History is made for Louisiana today as Congressman Mike Johnson has been elected as the next U.S. Speaker of the House. The Benton Republican is the first speaker from the state of Louisiana. Things moved fast at the capital but Johnson made sure to give the proper thank yous.

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Johnson needed 217 votes. He got 220.

Jeff Landry announces his transition chairs as he prepares to take over as governor on January 8th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Louisiana is among thirty-three states suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for using addictive features to hook and exploit children. Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill says they are seeking financial damages from Meta and restitution to end such practices against children.

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Meta issued a statement that it shares the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe and positive experiences online.

State Police say vehicles involved in the massive car pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish on Monday have been removed and cleanup is underway. Sergeant Kate Stegall says the bridge had to be cleared before inspectors could assess the damage.

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Department of Transportation will be using specialized equipment, such as ground penetrating radar as part of the inspection process.

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 Emmer has now withdrawn his name from consideration.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.

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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…

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The types of things they’re looking for

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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…

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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.

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

I-55 is closed in Southeast Louisiana following yesterday’s  158-vehicle pileup in Superfog that killed at least seven and injured more than 25 people. Jeff Palermo the story..

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Currently I-55 remains closed between Ponchatoula and Ruddock. Alternate routes between Hammond/Ponchatoula and New Orleans are Hwy 51 to LaPlace then enter I-10 or travel to Mandeville and take the Causeway.

The State Fire Marshall is investigating a fatal brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators are still working to identify the victim’s cause of death. She says the tragedy serves as an important reminder for Louisianans who are still following the state’s burn ban.

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Mardi Gras 2024 receives the green light in Shreveport after security concerns put the annual event in peril. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith says even though the amount of officers won’t be what they’ve had in the past they will be able to provide support for all parades.

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Mardi Gras day is February 13th next year.

At least two people are reportedly dead and approximately 30 injured after a massive pile-up on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Reports say around a hundred vehicles are involved. The interstate in both directions is closed and first responders from multiple agencies are on-site. State Police Sergeant Kate Stegall says fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires led to very low visibility

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For a listing of road closures and rerouting instructions visit LA511-dot.org or follow LSP on social media.

The House has been without a speaker since early October as Republicans can’t get on the same page to elect a replacement for Kevin McCarthy. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton has been one of the more conservative members of Congress and that may help him out in his quest to be the next speaker.

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Though arrests have been made, no one has been charged with murder, in connection with the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says Natchitoches Police continue to vigorously investigate the homicide of Caldwell…

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Caldwell was laid to rest on Saturday in Austin, Texas. He was 21-years-old but his family says Caldwell had a life well lived.

The massive pile-up on I-55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish that claimed the lives of several travelers and sent many more to hospitals this morning was due to exceptionally low visibility. National Weather Service Tyler Stanfield says they were getting reports of visibility as low as one-eighth a mile when the crashes occurred. Stanfield says the fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires made it extremely difficult to see…

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Stanfield says winds were also low which allowed the Superfog to sock in. but stronger winds are expected for tomorrow morning’s commute…

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The Blood Center and local hospitals are urging eligible people to donate blood as several people sustained injuries and had to be transported to area hospitals. For donation center locations visit TheBloodCenter.org

Louisiana Congressman Republican Mike Johnson will officially make his bid as U-S House Speaker before his party today. Teiko Foxx has more…

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No one has been charged with murder, but a second person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charge and Greely says, Campbell interfered with the investigation

Cut 7 (07) “…obstruct justice.” 

Caldwell was laid to rest on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

There are reports of several fatalities after low visibility caused by fog and marsh fires this morning in southeast Louisiana caused a massive traffic pile-up on I-55 in both directions. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The Blood Center and local hospitals are urging people to donate blood as several people were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment. For a list of donation center locations, visit thebloodcenter.org

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson from Benton will make his case before House Republicans today to be the next Speaker of the House. Eight other Republicans are also seeking the post. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Johnson’s chances are as good as the other candidates

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Johnson’s announcement comes after Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan of Ohio failed short of the 217 votes needed as House Speaker.

A second person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charges

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Walker Police have arrested two people involved in the murder 60-year-oid Sarah Santini who was reported missing on October 7^th. Santini’s vehicle was found abandoned in LaPlace on October 12th. Her body was found Thursday by a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy off of Louisiana Highway 63. Captain John Sharp says about 24 hours later they arrested Bobby Schneider of Gonzales and Gregory Baker of Ascension Parish…

Cut 8 (12) “… State Police.”

After he was car-jacked Monday, Orleans Parish DA, Jason Williams says, Carjackings are actually down by 44% since the end of August, compared to the same time last year, according to a report by the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Williams says progress has been made but everyone must continue to take precautions.

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Louisiana continues to post historic unemployment numbers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Saturday is not your regular non-conference game in Tiger Stadium. It’s the first time LSU will host a U.S. Service Academy School. Kick off between the Tigers and Army is at 6:30 and LSU Coach Brian Kelly says his team has the ultimate respect for the Black Knights…

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The race to be the state’s next Attorney General is down to two females, Republican Liz Murrill and Democrat Lindsey Cheek. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Northwestern fell to Southeastern last night in the first game NSU has played since the murder of Ronnie Caldweld. The game was moved up from Saturday to Thursday so NSU’s football players, coaches, and staff could attend services for Caldweld on Friday and Saturday. Northwestern released news today that Natchitoches police have arrested an NSU student but few other details were made available.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of unemployed people looking for a job, but can’t find one, is a record low 67-thousand people. This number comes from September jobs released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. LWC Chief Economist Emily Dipalma says Louisiana residents are showing they want to go to work

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The state’s unemployment rate for September is 3.3 percent which ties the record set in August.

For the first time LSU is hosting a U.S. Service Academy School. Kick off between the Tigers and Army is at 6:30. Army comes into Tiger Stadium with a two-and-four record. Coach Brian Kelly says the option offense they run is not easy to defend…

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Orleans D-A Jason Williams says he and his 78-year-old mother, who was carjacked in the Lower Garden District Monday night, are happy to be alive. Teiko Foxx has more…

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According to a press release from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches police have made an arrest in the murder of NSU football player, Ronnie Caldweld. Caldweld’s teammates are attending his funeral and memorial services today and tomorrow in Texas.

Walker Police have arrested two people involved in the murder 60-year-oid woman who was discovered dead in a wooded area of Livingston Parish. Captain John Sharp says they believe 30-year-old Bobby Schneider of Gonzales killed Sarah Santini in her home…

Cut 6 (10) “…the body.”

56-year-old Gregory Baker of Ascension Parish was also arrested. Investigators says Baker helped Schneider dispose of Santini’s body. A motive for the murder has not been established.

The Saints battled back from a 15-point deficit to have a chance to the tie the game in the final seconds. On third-and-goal, Moreau found himself open in the end zone, but the pass from Derek Carr bounced off his fingers and fell incomplete. He says it was a routine catch that should have been made…

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New Orleans has now lost two in a row and they are 3-and-4 on the season.