An early morning house fire claims four lives in Slidell. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Media reports say State Treasurer John Schroder has told supporters he will enter the 2023 governor’s race, but Schroder tells our Jeff Palermo he’s not ready to make any public announcement…
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Firefighters say four people were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell’s Eden Isles subdivision. The fire was first reported around 1:30 in the morning and extinguished around 6 AM. Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann.
Three victims were found on the second floor of the home and the fourth on the first floor. One was pronounced dead on the scene and the other three at a local hospital.
Neighbors reportedly heard two loud explosions which woke them to see the house engulfed in flames. It was neighbors that call 9-1-1 and Kauffmann says the explosion was from two propane tanks on the back porch.
Kaufmann says they found a smoke detector that was not functioning in the home and reinforced the message that smoke detectors are critical in warning people to get out of a building in time.
Several agencies are investigating the blaze and Kauffmann says it’s been a difficult and emotional morning for everyone involved.
Cut 5 (13) “…accidental fire.”
The victims have been identified as 33-year old Phoenix Lousteau, her husband 40-year-old Stephen Lousteau, and their daughters, Mackenzie age 10, and Payton age five. The blaze remains under investigation.
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Louisiana is preparing for a big change in temperatures as a major cold front will begin moving through this afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Michael Berry out of Shreveport, says residents in the northern part of the state can expect freezing conditions beginning tonight.
Berry does believe that the I-20/I-49 corridor should miss out on winter precipitation, but Central Louisiana and areas to the south and southwest of Alexandria could experience a wintery mix.
After a warm afternoon today, temps will take a big dive tomorrow, and will stay there for a while. Berry adds that the winds coming with the front will make conditions even colder.
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US Congressman Garrett Graves announced that the federal government has committed more than $2.5 billion to help reinforce Louisiana’s hurricane and flood protection systems. Graves highlighted $128 million designated for the Comite Diversion project as a major, but long-delayed victory.
Even with the new funds, Graves believes oil-producing regions like Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes received less than their fair share due to presidential politics, citing the Morganza to the Gulf project as the main example.
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Graves says failure to support Louisiana is a failure to help the nation’s struggling economy.
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Is State Treasurer John Schroder planning to run for Governor in 2023? At a recent Rotary Club event in Baton Rouge, the Treasurer addressed a report from Lafayette Advertiser reporter Greg Hilburn that he was (quote) “telling supporters he is running for governor”. Mr. Schroder is keeping his cards close to his vest…:
Cut 12 (06) “…later this year.”
In a text to supporters, obtained USA Today Network & quoted by Hilburn, Schroder wrote he (quote) “Just wanted to let you know that the Schroder family has met, and we will be entering the governor’s race. Timeline for the announcement is not set yet, but I wanted to let you know.” Schroder tells LRN he’s not prepared to make it official just yet, but swerving the public comes naturally to him…:
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In his ten years in the state Legislature, the Covington resident gained a reputation for being a “Fiscal Hawk”. He ran for – and won – State Treasurer in a 2017 special election to replace John Kennedy and was easily re-elected in 2019. Talking with LRN, Schroder certainly sounds like he’s running for governor…:
Cut 14 (13) “…isn’t trusted by many.”
Schroder says an official announcement will be coming in the weeks ahead.