Shawanda Jones

New Orleans

Northshore Reporter at WDSU-TV (New Orleans, LA)

Articles

New water towers rise in Slidell as part of $23M infrastructure upgrade

2 days ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

Two new water towers are now under construction in Slidell, marking a major milestone in what parish leaders call the largest water investment project in St. Tammany history.The $23 million upgrade is designed to bring safer, more reliable drinking water to more than 8,000 homes across the Crossgates and Ozone Pines subdivisions.“These water towers are symbols of the progress that we’re making—something people can see from a long ways away,” said Jeff Corbin, a St. Tammany Councilman.
Verizon Blames Northshore Cell Outage on Construction Error, Not Cyberattack

2 days ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

BRITTANY VERNER, WDSU NEWS. ALL RIGHT, SO IF YOUR PHONE STOPPED WORKING LIKE MINE DID, IT STARTED FLASHING S.O.S. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. THIS WAS YESTERDAY. WELL, THOUSANDS OF VERIZON CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE LOST SERVICE FOR HOURS. WDSU’S NORTH SHORE BUREAU REPORTER SHAUNDA JONES BREAKS DOWN. WHAT CAUSED THE OUTAGE AND HOW LONG IT LASTED. IF YOU’RE A VERIZON CUSTOMER AND YOU WERE LEFT WONDERING WHY YOU DIDN’T HAVE SERVICE YESTERDAY. WELL, HERE’S WHY.
Mandeville pride parade sparks debate

3 days ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

This year’s Mandeville Pride Parade is marching under a bold new theme: Protesting with Pride. But it’s not just rainbow flags waving this time. Organizers plan to carry ten flags they call “colors of resistance”, including the Palestinian flag, which has stirred concern and divided opinions within the community. “We never would’ve gotten this far if we’d caved in to fear,” said Jeremy JF Thompson, co-founder of Queer Northshore, the group behind the parade.
Two-Day Sting in Mandeville Puts Five Suspects Behind Bars in Child Exploitation Investigation

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

A two-day undercover sting in Mandeville led to the arrests of five men accused of trying to meet children for sex—only to discover the “children” were undercover officers with a Northshore task force cracking down on online predators. Each suspect allegedly initiated contact with what they believed were minors online and attempted to arrange in-person meetings. The arrests are part of a growing regional push to combat child exploitation on the Northshore.
Washington Parish inmate tries to break out of jail through an air duct

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

A Northshore inmate attempted a movie-style jailbreak. His attempt was short-lived. James Lorio, 50, was just 12 days into his stay at the Washington Parish Jail when he hatched his plan: stack an ice chest on a bunk, climb into the ceiling, and disappear. “There’s no real exit besides going through the door,” said Washington Parish Sheriff Deputy Chief Kyle Vanardo.
Amite jail vacancy led to breaks in policy in inmate escape

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker is pointing to a critical staffing gap as a major factor in last week’s escape of a murder suspect from the parish jail. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says a compliance administrator, whose job includes ensuring doors are properly locked and accounts are accurate, had not yet started work when 19-year-old Tra’Von Johnson broke out of the facility. “Their sole purpose in life was to make sure our doors are locked,” Sticker said in an interview.
OMV Warns Residents of Scam Texts Targeting Louisiana Drivers

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

Louisiana drivers are being warned not to fall for a phishing scam posing as an urgent message from the Office of Motor Vehicles. The scam arrives as a text message, often claiming that the recipient has to pay an outstanding traffic ticket or that their license will be suspended unless they act quickly. “My first thought is, let me pay my toll. Let me pay whatever I need to pay,” said Slidell resident Jarred Townsend.
Northshore residents left in the dark after unexpected blackout

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

More than 100,000 Louisiana residents lost power over the weekend in a surprise blackout that caught officials, utility providers, and the public off guard. There was no storm. No flooding. No explanation. Now, state regulators and parish leaders are demanding answers. “We are subjected to the weather, but this was a non-weather event,” said Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, who represents the Northshore region.
Power outages across the Northshore left the young and elderly in a dangerous situation

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

The power is back on, but a brief blackout across southeast Louisiana exposed major concerns—especially for rural communities on the Northshore who rely on electricity to stay connected and safe.During Monday’s heatwave, tens of thousands of customers lost power after a sudden shutdown ordered by a federal grid operator called MISO.
Escaped inmate remains on the loose after constant failure in protocols

2 weeks ago | wdsu.com | Shawanda Jones

YEAH, NOW WE KNOW THE MURDER SUSPECT. AND NOW TWO TIME ESCAPED INMATE TRAYVON JOHNSON IS STILL ON THE LOOSE, BUT HE’S HAD ABOUT A SIX HOUR HEAD START. THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING AGAIN. NEIGHBORS COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT ANOTHER INMATE ESCAPED FROM THE TANGIPAHOA JAIL IN AMITE. OFFICIALS SAY 22 YEAR OLD TRAYVON JOHNSON, CHARGED WITH MURDER, ESCAPED AFTER A FLOODED DORM CREATED CHAOS INSIDE THE JAIL. AND DEPUTIES SAY HE’S DONE THIS BEFORE. TO MR. TRAYVON JOHNSON IS THAT WE WILL FIND YOU.