A public meeting is taking Lake Charles to discuss a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the plan is to build the new bridge just north of the existing one…

Cut 7 (08)  “…is safer.”
Tarver says the projected cost of the bridge is one-point-five billion dollars and while a billion dollars in public money is set aside to build the bridge, tolls may be needed.

That meeting is being held at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Mike Faulk believes it’s time to end a mandate for juniors to take the A-C-T. Faulk says only students planning to go to college should be required to take the A-C-T…
cut 11 (12) “…ACT exam”

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 PM. The watch area covers Shreveport, Monroe, Natchitoches, Alexandria, and DeRidder. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours

College football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A tornado watch is posted until 10 o’ clock tonight. It covers Shreveport, Monroe, Natchitoches, Alexandria and DeRidder. Mike Steele is with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says a significant storm system will impact the entire state bringing a variety of threats…
cut 13 (08) “…flash flooding”
Much of the southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

The state Department of Transportation holds a meeting tonight in Lake Charles to take public comment about a proposed new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the cost of the bridge is estimated to be $1.5 billion and one billion has already been allocated for the project. As for the remaining amount needed, he says there are differing opinions on how it should be funded.
Cut 8 (09) “…toll that bridge.“

The investigation continues into Monday morning’s in-custody death at the St. Mary Parish courthouse. State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says an altercation between a corrections deputy and an inmate resulted in the fatal shooting of the inmate…
cut 4 (10) “…of the time”
Senegal says the shooting happened inside a deliberation room. The identity of the person has yet to be released.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the test because they are not prepared for it.
Cut 10 (08) “… workforce.”
Faulk says the A-C-T should be optional for students who are planning on getting a full-time job after high school.

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours…

Cut 12 (11) “…pop up”  

Much of the southern half of the state is also under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

State Police investigators have released more details about the death of an inmate yesterday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse. Trooper Derek Senegal says Investigators are trying to figure out what led up to the incident between the inmate and a correctional officer.

Cut 5 (09) “…of scuffle”

The inmate was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says the requirement is outdated.

Cut 9 (07) “… other measures.” 
Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the ACT test because they are not taught classes that prepare them for it.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says concerned residents need to attend this meeting.

Cut 6 (11)  “…this project.”

Tarver says the new bridge is expected to be constructed just north of the current one.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Mike Faulk believes it’s time to end a mandate for juniors to take the A-C-T. Faulk says only students planning to go to college should be required to take the A-C-T…
cut 11 (12) “…ACT exam”
The Work Keys exam is less rigorous and is designed for those students who plan on entering the work force after high school graduation. Faulk says by requiring all juniors to take the A-C-T, it’s lowering the state’s average A-C-T score.

Scattered thunderstorms have entered the western side of Louisiana and most of the state is under a severe weather threat through tomorrow morning. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says the southern half of state is under a flash flood watch…
cut 14 (11) “…rain falling”

It’s believed tonight’s meeting about the new proposed 1-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is the last one for the public to add their input. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1(33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Also in southwest Louisiana, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies arrest a 14-year-old student at Starks High School who allegedly threatened to bomb a teacher’s home. An investigation revealed that the juvenile student had not taken any actions to carry out the threat. He’s been charged with communicating false information of a planned arson.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the cost of the bridge is estimated to be $1.5 billion and one billion has already been allocated for the project. As for the remaining amount needed, he says there are differing opinions on how it should be funded.

Cut 8 (09)  “…toll that bridge.“

That meeting begins at five PM and will be held at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the test because they are not prepared for it.

Cut 10 (08) “… workforce.” 

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours. Much of the southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch.

College football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A public meeting takes place in Lake Charles tonight to discuss a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the plan is to build the new bridge just north of the existing one…
cut 7 (08) “…is safer”
Tarver says the projected cost of the bridge is one-point-five billion dollars and while a billion dollars in public money is set aside to build the bridge, tolls maybe needed.

A large portion of Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather today and into the overnight. Strong storms are expected to arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon. Mike Steele is with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says this storm system brings a variety of threats…
cut 13 (08) “…flash flooding”
Much of the southern half of the state is also under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says the requirement is outdated.
Cut 9 (07) “… other measures.”
Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the ACT test because they are not taught classes that prepare them for it.

The investigation continues into Monday morning’s in-custody death at the St. Mary Parish courthouse. State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says an altercation between a corrections deputy and an inmate resulted in the fatal shooting of the inmate…
cut 4 (10) “…of the time”
Senegal says the shooting happened inside a deliberation room. The identity of the person has yet to be released.

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours…

Cut 12 (11) “…pop up”  

Much of the southern half of the state is also under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

State Police investigators have released more details about the death of an inmate yesterday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse. Trooper Derek Senegal says an altercation between the inmate and a corrections deputy happened in a deliberation room just outside the courtroom.

Cut 3 (09) “…gunshot wound” 

The inmate was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says concerned residents need to attend this meeting.

Cut 6 (12)  “…this project.”

The meeting will be from 5 until 7 at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. USPS spokesperson David Walton says some post offices have extended hours so customers can drop off packages and delivery workers are working longer days also.

Cut 9 (09)  “…time change.”

Saturday is the deadline for first-class mail and packages to arrive in time for Christmas.

According to the United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings for 2022 and Louisiana ranked dead last. A major reason for the poor ranking is that drug deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2020. United’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ravi Johar says the state also suffers from a high prevalence of physical inactivity.

Cut 5 (11) “…that sort.”

Plans are in place to build a one-point-eight-billion-dollar state-of-the-art container facility on the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish, creating 17-thousand new jobs by 2050. Port NOLA President Brandy Christian says the facility will help Louisiana attract new investment from companies competing globally.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by container”

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. The deadline for mailing greeting cards and first-class packages, if you want them to arrive before Santa, is December 17. USPS spokesperson David Walton says they are fully staffed and so far, things are running as smoothly as possible.

Cut 8 (09)  “…of year.”

250 million people are expected to visit the post office during the holidays.

In St. Tammany Parish they’ve placed a time capsule inside the Slidell Museum featuring items from the COVID pandemic, like a mask, a Covid test, letters from students, and news coverage. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says in 100 years when the capsule is opened it will show how resilient their residents were during the pandemic

Cut 11 (09)  “…but forever.”

Governor Edwards says Ports America and Mediterranean Shipping Company have come together to help finance a one-point-eight billion dollar container terminal project to be built on the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish. Port NOLA President Brandy Christian says the new Louisiana International Terminal will serve vessels of all sizes…
cut 15 (11) “….through container shipping”
Terminal construction is expected to begin in 2025.

According to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings, Louisiana ranks last in the country. United Health Foundation Chief Medical Officer Doctor Ravi Johar says the state has seen a dramatic rise in overdose deaths, a high physical inactivity rate and Louisiana also ranks poorly for STDs, high risk HIV behaviors and teen births. Johar says the report serves an important purpose…
cut 6 (10) “…to address”

It’s the busiest week of the year for the post office and the deadlines for mailing cards and packages are approaching. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A large portion of Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather today. Strong storms are expected to arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat will linger into tomorrow morning. Much of south Louisiana is also under a flash flood watch.

The SEC and all of college football is mourning the death of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach. The school says Leach passed away last night after complications related to a heart condition. He was 61.

Plans are in place to build a $1.8-billion state-of-the-art container facility on the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish that would create more than 17-thousand new jobs by 2050. Port NOLA President Brandy Christian says a large marine terminal operator called Ports America and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company are the private investors…:

CUT 13  (08)        “…a reality.”

The governor’s office says the construction of the terminal will be supported by a substantial commitment from Port NOLA, as well as state and federal funding sources.

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. The deadline for mailing greeting cards and first-class packages, if you want them to arrive before Santa, is December 17^th. USPS spokesperson David Walton says get your stuff ready by Saturday if not sooner…:

CUT 07  (08)        “…the holidays.”

The deadline for Priority Mail is December 19^th and for Priority Mail Express the deadline is December 23^rd.

State Police are looking into the death of an inmate while in custody in St. Mary Parish. Few details are yet available, but it appears the inmate was being transported to a court appearance when a scuffle broke out with a parish corrections officer. The inmate suffered life threatening injury and died later at a local hospital. The jailer was not seriously hurt. The matter is now under investigation.

There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for most of north Louisiana and all of central Louisiana this afternoon and tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tornadoes will be possible. He says make sure your wireless emergency alerts are turned on ahead of the expected severe weather…:

CUT 17  (10)        “…the situation.”

Cooler weather will come in behind the thunderstorms which could last into tomorrow afternoon.

State Police issue a missing child advisory for a teenager last seen in Shreveport Sunday. Fairchild Scarbrough is black and big for his age; 6’1″ and 165 pounds. Call the Caddo Sheriff’s Office if you spot him.