State Police say at least seven are dead, more than 25 people injured and more than 150 vehicles involved in Monday morning’s massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Trooper Kate Stegall says it’s an unprecedented event…

Cut 9 (11) “…amount of vehicles” 

I-55 remains closed as DOTD has to inspect the bridge for any deficiencies.

160,000 individuals 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 says a large number of those who’ve lost coverage will probably have their status restored…

Cut 12 (09) “…very regularly.” 

After the body of a woman was found in Avoyelles Parish Sunday night, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call of a body in a wooded area in the Blue Town Community, just north of Marksville. Foul play is suspected, and the body will be analyzed by the FACES lab in Baton Rouge in hopes of identifying the victim.

Outgoing Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the stress he faced associated with Voting Controversies was part of why he didn’t seek re-election. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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.

A dense fog advisory is in effect again for most of southeast Louisiana. Low visibility conditions on I-55 in St. John the Baptist Parish yesterday led to a massive chain reaction crash involving at least 158 vehicles. Seven people were killed and more than 25 injured. Smoke from nearby wildfires contributed to the low visibility. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says low water levels are helping these marsh fires burn….
cut 14 (07) “…months”

Kyle Ardoin only as a couple more months as Secretary of State. He decided not to seek re-election after running into road blocks when trying to purchase new voting machines and he’s also not happy about what he describes as false information used against him over how the state conducts its elections. He says in the end it’s not worth the trouble…
cut 6 (09) “…some of that back”

With federal pandemic protections no longer in place, a reported 160,000 no longer have health coverage through Medicaid.
Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saints receiver Chris Olave must have been in a hurry last night. He was pulled over in Kenner for driving 40-miles per hour above the speed limit on a city street. He was ticketed for reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

It’s GameDay in Ruston. Louisiana Tech hosts New Mexico State at 6 PM tonight.

At least seven people died in a major chain reaction crash that involved 158 vehicles on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish yesterday. The interstate remains closed. Superfog conditions, a combination of fog and smoke from nearby wildfires produced low visibility when vehicles started slamming into each other.

BESE has approved an appeals process that could allow a student to graduate if he or she does not pass the LEAP graduation exit exam…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says one person died in a brush fire in the Alexandria area yesterday afternoon. Investigators believe the man was burning hay bales when the fire started and possibly died after getting overcome by the smoke. Rapides Parish is one of several parishes still under a burn ban and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has this message…
cut 15 (03) “…burn ban”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is preparing to oversee his final statewide election on November 18th. One of Ardoin’s biggest challenges was his inability to get legislative approval for new voting machines. He says it’s one of the reasons why he didn’t seek a second full-term in office…
cut 5 (10) “….evidence”
Ardoin says he also faced threats after the 2020 presidential election.

I-55 remains closed in St. John the Baptist Parish after yesterday’s massive car and truck pile-up that resulted in seven deaths and more than 25 people injured. Authorities say “Superfog” conditions, a combination of fog and smoke from nearby wildfires, produced low visibility conditions. State Police says at least 158 vehicles were involved.

Outgoing Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says stress as a result of the voting conspiracies his office was accused of following the 2020 presidential election is part of the reason why he didn’t seek re-election.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved an appeals process to give students unable to pass the LEAP test another option to graduate. Some politicians are saying the plan does not make the grade. BESE President Dr. Holly Boffy says appeals will be administered by local school systems.
Cut 7 (13) “…for employment.”
But Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says this policy benefits the school more than the student…
cut 10 (13) “…the school”
The House Education Committee has scheduled a meeting on Thursday to review the policy and if they and the Senate Education Committee approve it, then the policy goes into effect.

Outgoing Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the stress he faced associated with Voting Controversies was part of why he didn’t seek re-election. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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BESE approved a policy to create an appeals process for students who are unable to pass the LEAP test in order to graduate.  Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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With federal pandemic protections no longer in place, 160,000 have been removed from Louisiana Medicaid coverage. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Outgoing Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he didn’t seek re-election because his health began to suffer due to the stress and pressure he faced associated with voting controversies. Ardoin says he faced harassment and intimidation

Cut 4 (11) “…harassment.”

Ardoin tried to replace outdated voting machines but in his last attempt in 2021, he received pushback as opponents of the Dominion Voting systems wanted them eliminated as an option. Ardoin says the controversy was one of the reasons he’s leaving after this term

Cut 5 (10) “…evidence.”

Ardoin says the intimidation he faced has taken a tool but says he is turning his attention to his family and regaining his health.

Cut 6 (09) “…that back.”

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The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has once again approved an appeals process to give students who are unable to pass the LEAP test another option to graduate. Some politicians are saying the plan does not make the grade.  In order to apply for an appeal, President Dr. Holly Boffy says appeals will be administered by local school systems.

Cut 7 (13) “…for employment.”

Louisiana is one of eight states that still require minimum standardized test scores for graduation. And is the only state that has not offered an appeals process.

In a six to five vote, BESE approved lowering the bar for graduating high school seniors. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy believes BESE is taking a massive step backward.

Cut 8 (10) “…can’t read.” 

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.”

Kennedy says just over a third of Louisiana public high school students perform on grade level.  He says helping a student graduate counts towards the school’s accountability score.

Cut 10 (13) “…the school.”

The House Education Committee has scheduled an oversight hearing for Thursday to review the policy.

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160,000 individuals 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 says they expected many would lose coverage because the state could once again review income eligibility.

Cut 11 (11) “…junk mail.” 

Since 2020, anyone who was on Medicaid could not be dropped due to pandemic protections, and when that changed, Moller says almost a million people on Medicaid had to have their eligibility reviewed.

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. He says a large number of individuals who’ve lost coverage will probably have their status restored…

Cut 12 (09) “…very regularly.” 

With annual income eligibility reviews back in place, Moller says several will churn off and on Medicaid coverage, especially those who do not seek regular medical care.

Cut 13 (07) “…sometimes.”

An average of three out of four Louisiana Medicaid patients have lost coverage due to procedural reasons, for example, incomplete paperwork or outdated contact information.  If you need to renew your Medicaid coverage call (888) 342-6207.

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Fog and marsh fires were major contributing factors to the massive car pile-up on I-55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish Monday morning. The low visibility resulted in multiple fatalities, injuries, and crashes. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says low water levels have only made marsh fires worse.

Cut 14 (07) “…for months.”

In addition to a large marsh fire east of New Orleans, Strain says there are also other marsh fires in the state. Those combined with individuals burning trash piles, have significantly decreased visibility for motorists. He urged individuals to abide by local burn bans because the marsh fires can burn for months versus days…

Cut 15 (05) “…the burn ban.”

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After two weeks off, Louisiana Tech is back in action tonight as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State. The Aggies are 5-and-3, 3-and-1 in Conference USA, and coming off a three-touchdown victory over longtime rival UTEP. Tech Coach Sonny Cumbie is impressed with their dual-threat quarterback Diega Pavia…

Cut 16 (16) “…very powerful.”

Pavia has thrown for 18-hundred yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 527 yards and four touchdowns.

One of Louisiana Tech’s best defensive players is defensive back Willie Roberts, who ranks second in the country with ten pass breakups this season. Cumbie says Roberts has been that locked-down corner they’ve needed

Cut 17 (17) “…this year.”

Kick-off at Joe Aillet Stadium is at 6 p.m.

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Since playing as bad as they could possibly play against Ole Miss, LSU’s defense has made stride during this three-game winning streak. This past Saturday, the Tigers held an undermanned Army team to 193 yards of offense. Defensive tackle Maason Smith says the addition of 82-year-old Pete Jenkins to the coaching staff has helped

Cut 18 (13) “…long way.” 

Smith was recruited by former head coach Ed Orgeron when he came to Terrebonne High School as the state’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2021. Orgeron learned how to coach D-linemen from Jenkins and Smith says there’s a comfortable level with Coach Pete…

Cut 19 (16) “…for us.” 

Cut 20 (20) “…on Saturday 

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.

At least two people are reportedly dead and approximately 30 injured after a massive pile-up on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish. Reports say around a hundred vehicles are involved. The interstate in both directions is closed and first responders from multiple agencies are on-site. State Police Sergeant Kate Stegall says fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires led to very low visibility

Cut 9 (11) “…associated.” 

For a listing of road closures and rerouting instructions visit LA511-dot.org or follow LSP on social media.

The House has been without a speaker since early October as Republicans can’t get on the same page to elect a replacement for Kevin McCarthy. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton has been one of the more conservative members of Congress and that may help him out in his quest to be the next speaker.

Cut 5 (07) “ ..Republican caucus.”  

Though arrests have been made, no one has been charged with murder, in connection with the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says Natchitoches Police continue to vigorously investigate the homicide of Caldwell…

Cut 8 (08) “… currently have.”

Caldwell was laid to rest on Saturday in Austin, Texas. He was 21-years-old but his family says Caldwell had a life well lived.