Grambling State President Rick Gallot has been appointed to lead the University of Louisiana System. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
______________________________________
The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking for your help after more than 50 cats were taken from a hoarding situation in New Iberia. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________
Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the transfer of the gaming license of the abandoned Bossier City Diamond Jacks Casino to the Cordish Companies. Cordish is a leader in the gaming development industry. Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says Cordish will take over in the renovation of Diamond Jacks.
Diamond Jacks Casino closed in 2020 amid the impacts of the pandemic. Cordish Live! brands several sports and entertainment destinations such as Texas Live! Kansas City Live! and Bally Sports Live! in St. Louis, Missouri.
Johns says Cordish has begun renovation on the massive 77 thousand square feet gaming, entertainment, and dining venue.
The $270 million project will feature more than 47 thousand square feet of gaming space, an upscale 550-room hotel, and 30 thousand square feet of first-class dining and entertainment venues. Johns points out that the new construction will also feature…
Cut 5 (10) “ …class property.”
The project is expected to be complete by late 2025.
__________________________________________________
If you’re planning on traveling Interstate 55 southbound lanes, you may see contractors mobilizing equipment between Ponchatoula and LaPlace over the next two weeks. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says crews will begin repair work on the southbound lanes where the accident occurred starting this weekend.
Interstate 55 southbound lanes reopened Thursday following the massive 168-vehicle pileup that killed at least eight people and injured 63. The southbound lanes will merge to one lane for nearly 500 yards near mile marker 14 near the site of Monday’s accident.
Mallet says the northbound portion of Interstate 55 is completely closed.
DOTD and inspectors are analyzing data on the extent of the damage to the northbound lanes of the bridge. Mallet says questions remain as to what can be done during foggy conditions that create extreme hazards on the highway.
There is no timeline for reopening the northbound lanes at this time.
________________________________________________
Grambling State President Rick Gallot will replace Doctor Jim Henderson as the President of the University of Louisiana System. Henderson is leaving his post at the U-L System to be the next president at La Tech and Gallot says he’s honored to have the opportunity to replace Henderson
The U-L System is the largest higher education system in Louisiana with 91-thousand students at nine different universities, Grambling, La Tech, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern, Southeastern, U-L Lafayette, ULM, and UNO. Gallot says he looks forward to meeting with the presidents of these schools
Gallot has served as Grambling’s president since 2016. Before that, he was a state lawmaker for 17 years. The Ruston native believes his experience as a state lawmaker will benefit him as he advocates for resources…
Gallot will begin his new role January 1st. A search committee will likely be formed to find Gallot’s successor.
____________________________________________________________________
After an animal hoarding situation of 53 cats was discovered in New Iberia last Saturday, the Human Society of Louisiana is asking for contributions to cover medical expenses. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says the cats were living in a home with deplorable conditions.
Cut 12 (11) “…their ailments.”
A GoFundMe account “53 Cats Need Our Help” has been set up and you can find a link on HSLA’s Facebook Page or call 1-888-6-HUMANE.
Dorson says they are also asking cat rescues and individuals interested in adopting a cat to contact them.
Dorson says one of the cats removed gave birth to kittens Tuesday night and more are on the way.
As soon as space is available Iberia Parish Rabies Control says they will remove the approximate remaining 30 felines that have been surrendered from the owner’s home. An investigation is ongoing.
____________________________________________________________________
The parents of murdered Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell blame coach Brad Laird for not doing enough to protect their son. The family says Caldwell was re-located to another apartment because of mold. Ronnie’s father, Ronald Caldwell Senior, says they told Laird his son needed to be re-located again because his new roommate, who is not a student, pulled a gun on him…
Ronald Caldwell Senior says the roommate pulled a gun on him on October 9th, three days later his son was fatally shot. No one has been charged in his murder, but the roommate, 27-year-old John McIntosh, has been arrested on gun and drug charges. Ronald Caldwell Senior says Laird and Northwestern State failed to protect his son…
Laird announced his resignation on Thursday and Northwestern State has canceled the rest of the season forfeiting its final four games.