On Talk Louisiana this morning, a man involved in Monday’s massive car pile-up describes his experience. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana Tech has found a new president. Jeff Palermo reports Jim Henderson will leave as U-L System President to lead the Ruston-based school…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Brandon Jolly was among the motorists involved in Monday morning’s horrific car pile-up on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jolly says he was traveling south and the fog intensified once he reached Lake Maurepas and it was a miracle he wasn’t initially hit or hit anyone else.
Eight people died in the pile-up that occurred in both the north and southbound lanes of the interstate.
Jolly says while he drives long-distance for a living, even driving 50 miles per hour, well below the posted speed limit of 70, that morning didn’t change the outcome.
While trapped on the interstate, Jolly says it was surreal when people would emerge from the fog looking for help. He says a woman who worked with a fire department approached him and they began to pull people out of cars. And while he didn’t see any fatalities in his immediate area…
Authorities say the morning fog combined with smoke from marsh fires severely limited visibility which sparked a chain reaction of multiple crashes. Eight people died, including a six-year-old boy from Madisonville.
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DOTD announced the southbound side of Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish has reopened following the massive vehicle pileup involving 168 vehicles that killed at least eight people and injured 63 people. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says inspectors have determined the majority of the southbound portion of the roadway is safe for travel.
Specialized equipment such as a ground penetrating radar was used as part of the inspection process.
Mallet says inspectors continue to assess damage to the bridge on the northbound portion of Interstate 55. He says areas on the northbound portion had to be cleaned before inspection.
.Mallet says the right lane remains closed for about a half-mile stretch on I-55 South near the Manchac exit…
There is no timetable for reopening the northbound lanes.
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The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors names Doctor Jim Henderson as the new president of Louisiana Tech. Henderson will leave his job as U-L System president and he looks to build on what he calls the best undergraduate scholarship program in the state
Henderson is a native of Shreveport and previously served as president of Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College. He says there are several existing programs at La Tech that he looks to grow…
Cut 10 (13) “…starting to emerge.”
Henderson will begin his role as president on January 1st, replacing Doctor Les Guice who is retiring. He’s been the president of the U-L System since 2017 and is looking forward to moving to Ruston…
Henderson told the board one of his goals is to establish an endowment. He says they need to lean on private resources, because public funding can be unpredictable during tough budget times.
Grambling State President Rick Gallot has been named as Henderson’s replacement as U-L System President.
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Congressman Mike Johnson is the 56th Speaker of the U-S House of Representatives and he’s only been in Congress for six years. The Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says Johnson’s low profile may have worked in his favor.
Johnson won the final ballot after his predecessors Congressman Steve Scalise, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, bid for the position tanked.
Johnson is a conservative who received the backing of former President Donald Trump. Ballard expects Johnson’s social conservatism to add to his approach in this role.
Cut 13 (12) “….apparently does.”
As Speaker of the House, Johnson faces a possible federal government shutdown if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by November 17.
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