Randall Kamm
Anchor
Randall Kamm co-anchors KPLC Nightcast with Cynthia Arceneaux. He also anchors Now at Nine on FOX29. He’s an award-winning journalist who has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News and CourtTV.
Randall was born in New Jersey but grew up in Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Although not a Louisiana native, Randall has lived in West Monroe for nearly a decade, so he knows the Pelican State well.
While this part of Louisiana is new to Randall, it’s almost home for his wife, Meredith, who grew up in Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Westbrook High School, Wichita State University and is currently an RN/BSN specializing in cardiovascular nursing.
Randall is the father of two beautiful daughters, Alexa and Thomasyn, and two amazing sons, Ian and Quentin.
Big improvements are coming to Calcasieu Parish schools - with a big price tag attached. The school board voting tonight in favor of using 50-million dollars of taxpayer money for upgrades and renovations to things like buildings, equipment and vehicles. Decisions on specific projects haven't been made yet. School officials say needs will be assessed in each specific district before projects begin. Just to clarify, a new tax is not being assessed. The 50-million dollars is...
A big night for some fine young men in Lake Charles on Monday night. Eleven Boy Scouts spent years developing character and learning self-reliance by participating in a variety of outdoor activities and education programs. They have reached the pinnacle by being promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout. Hunter Newton is 14 years old, but he's been in Scouting since first grade. His Eagle project was a tough one - improving a Louisiana State Park. "My project was redoing 20 p...
Lundi Gras in Lake Charles means the annual Royal Gala at the Civic Center. Kings, queens, dukes and duchesses were on parade Monday night. Bright lights and colorful costumes entertaining the crowd of Mardi Gras enthusiasts. ?With more than 60 Mardi Gras krewes in Lake Charles, the wardrobes of the 2018 Royal Courts can get pretty extravagant. Weather permitting, Fat Tuesday revelers will take to the streets of Lake Charles tomorrow at 5pm.
Sounds weird to say, but some of the best meals - are served on wheels. Don't let the look fool you. Food trucks often deliver restaurant quality eats. These six lake area food truck owners taking part in a food truck invasion at a local brewery this evening. A chance for folks to sample some delicious food and an opportunity for the food truck operators to show off their menus. The food and fun turning into an annual event. This is the third year for the food truck invasion ...
The mayor of Lake Charles holding what's referred to as a 'listening session' Wednesday evening. A large crowd gathering to listen and talk about issues related to downtown development as well as historic and cultural districts. Among those on hand was a store manager looking for specifics on the development of the Lake Charles lakefront. "There's been so much talk about developing it and all the ideas, but nothing has been set in stone about what's going to be happening ...
An anti-abortion rally is held in Lake Charles Monday. Among those participating in the March for Life is Felicia Borel. 20-years ago, she chose to have not one, but two abortions, but says now, if she had it to do over again, she'd choose differently. Felicia Borel: "I would definitely make a different choice. I would know I could do this. I could have had those children. I am strong enough. There are people who loved me back then and love me now who would have helped m...
It's been a long time coming but construction is finally underway on a new apartment building in downtown Lake Charles. It's happening at the old Sears lot at the corner of Ryan and Division. Work beginning on what should eventually be a six story parking deck and 270-unit apartment building. The construction may be a nuisance for drivers because the westbound lane of Division Street will be closed while heavy machine operators are at work. Congestion is expected to la...
The Senate is expected to vote on the Republican tax reform bill by the end of the week. Critics say if passed, the bill would tilt the tax code to benefit wealthy Americans. But Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (R) says tax reform would benefit working class Americans. However, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says the Republican plan would increase the deficit by 1.4-trillion dollars over the next ten years. Senator Cassidy disagrees. During an interview with KPLC 7 N...
If you don't remember we just had an election last month, don't feel bad, voter turnout was abysmal. However, that doesn't change the cost of holding the election, meaning when hardly anyone shows up to vote, the cost per voter who actually casts a ballot is high. In fact, here in Calcasieu Parish, it would be cheaper to send each voter to see a movie, than it is to let them in the voting booth. Lynn Jones loves elections! And why not. He's been involved in the electoral ...
The Lake Charles city council has approved an ordinance to allow bids for ten new transit shelters with benches. The cost of the new city bus shelters is estimated to be about 39-thousand dollars. The shelters are being paid for with federal transportation funds. Councilman Rodney Geyen sponsored the ordinance. "We have handicapped people and the elderly standing out where there is no cover and it's cold and raining", says Councilman Geyen. Construction on the t...
Governor John Bel Edwards speaking to reporters in Lake Charles just days ahead of the release of 14-hundred inmates. The Louisiana Legislature passing 10-bills to reduce the prison population by 10-percent and save roughly $262 million dollars over the next decade. Inmates released will be non-violent, non-sex offenders. Governor Edwards assures citizens he's not just opening the prison doors and letting inmates walk out. "That is not what the law does. They (the pri...
According to Calcasieu Parish School officials, alcohol was on the campus of Washington-Marion High School during the homecoming tailgating event last Friday. Among the tailgaters was a man who set up an improvised bar, which clearly features several bottles of alcoholic beverages.
For decades, colleges have made student recruitment an art. At McNeese State University, faculty members who have come up with unique recruitment initiatives were awarded for their ideas. One of those recognized was Dr. Kathleen Williams. She's an assistant professor of education in the Burton College of Education. Dr. Williams has started a "Geaux Teach" initiative which will bring 11th and 12th grade students interested in a career in education to th...
Some might say it's the price of progress in Sulphur. A growing industrial city with more plants being built and more frustrating traffic than ever before. Charles Jernigan has lived on Maplewood drive for 18-years. He says it used to be a peaceful, residential neighborhood, until the City of Sulphur turned his street into a truck route. Now, noisy big rigs like this one use Maplewood drive to carry construction materials to and from the future Axiall plant. Besides being a nu...
Three Calcasieu Parish sheriff's deputies were recently arrested in The Big Easy. Deputies Grant Strenth, Randy Antoine and Shelly Trahan were in New Orleans for a training seminar. During their off time, the deputies allegedly went to a bar on Bourbon street, became involved in an altercation and were arrested. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the trio were booked on misdemeanor charges. Those charges for Deputy Grant Strenth are disturbing the peace, simple battery, simple criminal damag...
It was a night of insight and inspiration empowering women in Lake Charles on Thursday night. This is the 7th year of "Live Well Women" hosted by Kayla Courvell who is the anchor of The FOX 29 Morning Show. She introduced the guest speaker for the night, Allison Massari, who delivered a storytelling message of courage, compassion and perseverance. Massari knows of what she speaks. She's survived two traumatic accidents, one leaving her burned ...
A group of students all the way across the state in northeast Louisiana are expressing their gratitude for the hard work of first responders here in southwest Louisiana. Fifth and Sixth graders at Jesus the Good Shepherd school in Monroe made cards and gift bags full of candy for members of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department. During hurricane Harvey, deputies and others spent hours rescuing flood victims in Louisiana and across the border in Texas. R...
When Orange, Texas was hit by rain from Hurricane Harvey last week, some residents of the town had to escape with the few possessions they could grab and the clothes on their backs. Among them was the McGill family. Karnelis McGill, her husband and three children went looking for a beacon of light in the storm and found it at the Christian Life Church in Vinton. "Oh my god, these people have been amazing. I swear", said McGill who added: "Come in, you're hungry? Do...
Irene Martinez and her husband moved to a farm just four months ago to raise and train racehorses. They were excited to live near the Sabine River.
Tragic stories of death and despair coming out of the shelter set up at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Evacuees from Texas have lost their homes, possessions and even family members to Harvey.
We've already had an above-average amount of rain in Southwest Louisiana this summer. Now with the possibility that Hurricane Harvey could soak the ground, even more rice farmers could lose their crops. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says 80 percent of rice has already been harvested, which is good, but farmers could lose the rest if the hurricane stalls out and comes this way.
Republican congressman Clay Higgins held a town hall meeting at the Sulphur Regional Library to discuss current issues with his constituents. Higgins answered questions and provided updates from his first seven months serving southwest Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also spoke about recent deadly violence which happened at a rally of neo Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia. "I can tell you that any form of hate speech that suggests vio...
When a new business moves to the Lake Charles area to begin operations, they often bring along contract workers from Texas and other states. However, there are trained and qualified workers already here. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW, held a job fair Thursday night at their union hall. The union is actively recruiting men and women interested in in a career as an electrician. The IBEW offers a 5-year training program at a cost of about $700...
The ongoing drainage issues in Calcasieu Parish are being addressed by the Police Jury. They're working to update ordinances pertaining to drainage standards, which basically means a specific plan to deal with flooded streets, homes, and other areas . That plan is in the works. Public Works and Engineering are working on the issue. But, the Police Jury wants public input as well. A finalized change to drainage standards in Calcasieu Parish is expected...
A sporting goods store in Lake Charles made back-to-school shopping a little easier for a select group of students. 30 kids who participate in "Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana" each received a $100 gift card for a shopping spree at Academy.
