Cleco says 25,000 customers remain without power after tornadoes and strong winds ripped through the state Wednesday. Immediately following the storm, Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they hired 400 additional line mechanics and they also brought in specialized equipment to move debris.

Cut 3 (08) “…make repairs.”  

The majority of the outages are in St. Tammany Parish.

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Lake Charles early Wednesday morning. Mayor Nic Hunters says as many as 15 families have been displaced. And because needs change after disasters Hunter says the best way to help is by donating to the United Way.

Cut 8 (10) “…United Way.” 

Tornadoes also caused damage in Slidell and St. Francisville yesterday.

House Education approves legislation to prohibit public school teachers from discussing topics involving sexual orientation and gender identity with students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And House Education advances a bill to protect teachers who refuse to use a student’s preferred gender pronoun, even if parents give permission to call them by another pronoun. Critics say the committee did so without public input when other meetings were been canceled due to the severe weather.

House Education Committee approves legislation to prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says her legislation would allow for discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity if the parent said it is okay…

Cut 12 (08) “…the conversation” 

The bill passed on a 9 to 3 vote.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says it could create issues beyond being unconstitutional…

Cut 14 (14)  “…the Bible.”

The bill likely will go to Senate Education next.

Three people have been arrested after 68-year-old James Morrow Ingram of Colfax’s burned body was found in the Kisatchie National Forest, April 2^nd. Investigators say the suspects injected Ingram with a drug twice and when he died, they drove around in his car with his body inside, used his credit card, and then dumped him in the forest.  Days later they went back and burned his body. Pineville Police Chief Darrel Basco…

Cut 6 (08) “…this investigation.”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado caused a considerable amount of damage in Lake Charles. Mayor Nic Hunter…

Cut 9 (11)  “…need to do.”

Tornadoes were also reported in Slidell and St. Francisville on Wednesday.

The cleanup continues in south Louisiana after multiple tornadoes touched down yesterday. An EF 2 tornado hit Lake Charles and did considerable roof damage and knocked down trees. Homes and businesses were also destroyed in Slidell. There’s also damage north of St. Francisville from an EF-1 twister.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require the Ten Commandments in every school classroom that receives state funding. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder voiced his support…
cut 15 (13) “….a bad thing”
Opponents say this bill will be ruled unconstitutional because it’s an endorsement of religion.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested three people in connection of the death James Ingram. Ingram left Colfax on Easter Sunday and his burned remains were found late last week in the Kisatchie National Forest. Sheriff Steve McCain says they know who set him on fire…
cut 5 (09) “…on fire”
Michael Taylor has also been arrested. McCain says they believe Taylor and Bledsoe injected drugs into his system that caused him to die.

Legislation barring teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms passed the House Education Committee. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should be discussed at home, not in the classroom. A former substitute teacher who lives in Mandeville traveled to Baton Rouge to voice her opposition to the legislation. She describes herself as a heterosexual who sees this type of legislation as mean-spirited…

Cut 11 (12) “…this state.”

Despite the opposition, Horton’s bill was approved on a nine to three vote. 

Major weather-related damage across Louisiana Wednesday. A tornado is believed to be the cause of destruction in Slidell and St. Francisville. A confirmed EF-2 tornado caused considerable damage in Lake Charles. Forecasters say it produced winds up to 115 miles per hour and touched down east of McNeese State University. Because the needs of those displaced by tornados can change rapidly Mayor Nic Hunter says it’s best to donate to the United Way.

Cut 8 (10) “…United Way.” 

Three people have been arrested and charged in the death of James Ingram of Colfax after his body was found burned in the Kisatchie National Forest. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly believes fifth-year senior Kyren Lacy is poised to have a breakout season in 2024. Kelly likes the consistency Lacy has shown during spring football. Lacy believes he and the receiving corps are developing good chemistry with first-year starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier…

Cut 17 (13) “….about the ball”

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would prohibit public school teachers from discussing topics involving sexual orientation and gender identity with students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado caused a considerable amount of damage in Lake Charles. Mayor Nic Hunter says a neighborhood in the central area took the biggest hit.

Cut 7 (10) “…structural damage.”

Multiple arrests have been made in Grant and Rapides Parishes after the discovery of 68-year-old James Morrow Ingram of Colfax’s burned body in the Kisatchie National Forest on April 2^nd. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Ingram left his home Easter night and drove to Alexandria where he met Michael Shane Taylor and Jessica Bledsoe in a parking lot, and they injected drugs into him.

Cut 4 (10) “…passed away.”

McCain says Taylor and Bledsoe then drove around in Ingram’s car with his body inside and eventually drove to Kisatchie National Forest

The full House approves legislation requiring schools receiving state dollars to have the ten commandments posted in their classrooms. The proposed law does not require teachers to educate students about the Ten Commandments but New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says having the Ten Commandments displayed could create issues beyond the U-S Constitution

Cut 14 (14)  “…the Bible.”

The House Education Committee approves legislation that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should discussed at home, not in the classroom…

Cut 10 (08) “…for this.”

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the ten commandments posted in their classrooms. Opponents say its unconstitutional because it’s an endorsement of religion, but Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham argues the Ten Commandments set the foundation for laws we follow today.

Cut 13 (14)  “…Western civilization.”

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (29)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

LSU football coach Brian Kelly believes fifth-year senior Kyren Lacy is poised to have a breakout season in 2024. Kelly likes the consistency Lacy has shown during spring football. He caught 30 passes last year but also dropped a few. Lacy thanks his teammates for picking him up…

Cut 16 (12)  “…doing it”  

The House Education Committee approves legislation that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should discussed at home, not in the classroom…

Cut 10 (08) “…for this.”

A former substitute teacher who lives in Mandeville traveled to Baton Rouge to voice her opposition to the legislation. She describes herself as a heterosexual who sees this type of legislation as mean-spirited…

Cut 11 (12) “…this state.”

Despite the opposition, Horton’s bill was approved on a nine to three vote.

Legislation to require all public-school classrooms including colleges to display the Ten Commandments in Louisiana passed 82-19 to in the House. Bill author Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says all laws are based on God’s law. The bill will likely be referred to Senate Education.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

LSU first baseman Jared Jones had a night he’ll never forget last night. The sophomore hit three home runs. Coach Jay Johnson inserted Jones into the lead-off spot and Jones hit a home run in the first inning to get the Tigers on the board as they went on to win 16-to-nothing in seven innings. Jones says he was surprised to find himself leading off…
cut 30 (16) “…ball in play”
We’ll see if Johnson keeps Jones at the top of the lineup when the Tigers open an SEC series against Tennessee on Friday night.

Luke Yuhasz hit two home runs last night as the 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns won their 16th straight, an 11 to two win over Prairie View. Tougher test tonight for U-L Lafayette as they host Louisiana Tech, who is 25-9 on the year.

LSU linebacker Harold Perkins says he feels comfortable in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. Baker is trying to bring the Tigers defense back to respectability and the plan is for Perkins to play as an inside linebacker. Perkins says he loves being coached by Baker…
Cut 16 (15) “…cleats on and stuff”
LSU edge rusher Jaxon Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The redshirt freshman from Minnesota played in five games last season as a backup.

In basketball…LSU guard Carlos Stewart has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The Baton Rouge native had his season cut short last season and only played in 13 games, averaging five points a contest.

A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau provided an update on Facebook…
cut 6 (10) “…businesses damaged”
Seuzeneau says it’s a miracle that the only injuries they’ve seen are minor to moderate.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF-2 tornado hit Lake Charles this morning. A shopping plaza on Ryan Street has extensive damage.

Nearly the entire state felt the wrath of this spring storm. Thousands are without power. Entergy Louisiana spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to assess the damage and restore power as soon as possible…
cut 12 (06) “…along with it”
Freese says the outages are widespread and scattered.

A three-day trial ended today regarding a lawsuit filed by Republicans over the constitutionality of the Congressional map approved by lawmakers in January. Brooke Thorington spoke with a lawmaker who testified
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is preparing for a second term in office. Ellis says during his first term, his administration helped provide more resources to fighting crime…
cut 10 (12) “…our city”

A tornado ripped through the St. Tammany Parish city of Slidell this morning damaging numerous homes and businesses. Several people were injured. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau describes the injuries sustained as minor to moderate….
cut 8 (12) “…miracle”
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says it’s the worst damage the city has sustained since Katrina. The National Weather Service also says an E-F two tornado hit a residential in Lake Charles . Numerous homes are damaged.

An estimated 128-thousand customers are without power statewide from this storm system. Entergy spokesperson David Freese says in some cases high winds damaged crossarms and transformers beyond repair…
cut 13 (10) “…restored”
Entergy has about 55-thousand customers without power.

There are several roads that are impassable statewide as a result of the severe weather that produced flooding or toppled trees onto roadways. Louisianans are reminded not to drive through areas with downed power lines or high standing water. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says if you absolutely must get on the roadway…
Cut 15 (12) “…the roadway.”
Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions by dialing 511 or visit dotd.la.gov.

Shreveport native Catherine Herring told her story to state senators of how her husband tried to poison her with an abortion inducing drug. Herring says she’s fortunate it did not terminate her pregnancy…
cut 27 (11) “….deception”
Her husband in Texas was sentenced to 180 days in prison. Herring supports a bill in Louisiana that calls for at least a five year prison sentence.