The last time there was a passenger train service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans was 1969, but the state has taken another step in bringing it back. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_______________________________________________

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 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.”

______________________________________________

The month of September proved to be lucky for sports betting in Louisiana. State Gaming Board Chair Ronnie Johns says it was the most profitable on record since the inception of mobile sports betting in the Bayou State. He says the state has surpassed more than $ 4 billion in wagering.

Cut 4 (11) “…the country.”

In Louisiana, it’s generated over $60 million for the state since legalized sports betting went live in October of 2021. The following year mobile wagering kicked off. Johns says mobile sports betting makes up 85% of wagering in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (11) “…$70-million range.”

Parlays are popular among sports gamblers which accounted for $20 million, and Johns says it’s football, at $7-milllion that truly motivates gamblers in the Bayou State. He says the numbers for August and September were significant.

Johns says they are watching the numbers and also working closely with the Association of Compulsive Gambling.

Cut 6 (07) “…compulsive gambling.”

And even with the Houston Astros out of the World Series, Johns anticipates baseball will provide a bump in sports wagering profits for October and November.

_________________________________________________

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.”

Holl took a trial ride on the train’s proposed route, and says it’s more productive and relaxing than driving…

Cut 8 (10) “…relaxing.” 

Holl predicts bringing the Capital City and the state’s largest metropolitan area together by rail could be an economic boost…

Cut 9 (08)  “…Louisiana.”

The route is expected to have 2 stops in Baton Rouge, one in Gonzales, LaPlace, Louis Armstrong Airport, Jefferson Parish, and the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. Passenger service could start as early as 2027.

__________________________________________________

The House Education Committee rejected BESE’s graduation appeals policy in an eight to three vote on Thursday. The proposal would give seniors an appeals option if they do not pass the LEAP exit exam. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley believes the appeals process is bad policy for Louisiana…

Cut 10 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

The policy was originally passed by BESE in June. There are eight states that require the passage of a standardized test to graduate and Louisiana is the only one that does not offer an appeals requirement.

U-S Senator John Kennedy also opposed the policy. The junior senator taped a video message for the committee and says the policy waters down graduation standards.

Cut 11 (09) “…huge mistake.” 

Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey spoke in favor of the appeals process. She says currenlty the state does not meet every student where they are.

Cut 12 (11) “…demonstrate competency.” 

The Committee has four days to send its report to Governor John Bel Edwards for review. Edwards would have 10 days to approve or disapprove. New BESE members will be sworn in in January and the state’s highest education board will take another at this proposed policy that would allow for appeals.

__________________________________________________

Northwestern State has canceled the remainder of its 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 and opted not to play their October 14^th game against Nicholls, two days after Caldwell’s death.

Jones was asked if there were other players and coaches who wanted to finish the season noting that the cancellation impacts the Southland Conference and revenue for Natchitoches.

Cut 14 (12) “…remaining games.”

NSU was scheduled to play at McNeese State’s homecoming Saturday.

Jones also accepted Laird’s resignation and says in addition to his teammates, the death of Caldwell has emotionally impacted coaches also.

Cut 15 (09) “…his decision.”

A former Demon player has been charged with Obstruction of Justice in connection with the shooting but to date, no one has been charged with murder in Caldwell’s death.

___________________________________________________

ULM will look to snap a five-game losing streak when they host Arkansas State at 4 PM at Malone Stadium. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden may start a freshman at quarterback. Bowden says Blake Murphy from Florida was impressive in his first collegiate game, throwing for 320 yards and a touchdown…

Cut 16 (16) “…under those circumstances.”

Arkansas State has defeated the Warhawks in 13 consecutive games. They come into Saturday’s game with a record of 3-4. Bowden says they are capable of producing big plays in the passing game…

Cut 17 (16) “…we can play.”

This will be ULM’s first home game since October 7th. It’s homecoming and Bowden is hoping for a big crowd

Cut 18 (18) “…great atmosphere.” 

_____________________________________________________

The Saints travel to Indianapolis on Sunday looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The week got off to a rocky start with Chris Olave ticketed for reckless driving for traveling more than 40 miles per hour over the speed limit. Quarterback Derek Carr talked to the star receiver about the poor decision he made…

Cut 19 (19) “…so games.” 

After beating New England 34-0 on October 8th, the Saints have lost their last two games, both by a touchdown. Carr has been seen yelling at his teammates and coaches in tough moments during the game. The veteran plans to keep his emotions in check this Sunday

Cut 20 (14) “…I think.” 

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.” 

______________________________________

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.

Jolly says while he drives long-distance for a living, 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.”

While trapped on the interstate, Jolly 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.”  

Authorities say the morning fog combined with smoke from marsh fires severely limited visibility which sparked a chain reaction of multiple crashes. Eight people died, including a six-year-old boy from Madisonville.

__________________________________________________

DOTD announced the southbound side of Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish has reopened following the massive vehicle pileup involving 168 vehicles that killed at least eight people and injured 63 people. 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.”

Specialized equipment such as a ground penetrating radar was used as part of the inspection process.

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.” 

.Mallet says the right lane remains closed for about a half-mile stretch on I-55 South near the Manchac exit…

Cut 8 (12) “…with you.” 

There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes.

________________________________________________

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. He says there are several existing programs at La Tech that he looks to grow…

Cut 10 (13) “…starting to emerge.”

Henderson will begin his role as president on January 1st, replacing Doctor Les Guice who is retiring. He’s been the president of the U-L System since 2017 and is looking forward to moving to Ruston…

Cut 11 (06) “…right now.”

Henderson told the board one of his goals is to establish an endowment. He says they need to lean on private resources, because public funding can be unpredictable during tough budget times.

Grambling State President Rick Gallot has been named as Henderson’s replacement as U-L System President.

____________________________________________________________________

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 tanked.

Johnson is a conservative who received the backing of former President Donald Trump. 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. 

_______________________