I-55 is closed in Southeast Louisiana following yesterday’s  158-vehicle pileup in Superfog that killed at least seven and injured more than 25 people. Jeff Palermo the story..

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Currently I-55 remains closed between Ponchatoula and Ruddock. Alternate routes between Hammond/Ponchatoula and New Orleans are Hwy 51 to LaPlace then enter I-10 or travel to Mandeville and take the Causeway.

The State Fire Marshall is investigating a fatal brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators are still working to identify the victim’s cause of death. She says the tragedy serves as an important reminder for Louisianans who are still following the state’s burn ban.

Cut 5 (10) “ ….about here.”  

Mardi Gras 2024 receives the green light in Shreveport after security concerns put the annual event in peril. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith says even though the amount of officers won’t be what they’ve had in the past they will be able to provide support for all parades.

Cut 8 (10) “…safe day.”

Mardi Gras day is February 13th next year.

State Police say at least seven dead, more than 25 people injured and at least 158 vehicles were involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event…

Cut 9 (11) “…amount of vehicles” 

1-55 remains closed until the bridge is inspected for any deficiencies.

In Shreveport, Mardi Gras 2024 is a geaux after security concerns put the annual event in peril. Stacy Brown with Visit Shreveport-Bossier says about 225,000 attend their five Mardi Gras parades and about 41 percent of them are out-of-town visitors.

Cut 7 (13) “…Mardi Gras season.” 

After the body of a woman was found in Avoyelles Parish Sunday night, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call of a body in a wooded area in the Blue Town Community, just north of Marksville. Foul play is suspected, and the body will be analyzed by the FACES lab in Baton Rouge in hopes of identifying the victim.

State Fire Marshall Deputies are investigating a brush fire that resulted in the death of an Alexandria man in his 60s.   Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

I-55 is closed in St. John the Baptist Parish following yesterday’s  158-vehicle pileup in Superfog that killed at least seven people. Jeff Palermo the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Authorities have arrested 46-year-old Terral Blackwell in connection to the discovery of nearly 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin found in a Lafayette Parish residence last Tuesday. Agents also located a handgun while executing a search warrant in the 100 block of Hansel Drive.

Mardi Gras 2024 receives the green light in Shreveport after security concerns put the annual event in peril. Mayor Tom Arceneaux made the announcement this morning alongside Krewe members of Centaur and Gemini.

Cut 6 (10) “…this process.”

Arceneaux says they will have enough police and fire personnel to support the parades and the parades will begin at 2:45 and must end by 7 PM.

A property brush fire has resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. State Fire Marshall Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 4 (12) “…went wrong.”

Rodrigue says investigators are still working to identify the victim’s cause of death.

State Police say at least seven dead, more than 25 people injured and at least 158 vehicles were involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says the final few damaged vehicles were removed from the elevated highway this morning…

Cut 10 (08) “…cleaned up.”

I-55 remains closed as the State Department of Transportation has to inspect the bridge for any deficiencies. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 11 (12) “…re-open”

With I-55 closed, it will make it more difficult for people living in the Hammond area or eastern Livingston Parish to get to and from areas south of Lake Pontchartrain.

The State Fire Marshall is investigating a fatal brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry crews were called in to assist due to the size of the brush fire.

cut 3 (10) “the field.”

The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. Rodrigue says the victim is believed to be the 60-year-old homeowner.

A third of the 160,000 individuals who’ve been removed from state Medicaid rolls since April are children. Now that annual income eligibility reviews are back in place, Jan Moller with the Louisiana Budget Project says several will churn off and on Medicaid coverage especially those who do not seek regular medical care.

Cut 13 (07) “…sometimes.”

State Police say at least seven are dead, more than 25 people injured and more than 150 vehicles involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event…

Cut 9 (11) “…amount of vehicles” 

I-55 remains closed as DOTD has to inspect the bridge for any deficiencies.

160,000 individuals have been removed from state Medicaid rolls since April after federal pandemic protections ended and a third of them are children. Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says a large number of those who’ve lost coverage will probably have their status restored…

Cut 12 (09) “…very regularly.” 

After the body of a woman was found in Avoyelles Parish Sunday night, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call of a body in a wooded area in the Blue Town Community, just north of Marksville. Foul play is suspected, and the body will be analyzed by the FACES lab in Baton Rouge in hopes of identifying the victim.

Outgoing Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the stress he faced associated with Voting Controversies was part of why he didn’t seek re-election. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

BESE has approved an appeals process to give students who are unable to pass the standardized testing another option to graduate. Some lawmakers are giving the plan a failing grade. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy believes BESE is taking a massive step backward.

Cut 8 (10) “…can’t read.” 

BESE President Dr. Holly Boffy says four percent of high school seniors are unable to graduate because they can’t pass the LEAP test. That could mean the students are poor test takers not because they can’t read. She points out that students achieve at different levels.

Cut 9 (12)  “…air conditioning.”

The House Education Committee will meet Thursday to review the policy.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says controversies associated with replacing Louisiana voting is why he’s leaving after this term. He says he also faced harassment and intimidation.

Cut 4 (11) “…harassment.”

Ardoin says his health also began to suffer due to the stress and pressure. His last attempt in two years ago received pushback as opponents of the Dominion Voting systems wanted them eliminated as an option.

One hundred sixty thousand people have been removed from state Medicaid rolls since April after federal pandemic protections ended and a third of them are children. Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller…

Cut 11 (11) “…junk mail.” 

Moller says to the state’s credit they’ve done a very good job notifying those on Medicaid of the need to revisit their eligibility.

A dense fog advisory is in effect again for most of southeast Louisiana. Low visibility conditions on I-55 in St. John the Baptist Parish yesterday led to a massive chain reaction crash involving at least 158 vehicles. Seven people were killed and more than 25 injured. Smoke from nearby wildfires contributed to the low visibility. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says low water levels are helping these marsh fires burn….
cut 14 (07) “…months”

Kyle Ardoin only as a couple more months as Secretary of State. He decided not to seek re-election after running into road blocks when trying to purchase new voting machines and he’s also not happy about what he describes as false information used against him over how the state conducts its elections. He says in the end it’s not worth the trouble…
cut 6 (09) “…some of that back”

With federal pandemic protections no longer in place, a reported 160,000 no longer have health coverage through Medicaid.
Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saints receiver Chris Olave must have been in a hurry last night. He was pulled over in Kenner for driving 40-miles per hour above the speed limit on a city street. He was ticketed for reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

It’s GameDay in Ruston. Louisiana Tech hosts New Mexico State at 6 PM tonight.

At least seven people died in a major chain reaction crash that involved 158 vehicles on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish yesterday. The interstate remains closed. Superfog conditions, a combination of fog and smoke from nearby wildfires produced low visibility when vehicles started slamming into each other.

BESE has approved an appeals process that could allow a student to graduate if he or she does not pass the LEAP graduation exit exam…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says one person died in a brush fire in the Alexandria area yesterday afternoon. Investigators believe the man was burning hay bales when the fire started and possibly died after getting overcome by the smoke. Rapides Parish is one of several parishes still under a burn ban and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has this message…
cut 15 (03) “…burn ban”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is preparing to oversee his final statewide election on November 18th. One of Ardoin’s biggest challenges was his inability to get legislative approval for new voting machines. He says it’s one of the reasons why he didn’t seek a second full-term in office…
cut 5 (10) “….evidence”
Ardoin says he also faced threats after the 2020 presidential election.