Could it be time to break out those jackets and sweaters? Colleen Crain looks at the upcoming weather changes…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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What’s the best hospital in the state of Louisiana? According to Newsweek magazine, it’s Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport-Bossier. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The family of Ronnie Caldwell will file suit this week against Northwestern, for failure to protect their son who was murdered three days after they asked for help. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The first significant fall cold front is about to blanket the state, just in time for Halloween. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will usher in very dry and cool Canadian air and will stick around for a few days. Highs today in north Louisiana will be in the 50s and in the 60s for the southern half.

Cut 4 (12) “…the state.”

And fingers crossed it will bring some rain to the drought-ridden state.

Cut 5 (08) “…lucky.”

As for Wednesday and Thursday, Keim says you’ll want to grab an extra blanket or two with lows in the thirties in northern parishes, forties in the southern parishes, and highs in the 60s.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the forties.”

For Halloween, the temps will start to drop once the sun goes down. so Keim says to be sure to dress the trick-or-treaters accordingly.

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Louisiana State Police host their first-ever Securing Louisiana Cyber Summit at its  Training Academy today from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. today. Trooper Christian Reed says the goal is to provide insight into the growing threat of cybersecurity on small businesses and critical infrastructure.

Cut 7 (09) “…or data.”

With several sessions featuring both in-person and virtual experiences, the summit will explore cybersecurity requirements and best practices to improve business security. Reed says cybersecurity leaders and experts will discuss strategies on how to maximize security.

Cut 8 (12) “…every day.” 

This one-day summit is expected to attract more than 200 attendees. Reed says cybersecurity continues to be more prevalent requiring organizations of all sizes to be more vigilant.

Cut 9 (06)  “…best protection.”

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Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport has been recognized as the top hospital in Louisiana by Newsweek magazine. Senior Vice President of Quality and Clinical Performance Clarie Rebouche says this recognition is a testament to the work of the staff and their patient care.

Cut 10 (12) “…the care.”

The ranking of Newsweek’s Best-in-State Hospitals 2024 recognizes 600 leading hospitals across the nation.

Rebouche points out hospitals are selected based on patient survey results, and key medical performance indicators. She says surveys were sent in June and July for hospital peer evaluations…

Cut 11 (12) “…of state.” 

While the report cites Willis-Knighton Medical Center, the award covers all Willis-Knighton hospitals since they have multiple locations. Since 1924, Rebouche says Willis-Knighton has been serving the needs of communities in Shreveport-Bossier.

Cut 12 (10) “…anniversary year.” 

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The family of Ronnie Caldwell, the Northwestern State football player who was killed on October 12th, will file a lawsuit against the school this week.  Three days before he was killed Caldwell told his parents his roommate 27-year-old John McIntosh threatened him with a gun. They asked coach Brad Laird to move Ronnie to another location. Attorney Troy Pradia says if Laird had only called the cops on McIntosh…

Cut 13 (03) “…with us.”

The family says Laird assured them he would help but nothing happened and the next time they heard from him was a phone call that Ronnie was dead.

While fighting back tears, Ronnie’s mother Blanche Caldwell says they trusted the school to protect him…

Cut 14 (10) “…back home.”

Pradia says they don’t know exactly why the school chose to end the football season early or why Laird resigned…

Cut 15 (10) “…unanswered questions.”

Caldwell moved from his original apartment due to mold and was placed with McIntosh at The Quad Apartments, owned by Campus Advantage. Pradia says McIntosh was not a student and had a criminal history.

McIntosh has been charged with possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. He’s been released on bond from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

One of Caldwell’s ex-teammates, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell, II has also been arrested on obstruction of justice and gun and drug charges.

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The Saints are tied with Atlanta for first place in the NFC South after ending a two-game losing streak by beating the Colts 38-27. New Orleans fell behind 17-7 in the second quarter but Taysom Hill’s 20-yard touchdown run  cut the deficit to three and Hill’s second touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Black and Gold a 15 point lead. Hill and the Saints offense produced 511 yard of offense…

Cut 16 (20) “…a lot of confidence”

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Carr likes that they were three of four in the red zone….

Cut 17 (19) “…showed up.”

Coach Dennis Allen says it was a good game for the offense and the defense after a slow start…

Cut 18 (18) “..to our place.” 

New Orleans is 4-and-4 and they have another winnable game this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

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” 

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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.” 

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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.

Johns says Cordish has begun renovation on the massive 77 thousand square feet gaming, entertainment, and dining venue.

Cut 4 (11) “…by piece.”

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.

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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.

Cut 6 (11) “…just chipped.”

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.

Cut 7 (13) “…anytime soon.” 

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.

Cut 8 (12) “…to travel.” 

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

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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

Cut 9 (06) “…to this role” 

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

Cut 10 (13) “…system office”

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. A search committee will likely be formed to find Gallot’s successor.

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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.

Cut 13 (09) “….good homes”

Dorson says one of the cats removed gave birth to kittens Tuesday night and more are on the way.

Cut  14 (09) “…environment.”

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.

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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”

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…

Cut  16 (10)   “…was wrong”

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