Local News From Red River Radio with Jeffrey Ferrell
6:04 am, 7:04 am, 8:04 am
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Jeff began his on-air broadcasting career 33 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota as a general assignment reporter.
Jeff has worked in several regions of the country, from the Great Plains to the Midwest… and from the northeast to the southwest, before coming to Shreveport back in 2000 with his wife and four kids, where they have lived ever since.
Throughout his more than three decades of news reporting, Jeff has covered everything from the crack cocaine epidemic of the early ‘90s outside Chicago, to prolonged droughts in Oklahoma and paralyzing blizzards in Pennsylvania… and from devastating gulf coast hurricanes to severe flooding. Jeff graduated with a master’s degree in history from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston in March, and had just entered into a doctoral program until Red River Radio came calling, with a great opportunity to serve as news director at the public radio network.
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Last Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 was Chuck Smith's final newscast at Red River Radio as he retires after 43 years working in radio, television, and various media. Dozens gathered in a special after hours reception to celebrate Chuck's many years' service as a journalist and broadcaster to the community. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux issued a proclamation officially designating July 26th, 2023 as "Chuck Smith Day". -
- Louisiana has reported its first two cases of West Nile Neuro-invasive disease last week.- The head of Louisiana's State Health Department says Louisiana's childhood vaccine rate is slipping and could impact preventable illnesses.- Texas lawmakers have crafted an historic property tax deal that could save homeowners and business owners hundreds if not thousands each year. -
- Louisiana's top two legislative leaders say an override session is likely to happen.- A Texas law professor expects the recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions will negatively impact Texas law and med schools.- A national report reveals an increase in the number of students have dropped out of colleges and univerisities.
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- Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards reacted Wednesday to Shreveport's latest mass shooting, and is offering the State Police to assist local law enforcement with the case.- Arkansas Governor Sara Huckabee Sanders has appointed the head of the state Republican party to replace a vacated seat on the state's Supreme Court.- Triple-digit heat across Texas last week increased the number of emergency intakes at hospitals all across the state.
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- Shreveport joined the list of U.S. cities that had a mass shooting over the July 4th holiday.- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he will not testify at his impeachment trial.- Louisiana Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed three politically charged bills targeting LGBTQ+ people, raising the odds for a veto override session.- Weather forecast is for slightly cooler temperatures compared to last week.
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- Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards weighS in on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action that bars universities from considering race for admission.- The Louisiana commissioner of higher education says it has a goal of getting 60% of the state's population credentialed by 2030.- Texas Senators have taken another step towards property tax relief.
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- A new poll shows Republican Stephen Waguespack closing the gap on leading GOP contender Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor's race.- The Texas Legislature is still at a stalemate over property tax relief.- For a second day in a row – the National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued an Excessive Heat Warning.
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- Louisiana's Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of legislation that gave adult victims of childhood sexual abuse another chance to file lawsuits.- The Supreme Court of Texas is revisiting a rule that lays down when records in a lawsuit can be sealed.- Compared to other states, Texas receives the most federal money for broadband internet expansion.- Governor Greg Abbott has called Texas lawmakers back for another special session to focus only on property taxes.
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- The Supreme Court lifted its hold on a Louisiana case that could force the state to redraw congressional districts to boost Black voting power.- New data from the Dallas Federal Reserve shows that across the country, rent increases are starting to slow down- Another report reveals the costs of even modest rental housing far outstrip the wages of many full-time workers.- Monday's storm impacted the SWEPCO power grid and more than 6800 customers are still without power.- LSU Baseball wins the College World Series.
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- More than 29,000 customers are without power thanks to Monday mornings severe thunderstorms that blew through the ArkLaTex.- A heat advisory will be in effect until 7pm Monday as heat indexes are expected to reach as high as 109 degrees.- The U.S. Census Bureau says that Latinos have passed non-Hispanic whites to become the largest share of Texas’ population.
