An elderly East Baton Rouge Parish woman is recovering from injuries sustained when her car went into a ditch, became airborne and went through the roof of a home in Zachary. It happened shortly after 5 Friday evening. Two kids were inside the home at the time, but escaped unhurt. First responders think the woman suffered kind of health issue while driving. She is alive, but her exact condition is unknown.

The rain is beginning to lighten up and behind it, you can feel that cool air moving in. State Climatologist Barry Keim says afternoon highs today will struggle to get beyond 60, and get an extra blanket for tonight…:

CUT 04  (08)        “coastal zone.”

He says expect cool temperatures right through next week.

A Jefferson Parish mom is arrested for arming her son and driving him in search of a teen who threatened to shoot him earlier. No one was hurt in the resulting rolling gun fight. 36-year-old Terrica Griffin of Kenner, and her 15-year-old son are in custody.

LSU looks to avoid a letdown today when they face unranked Arkansas. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

After the resignation of Department of Children & Family Service Secretary Marketa Walters this week, a state Senator who over sees woman & child welfare concerns says it may be time for an overhaul at DCFS. Two toddlers have died from fentanyl overdoses in just a few months, and both were DCFs cases. The agency had been tipped off that the kids might be in peril. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow understands the agency is understaffed and what case workers they have are overworked and underpaid, but says – nevertheless – they must be held accountable…:

CUT 14  (06)        “…had done their job.”

Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks has been promoted up to the top spot at DCFS.

Get ready for some pretty cool weather moving into Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be downright COLD by Sunday morning…:

CUT 04  (08)        “coastal zone.”

While some might be surprised at a study indicating wastewater in Shreveport contains twice the national average of methamphetamine, Brooke Thorington spoke with someone who wasn’t surprised. Not one bit…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

A Jefferson Parish mom is arrested for arming her son and driving him in search of a teen who threatened to shoot him earlier. No one was hurt in the resulting rolling gun fight. 36-year-old Terrica Griffin of Kenner, and her 15-year-old son are in custody.

After a report was released showing Shreveport’s wastewater contains double the amount of methamphetamine than water systems anywhere else in the country, many were shocked. But Louisiana Addiction Research Center director Nick Goeders says it didn’t surprise him at all. He says they use specialized equipment to detect meth in wastewater and when the results came in for Shreveport he called for a recount…:

CUT 10(11)      “…than we got.”

Shreveport’s water system purifies wastewater before it’s reused, but Goeders says he’s concerned about rural water systems and their levels of the dangerous drug.

After we get some rain tonight and tomorrow, get ready for some really Autumn-like temperatures for about a week. State Climatologist Berry Keim says the rain comes first though…:

CUT 03  (08)        “…assure you.”

He says the cool temperatures will be with us right through next week.

Best wishes to all our Louisiana military veterans. Governor John Bel Edwards, a U.S. Army vet, spoke today at a Veterans Day event in Iberville Parish. He spoke of his recent trip to Europe and a visit to the battlefields of Normandy and D-Day, and how that inspired him…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…for granted.”

Earlier this week, the governor accepted the resignation of Department of Children & Family Services secretary Marketa Walters, who was under fire for infant deaths from fentanyl that slipped through the cracks at her agency. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow chairs a legislative committee on women & children’s welfare. She says she looks forward to talking with new Secretary Terri Porche Ricks about DCFS’s future..:

CUT 13  (08)        “…have these hiccups.”

She feels an overhaul of DCFS may be needed.

Some might be surprised – even shocked – at a study indicating wastewater in Shreveport contains twice the national average of methamphetamine. Brooke Thorington talks to one person who isn’t…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

St. Landry Parish officials say the town of Melville will move forward after the Election Day passing of Mayor Velma Hendrix. Another round of qualifying to run for mayor is open now through Monday. If no one does, the person with the most votes in Early Voting wins, and that would be Sheila Londerno. If others get in, the election will be December 10^th.

A strong cold front swings through the state tonight and into tomorrow bringing fall temperatures for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll get some rain before the chill arrives…but then it’ll stay cool for several days…:

CUT 05(06)      “…most of next week.”

Observing Veterans Day today with LRN’s thanks to all those who’ve served and are serving. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at an event in Iberville parish today. He says it’s vital the country treat its veterans well, because many of them volunteered to serve…:

CUT 07(16)      “…uniform today.”

Edwards is, himself, a U.S. Army vet. There are nearly a quarter-million veterans in Louisiana; over 30-thousand of them women.

The recent resignation of DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges in handling thousands of child welfare cases statewide. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow also chairs a select Committee on women and Children. She says Walters stepping down at DCFS won’t instantly fix problems, and that needs to be a focus going forward…:

CUT 12  (08) and repeated issues

Barrow admits DCFS is under-staffed, and case workers are underpaid for their long and demanding hours…but the agency still needs an overhaul.

How potentially dangerous is the New Orleans French Quarter, really? We hear about shootings frequently and there was one in just the last few days. A teenager arrested for it. NOPD now say there have been 254 gun arrests made on Bourbon Street alone so far this year. They say the nigh number of busts is due to tougher policing and getting dangerous people off the streets when possible.

Three arrests have been made in a fatal shooting last weekend in Minden. Two men and one woman are charged in the crime. An unnamed male victim died the day after the shooting in a Shreveport hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

LSU looks to avoid a let down on Saturday when they face unranked Arkansas. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

It’s Veteran’s Day a day to give a special thank you to the many men and women who have served in the military. While speaking at a Veteran’s Day event in Iberville Parish, Governor John Bel Edwards, who is a U.S. Army veteran, said the thank yous should not be designated for today only…:

CUT 06(12)      “…please do that.”

There are 283-thousand veterans in Louisiana. 33-thousand of them are women.

Many are shocked at a report showing Shreveport’s wastewater contains double the amount of meth in the system than anywhere else in the country many were shocked. But Louisiana Addiction Research Center director Nick Goeders says it didn’t surprise him whatsoever…:

CUT 09(13)      “…last ten years.”

How did the meth get in the wastewater? I think you know…

A Jefferson Parish mom is arrested for arming her son and driving him in search of a teen who threatened to shoot him earlier. No one was hurt in the resulting rolling gun fight. 36-year-old Terrica Griffin of Kenner, and her 15-year-old son are in custody.

Shreveport’s own Jacob and Jordan Davis won song of the year at the Country Music Awards Wednesday and their mom couldn’t be any prouder. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 26(35)      “…Thorington.”

Under fire for recent overdose deaths of small kids under her agency’s care, Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters has resigned. This comes a day after Governor John Bel Edwards says the death of a one-year-old DCFS client on October 31^st from fentanyl was an “absolute failure” of the agency…:

CUT 08  (07)        “…what happened.”

Before resigning, Walters had complained of too few staff to handle the massive caseload of at-risk kids and families in the state.

Bogalusa elects a new mayor; the 23-year-old grandson of a Vietnamese immigrant, Tyron Truong. He says he will work to innovate ways to address the root causes of violence, and he wants to use community policing and set up a mayor’s camp…:

CUT 05(10)      “…new skills.”

Fresh off his resounding re-election victory Tuesday night, District One congressman and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise begins his efforts to be elected House Majority Leader in the next Congress. Scalise says he supports California Congressman Kevin McCarthy to be the next House Speaker, but he wants that #2 position. It can be beneficial to Louisiana to have a delegate holding high office in the Capitol.

Last night’s Country Music Awards saw some Louisiana talent take honors. Franklin Parish native Lainey Wilson won Female artists of the year and New Artist of the Year. Plus Shreveport brothers Jordan and Jacob Davis won Song of the year for writing “Buy Dirt”, a hit by Luke Bryan. Back at home, Stephanie Springer, who taught them at Byrd High school, says she saw Jordan’s creativity even then…:

CUT 14(06)      “…very naturally.”

She says all of Byrd High School is very proud of the Davis Brothers.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters has resigned one day after Governor Edwards had harsh criticism of her state agency. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Police arrest a couple after their 17-month-old was found dead, with burns and bruises all over his body. 23-year-old Johnna Barnum and 24-year-old Donell Williams are charged with suspicion of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile while an investigation take place.

District 1 Congressman and current House Minority Whip Steve Scalise has made his intentions known he’d like to be House Majority Leader in January. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it would not be the first time a Louisiana delegate held a key role in the House…:

CUT 11(08)      “…as beneficial.”

Scalise has been House Minority whip since 2018, before that he was House Majority Whip.

Byrd High School is buzzing over two of their alumni who won an award at last night’s Country Music Awards. The hit song “Buy Dirt” won song of the year and Shreveport natives Jacob and Jordan Davis are the co-writers. Jordan sings on the recording with Luke Bryan. Stephanie Springer was Jordan’s English teacher at Byrd…:

CUT 12(08)      “…for sure.”

Also Baskin’s Lainey Wilson won New Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. Big Night for Louisiana.

The head of the state Department of Children & Family Services has resigned; under fire after several children under DCFs supervision died from drug overdoses. This comes a day after Governor Edwards called last week’s fentanyl death of a one-year-old an absolute failure by DCFS. The agency announced new policies in August after a two-year-old died in June. But, Edwards says that didn’t prevent another child from dying…:

CUT 07(07)      “…been announced.”

Prior to her resignation, Walters said a smaller-than-needed workforce and higher worker caseload has been very difficult on their agency.

The Louisiana Treasury Unclaimed Property Program has received more than $8 million in uncashed state income tax refunds. This money represents nearly 33-thousand state tax refunds. An online list is available and the money is ready to be claimed. Search for your name at      “LACashClaim.org”

The two term mayor of Bogalusa was unseated Tuesday by a 23-year-old. Tyron Truong’s election is making national headlines…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Golsby.”

Congratulations to Franklin Parish’s own Lainey Wilson, who scored Country Music Awards during ceremonies in Nashville Wednesday night. Wilson received Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Her single “Heart Like a Truck” has received over 20-million listens on Spotify and over 3-million views on YouTube. Wilson comes from Baskin.

Future control of the U.S. Senate is yet to be determined, as three races are still too close to call or are headed to a run-off. Brooke Thorington has more from Republican Senator John Kennedy…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Former Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy will be the city’s mayor again. Roy challenged incumbent Mayor Jeff Hall’s bid for another term, and won outright last night, with 51-percent of the vote.

Right on the heels of his decisive re-election last night, District 1 congressman Steve Scalise has begun his bid to be named the U.S. House Majority Leader in the next Congress.

Five of the eight constitutional amendments on Tuesday’s ballot failed. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says voters are getting weary and mistrustful of amendments. He says voters rejected amendments in 2020 and again in 2021. He says lawmakers are being sent a message here…:

CUT 14(06)      “…the legislature.”

Two amendments approved dealt with homestead exemptions and property taxes for persons with disabilities.

No matter where you are in Louisiana, I can safely say your congressman (or woman) has been re-elected to another two year term. Five of our six U.S. House members won Tuesday by wide and comfortable margins. The sixth is District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson, who was re-elected by default many weeks ago, when no one qualified to run against him.