U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of legislation to end hazing on college campuses. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The U-L System President Dr. Jim Henderson will be interviewed for Louisiana Tech University Presidency tonight in a special public meeting. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Jeff Landry will hold his first governor-elect press conference this morning and announce members of his transition team. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-sponsoring the Stop Campus Hazing Act to address violence on college campuses. The federal law would require college campuses to include hazing incidents in their annual crime report.

Cut 4 (09) “…know that history.”

Cassidy referred to the hazing incident at LSU that led to the death of student Max Gruver in 2017. Steve Gruver, Max’s father says if the legislation had been enacted six years ago things would be much different…

Cut 5 (12) “…son’s life.”

Cassidy says this bill is an important step in protecting the health and safety of students and calls for transparency among colleges and universities.

Cut 6 (08) “…stop hazing.”

The bill has the backing of the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference.

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University of Louisiana System President Dr. Jim Henderson is set to interview tonight to be the next president at Louisiana Tech. A vote could take place at today’s special meeting of the U-L System board as Henderson is the lone candidate. He says he would be honored to succeed current president Les Guice, who announced his retirement last month…

Cut 7 (09) “… strengthens that.”

Henderson has been the President of the UL System for the last six years. He previously served as president of his alma mater Northwestern State and chancellor of the Bossier Parish Community College.

Henderson touts the university’s progress in academic excellence, research, and innovative programs.

Cut 8 (10) “…greater impact.” 

Henderson says he and his wife spent a day at Tech to meet with the students and faculty last week. He’s optimistic about his future in Ruston.

Cut 9 (11)  “…can be.”

The public will be allowed to ask questions at today’s meeting in Baton Rouge.

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Governor-elect Jeff Landry will hold his first press conference this morning to announce his transition team. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Republican will introduce several people who are close to him and those he could look to when it comes to policy…

Cut 10 (08) “…legislative session.”

As for who will be among Landry’s key staff or his employees, Pinsonat says that will come later, but he could introduce who will be his Chief of Staff.

Cut 11 (10) “…from them.” 

Pinsonat says when a governor reveals who will play a part in their transition team it’s primarily for publicity.

Cut 12 (12) “…a transition.” 

The press conference will be held in Lafayette at 10 a.m. this morning.

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It’s unclear what will happen next after the House Transportation Committee votes against a plan for a new two-point-one billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum questioned the high price tag…

Cut 13 (11) “…portrayed to be.”

The state Department of Transportation needed approval from lawmakers to enter into a public-private partnership that would lead to the construction of the new bridge.

800-million in federal and state dollars would go towards construction costs and tolls would pay for the rest of the bridge. Farnum says tolls are only used in the United States when you are building a new highway

Cut 14 (10) “…not the place.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter urged the committee to vote for the plan, because he’s concerned if they do not, a new bridge will never be built…

Cut 15 (12) “…southern part of the country”

The Calcasieu River Bridge was constructed in 1952 and bridges built in the 1950s were only expected to last 50 years. Carter says a new bridge can also spur economic development for Lake Charles…

Cut 16 (10) “…that area”

DOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda says there are other options, including rehabbing the current bridge. But he’s concerned by not approve this public-private partnership, the state has lost out on a 150-million dollar federal grant.

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The Pelicans tip off a new season tonight in Memphis where they’ll battle the Grizzlies. New Orleans will once again fight for a playoff spot in a loaded Western Conference that features the defending champion Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and a tough-minded Grizzlies squad. Head Coach Willie Green…

Cut 17 (14) “…front of us.”

The Pelicans are running a new offense. They want to push the pace this year, shoot more threes and space out the floor. Zion Williamson enters the season healthy and Green says Zion will have different ways he can score in this offense…

Cut 18 (16) “…a bit.” 

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LSU Coach Brian Kelly provided injury news on two key defensive starters on Tuesday. Kelly said cornerback Zy Alexander and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo will “miss some time.” It’s unclear if they will play against Alabama. Cornerbacks Duce Chestnut and Denver Harris remain inactive, so LSU is very thin at corner.

If Alexander, Chestnut and Harris are unavailable that leaves LSU with sophomores Sage Ryan and Laterrance Welch and freshmen Jeremiah Hughes and Javian Toviano at corner. Kelly is optimistic they can get the job done..

Cut 19 (20) “…ready to play.” 

Wingo has been one of LSU’s best defensive lineman. He didn’t play against Army and is still not available to practice. Kelly says Wingo has a lower-body injury that needs time to heal…

Cut 20 (25) “..important thing” 

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

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The State Fire Marshall is investigating a fatal brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry crews were called in to assist due to the size of the brush fire.

cut 3 (10) “the field.”

The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. Rodrigue says the victim is believed in his 60s and is the homeowner.

Cut 4 (12) “…went wrong.”

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.

Cut 5 (10) “ ….about here.”  

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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.

Cut 6 (09) “…this process.”

Arceneaux says the parades will roll their full routes and they will have enough police and fire personnel to support the parades.

On February 3^rd, both the Krewe of Centaur and African American History parades will be on the same day. The African American parade will roll at 11 a.m. and Centaur at 2:45 p.m. On February 10^th the Krewe of Gemini parade will begin at 2:45 p.m.

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.

Cut 7 (13) “…Mardi Gras season.” 

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. He says they’ll have about 75 to 100 officers for the African American History parade, and he hopes to exceed 200 officers for the others.

Cut 8 (10) “…safe day.”

Mardi Gras day is Tuesday February 13th next year.

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State Police says at least seven dead, more than 25 people injured and at least 158 vehicles were involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event…

Cut 9 (11) “…amount of vehicles” 

Stegall says the final few damaged vehicles were removed from the elevated highway this morning…

Cut 10 (08) “…cleaned up.”

I-55 remains closed as the state department of transportation has to inspect the bridge for any deficiencies. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 11 (12) “…re-open”

With I-55 closed, it will make it more difficult for people living in the Hammond area or eastern Livingston Parish to get to and from areas south of Lake Pontchartrain. How long the interstate will remain closed is unknown, but Mallett says a thorough inspection must be done…

Cut 12 (06) “..properly”  

The I-55 closure is now from Ponchatoula to the Ruddock Exit. Also, 9-1-1 calls made by those involved in the chain reaction crash were released today…

Cut 13 (09) “…right now”

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

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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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

cut 3 (13) “the caucus.”

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

He serves as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference. Hogan says having GOP leadership in the chamber should help Johnson’s chances.

Cut 4 (12) “…his party.”

Johnson is also a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

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. Hogan says Johnson has been one of the more conservative members of Congress and that may help him out in his quest to be the next speaker.

Cut 5 (07) “ ..Republican caucus.”  

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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

Cut 6 (09) “…dangerous substance”

Campbell was a defensive tackle for Northwestern State and appeared in four games this season. He’s no longer on the team.

Caldwell’s roommate has also been charged for having a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance.

No one has been charged with murder, but Greely says Campbell interfered with the investigation

Cut 7 (07) “…obstruct justice.” 

Greely says Natchitoches Police continue to vigorously investigate the homicide of Caldwell…

Cut 8 (08) “… currently have.”

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.

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Two people are reportedly dead after a massive pile-up on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Reports say hundreds of 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

Cut 9 (11) “…associated.” 

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

Stegall says they are expecting the interstate will be closed for awhile.

Cut 10 (13) “…first responders.”

National Weather Service Tyler Stanfield says they were getting reports of visibility as low as one-eighth a mile when the chain reaction crash occurred. Stanfield says the fog and smoke from nearby wildfires made it extremely difficult to see…

Cut 11 (06) “…by smoke”

Stanfield says there are handful of marsh fires south of Lake Pontchartrain…

Cut 12 (07) “..driving conditions”  

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

Cut 13 (10) “…tomorrow morning”