One person has died from Monday’s attack by a 23-year-old student on the Louisiana Tech’s campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (27)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Governor-elect Jeff Landry Appoints the first Black woman to head the Department of Environmental Quality. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto (Jack-ah-metto) began her career at Monsanto and in addition to a biology degree from Howard, and a master’s in molecular genetics from Purdue, she has a law degree from the University of Kentucky.

Landry says her appointment will attract others to the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…Environmental Quality.”

Today marks two years since President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-author of the legislation and he says Louisiana has received nine-billion dollars from the infrastructure law in the first two years alone…

Cut 8 (11) “…in Baton Rouge” 

Southern University has parted ways with Head Football Coach Eric Dooley after only two seasons. Despite different perspectives, Athletics Director Roman Banks says it was clear a change in leadership of the program was necessary.

The Jaguars will take on its rival the Grambling State Tigers in the 50^th annual Bayou Classic in less than two weeks. Banks says Assistant Head Coach Terrance Graves and Safeties Coach Sean Wallace will serve as Interim Head Coach for the big game.

Cut 12 (12) “…Bayou Classic.”  

It appears that Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier is the Republicans’ choice for Louisiana Speaker of the House. LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says DeVillier has strong Cajun roots like Governor-elect Jeff Landry, and he was first elected to represent Acadiana District 41 in 2015.  As he begins his third and final term in the legislature, Alford says DeVillier has very strong ties to business and industry.

Cut 4 (11) “…in January.”

It’s yet to be seen who and how a new congressional map will be drawn before the January 15^th deadline. Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez says it’s not ideal for current lawmakers to meet and If Governor Edwards vetoed the maps, then there would be a veto override session for incoming lawmakers and Governor-elect Landry. Cortez says they’ll have a better idea of where things stand next week.

Cut 10

The Governor’s Office has kicked off the “56 for 56” social media campaign chronicling the progress of the state under Governor Edwards leadership for his remaining 56 days. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The UNO Research center has released the results of a statewide comprehensive survey which shed light on the respondents’ political party choices and the factors influencing these preferences. Prior to 2021, Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says the majority of registered voters were firmly against the idea of marijuana legalization and now 52% favor recreational use.

Cut 16

It’s expected to be difficult if even possible for incoming lawmakers meet a January 15^th deadline to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district? Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez says he hasn’t discussed it with Governor Edwards if he plans to call for a special session before he leaves office. Cortez believes Edwards is waiting to see if Judge Shelly Dick grants an extension or not.

Cut 11 (08) “…additional time.”

Governor-elect Landry and new lawmakers will be sworn in office one week before the January 15^th deadline.

Louisiana Representative and Speaker of the US House Representatives Mike Johnson has endorsed Former President Donald Trump for president saying he’s all in for president trump. While the house was seeking a new speaker, Trump didn’t endorse Johnson but reportedly made a strong suggestion to go with the leading candidate and do so quickly.

The UNO Research Center has released the results of a statewide comprehensive survey. The random poll asked 429 participants to rate Governor John Bel Edwards’ job performance and the incoming Landry administration. Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says Governor Edwards received a 20 percent higher job approval rating compared to former Governor Bobby Jindal when he left office in 2016.

Cut 14 (06) “…20 percent.”

LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says with the Governor’s race, and the majority of House and Senate races decided last month, there’s already a huge jump on the next term of state government.

Cut 5 (08) “ …early start.”  

Metairie Senator Cameron Henry is expected to be the Republicans’ choice for Senate President and Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier is the Republicans’ choice for Louisiana Speaker of the House.

Acadiana Representative Phillip DeVillier is the Republicans’ choice for the next Louisiana Speaker of the House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Governor’s Office has launched “56 for 56” – a social media campaign highlighting one of the governor’s accomplishments every day for his final 56 days in office. While the series highlights the progress of Governor Edwards, Digital Creator for the Governor’s Office Tyler Walker says it also celebrates Louisianans who supported and worked with Governor Edwards since 2016.

Cut 6 (13) “…we’ve made.”

The question looms if incoming lawmakers can meet the January 15^th deadline to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district.  Outgoing Senate President Page Cortez says it’s best to ask for a deadline extension because it’s not ideal for current lawmakers to meet.

Cut 9 (11) “…could pass.” 

Early voting numbers in the Bayou State show only 254,000 people voted that’s 115,000 fewer voters than the October early-voting turnout. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says this is not a good indication for Democratic candidates who are in big races like Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Cut 12 (11) “…statewide contender.” 

A Louisiana Tech Student is in custody following a stabbing on the Ruston Campus this morning. A graduate student and 3 others were attacked this morning outside the Lambright Intramural Sports and Wellness Center. At least one of the victims were airlifted to a Shreveport hospital. The Louisiana Tech Police Department says 23 year old Jacoby Johnson of Rayville has been arrested and it appears the attacks were random Johnson had reportedly been inside the building and ran out, stabbing the victims in his path. The Mayor of Ruston is holding a press conference this afternoon.

The inmate convicted of 1993 killing BRP Corporal  Betty Smothers, the mother of former NFL player Warrick Dunn Will remain on death row.

The Louisiana Board of Pardons refused Henri Broadway’s request for clemency Monday. Broadway was one of several inmates who sent letters to Governor John Bel Edwards earlier this year in hopes of escaping the death penalty.

Rain, something we haven’t seen much of for quite some time, is falling in south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a storm system in the Gulf, off the Texas coast, is expected to track eastward along Louisiana’s coastline today, tomorrow, and part of Wednesday.

Cut 6 (12) “…about that.”

Keim says any rain is welcome considering 99 percent of the state is in a drought and 88 percent is either extreme or exceptional drought.

I-55 Northbound in between Ponchatoula and LaPlace reopened today after being closed for four weeks. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett urges motorists to always pay attention to changing weather conditions and react accordingly.

Cut 9 (11) “…the crash.” 

A Louisiana Tech Student is in custody following a stabbing on the Ruston Campus this morning. A graduate student and 3 others were attacked this morning outside the Lambright Intramural Sports and Wellness Center. At least one of the victims were airlifted to a Shreveport hospital. The Louisiana Tech Police Department says 23 year old Jacoby Johnson of Rayville has been arrested and it appears the attacks were random Johnson had reportedly been inside the building and ran out, stabbing the victims in his path. Tech Police are not granting interviews at this time and no press conference has yet been scheduled.

I-55 Northbound in St. John the Baptist Parish reopened today after being closed for four weeks. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett urges motorists to always pay attention to changing weather conditions and react accordingly.

Cut 9 (11) “…the crash.” 

Yes, that’s rain falling from the sky in south Louisiana, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

State Police say a two-vehicle crash on LA 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish claimed the life of a nine-year-old Braelynn Washington of Port Allen a front passenger in a Chevrolet Blazer, Saturday evening. The Chevrolet headed south on LA 415 attempted to make a left turn at LA 986 when the Jeep headed south hit the vehicle. The occupants in the Jeep were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. Trooper Christian Reed says says the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation

Cut 4 (09) “..to this.”

A suspect is in custody after a stabbing at Louisiana Tech’s campus in Ruston this morning  Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The inmate convicted of 1993 killing BRP Corporal  Betty Smothers, the mother of former NFL player Warrick Dunn Will remain on death row.

The Louisiana Board of Pardons refused Henri Broadway’s request for clemency Monday. Broadway was one of several inmates who sent letters to Governor John Bel Edwards earlier this year in hopes of escaping the death penalty.

State Police say a two-vehicle crash on LA 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish claimed the life of a minor Saturday evening. Trooper Christian Reed says nine-year-old Braelynn Washington of Port Allen was a front passenger in a Chevrolet Blazer when it was struck by a Jeep Cherokee.

Cut 3 (09) “….the Jeep.”

Rain is falling in south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says any rain is welcome considering 99 percent of the state is in drought and 88 percent of Louisiana is in either extreme or exceptional drought. Since October 1^st there’s only been an average of one-point-nine inches of rain in the state.

Cut 7 (09) “…since October 1st.” 

Louisiana Tech is on lock-down following a stabbing on the Ruston campus this morning. Teiko Foxx has more…

This is a developing story. We will keep you updated.

I-55 between Ponchatoula and LaPlace is finally open in both directions. The Northbound side had be closed since the tragic crashes on October 23^rd. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett reminds motorists to always buckle up, pay attention to the road, never drive impaired, avoid tailgating other vehicles, and when weather conditions change, slow down…

Cut 11 (11) “…we had.”

More than 160 vehicles were involved in the October 23^rd crash where seven people were killed.

Rain, something we haven’t seen much of for quite some time, is falling in south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a storm system in the Gulf, off the Texas coast, is expected to track eastward along Louisiana’s coastline today, tomorrow, and part of Wednesday.

Cut 6 (12) “…about that.”

Keim says any rain is welcome considering 99 percent of the state is in drought and 88 percent of Louisiana is in either extreme or exceptional drought.

A big development in the lawsuit against Louisiana’s current Congressional District map. A panel of the U-S Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is ordering state legislators to draw a new Congressional map by January 15th. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is a difficult assignment as a new legislature is sworn in on January 8th….

Cut 13 (11) “…so many implications”

I-55 Should be open in both directions sometime next week but DOTD says there will be a complete shutdown of both lanes of I-55 Southbound near Ponchatoula on Sunday morning around 6 AM. Drivers will need to detour at exit 22 but can rejoin the interstate at Ruddock. Northbound I-55 remains closed until complete barrier rail repair and road striping is completed. All lanes in both directions are expected to be open sometime next week.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell is in Kenya 4 days ahead of the UN Meetings on plastics pollution. Meanwhile back home, the State Ethics Board has brought her up on charges for those 15 flight upgrades over a 2 year period costing the city almost $29,000. Cantrell paid the city back the $28,856 about a year ago. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford speculated on the timing of the Ethics Board’s actions…

Cut 9 (06) “…these flights.” 

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has released a list of of approved vape and alternative nicotine products. It’s the result of legislation sponsored by Covington Representative Paul Hollis. Hollis says this registry is going to make sure that these products are as safe as they possibly can be…

Cut 3 (07) “….whatsoever”

The state Ethics Board has charged New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell for 2 years of first class flights which under public pressure she paid back. Cantrell has said that her upgrades were a matter of safety not luxury. The Ethics Adjudicatory Board is likely to hear the case but Alford says, Even if Cantrell is fined, we will have to wait and see…

Cut 11 (08) “…quite a bit.”

The V-A-P-E Directory released by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control contains 397 products that are authorized to be sold in Louisiana. JUUL products, nicotine pouches and B-I-D-I stick products are on the list. But popular disposable vapes are missing like Elf Bars. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says that’s a good thing…

Cut 4 (12) “..to children.”

Turkey Day is less than 2 weeks away and State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says folks shouldn’t bypass having Louisiana homegrown produce on their Thanksgiving dinner table.

Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana rice.” 

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month and the Veterinary Cancer Society estimates one in four dogs will develop cancer at some point. Ginger Guttner with LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says nearly 50 percent of dogs over age 10 will develop cancer.  She urges pet owners to keep an eye out for warning signs.

Cut 13 (09) “…an exam.”

Other possible signs of cancer include enlarged or changing lumps and rapid weight loss.