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

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Authorities have arrested 46-year-old Terral Blackwell in connection to the discovery of nearly 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin found in a Lafayette Parish residence last Tuesday. Agents also located a handgun while executing a search warrant in the 100 block of Hansel Drive.

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 (10) “…this process.”

Arceneaux says they will have enough police and fire personnel to support the parades and the parades will begin at 2:45 and must end by 7 PM.

A property brush fire has resulted in the discovery of a man’s body in Alexandria on Monday. The fire was reported in the 6100 block of LA 488. State Fire Marshall Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 4 (12) “…went wrong.”

Rodrigue says investigators are still working to identify the victim’s cause of death.

BESE has approved an appeals process to give students who are unable to pass the standardized testing another option to graduate. Some lawmakers are giving the plan a failing grade. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy believes BESE is taking a massive step backward.

Cut 8 (10) “…can’t read.” 

BESE President Dr. Holly Boffy says four percent of high school seniors are unable to graduate because they can’t pass the LEAP test. That could mean the students are poor test takers not because they can’t read. She points out that students achieve at different levels.

Cut 9 (12)  “…air conditioning.”

The House Education Committee will meet Thursday to review the policy.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says controversies associated with replacing Louisiana voting is why he’s leaving after this term. He says he also faced harassment and intimidation.

Cut 4 (11) “…harassment.”

Ardoin says his health also began to suffer due to the stress and pressure. His last attempt in two years ago received pushback as opponents of the Dominion Voting systems wanted them eliminated as an option.

One hundred sixty thousand people have been removed from state Medicaid rolls since April after federal pandemic protections ended and a third of them are children. Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller…

Cut 11 (11) “…junk mail.” 

Moller says to the state’s credit they’ve done a very good job notifying those on Medicaid of the need to revisit their eligibility.

Low visibility due to dense fog and smoke caused a massive traffic pile-up on I-55 in both directions in southeast Louisiana this morning killing at least two people. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

The Blood Center and local hospitals are urging people to donate blood as several people were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment – visit TheBloodCenter.org.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is one of nine Republicans seeking to be the next Speaker of the House.  Johnson’s announcement comes after Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan of Ohio failed short of the 217 votes needed as House Speaker.  LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan points out Johnson serves as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Cut 4 (12) “…his party.”

Authorities say 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  22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charges

Cut 6 (09) “…dangerous substance”

Campbell is a former teammate of Caldwell’s.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has announced he will throw his hat in the ring to become the next US Speaker of the House. The 51 year old evangelical Christian lawyer is vice-chair of the House Republican Conference now. He and any other candidates will make their pitch before that Conference in a closed door meeting on Monday

Car-jackings are down by 44% in New Orleans since the end of August, compared to the same time last year. That’s according to a report by the Metropolitan Crime Commission. But the issue is front and center since Orleans DA Jason Williams and his mother barely escaped a carjacking on Monday. Williams says it’s true, progress has been made, but everyone must continue to be on guard.

Cut 5 (10) “ ..being vigilant.”  

Neither Williams not his mother was injured in the incident on Monday.

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

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Big night in Death Valley as LSU hosts the Black Knights of Army for the first time. Army comes into Tiger Stadium with a two-and-four record. Kelly says the option offense they run is not easy to defend…

Cut 12 (10) “..their focused”  

Orleans Parish D-A Jason Williams…thankful he and his 78 year old mother escaped a carjacking attempt unharmed on Monday. When it happened, the DA says his thoughts went to Linda Frickey and his greatest concern was his mother.

Cut 4 (13) “…Ms. Frickey.”

73-year-old Linda Frickey was caught in the seatbelt and dragged for a block as carjackers drove off in her vehicle last year.

Police in Walker have made two arrests in the death of a 60 year old woman who was reported missing two weeks ago. Sarah Santini’s body was found Thursday off a highway in Livingston Parish. Authorities made the arrests about 24 hours later.

Cut 8 (12) “… State Police.”

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Good news regarding unemployment in Louisiana. 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. LWC Chief Economist Emily Dipalma says he only metro area to lose jobs in September was Lafayette. But she says most metro areas saw a positive swing.

Cut  14 (10) “around 800″

Today marks the first time LSU will host a U.S. Service Academy School in Tiger Stadium. Kick off between the Tigers and Army is set for 6:30 and LSU Coach Brian Kelly says his team has the ultimate respect for the Black Knights…

Cut 11 (10) “…our country”

Right now, Kelly is college football’s active leader for wins. A win tonight for the Tigers would give him his 300^th victory.

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

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Orleans Parish D-A Jason Williams is grateful he and his 78-year-old mother were not injured after being carjacked in the Lower Garden District Monday night. Williams says it all happened in a matter of seconds.

Cut 3 (08) “far worse.”

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Walker Police have arrested two people involved in the murder 60-year-oid woman whose body was found in a wooded area of Livingston Parish on Thursday. Sarah Santini was reported missing on October 7th and when police went to her home they knew something bad happened…

Cut 7 (12) “…were missing.” 

Officials believe 30-year-old Bobby Schneider of Gonzales killed Sarah Santini in her home and another man helped him dispose of her body.

Slain Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell will be laid to rest in in Austin, Texas. Caldwell was found shot several times more than a week ago at an apartment complex near campus.

Northwestern’s home game against Southeastern was moved to Thursday so his teammates and coaches could attend the funeral today. So far, no one has been charged in Caldwell’s death.

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…

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Dozens gathered in New Orleans East last night to honor three children killed in a house allegedly set by their father.  The children’s mother was reportedly on her way home when she called 9-1-1 early Wednesday saying their father had threatened the fire.  An investigation has since been launched into first responder response times.

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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.

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. LWC Chief Economist Emily Dipalma says Louisiana residents are showing they want to go to work

Cut 13 (11) “…labor force”

Orleans Parish D-A Jason Williams and his mother were not injured after being held at gunpoint and carjacked in the Lower Garden District Monday night. Williams says progress has been made but this could happen to anyone.

Cut 5 (10) “ ..being vigilant.”  

Carjackings are down by 44% since the end of August, compared to the same time last year. New Orleans Police have not made any arrests and the case remains active.

Tight end Foster Moreau is putting the blame on himself for the Saints not winning last night. Moreau dropped a touchdown pass that could have tied the game with less than 30 seconds to go, instead, New Orleans lost to Jacksonville 31-24. The former LSU Tiger feels awful…

Cut 9 (06) “…one play”  

The Saints battled back from a 15-point deficit to have a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. New Orleans has now lost two in a row and they are 3-and-4 on the season.

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

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

50-year-old Judson Eldridge, a professor at LSU Eunice has been arrested for rape and cyberstalking. Authorities say a female victim said Eldridge invited her to his apartment where he allegedly put something in her drink. The victim said when she woke up she was being raped. Eldridge has been placed on administrative leave.

Orleans Parish D-A Jason Williams says he’s happy to be alive after he and his 78-year-old mother were held at gunpoint during a carjacking in the Lower Garden District Monday night.

Cut 3 (08) “far worse.”

Two armed men forced Williams away from the car as he was helping his mother out of his vehicle in the 1000 block of Race Street. Williams and his mother were not injured. No one has been arrested.

The number of unemployed people looking for a job, but can’t find one, is at a record low of 67-thousand people according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. LWC Chief Economist Emily Dipalma says private education and health services gained 51 hundred jobs from August to September. She says most metro areas did well…

Cut  14 (10) “around 800″

Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder of 60-year-old Sarah Santini of Walker. Authorities believe 30-year-old Bobby Schneider of Gonzales killed Santini in her home. Captain John Sharp says Santini was reported missing and when police went to her home they knew something bad happened…

Cut 7 (12) “…were missing.” 

Investigators say 56-year-old Gregory Baker of Ascension Parish was also arrested and helped Schneider dispose of Santini’s body.

Tomorrow will be the first time LSU will host a U.S. Service Academy School. The Army Black Knights come into Tiger Stadium with a two-and-four record. LSU Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 12 (10) “..their focused”  

Kickoff between the Tigers and the Black Knights is set for 6:30 p.m.

LSU will take on the Army Black Knights this Saturday and Offensive Lineman Will Campbell says that the team is focused on the Knights this week even with the major November 4th matchup against Alabama looming large. Campbell says that everyone at LSU has a great respect for the Black Knights for what they do both on and off the field.

Cut 20 (20) “ … on Saturday”

The game will kickoff at 6:30 on the SEC Network

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The Southeastern Lions have earned their first win of the season against Northwestern State on Thursday night. The Lions offense gained 539 total yards on their way to the 37-20 victory. The win counts as their 13th straight win against Northwestern State and the Lions are now 1 and 3 in Southland Conference play while Northwestern State falls to 0 and 2.

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The New Orleans Saints are coming off a heartbreaking loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars 31 to 24. After a 15 point comeback in the 4th quarter, former LSU tight end Foster Moreau dropped what would have been a game tying touchdown pass from Derek Carr in the final seconds of the game. Carr says no one can blame Moreau for the loss because in order to have won,

Cut 28 (21) “ … or done that”

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The 4-2 ULL Ragin Cajuns will host 5-1 Georgia State Panthers in what could be an important game for Sun Belt standings later on in the season. The two teams have only met 6 times in their histories and ULL has won all 6 matchups. The teams will battle on Saturday with kickoff at 7pm on ESPN+.