A national survey finds small business optimism increased slightly in April, but NFIB’s small business optimism index remains below a 50-year average for a 28th consecutive month. NFIB state director Leah Long says there’s a lot of discouraging news about the economy…
cut 6 (11) “…right now”
Long says 22-percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem.

The debate over banning consumable hemp products containing THC continues at the state capitol. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high…
Cut 13 (11) “..gets you high.”
Pressly’s bill needs a positive vote from the House and then it heads to the governor’s desk.

For the past four years, driving past the Hertz building in Lake Charles has been a sad reminder of Hurricane Laura’s destruction but that is about to change. Colleen Crain explains…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There is still about 12-thousand Entergy customers without power as a result of Monday’s severe weather that’s responsible for three fatalities. More severe weather could impact the state Friday and flooding rains are a concern beginning Thursday afternoon for central and southwest Louisiana.

Christopher McCoy of Bunkie has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Lauren Vaughn. She was a 22 year-old nursing student from Alexandria. The incident happened on Good Friday in 2023. Bridget Vaughn, Lauren’s mother, says McCoy was sentenced to six years in prison.
Cut 3 (12) “…grieving process”
State Police says McCoy’s blood alcohol level was .15 at the time of the fatal crash. Lauren Vaughn was a passenger in his vehicle when it ran off the road.

Turns out there were multiple tornadoes that touched down in southwest Louisiana late Monday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish
Cut 8 (08) “…rolled over”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has announced the Hertz Building, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, will be torn down this Summer. It’s been vacant since Hurricane Laura damaged many of its windows. Hunter says the city does not own the Hertz Building but he is among many who wanted to save it. He and city officials met with a least a dozen private developers in hopes of finding a way…
Cut 11 (09) “…this building.”
Hunter looks forward to replacing the building with something that will enhance downtown Lake Charles.

Today is the last day to pay your 2023 state income taxes. If you are unable to file today, you still have to submit an estimated payment, but the act of filing can wait another six months as the state now offers an automatic extension. Certified Public Accountant Connor Brown says the extension is automatic because of a law passed in 2022…
cut 6 (12) “….the extensions”

Legislation that would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products that contain THC is closer to final legislative passage. In 2022, Louisiana lawmakers approved a THC-legalization bill. But Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says that opened the door for the sale of products in Louisiana that contains enough THC to get a person high and several of these products are marketed towards children. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
cut 22 (10) “…voted for that bill”
Darrell Chouest, Director of the Hemp Association of Louisiana, argued against the legislation. He says better regulation is needed to protect the thousands of Louisiana business owners that have invested in the hemp market…
cut 16 (06) “…33,000 Louisiana businesses’
The bill needs House approval and it then heads to the governor’s desk.
The National Weather Service says three tornadoes touched down in southwest Louisiana on Monday, two in the Lake Charles area and another in St. Martin Parish. The Louisiana Department of Health says there were three storm related deaths, one in Cecilia and two in Port Allen. National Weather Service meteorologist Jeremy Michael says more rain is on the way, starting tomorrow… and rivers and bayous are already full…
cut 9 (08) “….flash flooding”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the Hertz Tower, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, will be demolished this summer. The building has been vacant since Hurricane Laura blew out many of the sky scraper’s windows. Hunter says the demolition will pave the way for better use of the space…
cut 12 (12) “…Lake Charles”

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. Of course, Louisiana does have an automatic six-month extension, but that’s an extension on filing not payment. So if you think or know you’ll owe taxes, that needs to be paid today. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors and says there are several ways you can get that done.

Cut 5 (12) “…third party provider.” 

A bill that would make the sale of any hemp product containing THC illegal in Louisiana is one step closer to becoming law. It passed the House Criminal Justice Committee by a vote of 7 to 5. Some lawmakers are concerned THC can get a person high and are concerned that they’re being marketed to children. CEO of Crescent Canna defended the hemp market in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (11)  “..entire country.”

The bill has already passed the Senate and heads next to the full House.

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For the past four years, driving past the Hertz building in Lake Charles has been a sad reminder of Hurricane Laura’s destruction but that is about to change. Colleen Crain explains…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The owner of a James Beard nominated restaurant in Gretna is speaking out on social media about a police officer he says has been “terrorizing” his customers in with traffic citations. According to Nola.com, Marlon Williams, the owner of Chicken’s Kitchen, said he noticed an uptick in traffic stops outside his business around six weeks ago…but Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson has said the restaurant is simply on a problematic stretch of roadway and authorities are trying to make it safer.

Turns out there were multiple tornadoes that touched down in southwest Louisiana late Monday. Several businesses and homes were damaged in Sulphur, with estimated peak winds of 120-miles per hour. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 8 (08) “…rolled over” 

The Skyline of Lake Charles is changing as the tall, mirrored Hertz building is finally coming down. It has been four years since the building sustained significant damage in Hurricane Laura leaving broken glass panes to greet travelers along the I-10. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says they are making sure the taxpayers are not footing the bill for the demolition…

Cut 10 (12) “…not own.”

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Today is the deadline for Louisiana state income tax. Here’s Sean Richardson with what you need to know.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The debate over banning hemp products containing THC in Louisiana continues at the capitol. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high and some of them are marketed towards children…

Cut 13 (11)  “..gets you high.”

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. But don’t worry if you need more time. Louisiana has an automatic six-month extension to November 15, 2024. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors

Cut 4 (10) “…taxes that are due.”

That means if you think or know you will owe some taxes that still need to be paid by today. Otherwise, you will start accruing interest and penalties.

The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in southwest Louisiana on Monday. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 7 (16) “…Sulphur tornado.”

Another storm system is headed our way but Michael says the arriving tomorrow should be more of a heavy rain event.

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A Senate approved bill that would make the sale of consumable hemp products containing THC illegal has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Sean Richardson has more on the debate.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The College of Engineering and Science and the Institute of Micro-manufacturing at Louisiana Tech University have been awarded 1.3 million dollars by the United States Air Force. That comes in the form of a Department of Defense grant which will allow researchers to enhance military technology, diagnose any issues and advance the lifespan of that technology.

A Senate approved bill that would make sale of any hemp product containing THC illegal statewide has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee with a 7 to 5 vote and moves to the House floor for final legislative passage. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high…
Cut 13 (13) “..gets you high.”
Joe Gerrity, CEO of Crescent Canna makes that product and says Senator Pressly’s accusation is inaccurate and misleading.
Cut 14 (11) “..entire country.”
Gerrity says prohibiting the sale of THC in a regulated, licensed, and taxable market will only drive people back to the black market.

One of the bills that sought to restrict what documents and emails can be released involving communication with the governor’s office through a public records request is dead for the legislative session. There is pushback against Governor Landry’s efforts to restrict public access to certain government records. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he agrees with the governor’s desire to keep certain records out of public view, but it’s hard to find a balance between transparency and keeping government information hidden
Cut 12 (09) “…of the Senate.”
There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

Former state senator Bodi White has stepped as Governor Landry’s legislative liaison to the Senate. The Advocate reports White got into a heated argument with one of Landry’s staffers over whether a bill the governor wants passed has adequate funding.

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur with peak winds of 145 mph. In St. Martin Parish, A 24-year-old woman from Texas died when a suspected tornado struck her camper. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman who was nine months pregnant and her unborn child died when a tree fell on her trailer in Port Allen. Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger…

Cut 5 (08)  “…everyone”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris has withdrawn his legislation that would have restricted the public release of records and internal communications from Governor Jeff Landry’s office. Morris made the announcement on the Senate floor.

Cut 11 (14) ” … hide anything”

There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years.

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur which traveled 3.4 miles with peak winds of 145 mph. In West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer. He says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…

Cut 4 (14) “…machinery” 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux …

Cut 9 (03) “..storm system.” 

A bill that sought to dramatically restrict the public’s access to records within Governor Jeff Landry’s office is dead for the session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation Christopher R. McCoy pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Good Friday 2023 death of Lauren Vaughn. Louisiana State Police say Vaughn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by McCoy. He was driving east on Highway 1176 when he went into a ditch then hit a tree. LSP reported that McCoy’s BAC was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years. Most recently serving as Chief of Crimes against Persons and Special Operations for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

Severe weather with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana yesterday. Governor Jeff Landry says a storm out of Texas converged with another storm system coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 10 (08) “…size” 

The Louisiana Department of Health says Monday’s severe weather resulted in three storm-related deaths. Mel Bridges has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

St. Martain Parish was sustained storm related damage in yesterday’s line of severe weather. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says most of the damage that occurred in Henderson and Cecilia…

Cut 8 (10)  “…were affected” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant sustained some damage.