Orleans Parish coroner: 282 accidental drug deaths in 2025; fentanyl was present in nearly 70% of tested cases and cocaine commonly appeared in deadly mixes.

Agents with the LBI arrested a River Ridge man after a cyber tip. He faces counts of child sexual abuse material and sexual abuse of an animal.

A fire in the Delachaise parking garage across from Touro Infirmary prompted an evacuation of the Buckman Health Center; firefighters contained the blaze and no injuries were reported.

A 37-year-old LaPlace man died Monday after his vehicle left I‑55 and struck a closed weigh station near Highway 1050, state police said.

A SWAT roll was declared in St. Roch after a man wanted in multiple shootings barricaded himself on the 2400 block of North Galvez, police said.

Benjamin Beale was given a 30-year sentence after investigators found dismembered remains in a freezer on his Ninth Ward property. The case, which has included competency evaluations and trial delays, has remained under close local scrutiny.

A federal indictment charges a New Orleans man in a Jan. 19 Bywater arson spree that included the torching of a Bywater Bakery delivery van.

A 68-year-old woman died after a Sunday-night apartment blaze in Springfield; state investigators say the living room appears to be where the fire began.

A New Orleans man was sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2023 killing. Investigators say a dropped iPhone tied the suspect to the scene.

A vehicle fire at Canterbury Apartments produced a sudden magnesium-component explosion on Tuesday; Engine 11 contained the blaze and no injuries were reported.

A Ponchatoula man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in the 2020 execution-style killing of Slidell waitress Brooke Buchler; a co-defendant faces an April 9 hearing.

Former Rapides Parish Sheriff William E. Hilton died after a hit-and-run in Hineston; a suspect was arrested after a high-speed pursuit, authorities said.

The Municipal and Traffic Court warns of fraudulent "Notice of Default" letters demanding payment via QR code. Officials say do not scan or pay — verify through the court.