Cynthia Knecht's marriage to her husband, Dennis Knecht, came to a horrific end in the parking lot of Walgreens off Military Road in Slidell Monday.

WDSU uncovered Cynthia Knecht's first restraining order filed against her husband, Dennis, back in 2003. It accused him of physical and verbal abuse, not just toward her but towards one of their children.

She described a terrifying moment. Dennis chased her with a bat and put a knife to her throat. Despite these chilling details, documents show Cynthia dropped the restraining order two days before their 20th anniversary, saying she wanted to make their marriage work.

WDSU discovered that in 2007, Cynthia filed for another restraining order but it was again dismissed and another one in November 2023. Records show the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office responded to Cynthia's home after Dennis allegedly threatened to "get the gun and end it all for us all."

Dennis was arrested for resisting arrest, battery on a police officer, and simple assault when deputies responded. He bonded out that same day.

Cynthia was granted a six-month restraining order, which expired in June. With that order gone, Dennis had no legal barriers preventing him from contacting Cynthia or possessing weapons. Cynthia filed for divorce just two months before the restraining order expired, but before their divorce could be finalized.

Sources say the two met at Walgreens to exchange a dog of which they shared custody. That's when police say Dennis shot Cynthia and then ended his own life.    

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Resources

New Orleans Family Justice Center provides services for adults & children affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, stalking, and strangulation.

Main Office: 504-592-4005

24/7 Hotline: 504-866-9554

Address: 701 Loyola Ave., Ste. 201, New Orleans, LA

New Orleans, LA 70113

Every year, the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) releases a list of nominees for its "10 Worst Toys" list. The list is meant to serve as a cautionary reminder of the potential hidden hazards posed by many toys marketed for children, W.A.T.C.H. said.

"Toy safety is a critical concern this holiday season and beyond, with recent recalls and injuries highlighting the range of risks that may be present on store shelves and online," W.A.T.C.H. said.

This year's list includes everything from toy guns that may be mistaken for real weapons, plush toys that pose suffocation risks, toys with small parts that present choking hazards and projectile toys that could cause eye injuries.

The following toys have been included on W.A.T.C.H.'s list this year, with the reasoning behind why each toy is hazardous.

• Pinovk Toy Colt 45 pistol: potential for tragedy from realistic toy weaponry
• Bristle Hedgehog: potential for ingestion injuries
• Transformers Earthspark Cyber-Sleeve: potential for eye injuries
• Kinetic Sand Scents — Ice Cream Treats: potential for ingestion injuries
• Wubble Rumblers Inflatable Furious Fist: potential for blunt force and impact injuries
• Click n' Play Toy Remote Set: potential for choking injuries
• Snackles — Sandy: potential for suffocation injuries
• X-Shot Poppy Playtime: potential for eye injuries
• Playzone-Fit Tri-Flyer: potential for impact injuries
• Zoo Jamz Doggy Xylophone: potential for ingestion and choking injuries

Wasting no time after the election, President-elect Donald Trump has started naming his picks for top cabinet and White House positions.

Among the high-profile selections are Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Trump has also brought new seats to the table. Tom Homan will be the nation's new Border Czar, and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency. The new department, coined "DOGE," was created to eliminate government waste and cut back spending.

So far, Trump has named 26 of the 36 high-profile positions that Hearst TV has identified.

Not all of Trump's picks are guaranteed to assume the role. Many of the positions still require a Senate confirmation hearing before they can be filled.

There is already opposition across the aisle on Trump's Gaetz pick, who the Department of Justice investigated for alleged sex trafficking. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department's investigation ended with no federal charges against him.

Below is a tracker of which positions Trump has named, which remain unfilled, and what the primary function of each role is.

For more information on each person Trump has named, click here.

List of named positions:

• Vice President: J.D. Vance
• Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles
• Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
• Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
• Attorney General: Matt Gaetz
• Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum
• Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick
• Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy
• Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright
• Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Doug Collins
• Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
• UN Ambassador: Elise Stefanik
• EPA Chief: Lee Zeldin
• Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
• National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz
• CIA Director: John Ratcliffe
• Border Czar: Tom Homan
• Deputy Chief of Staff: Dan Scavino
• Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Stephen Miller
• White House Press Secretary: Karoline Leavitt
• CMS Administrator: Mehmet Oz
• Dept. of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy
• NATO Ambassador: Matt Whitaker

Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far

Second-line safety was what city leaders are trying to ensure following Sunday's shooting that left two dead and 11 hurt.

One of the biggest cultural gatherings that make our city so unique has been in the spotlight the last few days, for all the wrong reasons.

About 150 culture bearers, including members of social aid and pleasure clubs across the city, gathered at City Hall on Wednesday. The meeting was called by Councilman Oliver Thomas.

It comes after 13 were shot during the 9X's second line, Sunday. Two men lost their lives.

Club members explained Wednesday the second lines are not only most of what makes New Orleans what it is, but they are also used greatly in terms of how the city is advertised to other places.

Helping the city to bring in millions in revenue.

Leaders also pointed out how largely peaceful these gatherings as a whole have been. After Sunday's violence, these clubs hope the gatherings are not vilified and hope people will educate themselves on these traditions.

They said the violence is a city problem, not a second line problem.

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Tamara Jackson, a culture bearer with Social Aid and Pleasure Club Taskforce, said,

"This is our ancestorial heritage. The reason we dance and celebrate on Sunday.. As slaves, it was the only opportunity they had in Congo Square. Where masters didn't know their communication, so they communicated by song and dance. When you see us.. Know everything we do has meaning," said Jackson.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said going forward to this Sunday's big second line the Lady Buckjumpers, there will be even more police presence as a precaution.

The chief also stressed that she understands and respects the city's culture and just wants to make sure the police are protecting the people.