21-year-old Malik Flowers has been arrested after the double shooting Friday night a block from the Donaldsonville High School football game. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says Flowers faces second-degree murder for the death of 21-year-old Tyree Parker and an attempted murder charge. Because the football game against Patterson was close by Jackson says the game was halted as a security precaution and the stadium needed to be utilized for air medics.

Cut 7 (06) “…control.” 

And Authorities have arrested 17 year old Artavien Green of Lake Charles today after 6 teenagers were shot at a Halloween party Saturday night. Police say a fight broke out a house party leading to shots fired. 5 of the victims were transported to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and one victim reportedly fighting for his life had to be air lifted to Lafayette General. Green is charged with 5 counts of aggravated 2^nd degree battery, attempted 2^nd degree battery, attempted 2^nd degree murder, and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile during a crime of violence.

It’s LSU-Alabama week as the Fighting Tigers are up to number 13 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Crimson Tide who has one less loss than LSU and is ranked 8th. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they have to raise their level of preparation

Cut 12 (08) “…special teams.”  

Spending nationally on the ghoulish holiday of Halloween this year is expected to set a new record. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The parents of murdered Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell are speaking out.

Cut 15 (11) “…is deceased”

Ronald Caldwell Senior says Ronnie was re-located to another apartment because of mold and given a new non-student roommate. Caldwell Sr. says Ronnie’s roommate pulled a gun on him on October 9th, three days later he 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…

Cut  16 (10)   “…was wrong”

Laird announced his resignation on Thursday and Northwestern State has canceled the rest of the season forfeiting the rest of its games.

DOTD and inspectors are analyzing data on the extent of the damage to the northbound lanes of the bridge. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says questions remain as to what can be done during foggy conditions that create extreme hazards on the highway.

Cut 8 (12) “…to travel.” 

There is no timeline for reopening the northbound lanes at this time.

The intense fire and extensive wreckage in the multi-vehicle crash on i-55 earlier this week, made investigations difficult. State Troopers initially reported 8 people died in the crashes. They have updated the number to 7 and say all have been identified.

Amazon is set to open a Robotics Fulfillment Center in Shreveport next year and plans are underway for a second facility. A Last-Mile Facility is planned to occupy space in the Shreve Park Industrial Campus. The Robotics Center is expected to bring a thousand jobs and is slated to open mid 2024.

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…

Cut 15 (11) “…is deceased”

Laird announced his resignation on Thursday and Northwestern State has canceled the rest of the season forfeiting the rest of its games.

Amazon is set to open a Robotics Fulfillment center in Shreveport next year and plans are now underway for a second facility. A Last-Mile Facility is planned to occupy 87,000 square feet of the Shreve Park Industrial Campus. These facilities will bring good jobs to Caddo Parish says Amazon’s Jessica Breaux. The Robotics Center is expected to bring 1000 jobs and is slated to open mid 2024.

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” 

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.

cut 3 (08) “…base casino.”

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.

Ronnie Calweld’s heartbroken parents are speaking out today with details of the days leading up to the murder of their son, the Northwestern State junior safety. Through a statement from their attorneys, Caldweld’s parents say they reached out to NSU and Head Football Coach Brad Laird when Ronnie told his parents that is new roommate had pulled a gun on him. Caldweld’s parents say Coach Laird assured them he would move Caldweld to a safe location but three days later, Ronnie was found at his apartment complex where he died from several gunshot wounds. Caldweld had recently been given a new non-university non-college student roommate and moved to new apartment due to mold in his unit. Caldweld’s new roommate, 27 year old John McIntosh had previous run ins with law enforcement. Guns and drugs were subsequently discovered in the new roommate’s possession and he was arrested. On Thursday, Northwestern canceled the rest of their football season and Coach Laird resigned. No one has yet been charged with the murder.

Grambling State President Rick Gallot will replace Doctor Jim Henderson as the President of the University of Louisiana System. 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…

Cut 11 (11) “…is a plus”

Gallot will begin his new role January 1st. Information about the search to replace Gallot at Grambling will be announced at a later date.

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.” 

Northwestern State is canceling the rest of their Football season citing the mental health of players and coaches. On October 12th Junior Safety Ronnie Caldweld was shot and killed. The team travelled to Texas for Caldweld’s memorial last week. A week after Caldweld was discovered, a teammate was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice. NSU head coach, Brad Laird has stepped down saying because of the emotional burden it caused him, he didn’t feel he could give his all to his players. Natchitoches Police continue to investigate the murder.

Dr. Jim Henderson will leave his job as U-L System president to begin his role as president of Louisiana Tech on January 1st, replacing Doctor Les Guice who is retiring. Henderson has been the president of the U-L System since 2017 and is looking forward to moving to Ruston…

Cut 11 (06) “…right now.”

Congressman Mike Johnson is the 56^th Speaker of the U-S House of Representatives and he’s only been in Congress for six years. The Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says Johnson’s low profile may have worked in his favor.

Cut 12 (11) “…other three.”  

Johnson won the final ballot after his predecessors Congressman Steve Scalise, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, bid for the position flamed out.

DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55.

Traffic will merge to one lane at the crash site near the Manchac exit. Mallet urges motorists traveling on the southbound portion to plan ahead.

Cut 8 (12) “…with you.” 

There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes at this time.

Northwestern State Football has canceled the rest of their season and head coach, Brad Laird has stepped down due to the recent passing of Junior Safety Ronnie Caldwell. NSU is citing the mental health of players and coaches as the reason. Caldweld was shot and killed on October 12th. A week later a teammate was arrested for interfering in the investigation. Natchitoches Police are actively investigating the murder. The team attended memorial services for Caldwell in Texas last week.

Louisiana Tech has found a new president. Jeff Palermo reports Jim Henderson will leave as U-L System President to lead the Ruston-based school…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Brandon Jolly was among the motorists involved in Monday morning’s horrific car pile-up on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jolly says he was traveling south and the fog intensified once he reached Lake Maurepas and it was a miracle he wasn’t initially hit or hit anyone else.

cut 3 (12) “…pretty much.”

Eight people died in the pile-up that occurred in both the north and southbound lanes of the interstate.

DOTD announced the southbound side of Interstate 55 has reopened. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors have determined the majority of the southbound portion of the roadway is safe for travel.

Mallet says inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55. He says areas on the northbound portion had to be cleaned before inspection.

Cut 7 (12) “…in sight.” 

Traffic will merge to one lane at the crash site near the Manchac exit. Mallet urges motorists traveling on the southbound portion to plan ahead.

On Talk Louisiana this morning, a man involved in Monday’s massive car pile-up describes his experience. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Of the eight victims, 7 have now been identified by the St. John the Baptist Coroner. The youngest was a 6 year old little boy from Madisonville and the oldest was an Eighty-Seven year old gentleman originally from Missouri.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Doctor Jim Henderson as the new president of Louisiana Tech. Henderson will leave his job as U-L System president and he looks to build on what he calls the best undergraduate scholarship program in the state

Cut 9 (10) “…the institution” 

Henderson is a native of Shreveport and previously served as president of Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College.

Newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson is a conservative who received the backing of former President Donald Trump. The Advocate Chief Mark Ballard expects Johnson’s social conservatism to add to his approach in this role.

Cut 13 (12) “….apparently does.”

As Speaker of the House, Johnson faces a possible federal government shutdown if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by November 17.

History is made today as Congressman Mike Johnson from Benton is the first Speaker of the House from Louisiana. Johnson’s election ends a chaotic three-week period for the lower chamber that was without a leader…

Cut 13 (13) “….back in business” …

Former Congressman Ralph Abraham and influential Republican businessmen Lane Grigsby and Eddie Rispone were announced today as transition chairs for Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s transition team. Landry says the transition headquarters will also be at his alma mater U-L Lafayette, instead of LSU, where previous incoming governors held them…

cut 3 (12) “of this state”

State Police say vehicles involved in the massive car pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish on Monday have been removed. Sergeant Kate Stegall says troopers are working to make sure all vehicles involved in the crash are accounted for. She urges anyone involved who wants to retrieve their vehicle or personal items to contact Troop B before going to the tow company.

Cut 8 (12) “…in place.” 

Drivers and owners of vehicles can contact Troop B by email at TroopB@la.gov. There is no timeline for the completion of the reopening of Interstate 55.

Louisiana is among the 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…

Cut 9 (13) “…to them.” 

History is made as Congressman Mike Johnson from Benton is the first Speaker of the House from Louisiana. Johnson laid out some of his priorities during his introductory address as the 56th Speaker of the U-S House. He says it’s time to rein in spending to reduce inflation, more needs to be done to protect the southern border and the U-S needs to provide support to Israel…

Cut  14 (11) “world (clapping)”

Governor elect Jeff Landry says he plans to tackle the state’s crime problem as soon as he gets into office with a special session as early as mid-January. He says the state’s criminal justice system should work to keep people from going to jail, instead of letting criminals out…

Cut 4 (10) “…the criminals”

Vehicles involved in the deadly Interstate 55 pile-up near New Orleans have been removed and bridge inspections are underway. Teiko Foxx has more on the efforts…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

In Monroe a GoFundMe account has been set up to help with funeral arrangements for 14 year old Dontavius Wilson who was fatally shot Saturday night. The shooting occurred in the 3100 block of Renwick Street in Monroe. Authorities are actively investigating but have not yet identified a suspect.

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.

Cut 12 (09)…laughter

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…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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.

Cut 10 (09) “…our children.”

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.

Cut 6 (13) “…the bridge.”

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