Law enforcement shut down both sides of US 190 just west of the Mississippi River after a crash that involved a tanker truck that veered into oncoming traffic during the noon hour. DOTD traffic cameras showed the jackknifed truck blocking both sides of the highway. Emergency responders landed an AirMed helicopter at the scene, but there is currently no word on injuries.

Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with payroll fraud after attending only one meeting in 2022. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

The recent collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on field, and the quick use of CPR to revive him, has some talking about the importance of learning CPR themselves. Red Cross state director Ed Bush…:

CUT 05(12)      “…uptick in classes”

Find out how at “RedCross.org/CPR.

Today is 12^th Night, or King’s Day for some. The official, start of Carnival season and time to cut loose on some King Cake. Publisher of New Orleans’ “Mardi Gras Guide” Arthur Hardy says it’s been a busy day in the Crescent City…:

CUT 09(09)      “…in New Orleans.”
Everyone has their own favorite flavor and baker, but most agree to disagree and just enjoy the eats.

Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with public payroll fraud for only attending one of the 12 meetings the board held last year. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla (duh-QUILL-uh) says Spears was paid for the eleven meetings he failed to attend…:

CUT 07(07)      “…that as a crime.”

Spear’s attorney says his client was at work and couldn’t make it. If convicted, he could get up to two years in prison.

As of today, Republican Attorney General is the only major declared candidate for Louisiana Governor in 2023. A few candidates have decided NOT to run, and a handful of fellow GOP members are thinking about it. Landry Campaign spokesman Brent Littlefield says fundraising is running full-speed ahead; anticipating a large field of fellow candidates…:

CUT 12(07)      “…our message out.”

He says they have just over $5-million cash in hand, plus PAC and party money.

Medical experts say CPR most likely saved Damar Hamlin’s life after he collapsed on the football field. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can be trained to perform this life-saving procedure…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

A Calcasieu Parish man, who’d JUST been released from the parish jail on one charge, is now back IN, after returning and attacking the jail building. 39-year-old Ken Hunt threw rocks at the glass then pushed the glass in. His next stay with the parish is for criminal damage to property.

In case you hadn’t heard…Senator John Kennedy has made it official; he will NOT run for governor next fall. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has already declared candidacy, printed hats and t-shirts and secured the endorsement of the state Republican Party. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been considering running, and he makes no secret he feels Landry’s scrappy style isn’t right for being governor…:

CUT 04(11)      “…good of Louisiana.”

Nungesser says he’ll announce his decision on the 2023 governor’s race next Tuesday.

After months on the lam, a Union Parish murder suspect has been captured in Texas. 48-year-old Bruce Causey allegedly stabbed a co-worker to death while on a prison work release at a chicken processing plant in Farmerville way back in April. Union sheriff Dusty gates says cops in the Houston suburb of Pearland busted him on a domestic call. He’ll eventually be extradited back to Louisiana to stand trial.

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two children, ages 12 and 14, for a string of car thefts and burglaries. The two were apprehended early Wednesday morning in the midst of a car burglary at the Creeks of River Ridge apartment complex and two suspects got away in dramatic fashion. Sheriff Joe Lopinto said one suspect fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, crashed it, and ran off on foot. While the other suspect drove off, he encountered two deputies blocking his way…:

CUT 06(12)      “…catch up with him”

The young brothers are in juvenile detention; accused of over 60 car burglaries and at least one car theft. Two more suspects are sought.

Ouachita Parish deputies say an anonymous tip of drug use and/or sales at a Calhoun home led to the arrest of 35-year-old Steven Jones. A warranted search of his home turned up a good amount of meth plus nearly a pound of marijuana. They also found a pistol, a rifle and two shotguns. Jones faces drug and weapons charges. He has posted an $11-thousand bond.

Deputies in Jefferson Parish arrest two kids for a string of car thefts and burglaries, and they’re looking for two more that got away…:

CUT 02 (32)      “…Thorington.”

State Police in Vermilion Parish say a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 167 yesterday killed two people. Troopers say a pickup was southbound at high speed when it rear-ended an SUV; causing both to go off the road and roll over. Both in the pickup were unrestrained and died. Everyone in the SUV was seatlbelted and will recover. The crash is still under investigation.

The work release inmate accused of killing a co-worker at the Foster Farms chicken processing plant in Farmerville has been arrested in Texas. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates says he and his deputies have been looking for 48-year-old Bruce Causey since last April…:

CUT 09 (10)      “…warrants on him.”

He’ll be extradited back to Louisiana to stand trial.

A third day of voting ends with the U.S. House still stalemated on Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker. Columnist Mark Ballard of Baton Rouge is in D.C. He says GOP holdouts who won’t back McCarthy demand he commit to allowing far fewer so-called omnibus federal spending bills…:

CUT 14 (13)      “…at that moment.”

A 9^th vote failed to elect McCarthy to Speaker this afternoon.

It looks like a third day of voting will pass without the U.S. House selecting a Speaker. Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has fallen short of the 218 votes needed to become speaker for a 9th time today. “The Advocate” reporter Mark Ballard – who is in D.C. at the Capitol – says behind-the-scenes negotiations will go on until the GOP can unite sufficient votes behind McCarthy’s leadership..:

CUT 13(07)      “…Speaker of the House.”

There are 20 Republican holdouts, who want concessions from McCarthy as House leader. Ballard says they want House rules changed so it no longer takes a majority vote to call for a vote to replace the Speaker. They also demand he commit to allowing far fewer so-called omnibus federal spending bills.

Police in Baton Rouge checked on an early morning car crash on Interstate 110, and found a murder victim in the vehicle. BRPD says the person was dead from multiple gunshots when they arrived. The victim’s name, gender and age have not been released. An investigation is now underway.

The Governor’s race. Senator John Kennedy is officially OUT…so will Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser get IN? Nungesser says officials in the tourism industry want him to run for another term in his current job…:

CUT 03(09)      “…decision to make.”

He says he’ll make an announcement next Tuesday. So far, Attorney general Jeff Landry is running. State Treasurer John Schroder, Congressman Garret Graves, state lawmakers Richard Nelson and Sharon Hewitt are reportedly thinking about running.

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two for a string of over 60 car burglaries; boys ages 12 and 14. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says their mom couldn’t explain why her sons were out stealing stuff at 2 in the morning. He says he always knows where HIS kids are…:

CUT 08(09)      “…there they are.”

The mom was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Deputies seek two other suspects who got away.

Senator John Kennedy tells supporters he will not run for governor. Fellow Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll announce his decision next Tuesday. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans city leaders have been made aware that the NFL and NBA are reportedly concerned about the “near constant” vehicle break-ins at the Caesar’s superdome and Smoothie King Center parking lots during games. The city is expected to host the 2025 Super Bowl, but that could change if the league doesn’t think fans or their stuff will be safe.

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two kids – ages 12 and 14 – for a string of car thefts and burglaries. The two were apprehended early Wednesday morning in the midst of a car burglary at the Creeks of River Ridge apartment complex, but two accomplices got away. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the story got more interesting when the boys’ mother was questioned about why her boys were out and about in the wee small hours…:

CUT 07(08)      “…who they were with.”

42-year-old Tiffany Broomfield reportedly got nasty and argumentative. She was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

The Bed, Bath & Beyond store in Alexandria will close in about 2 months. The company is hemorrhaging money, its stock had dropped 20-percent and its overall bankruptcy appears imminent. Other BB&B locations in Louisiana are also expected to announce they’re closing.

It looks like a third day of voting will pass without the U.S. House selecting a Speaker. Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has fallen short of the 218 votes needed to become speaker for an 8^th time today. “The Advocate” reporter Mark Ballard – who is in D.C. at the Capitol – says this is despite talk in the halls of Congress that negotiations with McCarthy’s naysayers were making progress…:

CUT 12  (13)        “…and House procedures”

Ballard says there are still 5 congressmen who vow they will never vote for McCarthy as Speaker, and he’ll need at least three of their votes to cross the finish line.

With Senator Kennedy’s announcement last night he will NOT run for governor, the question arises “will Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser get in the race? Or run for re-election?” Nungesser says if too many Republicans run, it will hurt his chances at making the run-off…:

CUT 05  (10)        “…the runoff.”

He says he WILL announce his decision next Tuesday.

A man wanted since last April for killing a co-worker at the Foster Farms chicken processing plant in Farmerville has been arrested in Texas. 48-year-old Bruce Causey was busted by Texas cops on a domestic disturbance and they alerted Union Parish that they had their man. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says the family of Causey’s alleged victim, Letrick Calhoun, is relieved…:

CUT 11(10)      “…to hear that.”

After Causey faces weapons charges in Texas, he’ll be extradited to Union Parish for murder charges. He accused of stabbing Calhoun to death during an argument, then fleeing the job and the state.

Police in Ruston are investigating a shooting early this morning at a Waffle House that left one man dead. They say both the shooter and the victim fled the restaurant, but the victim died a short time later while driving on U.S. 80. They have identified a suspect, but for now are not releasing his name, nor the name of the victim. No arrest has been made as of this broadcast.

In case you hadn’t heard, Senator John Kennedy has decided he will NOT run for Governor. Kennedy says DC is where he can do the most good for Louisiana. Now eyes turn to Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser and his decision; run for Governor? Or seek re-election as Lt. Governor? The first choice would pit him against attorney General Jeff Landry, who has the state Republican Party’s backing. On Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show, Nungesser says he feels Landry’s nasty political style makes him unelectable…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…good of Louisiana.”

He says he’ll announce his final decision on the fall election next Tuesday.

He’s accused of killing a co-worker at a Farmerville chicken plant last April, and after months on the lam…he’s been caught. 48-year-old Bruce Causey was apprehended in Texas on a domestic disturbance. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…make a mistake.”

Causey will be extradited to Louisiana after Texas is done with him.

Jefferson Parish deputies arrest two juveniles – ages 12 and 14 – for a string of car thefts and burglaries. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

..and now time for today’s markets…

Now that Senator John Kennedy has told supporters he will not run for governor, fellow Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll announce his decision next Tuesday. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State Police in Vermilion Parish say a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 167 yesterday killed two people. Troopers say a pickup was southbound at high speed when it rear-ended an SUV; causing both to go off the road and roll over. Both in the pickup were unrestrained. Everyone in the SUV was seatlbelted and will recover. The crash is still under investigation

In Jefferson Parish, two teens were apprehended early Wednesday morning in the midst of a car burglary at a River Ridge apartment complex and two suspects got away in dramatic fashion. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says one suspect fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, crashed it, and ran off on foot. While the other suspect drove off, he encountered two deputies blocking the complex exit…:

CUT 06(12)      “…catch up with him.”

A 12-year-old and a 14-year-old are under arrest, the other two suspects are also juveniles; suspected of dozens of car thefts and burglaries.

The work release inmate accused of killing a co-worker at Foster Farms in Farmerville has been arrested in Texas. Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates and his deputies have been looking for 48-year-old Bruce Causey since last April…:

CUT 09(10)      “…warrants on him.”

Causey is accused of fatally stabbed Ketrick Calhoun at the chicken processing plant and fleeing the scene.

Six times the U.S. House has taken a vote to choose its new Speaker with majority leader Kevin McCarthy failing to get the 218 votes needed to take that position. Until the House chooses its next leader all congressional business is on hold. Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says this is a lengthy process…:

CUT 12  (13)        “…34 names.”

This is the first time the House has failed to elect a speaker in the first ballot since 1913.

How are gasoline prices for Louisiana consumers in the New Year? The statewide average price of regular gas is $2.94; up over 15-cents from a week ago, but still a dime cheaper than a year ago. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says he expects prices to drop over the winter…:

CUT 09  (10)        “…to do with demand.”

I-10 Eastbound in Lafayette remains closed near the Evangeline Thruway due to structural damage to the overpass, says DOTD’s Rodney Mallett. Eastbound I-10 traffic is being detoured at U.S. 165 and to I-49, then U.S. 190 east. When the roadway will reopen is unknown at this hour.

Hot and dry weather, than a late summer flood, then more hot and dry weather resulted in more than 500-million dollars in crop losses for Louisiana farmers in 2022. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto says 2022 was a good year for sugarcane, but they are still trying to determine the extent of damage from the freezing temperatures Christmas week…:

CUT 08(07)      “…first time.”

800-thousand acres of the soybean crop was damaged; 68-percent of the crop. That’s $316-million in soybean losses alone.

We’ll have some nice weather across Louisiana for the next few days, with afternoon highs raging into the low-to-mid 70’s. Our next real chance of rain comes in Sunday and Monday.