WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine D. Kimball has suffered a stroke and is in intensive care.

A statement from the Supreme Court says Kimball underwent successful surgery to remove the blockage and was in recovery.

The 64-year-old Kimball of Ventress is the first woman to serve as Louisiana's chief justice, a position she's held since January 2009, after serving as an associate justice from 1992 to 2008.