The massive pile-up on I-55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish that claimed the lives of several travelers and sent many more to hospitals this morning was due to exceptionally low visibility. National Weather Service Tyler Stanfield says they were getting reports of visibility as low as one-eighth a mile when the crashes occurred. Stanfield says the fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires made it extremely difficult to see…

Cut 11 (06) “…by smoke”

Stanfield says winds were also low which allowed the Superfog to sock in. but stronger winds are expected for tomorrow morning’s commute…

Cut 13 (10) “…tomorrow morning”

The Blood Center and local hospitals are urging eligible people to donate blood as several people sustained injuries and had to be transported to area hospitals. For donation center locations visit TheBloodCenter.org

Louisiana Congressman Republican Mike Johnson will officially make his bid as U-S House Speaker before his party today. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

No one has been charged with murder, but 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 a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charge and Greely says, Campbell interfered with the investigation

Cut 7 (07) “…obstruct justice.” 

Caldwell was laid to rest on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

There are reports of several fatalities after low visibility caused by fog and marsh fires this morning in southeast Louisiana caused a massive traffic pile-up on I-55 in both directions. 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. For a list of donation center locations, visit thebloodcenter.org

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson from Benton will make his case before House Republicans today to be the next Speaker of the House. Eight other Republicans are also seeking the post. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Johnson’s chances are as good as the other candidates

cut 3 (13) “the caucus.”

Johnson’s announcement comes after Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan of Ohio failed short of the 217 votes needed as House Speaker.

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 a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charges

Cut 6 (09) “…dangerous substance”

At least two people are reportedly dead after a massive pile-up on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish this morning. Reports say hundreds of vehicles are involved and the interstate is closed in both directions.  State Police is the lead agency investigating the pile-up and Sergeant Kate Stegall says to expect lengthy closures as a result.

Cut 10 (13) “…first responders.”

Visit LA511-dot-org for road closure information.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charges along with Caldwell’s roommate but so far no one has been charged with murder.

Cut 8 (08) “… currently have.”

In Alexandria, after reports of several individuals waving guns around a parking lot and what appeared to be filming of a video Saturday night, police have made two arrests. A 15-year-old has been charged with Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen firearm. 20-year-old Robert Drakes was arrested and among his charges are terrorizing. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Congressman Republican Mike Johnson will officially make his bid as U-S House Speaker before his party today. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Two people are reportedly dead as a result of multiple wrecks involving hundreds of vehicles on Interstate 55 in St John the Baptist Parish. The interstate is closed in both directions and first responders from multiple agencies are on-site….
cut 9 (11) “…associated”
That’s State Police Sergeant Kate Stegall who says low visibility from the fog and smoke from nearby marsh fires led to reduced visibility. For a listing of road closures visit LA511-dot.org or visit LSP’s social media channels.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is one of nine Republicans seeking to be next Speaker of the House. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Johnson is one of the more conservative members and that may help him as he lobbies his colleagues.
Cut 5 (07) “ ..Republican caucus.”

For the next Louisiana Secretary of State, purchasing new voting machines will be a top priority. The Republican in the run-off Nancy Landry says the new machines should produce a paper back up…
cut 28 (08) “…are accurate”
The Secretary of State’s Office is where businesses also must register. The Democratic candidate in the November 18th run-off, Gwen Collins Greenup says she wants to put procedures in place to prevent business identity theft…
cut 13 (12) “….business name”

Today, Governor-elect Jeff Landry urged voters to vote for the three Republican candidates seeking a statewide office in the November 18th run-off. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Democratic Party has endorsed Collins-Greenup in the Secretary of State’s race.

Interstate 55 is closed in both directions between Ruddock and Manchac after 25 crashes this morning. The crashes are in three different spots in St. John Parish and at least two people have been killed and 30 reported injuries. Three 18-wheelers were also fully engulfed in flames. Fog and smoke from the marsh fires were contributing factors to the accidents.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is asking parents of children ages 5 and under for their input in the 2023 Parent Poll.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson from Benton wants to be the next Speaker of the House. Johnson currently serves as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says having GOP leadership in the chamber should help Johnson’s chances.

Cut 4 (12) “…his party.”

Eight other Republicans are also seeking the post.

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 a former teammate, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, faces multiple charges including obstruction of justice.TO date no one has been charged with murder, but Greely says Campbell interfered with the investigation.

Cut 7 (07) “…obstruct justice.” 

The investigation is ongoing…

Representative Mike Johnson from Benton will make his case before House Republicans today to be the next Speaker of the House. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Johnson could possibly get a nod from the GOP.

Cut 3 (13) “the caucus.”

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 a former teammate of Caldwell’s, 22-year-old Maurice Campbell of Memphis, has been booked on multiple charges.

Cut 6 (09) “…dangerous substance”

Caldwell’s roommate has also been charged with having a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance. But no one has been charged with Caldwell’s murder.

For the next Louisiana Secretary of State, purchasing new voting machines will be a top priority. The Republican in the run-off Nancy Landry says the new machines should produce a paper backup…

Cut 11 (08) “…are accurate” 

The current voting machines date back to 2006. Landry currently serves as First Assistant Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State’s Office is where businesses must also register. The Democratic candidate in the November 18th run-off, Gwen Collins-Greenup says she wants to put procedures in place to prevent business identity theft…

Cut 13 (12) “…business name”

Collins-Greenup is a Baton Rouge attorney and accountant.

The runoff for Secretary of State is a contest between two women, Republican Nancy Landry and Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. Landry currently serves as First Assistant Secretary of State and knows how to organize and run a statewide election…
Cut 10 (11) “…election”
Collins-Greenup is a Baton Rouge attorney and accountant. She previously worked as the clerk of court in East Feliciana Parish. The Democrat says her first priority will be purchasing new voting machines and she will also work on increasing voter participation…
Cut 12 (08) ” most elections”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is one of nine Republicans seeking to be the next Speaker of the House. Johnson is the vice chairman of the Republican Conference.

Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the Bayou State continues to set records for low unemployment.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A fatal shooting in Monroe on Saturday night claimed the life of a 14-year-old. Monroe Police say it occurred in the 31-hundred block of Renwick Street. Authorities have not released any other information.

Alexandria P-D arrested a 15 and 20-year-old for waiving guns around in a parking lot on Enterprise Road. Cops say it appears they were making a video.

There are nine Republicans running for U-S House Speaker, including Louisiana’s Mike Johnson. Johnson and the eight other candidates will make their case before House Republicans behind closed doors tonight and a vote on the floor could happen tomorrow.

For the next Louisiana Secretary of State, purchasing new voting machines will be a top priority. The Republican in the run-off Nancy Landry says the new machines should produce a paper back up…
cut 11 (08) “…are accurate”
The Secretary of State’s Office is where businesses also must register. The Democratic candidate in the November 18th run-off, Gwen Collins Greenup says she wants to put procedures in place to prevent business identity theft…
cut 13 (12) “….business name”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the number of people unemployed in September is just under 68-thousand which is a record low since they started keeping track of that sort of thing. U-L Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says the state has added nearly 280-thousand jobs since the worst of the pandemic….
cut 5 (10) “…thousand range”

For working families with small children, child care and early childhood education is very important. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children has a survey they would like these families to complete. Institute Director Doctor Libbie Sonnier says the poll explores a variety of family issues…
cut 8 (09) “…and more”
You can fill out the survey at policy-institute-la-dot-org.