous years’ averages between 90.2 and 92 percent. Stilley credited the rise to a coordinated district-wide effort to boost engagement and address barriers to attendance through campus designees, attendance goals, and recognition programs. Truancy has also dropped dramatically, from 51.5 percent last year to just 6.5 percent this semester. Stilley said the progress reflects the commitment of students, families, and staff to prioritizing education and ensuring students are in the classroom. The district, which serves more than 19,000 students, plans to continue its focus on attendance, communication, and family partnerships to sustain the momentum.
–Louisiana State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 12 near milepost 40 in Tangipahoa Parish that claimed the life of 76-year-old June Volkman of Zapata, Texas. Troopers say the crash happened around 3 p.m. Monday when a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas struck the rear of a 2015 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited traveling ahead of it, ejecting both riders. Volkman, the passenger on the motorcycle, was wearing a helmet but later died from her injuries at a local hospital. The motorcycle’s driver was also wearing a helmet and sustained moderate injuries. The driver of the Volkswagen was uninjured and cited for following too closely. Toxicology results are pending as the investigation continues, and troopers remind drivers to remain alert for motorcyclists and always allow a safe following distance.
–The Family Reach Alliance is hosting its 6th Annual Raffle, with the grand prize of $10,000 to be awarded during a live broadcast on The Lake 94.7 at noon on December 12. Tickets are $20 each, with only 2,000 available for purchase through www.familyreachsela.org. Weekly prize drawings began November 1, leading up to the grand finale, with more than 40 prizes in total to be awarded. Proceeds from the event benefit Family Reach Alliance programs supporting local families in need.
–North Oaks Health System will host a Healthy Aging Fair on Friday, Dec. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center at the North Oaks Diagnostic Center in Hammond. The free event aims to help adults stay active, informed, and connected through expert advice, health screenings, and community resources. Attendees will hear from specialists covering topics such as medication management, mobility, mental wellness, and aging well, with free screenings offered for blood pressure, diabetes risk, heart health, and fall prevention. “Healthy aging is about more than living longer—it’s about living better,” said Rami Nelson, Chief Quality and Health Equity Officer for North Oaks. The fair will also feature numerous community vendors, including healthcare providers, fitness centers, and local support organizations. Registration is available at northoaks.org/healthyaging, and additional information can be obtained by calling (985) 230-6647.
–District Attorney Collin Sims announced that on November 5, 2025, Judge William H. Burris sentenced 30-year-old Derrell Hilton of New Orleans to 60 years in prison following his conviction for possession of contraband in a correctional facility and obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence. A Washington Parish jury found Hilton guilty after a two-day trial in September. Prosecutors Le’Anne Malnar and Roy Burns presented evidence showing that Hilton, an inmate at the B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie, attempted to conceal and discard a package containing buprenorphine after being confronted by a correctional officer. At the time, Hilton was already serving a 14-year sentence for multiple felony convictions out of Orleans Parish. Judge Burris sentenced Hilton as a habitual offender, ordering the 60-year term for the contraband charge and a concurrent five-year sentence for obstruction.
–The National Weather Service in New Orleans says skies will be mostly clear over the next couple of nights, though it’s still uncertain whether residents will catch a glimpse of the northern lights like last year. Some people reported viewing them last night and shared pictures on social media. The visibility will depend on timing and darkness when the strongest part of an incoming solar storm passes. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch for November 12, with a fast coronal mass ejection expected to arrive around midday. While no significant impacts are expected for southeast Louisiana, officials encourage the public to stay updated through spaceweather.gov.
–The federal government has announced the first offshore oil and gas lease sale in nearly two years, offering about 80 million acres in the central and western Gulf of Mexico under the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Energy companies have until December 10 to bid for rights to explore and develop reserves off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The sale marks the first under higher revenue-sharing rates through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which benefits Gulf states like Louisiana. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, praised the move as a boost for American energy independence, jobs, and affordability. According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Gulf holds an estimated 29.6 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 54.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The law mandates at least 30 lease sales through 2040, beginning with this “Big Beautiful Gulf 1” offering, which features a 12.5% royalty rate to encourage participation.
–Slidell Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025, at Fidelity Bank on Gause Boulevard. Investigators say the suspect appeared to be handicapped or injured, walking with a fake limp, cane, and neck brace before passing a note to the teller and demanding money. He fled the scene—without the limp—with an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen running down Choctaw Drive toward a nearby neighborhood, possibly escaping in a vehicle. The suspect is described as a Black male wearing a gray tracksuit, bucket hat, “COVID mask,” neck brace, and carrying a clear fanny pack and cane. Anyone with information is urged to contact Slidell Police or Crime Stoppers.
