The House Education Committee votes against BESE’s plan to institute an appeals process for senoirs unable to pass the LEAP exit exam. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Northwestern State has ended its football season and head coach Brad Laird has resigned. The Demons football program is grieving the death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell. He was fatally shot two weeks at an apartment complex. No one has been charged in his murder, but one of teammates has been arrested for obstruction of justice.

Governor John Bel Edwards, the state transportation department and Amtrak have signed an agreement that will advance the return passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The governor’s office believes a passenger rail line between the Capital City and the state’s largest metro area could be an economic boost…
cut 9 (08) “…Louisiana”
That’s the governor’s spokesperson Eric Holl, who says infrastructure upgrades will begin next year and passenger service could start in 2027.

State Police Gaming Auditors says September was a record breaker for mobile sports wagering as nearly 249-million dollars was wagered, producing four-point-seven million dollars in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says legalized sports betting has produced 60-million in tax revenues since it went live nearly two years ago…
cut 5 (11) “…70-million range’

Northwestern State cancels the remainder of its football season and the head coach has resigned in the wake of the fatal shooting of one of its players. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A disturbing story out of Assumption Parish as deputies have arrested 14-year-old and a 10-year-old and charged them with first degree rape. Authorities say the victim was under ten years old. Investigators say the 14-year-old was the primary perpetrator and influenced the ten year to join in the assault.

Train service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is one step closer to reality. Governor John Bel Edwards along with the Department of Transportation signed a service development agreement with Amtrak and other officials that will advance the return of intercity passenger rail service. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Eric Holl…
Cut 7 (10) “…New Orleans.”
According to the agreement, passenger service could start as early as 2027.

September was the biggest month ever for mobile sports betting since its inception in February of 2022. That’s according to the State Police Gaming audit division. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says nearly 249-million dollars were wagered…
cut 4 (11) “…the country”

The southbound portion of Interstate 55 in Manchac has reopened today following the massive vehicle pileup that killed at least eight on Monday. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors have determined the majority of the southbound portion of the roadway is safe for travel.

Cut 6 (09) “…that area.”

Brandon Jolly, a survivor who drives long distances for a living,  says driving 20 miles under the speed limit of 70, didn’t change the outcome that morning.

Cut 4 (08) “…a blur.”

 Inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55. There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes.

Northwestern State has canceled the remainder of their football season and head coach Brad Laird has resigned after Junior Safety Ronnie Caldwell was killed two weeks ago. In a Natchitoches Parish Journal podcast,  NSU President Marcus Jones said several players expressed difficulty with Caldwell’s death.

Cut 13 (09) “…to them.”

With four games left in the season, the Demons had yet to win any of their six games.

Doctor Jim Henderson has been named the 15th president of Louisiana Tech. Henderson will step down as U-L System president. He says there are several existing programs at La Tech that he is looking to grow…

Cut 10 (13) “…starting to emerge.”

Northwestern State is canceling the rest of their Football season citing the mental health of players and coaches. On October 12th Junior Safety Ronnie Caldweld was shot and killed. The team travelled to Texas for Caldweld’s memorial last week. A week after Caldweld was discovered, a teammate was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice. NSU head coach, Brad Laird has stepped down saying because of the emotional burden it caused him, he didn’t feel he could give his all to his players. Natchitoches Police continue to investigate the murder.

Dr. Jim Henderson will leave his job as U-L System president to begin his role as president of Louisiana Tech on January 1st, replacing Doctor Les Guice who is retiring. Henderson has been the president of the U-L System since 2017 and is looking forward to moving to Ruston…

Cut 11 (06) “…right now.”

Congressman Mike Johnson is the 56^th Speaker of the U-S House of Representatives and he’s only been in Congress for six years. The Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says Johnson’s low profile may have worked in his favor.

Cut 12 (11) “…other three.”  

Johnson won the final ballot after his predecessors Congressman Steve Scalise, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, bid for the position flamed out.

DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55.

Traffic will merge to one lane at the crash site near the Manchac exit. Mallet urges motorists traveling on the southbound portion to plan ahead.

Cut 8 (12) “…with you.” 

There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes at this time.

Northwestern State Football has canceled the rest of their season and head coach, Brad Laird has stepped down due to the recent passing of Junior Safety Ronnie Caldwell. NSU is citing the mental health of players and coaches as the reason. Caldweld was shot and killed on October 12th. A week later a teammate was arrested for interfering in the investigation. Natchitoches Police are actively investigating the murder. The team attended memorial services for Caldwell in Texas last week.

Louisiana Tech has found a new president. Jeff Palermo reports Jim Henderson will leave as U-L System President to lead the Ruston-based school…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Brandon Jolly was among the motorists involved in Monday morning’s horrific car pile-up on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jolly says he was traveling south and the fog intensified once he reached Lake Maurepas and it was a miracle he wasn’t initially hit or hit anyone else.

cut 3 (12) “…pretty much.”

Eight people died in the pile-up that occurred in both the north and southbound lanes of the interstate.

DOTD announced the southbound side of Interstate 55 has reopened. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors have determined the majority of the southbound portion of the roadway is safe for travel.

Mallet says inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55. He says areas on the northbound portion had to be cleaned before inspection.

Cut 7 (12) “…in sight.” 

Traffic will merge to one lane at the crash site near the Manchac exit. Mallet urges motorists traveling on the southbound portion to plan ahead.

On Talk Louisiana this morning, a man involved in Monday’s massive car pile-up describes his experience. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Of the eight victims, 7 have now been identified by the St. John the Baptist Coroner. The youngest was a 6 year old little boy from Madisonville and the oldest was an Eighty-Seven year old gentleman originally from Missouri.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Doctor Jim Henderson as the new president of Louisiana Tech. Henderson will leave his job as U-L System president and he looks to build on what he calls the best undergraduate scholarship program in the state

Cut 9 (10) “…the institution” 

Henderson is a native of Shreveport and previously served as president of Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College.

Newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson is a conservative who received the backing of former President Donald Trump. The Advocate Chief Mark Ballard expects Johnson’s social conservatism to add to his approach in this role.

Cut 13 (12) “….apparently does.”

As Speaker of the House, Johnson faces a possible federal government shutdown if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by November 17.

DOTD says the southbound lane of Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish has reopened following the massive vehicle pileup involving 168 vehicles. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors have determined the majority of the southbound portion of the roadway is safe for travel.

Cut 6 (09) “…that area.”

There are details on when the northbound lane will reopen.

Brandon Jolly was one the motorists traveling on I-55 south Monday and says it was surreal when people would emerge from the fog looking for help. He says a woman who worked with a fire department approached him and they began to pull people out of cars.  And while he didn’t see any fatalities in his immediate area…

Cut 5 (09) “ …wreckage.”  

Eight people were killed as a result.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Doctor Jim Henderson as the new president of Louisiana Tech. The Shreveport native has been the president of the U-L System since 2017 and is looking forward to moving to Ruston…

Cut 11 (06) “…right now.”

Grambling President Rick Gallot will replace Henderson as UL-system president.

Yesterday Congressman Mike Johnson was elected as the 56^th Speaker of the House. Johnson also made history as the first Speaker from Louisiana. The Advocate DC Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says Johnson’s low profile may have worked in his favor.

Cut 12 (11) “…other three.”  

Johnson won the final ballot after his predecessors Congressman Steve Scalise, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, bids for the position tanked.

Brandon Jolly was just one of the motorists involved in Monday morning’s horrific car pile-up on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jolly, who drives long-distance for a living, says even driving 50 miles per hour, well below the posted speed limit of 70, that morning didn’t change the outcome.

Cut 4 (08) “…a blur.”

The southbound side of I-55 is now open after DOTD inspected the area for any deficiencies. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the majority of the southbound portion is safe for travel. Traffic will merge into one lane at the crash site near the Manchac exit. He urges southbound motorists to plan ahead.

Cut 8 (12) “…with you.” 

There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes.

Louisiana Tech has found a new president. Jeff Palermo reports Jim Henderson will leave as U-L System President to lead the Ruston-based school…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

And Grambling President Rick Gallot has been appointed to replace Henderson as UL-system president.

The Saints visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in a matchup of 3 and 4 teams. Wide receiver Chris Olave is practicing with the team after being caught going more than 40 miles per hour over the speed limit on a Kenner street on Monday. Head Coach Dennis Allen says they talked about it

Cut 19 (17) “ … (x2) slow down”

—-

LSU has a bye week this weekend and it allows some much needed rest for the Tigers. After having no issues with the Army Black Knights in a 62-0 win, the Tigers will now be able to focus completely on the November 4th matchup versus Alabama, especially in a struggling and beat up LSU secondary. Andre Sam and Major Burns are projected to start at safety, but Sage Ryan is the only lock at corner.

—

The Pelicans tipped off a new season last night with a 111 to 104 win over Memphis. CJ McCollum led the way with 24 points and Zion Williamson had 23. Head Coach Willie Green liked the ball movement

Cut 28 (18) “ … off of a win”

The Pelicans will host  Knicks in their home opener on Saturday with tipoff at 6:00 pm.

—

In other basketball news, LSU’s Head Coach Matt McMahon and hopeful star Jalen Cook are still waiting on any news from the NCAA on his eligibility. Since Cook transferred from LSU to Tulane and then back to LSU, under the new NCAA transfer laws he has to sit out the season unless he can get a waiver from the NCAA which would clear him to play.

DOTD announced the southbound portion of Interstate 55 in Manchac is now open for motorists. The reopening comes after the massive pileup involving 168 vehicles that killed at least eight people and injured 63 on Monday. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says areas on the northbound portion had to be cleaned before inspection.

Cut 7 (12) “…in sight.” 

Brandon Jolly was among the motorists involved in the horrific car pile-up…

cut 3 (12) “…pretty much.”

Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton was elected as the new Speaker of the House on Wednesday. Johnson is the state’s first Speaker of the House. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says pressing political issues will serve as early tests of Johnson’s ability to manage the GOP conference.

Cut 15 (13) “…continual resolution.”

The 51-year-old of Benton received 220 votes, three more than required to win the seat.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to name Doctor Jim Henderson as Louisiana Tech’s next president. Henderson says there are several existing programs at La Tech that he looks to grow…

Cut 10 (13) “…starting to emerge.”