Big problems on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as at least 40 vehicles are involved in six separate crashes this morning. Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechau says visibility dropped to nearly zero.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on both bridges,”

Dufrechou says no one went over the rail and into the water, and all stranded vehicles made it off the Causeway. 33 people are hospitalized, none of them with life-threatening injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu in Bossier Parish. Commissioner Mike Strain says the long-term outbreak has been going on for almost three years.

Cut 7 (07) “…February of 2022.”

Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says if you see a sick duck or goose, do not touch it and keep it out of contact with your domestic birds.

Chronic absenteeism in Louisiana schools continues to be on the rise. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew three points to almost 25-percent. It’s the second year in a row that the rate increased. BESE President Ronnie Morris says that includes truancy, which is a huge problem across the state.

Cut 4 (06) “…a truancy problem.”

Morris says solutions include making school fun again, including opportunities for kids to do hands-on activities such as robotics and music.

As expected, at the meeting of the Louisiana Electoral College at the State Capitol, all eight electors cast their ballots for Donald Trump for President and J.D. Vance for Vice President. Voters overwhelmingly chose the electors during the election last month. It’s a scene that played out in all 50 states today, as electors formally elected Trump and Vance. Congress will certify the vote in a joint session on January 6th.

School absenteeism is trending in the wrong direction. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew to almost 25-percent. It’s the second year in a row that the chronic absenteeism rate increased. BESE President Ronnie Morris says one factor that’s likely contributing to the problem is the fact that many students can’t read at grade level.

Cut 3 (10) “…what’s going on.” 

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu. Commissioner Mike Strain says this is in Bossier Parish.

Cut 6 (11) “…not commercial flock.”

Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says if you see a sick duck or goose, do not touch it and keep it out of contact with your domestic birds.

A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway this morning. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Two dozen people in Concordia and Rapides parishes are arrested for their alleged involvement in a nationwide drug trafficking network following a two-year-long investigation. Concordia Sheriff David Hedrick says there is no safe haven for criminals in his parish…

Cut 14 (13) “…do so.”

Chronic absenteeism in Louisiana schools continues to be on the rise. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew three points to almost 25-percent. It’s the second year in a row that the rate increased. BESE President Ronnie Morris says that includes truancy, which is a huge problem across the state.

Cut 4 (06) “…a truancy problem.”

Morris says solutions include making school fun again, including opportunities for kids to do hands-on activities such as robotics and music.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu in Bossier Parish. Commissioner Mike Strain says the long-term outbreak has been going on for almost three years.

Cut 7 (07) “…February of 2022.”

Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says if you see a sick duck or goose, do not touch it and keep it out of contact with your domestic birds.

A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway this morning. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

As expected, at the meeting of the Louisiana Electoral College at the State Capitol, all eight electors cast their ballots for Donald Trump for President and J.D. Vance for Vice President. Voters overwhelmingly chose the electors during the election last month. It’s a scene that’s playing out in all 50 states today. Barring any faithless electors, the Trump/Vance ticket will rack up 312 electoral votes to 226 for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

The absenteeism trend in Louisiana schools is heading in the wrong direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway this morning. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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School absenteeism is trending in the wrong direction. For the second year in a row, the rate of chronic absenteeism – kids who are absent more than ten-percent of the time – has increased. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew to almost 25-percent, up nearly three percentage points from the year prior. BESE President Ronnie Morris says one factor that’s likely contributing to the problem is the fact that many students can’t read at grade level.

Cut 3 (10) “…what’s going on.”

Morris says another factor is kids skipping school for no valid reason, and that’s a huge problem across the state.

Cut 4 (06) “…a truancy problem.”

Morris says solutions include making school fun again, including opportunities for kids to do hands-on activities such as robotics and music. Another idea is to open up internship opportunities to high school kids.

Cut 5 (08) “…way after graduation.”

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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu. Commissioner Mike Strain says this is in Bossier Parish.

Cut 6 (11) “…not commercial flock.”

Strain says the long-term outbreak has been going on for almost three years.

Cut 7 (07) “…February of 2022.”

Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says the key for all poultry producers is biosecurity.

Cut 8 (14) “…your domestic birds.”

Strain says the infected birds have been euthanized and the facility has been cleaned up.

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A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as at least 40 vehicles are involved in crashes this morning. Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechau (DOO-fruh-show) says visibility dropped to nearly zero.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on both bridges,”

Dufrechou says it did not start off as a foggy morning on the 24-mile stretch of roadway.

Cut 10 (12) “…people almost simultaneously.”

Dufrechou says crews were called to several separate incidents.

Cut 11 (16) “…nine separate crashes.”

No one went over the rail and into the water, and all stranded vehicles made it off the Causeway. There were no serious injuries.

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A two-year long investigation has resulted in two dozen people in Concordia and Rapides Parishes arrested for their alleged involvement in a nationwide drug trafficking network. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says 13 of the suspects face federal drug trafficking charges…

Cut 12 (13) “…imprisonment.”

Brown’s office says Henry Jefferson Senior of Katy. Texas is the ring leader. But Brown says multiple people have arrested for possessing, distributing or manufacturing methamphetamine in Ferriday and Vidalia..

Cut 13 (12)  “…bad apples.”

Concordia Sheriff David Hedrick says his deputies arrested 11 more suspects in the investigation. He says there is no safe haven for criminals in Concordia Parish…

Cut 14 (13) “…do so.”

A huge mess on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as at least 40 vehicles are involved in crashes this morning. Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechau says visibility dropped to nearly zero.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on both bridges,”

Dufrechou says crews responded to as many as nine separate crashes. No one went over the rail and into the water, and all stranded vehicles made it off the Causeway. There were no serious injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of bird flu. Commissioner Mike Strain says this is in Bossier Parish.

Cut 6 (11) “…not commercial flock.”

Strain says wild geese and ducks are bringing the virus into Louisiana. He says if you see a sick duck or goose, do not touch it and keep it out of contact with your domestic birds.

School absenteeism is trending in the wrong direction. For the second year in a row, the rate of chronic absenteeism – kids who are absent more than ten-percent of the time – has increased. In the 2023-24 school year, chronic absenteeism grew to almost 25-percent, up nearly three percentage points from the year prior. BESE President Ronnie Morris says one factor that’s likely contributing to the problem is the fact that many students can’t read at grade level.

Cut 3 (10) “…what’s going on.”

Today, the state’s Electoral College meeting takes place, where electors will officially cast their votes for Donald Trump.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A beloved sheriff in North Louisiana has passed away. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A new study shows a presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew Greenstein explains how this could also affect humans.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President.

Cut 4 (11) “…the Electoral College.”

Watson says these meetings taking place across the country will make Trump’s presidency official.

Cut 5 (07) “…Vice President.”

Watson says visit the legislature’s website to watch the ceremony via livestream.

Cut 6 (10) “…start at 12.”

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Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY). He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. His family was at his side when he passed away. One of Sheriff Gilley’s contemporaries, Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), remembers his longtime colleague.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Mashaw says Sheriff Gilley was a dedicated law enforcement professional.

Cut 8 (10) “…and the lord.”

Mashaw says Sheriff Gilley’s death is not only a huge loss for Richland Parish, but for all of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (04)  “…one of us.”

Gilley’s funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Mangham Baptist Church, preceded by visitation starting at 10 a.m.

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Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and it could affect humans. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, says this likely has nothing to do with the trafficking of Fentanyl from Mexico, but rather the improper disposal of the drug, since wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove those pharmaceuticals from the water.

Cut 10 (06) “…into our system.”

Dr. Orbach says this is not a new phenomenon.

Cut 11 (13) “…largely been overlooked.”

As for how the dolphins are becoming exposed to Fentanyl and other drugs, Dr. Orbach says it’s a chain reaction.

Cut 12 (13) “…predators like dolphins.”

Many of the fish species that dolphins eat are also eaten by humans, which may mean that if Fentanyl and other drugs are not disposed of properly, they could end up in the fish that you might one day consume.

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LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC in 2024. Freshman Michael Van Buren was pressed into the starting role at Mississippi State when Blake Shapen went down with a season-ending injury. In 10 games, Van Buren threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs. David Murray covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports and says Van Buren throws a nice deep ball…

Cut 13 (13)  “…five-eleven.”

Van Buren has three years of eligibility left and Murray says he would have been the Bulldogs backup in 2025 with Shapen returning from his injury. He says LSU’s NIL dollars helped lure him to Baton Rouge…

Cut 14 (18) “…offensive linemen.”

Van Buren threw seven interceptions and he was also sacked 27 times for a team that went 2-and-10 in 2024. Murray says Van Buren is known to hang on to the ball in the hopes of hitting the deep pass…

Cut 15 (16) “…college level certainly.”

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After the Saints nearly completed an incredible comeback against the Commanders, falling one point short when a game-ending two-point conversion attempt failed, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he was proud of his team. On the day after, Rizzi said he was even more proud of his team.

Cut 16 (15) “…one play short.”

The Saints mounted their comeback after Spencer Rattler relieved an ineffective Jake Haener. Rattler and Haener were filling in for Derek Carr, who’s not only nursing a broken non-throwing hand but is also in concussion protocol. Coach Rizzi says Carr is still day to day.

Cut 17 (11)  “…at the moment.” 

The Saints’ next game is next Monday night against the Packers in Green Bay. Rizzi says the extra day allows him to alter the team’s practice schedule this week.

Cut 18 (13)   “…we normally have.”

Two unrestrained kids are among three killed in a head-on crash between an SUV and a pickup in Washington Parish. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion says the two children who died were 11 and three years old…

Cut 12 (10) “…deceased on the scene.”

The adult who was killed has been identified as 42-year-old Tequilla Santee.

Students in kindergarten through third grade are improving their reading scores, thanks to a new focus on phonics-based literacy instruction. Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on), the deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education, says those students improved their reading proficiency by more than two percentage points.

Cut 6 (09) “…level in literacy.”

Last year’s kindergarten class improved their reading scores by more than 20 points as first graders.

A National Council on Teacher Quality report says Louisiana teachers are less diverse than its population. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A former deputy police chief in Bossier City is behind bars on a child sex crime. 57-year-old Richard McGee is charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He’s in the Caddo Correctional Center on a 150-thousand-dollar bond. McGee served with the Bossier City Police Department for more than 30 years before his retirement.

Crawfish farmers and fishermen are expecting the 2025 crawfish season to be night and day from last year.  LSU AgCenter Crawfish Agent Todd Fontenot says conditions have been favorable for farmers.

Cut 7 (12) “…normal like conditions.”

Fontenot reassures crawfish enthusiasts that the upcoming season is on track to recover.

The Louisiana Department of Health detects the first possible human case of Bird Flu. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the symptoms of bird flu are not unlike those for human flu.

Cut 11 (13) “…headaches, fatigue.”

But Sokol cautions that in order for it to be bird flu, the person must have come into contact with an infected animal such as a bird or a cow.

Senator John Kennedy wants to give teachers who spend their own money on school supplies a bigger tax break. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

If you need to go to the Office of Motor Vehicles, your best bet is to do it another day. The OMV says its systems are down; and as such, it is unable to process driver’s license, vehicle registration or reinstatement transactions. Currently, no estimate on when those systems will be back up and running.

A man is shot and injured outside the Superdome Friday night following the Prep Classic. The suspected shooter is under arrest. At this time, it’s unclear what led to the shooting.

Late last week, the Louisiana Department of Health detected the first possible human case of the highly pathogenic strain of Bird Flu. The state says the person lives in southwest Louisiana and is hospitalized. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says while public risk is low, the risk is there.

Cut 10 (09) “…from infected cows.”

To boost NIL efforts at LSU, head football coach Brian Kelly announced the one-million dollar match challenge. Kelly says he and his wife will match up to one million dollars in new money donated through NIL for football. Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says one thing that may have motivated Kelly to put up his own money is better job security.

Cut 18 (13)   “…from getting fired.”

The 2024 Prep Classic saw three teams from the Acadiana area win state championships. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

One week after dominating U-L Lafayette in the Sun Belt championship game, Marshall has pulled out of the Independence Bowl. With scores of players opting out or entering the transfer portal, the Thundering Herd did not have enough players to take the field against Army. Louisiana Tech, with a record of 5-and-7, is stepping in to take on the American Athletic Conference champion Black Knights.

Senator John Kennedy introduces a bill that would double the maximum that teachers can deduct from their taxable income for spending their own money on school supplies.

Cut 4 (17) “…to 600 dollars.”

Kennedy says he introduced the bill mainly to get a head start on it. He’ill reintroduce it when the 119th Congress convenes next month.

Late last week, the Louisiana Department of Health detected the first possible human case of the highly pathogenic strain of Bird Flu. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says while symptoms of bird flu are similar to those of regular flu, the person must have come into contact with an infected animal such as a bird or a cow.

Cut 12 (10) “…not bird flu.”

The state says the person lives in southwest Louisiana and is hospitalized. 

Two blowouts punctuated the Prep Classic at the Superdome. In the Division One Select Championship, Edna Karr out of New Orleans beat Alexandria Senior High, 53-8. Alexandria coach Thomas Bachman says that one loss does not take away from the team’s accomplishments all season long.

Cut 13 (09)  “…proud of them.”

Later, in the Division One Non-Select title game, Central, out of Baton Rouge, annihilated Ruston, 42-0. Central coach David Simoneaux said his team proved a lot of people wrong.

Cut 16 (20) “…close-knit group.”

Cecilia, Sterlington, South Plaquemines, Archbishop Shaw, Catholic New Iberia and Vermilion Catholic also won state championships.