Driving along I-12 in St. Tammany Parish should be a lot less stressful now that the project to widen the roadway from two lanes to three in each direction is finished. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says with the growth in St. Tammany Parish, coupled with I-12 being a major freight corridor for trucks going coast to coast, the volume along that stretch of roadway has increased significantly in just the last few years.

Cut 7 (11) “…20-thousand since 2018.”

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana for this year, and it’s going out with a salute to those who protect our freedoms at home and abroad. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day – all veterans and active duty servicemembers get in for free. Russell Adams with the State Fair says that afternoon, there will be a military parade.

Cut 4 (08) “…down our midway.”

Indicting him is one thing; convicting him may be another story. Jeff Palermo has more on the difficulty of convicting former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder of theft…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown is calling it a career. He is retiring effective today to spend more time with family and to focus on outside business opportunities. Chief Criminal Deputy Brent Barnett will serve as interim sheriff until a full-time successor is elected.

Indicting him is one thing; convicting him may be another story. Former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing a rare Louisiana artifact. A 20-foot-long cypress board that used to hang in the halls of the Louisiana State Capitol is missing. It was last seen 18 months ago in Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says, though, this will be a tough case to prosecute.

Cut 9 (09)  “…push forward.”

A major milestone in St. Tammany Parish as the 56-million-dollar I-12 widening project is completed months ahead of schedule. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the freeway was widened in the Covington-Mandeville area.

Cut 6 (07) “…to LA 1077.”

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana; and if you’re a hockey fan, there’s a special deal for you. Russell Adams with the State Fair tells KEEL if you go to the fair today or tomorrow, you can get discounted tickets to the Shreveport Mudbugs game at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.

Cut 3 (11) “…the hockey game.”

With November being America Recycles Month, the group Keep Louisiana Beautiful is encouraging you to do your part in protecting the environment. Tomorrow, Ouachita Parish residents are invited to drop their recyclables off at the Monroe Civic Center for Ouachita Green’s America Recycles Day. Melissa Kenyon with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says this is especially helpful for those who don’t have recycling service at their homes.

Cut 28 (07) “…available to citizens.”

The U-L system board of supervisors names Dr. Kendrick Nicholas as interim president of McNeese State. Nicholas takes over for Wade Rousse, who was just named president of the LSU system earlier this month. Nicholas says he’ll continue the school’s focus on recruitment, retention, and job placement of McNeese students.

Cut 8 (08) “…our continued success.”

Wanted – one-thousand musicians to play at the Superdome January 31st. It’s Rockin’1000’s first U.S. concert after playing in stadiums throughout Europe for the last decade. Rockin’1000 founder Fabio Zaffagnini says the songs on the playlist are some of rock music’s greatest anthems.

Cut 5 (11) “…that is unprecedented.”

Zaffagnini says he wants at least half of the musicians to be from Louisiana.

November is America Recycles Month, and Melissa Kenyon with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says the organization is using the occasion to teach people the proper way to recycle.

Cut 12 (15) “…litter from happening.”

In Lafayette tomorrow, there will be a free paper shredding and glass recycling event at the Robicheaux Recreation Center.

The high school football playoffs begin in earnest tonight. St. Charles Catholic is the top seed in the Division Two Select bracket. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says he likes the Comets to make it to at least the semifinals, but he says to watch out for the number-two Loyola Prep Flyers.

Cut 17 (14)  “…good Flyers team.”

If you want to be a part of the biggest rock band on Earth, you have an open invitation to audition – no professional experience necessary. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry gives his prediction on what the Supreme Court will do with Louisiana’s congressional map and what he hopes the contract for a new football coach will look like. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana High School football teams begin their journeys to the Superdome as the playoffs begin in earnest tonight. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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If you can play the guitar, keyboard or drums, or if you can sing, the world’s biggest rock band wants you to be a part of it. Rockin’1000 is coming to New Orleans, playing at the Superdome January 31st, and it’s currently accepting audition videos. Founder Fabio Zaffagnini (zah-fuh-NYEE-nee) says after playing throughout Europe for the last ten years, New Orleans was the perfect choice for his venture’s first U.S. show.

Cut 4 (11) “…number-one choice.”

Zaffagnini says his goal is to have 500 of the one-thousand musicians be from Louisiana; so by uploading your audition video to YouTube and sharing the link on Rockin’1000’s application site, you already have a leg up. Zaffagnini says if you make the band, the songs you will be performing are some of rock music’s greatest anthems.

Cut 5 (11) “…that is unprecedented.”

Zaffagnini says the songs on the playlist come from legendary groups like Metallica, Foo Fighters, White Stripes, Nirvana – and one of the most well-known hits from Queen.

Cut 6 (07) “…out incredibly well.”

If you want to join the band, time is of the essence – the audition submission deadline is December 16th.

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The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Kendrick Nicholas as the interim president of McNeese State. He will take over for Wade Rousse, who has been hired as LSU’s system president. Dr. Nicholas has served as the senior vice president for student affairs and is excited to lead his alma mater.

Cut 7 (09) “…for the future.”

Nicholas says they will continue to focus on recruitment, retention, and job placement of McNeese students.

Cut 8 (08) “…our continued success.”

Nicholas is a New Orleans native who came to McNeese as a football player. The longtime administrator began his career at the Lake Charles school in 2005 and has served several roles, including dean of students, before he was promoted to senior vice president last year.

Nicholas says he’s seen the ups and downs at McNeese and went through the school’s most challenging time following Hurricane Laura in 2020.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we are today.”

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With November being America Recycles Month, the group Keep Louisiana Beautiful is encouraging you to do your part in protecting the environment. Tomorrow, Ouachita Parish residents are invited to drop their recyclables off at the Monroe Civic Center for Ouachita Green’s America Recycles Day. Melissa Kenyon with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says this is especially helpful for those who don’t have recycling service at their homes.

Cut 10 (07) “…available to citizens.”

Kenyon says if there was ever a month to start recycling, this is the perfect month to do so.

Cut 11 (08) “…advantage of them.”

Kenyon says Keep Louisiana Beautiful is using the occasion of America Recycles Month to teach people the proper way to recycle.

Cut 12 (15) “…litter from happening.”

In Lafayette tomorrow, grocery stores will be giving away reusable grocery bags, and there will be a free paper shredding and glass recycling event at the Robicheaux Recreation Center.

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Governor Jeff Landry believes the U.S. Supreme Court will not rule until June on whether the state’s congressional map with two majority minority districts is constitutional. Landry, who was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, says he believes the nation’s high court will determine that race should not be a factor when drawing districts.

Cut 13 (11)  “…five-one map.”

Louisiana has six congressional districts, and the state legislature approved a map last year that has a second majority minority district, because a third of the state’s voting population is Black.

Landry was also asked about the felony theft charge facing former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder. The attorney general’s office is accusing the former state lawmaker from Ascension Parish of taking a 20-foot-long cypress board that used to hang in the halls of the state capitol. The rare state artifact was last seen in his legislative office in Gonzales. Landry said he doesn’t know what to make of this case.

Cut 14 (05) “…help the situation.”

Landry was also asked about his involvement in LSU athletics. The governor reiterated he is not involved in the search for a new coach, but he hopes LSU sets the standard for what a contract should look like for a football coach.

Cut 15 (09) “…some performance basis.”

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The first round of the high school football playoffs begins in earnest tonight; and today, we are previewing the select side of the bracket. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Edna Karr is the favorite to repeat as Division One select champs, but a few of their Catholic League rivals might have a chance at upsetting the Cougars.

Cut 16 (14) “…St. Augustine gets there.”

St. Charles Catholic is the number-one seed in Division Two. Verrett says he likes the Comets to make it to at least the semifinals, but says to watch out for the number-two Loyola Prep Flyers.

Cut 17 (14)  “…good Flyers team.”

In Division Three, Verrett says top-seeded Lafayette Christian Academy is the clear favorite. Verrett says the Knights are one of the most battle-tested teams in the state, but he also states that two other teams could cause some havoc.

Cut 18 (14)  “…the six seed.”

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Nicholls State will host Northwestern State in a battle of the N-S-U’s for senior night. Nicholls is coming off a close 28-21 loss to Texas Rio Grande Valley. In an interview with HTV,  head coach Tommy Rybacki says he wants his team to finish the season strong, especially for the 18 seniors being honored this weekend.

Cut 19 (21) “…the home slate.”

Kickoff in Thibodaux tomorrow is three p.m.

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Grambling State has won four in a row; and last week, fourth string and freshman quarterback Hayden Benoit stepped up for the Tigers, throwing for 220 yards with four touchdowns in a win over Bethune-Cookman. Head coach Mickey Joseph had lots of praise for the freshman out of Loreauville.

Cut 20 (19) “…just didn’t blink.”

Grambling is at Alcorn State at two tomorrow afternoon.

UL-Lafayette has a new interim president. Jamie Hebert is stepping down, and the U-L System Board has appointed Ramesh Kolluru as the new interim president while a search for a permanent president takes place. This year, the school has eliminated more than 70 positions and made other cuts because of a 25-million-dollar budget deficit. But Kolluru says this financial crisis will not prevent the school from growing.

Cut 9 (09)  “…push forward.”

Experts are giving their recommendations on how to boost Louisiana’s mediocre infrastructure grade. Former DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says part of the solution is boosting funding, saying investing in road infrastructure will help lower Louisiana’s sky-high auto insurance premiums.

Cut 7 (10) “…people’s insurance rates.”

If you can play the guitar, keyboard or drums, or if you can sing, the world’s biggest rock band wants you to be a part of it. Rockin’1000 is coming to New Orleans, playing at the Superdome January 31st, and it’s currently accepting audition videos. Founder Fabio Zaffagnini (zaf-fun-YEE-nee) says after playing throughout Europe for the last ten years, New Orleans was the perfect choice for his venture’s first U.S. show.

Cut 25 (11) “…number-one choice.”

Paul Skenes is the first Cy Young winner from LSU. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace led Major League Baseball with a 1.97 ERA and had 216 strikeouts. Skenes, who was recruited as a catcher coming out of high school, told the MLB Network he never thought he would become a dominant pitcher in the big leagues…

Cut 3 (12) “…looks like.”

On the heels of Louisiana mustering a C-minus in its infrastructure report card, experts are giving their recommendations on how to boost that grade. And the consensus is to boost funding. Former DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says money spent to improve roads will save drivers money in repairs.

Cut 6 (08) “…sooner than otherwise.”

For the first time ever, a former LSU pitcher has won the Cy Young Award. Paul Skenes won the National League Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion. Despite Skenes’ domination on the mound, his Pittsburgh Pirates finished in last place in the National League Central. But despite the 71-and-91 record, Skenes says winning the Cy Young was a team effort.

Cut 4 (09) “…myself.”

Skenes was NL Rookie of the Year last year.

U-L Lafayette has a new leader. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry believes the U-S Supreme Court will not rule until June on whether the state’s Congressional map with two majority minority districts is constitutional. Landry says he believes the court will rule in the state’s favor. Still, if the ruling indeed doesn’t come down until June, any new map would have to wait until the 2028 elections.

Experts say Louisiana needs to increase funding to improve its mediocre infrastructure. Louisiana achieved an overall grade of a C-minus in its infrastructure report card, which is just below the overall national grade of C. Former ASCE President Norma Jean Mattei (muh-TAY) says on a national level, the amount of infrastructure funding needed is staggering. 

Cut 8 (10) “…need to be.”

UL-Lafayette names a new interim president – Ramesh Kolluru. Kolluru says student success will be the mission of the university.

Cut 10 (07) “…everything in between.”

Kolluru is the school’s current vice president for research, innovation and economic development, and there’s speculation that he will be named the permanent president in the near future. President emeritus Joe Savoie announced he will retire December 31st.

The former Louisiana House speaker is indicted in connection with the disappearance of a rare state artifact. A Baton Rouge grand jury indicted Clay Schexnayder for felony theft and malfeasance in office in the disappearance of the ancient cypress board. Tyler Bridges has been covering the story for The Advocate and says where the board is today is anyone’s guess.

Cut 14 (06) “…office in Gonzales”

Paul Skenes has a College World Series title and a Rookie of the Year award. He has now added a Cy Young Award to his trophy case, and he’s not “Dunne” yet. At LSU, Skenes was the Most Outstanding Player as he led the Tigers to the 2023 national title. LSU Coach Jay Johnson is thrilled to see Skenes having so much success in the Majors.

Cut 5 (11) “…so awesome.”

With Louisiana only being able to muster a C-minus in the infrastructure report card, the big question is, how does the state improve that grade? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a new leader. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is the first former LSU pitcher to win a Cy Young Award, winning it for the National League. Skenes led Major League Baseball with a 1.97 ERA and had 216 strikeouts. Skenes, who was recruited as a catcher coming out of high school, told MLB Network he never thought he would become a dominant pitcher in the big leagues…

Cut 3 (12) “…looks like.”

Skenes is in his second season in the Major Leagues. Last year, he was a Cy Young Award finalist and was named National League Rookie of the Year. Despite Skenes’ domination on the mound, the Pirates finished in last place in the National League Central. But Skenes says him winning the Cy Young was a team effort….

Cut 4 (09) “…myself.”

At LSU, Skenes helped the Tigers win a national championship in 2023 and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player. LSU Coach Jay Johnson is thrilled to see Skenes having success in the Majors.

Cut 5 (11) “…so awesome.”

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On the heels of Louisiana getting a C-minus in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ infrastructure report card, experts are giving their recommendations on how to boost that grade. And the consensus is to boost funding. Former DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says money spent to improve roads will save drivers money in repairs.

Cut 6 (08) “…sooner than otherwise.”

Kalivoda says furthermore, investing in road infrastructure will help lower Louisiana’s sky-high auto insurance premiums.

Cut 7 (10) “…people’s insurance rates.”

Louisiana struggled in all ten infrastructure metrics, ranging from C-plus grades in aviation and solid waste to D grades in roads and drinking water. The national overall grade, which measures 18 metrics, is a C. Former ASCE President Norma Jean Mattei (muh-TAY) says on a national level, the amount of infrastructure funding needed is staggering.

Cut 8 (10) “…need to be.”

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a new interim president. Jamie Hebert is stepping down, and the U-L System Board has appointed Ramesh Kolluru as the new interim president while a search for a permanent president takes place. This year, the school has eliminated more than 70 positions and made other cuts because of a 25-million-dollar budget deficit. But Kolluru says this financial crisis will not prevent the school from growing.

Cut 9 (09)  “…push forward.”

Kolluru says he’ll release a plan after Thanksgiving on how the university can grow revenue. He says student success will be the mission of the university.

Cut 10 (07) “…everything in between.”

Kolluru is the school’s current vice president for research, innovation and economic development. He had this message for the faculty at today’s U-L System Board meeting…

Cut 11 (11) “…university forward”

There is speculation Kolluru will be named the permanent president in the near future. Also, president emeritus Joe Savoie announced he will retire December 31st. And Dr. Jamie Hebert is returning to his post as provost.

Experts are giving their recommendations on how to boost Louisiana’s mediocre infrastructure grade. Former DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says part of the solution is boosting funding, saying investing in road infrastructure will help lower Louisiana’s sky-high auto insurance premiums.

Cut 7 (10) “…people’s insurance rates.”

Paul Skenes is the first Cy Young winner from LSU. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace led Major League Baseball with a 1.97 ERA and had 216 strikeouts. Skenes, who was recruited as a catcher coming out of high school, told the MLB Network he never thought he would become a dominant pitcher in the big leagues…

Cut 3 (12) “…looks like.”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a new leader. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Kolluru is not the only interim president the board appointed. The board also unanimously elected Kedrick Nicholas as the interim president of McNeese State University. Nicholas is a longtime administrator at McNeese who’s currently the senior vice president of student affairs. McNeese is looking for a new president after Wade Rousse was named the president of the LSU system last week.

UL-Lafayette has a new interim president. Jamie Hebert is stepping down, and the U-L System Board has appointed Ramesh Kolluru as the new interim president while a search for a permanent president takes place. This year, the school has eliminated more than 70 positions and made other cuts because of a 25-million-dollar budget deficit. But Kolluru says this financial crisis will not prevent the school from growing

Cut 9 (09)  “…push forward.”

On the heels of Louisiana mustering a C-minus in its infrastructure report card, experts are giving their recommendations on how to boost that grade. And the consensus is to boost funding. Former DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says money spent to improve roads will save drivers money in repairs.

Cut 6 (08) “…sooner than otherwise.”

For the first time ever, a former LSU pitcher has won the Cy Young Award. Paul Skenes won the National League Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion. Despite Skenes’ domination on the mound, his Pittsburgh Pirates finished in last place in the National League Central. But despite the 71-and-91 record, Skenes says winning the Cy Young was a team effort.

Cut 4 (09) “…myself.”

As for Skenes’ alma mater’s football team, the Tigers host Arkansas Saturday. Interim head coach Frank Wilson said the Tigers will play both quarterbacks this weekend, and senior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory says he has full faith in both Garrett Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren to give LSU a shot at winning.

Cut 25 (07) “…opportunity to win.”