The weather is changing as it will feel like fall this week as a major blast of cold air begins to spread across the state today….
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Colleen crane”

In other news…Calcasieu Parish deputies arrest 17-year-old Artavien Green for a shooting that injured six other teens during a party at a Lake Charles home. One of the victims is in critical condition.

Financial troubles have led to the Archdiocese of New Orleans announcing plans to close and consolidate churches by next July. Eight parishes will be trimmed to four.

The family of murdered Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell plans to file a lawsuit this week against the university and others. Caldwell’s parents say they warned the coach that their son was living in a dangerous situation three days before he was fatally shot at his apartment complex. Blanche Caldwell is Ronnie’s mother…
cut 14 (10) “…back home”
Northwestern State cancelled its remaining four games and head coach Brad Laird resigned.

Newsweek Magazine ranks Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport as the best hospital in the state. Senior Vice President of Quality and Clinical Performance Claire Rebouche says the honor comes one year before Willis-Knighton is set to celebrate its 100th year in caring for the community…
cut 12 (100 “…anniversary year”

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.”

The Saints put together their best offensive performance of the season yesterday as New Orleans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-27. Taysom Hill scored two touchdowns and Derek Carr threw for two TDs as New Orleans improved to 4-and-4 and moved into a tie for first place in the NFC South.

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.”
Low temperatures will get below freezing Wednesday morning in north Louisiana, mid-30s for south Louisiana.

State Police is holding a Cybersecurity Summit today at its training academy in Baton rouge….
cut 9 (06) “…best protection”
That’s Trooper Christian Reed, who says they are expecting more than 200 attendees, many of them are small business owners who will learn best practices for preventing a cyber attack.

A big cold front will move through the state today. Already in north Louisiana, temperatures are in the 40s and we are seeing widespread showers. The colder temperatures will spread across central and south Louisiana as the day goes on. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says rain chances will drop as the front moves south…
cut 5 (05) “…lucky”

Northwestern State’s football season is over as a result of the fatal shooting of safety Ronnie Caldwell. The family of Caldwell says they told Coach Brad Laird that the apartment Caldwell was living in was unsafe and then three days later he was murdered. Attorney Troy Pradia says they don’t know why the school chose to end the season or why Laird resigned…
cut 15 (10) “…unanswered questions”
Pradia says the family plans to file legal action against Northwestern State.

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.”

In New Orleans, Archbishop Gregory Aymond is closing and consolidating several parishes because of financial difficulties. The Diocese filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 as a result of mounting sexual abuse lawsuits. But Aymond in a letter, cited COVID-19, natural disasters, inflation and rising insurance costs for the financial troubles.

A strong cold front has started to make its way through northwest Louisiana as you’ll need to break out those jackets and sweaters? Colleen Crain on the big weather change…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Colleen Crane”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 17-year-old Artavien Green and accused of him shooting six teens during a party at a home in Lake Charles on Saturday night. The age of the victims range from 15 to 19. One of the victims is listed in critical condition.

The family of Ronnie Caldwell, the Northwestern State football player who was killed on October 12th, is expected to 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.

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.”

A leader in the gaming industry is taking over the license of the Bossier City Diamond Jacks Casino, which closed amid the pandemic in 2020.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says Cordish will take over in the casino’s license and renovation.

cut 3 (08) “…base casino.”

Grambling State President Rick Gallot has been appointed to lead the University of Louisiana System. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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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 Monday’s deadly 168 vehicle pileup happened, beginning this weekend.

Cut 6 (11) “…just chipped.”

After an animal hoarding situation of 53 cats was discovered in New Iberia last Saturday, the Humane 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.”  

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 a quarter of a mile near the site of Monday’s accident.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the northbound portion of Interstate 55 is completely closed.

Cut 7 (13) “…anytime soon.” 

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” 

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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. Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says Cordish has begun renovation on the massive 77 thousand square feet venue.

Cut 4 (11) “…by piece.”

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”

DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says you may see heavy equipment between Ponchatoula and LaPlace on Interstate 55 southbound lanes over the next two weeks. He says crews will begin repairing 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. There is no timeline for reopening the northbound lanes at this time.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced the approval of the Cordish Companies transfer of license from the former Diamond Jacks property in Bossier City. Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie 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. The project is expected to be complete by late 2025.

The University of Louisiana System Board has named Grambling State President Rick Gallot as their new President. Gallot will replace Doctor Jim Henderson who has been named the next president of La Tech. 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 nine different universities and 91-thousand students.  The Ruston native has served as Grambling’s president for seven years. Before that, he was a state lawmaker for 17 years.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is seeking financial help to cover medical expenses for 53 cats that were discovered in an animal hoarding situation in New Iberia last Saturday. 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.

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.”