The number of people killed in the massive car pileup on Monday caused by a “super fog” on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish has risen to eight. State Police say 63 people were injured and 168 vehicles were involved in the crash.  There are multiple areas on the bridge that will need to be repaired. I-55 remains closed and it is unknown when the bridge will reopen.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of legislation to end hazing on college campuses. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry will hold his first press conference this morning to announce his transition team. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when a governor reveals who will play a part in their transition team it’s primarily for publicity.

Cut 12 (12) “…a transition.” 

As for who will be among Landry’s key staff or his employees, Pinsonat says that will come later, but he could introduce who will be his Chief of Staff.  The press conference will be held in Lafayette at 10 a.m. this morning.

The President of the University of Louisiana System, Dr. Jim Henderson, is set to interview tonight to be Louisiana Tech’s next president. Henderson is the lone candidate. Henderson says he and his wife spent a day at Tech to meet with the students and faculty last week. He’s optimistic about his future in Ruston.

Cut 9 (11)  “…can be.”

The public will be allowed to ask questions at today’s meeting in Baton Rouge.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry will hold a press conference in Lafayette today to introduce members of his transition team. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 11 (10) “…from them”
Landry will be sworn into office on January 8th.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is co-sponsoring legislation called the Stop Campus Hazing Act. The legislation requires hazing incidents to be included in a college’s annual crime report….
cut 6 (08) “….stop hazing”
Steve Gruver, the father of Max Gruzer, says this legislation could have saved his son’s life. Max pledged at Phi Delta Theta and died in a hazing incident. The year before that same fraternity was suspended because of hazing.

The House Transportation Committee has rejected a proposal to use state and federal dollars plus toll money to build a two-point-one billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter urged the committee to vote for the plan, because he’s concerned if they do not, a new bridge will never be built…
Cut 15 (12) “…southern part of the country”
But Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says tolls are only used in the United States when you are building a new highway
Cut 14 (10) “…not the place.”
The financing proposal was shot down eight to six and it will likely be left up to the next administration on what to do with the current bridge that was build in 1952.

It’s unclear what will happen next after the House Transportation Committee votes against a financing plan for a new two-point-one billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. The bridge would be partially funded by tolls. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum questioned the high price tag…
Cut 13 (11) “…portrayed to be.”
But Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter says the current I-10 bridge is not safe and a new bridge could spur economic development…
cut 16 (10) “….that area”
As a result of this vote, DOTD interim Secretary Eric Kalivoda says they may need to look at rehabbing the existing bridge that was built in 1952.

Jeff Landry holds his first press conference today as the Governor-elect announces his transition team. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the transition team will be people close to him and they’ll begin the work of developing policies that Landry plans to put in place once he gets into office…
Cut 10 (08) “…legislative session.”
Landry will be sworn in on January 8th.

2017 was when LSU fraternity pledge Max Gruver died after a heavy night of drinking during a hazing event. Max’s father, Steve Gruver, is backing U-S Senate legislation that would require hazing incidents to be reported publicly.
cut 5 (12) “…son’s life”
The year before Max Gruver’s death, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, was suspended for a hazing incident.

House Republicans are now backing Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as the next Speaker of the House. Johnson is the fourth Republican to claim the speaker-designate title, but will he get the 217 votes needed to be elected as the next Speaker? The House is scheduled to hold a vote this morning.

Jeff Landry will hold his first governor-elect press conference this morning and announce members of his transition team.
Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

University of Louisiana System President Dr. Jim Henderson is set to interview tonight to be the next president at Louisiana Tech. A vote could take place at today’s special meeting of the U-L System board as Henderson is the lone candidate. He says he would be honored to succeed the retiring Les Guice…
Cut 7 (09) “… strengthens that.”
Henderson has been the President of the UL System for nearly seven years.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-sponsoring the Stop Campus Hazing Act to address violence on college campuses. The federal law would require colleges to include hazing incidents in their annual crime report.
Cut 4 (09) “…know that history.”
The legislation has the support of Max Gruver’s parents. Gruver died in 2017 from a hazing incident at an LSU fraternity that involved excessive amounts of alcohol.

I-55 remains closed in St. John the Baptist Parish following yesterday’s massive 158-vehicle pileup due to Superfog mix that killed eight people.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The I-55 closure is now between Ponchatoula and Ruddock exit.  It’s unknown how long the interstate will remain closed.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has announced the city’s two largest Mardi Gras parades, Gemini and Centaur, will roll in 2024 after security concerns put the annual events in limbo. Stacy Brown with Visit Shreveport-Bossier says about 225,000 attend their five Mardi Gras parades.

Cut 7 (13) “…Mardi Gras season.” 

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..

cut 3 (10) “the field.”

The victim is believed to be in his 60s and is the homeowner.

Is there still a chance the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives will be from Louisiana? Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton finished second out of 7 candidates in the Republican Conference nomination early Tuesday in a series of secret ballots eventually won by Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer. Emmer has now withdrawn his name from consideration.

The House has been without a speaker and unable to conduct business since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted three weeks ago.

I-55 remains closed between Ponchatoula and Ruddock as the state department of transportation inspects the bridge for any deficiencies. The final few damaged vehicles were removed from the elevated roadway this morning Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event…

Cut 9 (11) “…amount of vehicles” 

The State Fire Marshall is investigating a brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim is believed in his 60s and is the homeowner

Cut 4 (12) “…went wrong.”

Mardi Gras 2024 receives the green light in Shreveport after security concerns put the annual event in Mardi Gras 2024 receives the green light in Shreveport 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.” 

Next year Mardi Gras falls on February 13th

With I-55 closed, after the tragic 158 vehicle pile-up Monday morning, it’s going to be more difficult for people traveling from Tangipahoa or eastern Livingston Parishes to get to and from areas south of Lake Pontchartrain. How long the interstate will remain closed is unknown, but DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says a thorough inspection must be done…

Cut 12 (06) “..properly”  

The types of things they’re looking for

Cut 11 (12) “…re-open”

There are several alternate routes travelers can use including Hwy 51. You can check the DOTD website at 511LA.org

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” 

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 (09) “…this process.”

Arceneaux says they will have enough police and fire personnel to support the parades.