A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau says the worst hit area appears to be Pontchartrain Drive near Kostmayer Avenue…

Cut 7 (07) “…leaning power poles ”  

He gave the update on Facebook and described the injuries as minor to moderate and they are asking individuals to avoid the area.

The aftermath of the severe weather continues to impact the state. DOTD is reminding Louisianans to travel only if necessary. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says road conditions remain dangerous.

Cut  14 (10) “…some areas.” 

DOTD crews are working to remove fallen trees, and other debris, and post warning signs.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified in the congressional map trial in Shreveport. The Democrat says she told the court there were two reasons why lawmakers were pressured to pass the map in January; the timeline from Judge Shelley Dick and that Governor Landry wanted to alter Congressman Garret Graves’s district. She believes it was because Graves backed another candidate in the governor’s race…

Cut 4 (05) “…last year.” 

A ruling on the map is expected in a matter of days.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is gearing up for his second term after easily winning his reelection bid in March with 64 percent of the vote. Among the top priorities is passenger rail service along I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (11) “…our community.” 

Ellis will be sworn-in for his second term in June.

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) “…buildings damaged
Seuzeneau says the worst hit area appears to be Pontchartrain Drive near Kostmayer Avenue and he says it’s a miracle that the only injuries they’ve seen are minor to moderate. No reported fatalities.

Nearly the entire state has experienced storm damage as fierce winds toppled trees and power poles. About 165-thousand people 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 (12) “…restore power”
Freese says because of the widespread damage, it could take some time to restore power.

A three day hearing wraps up today in a federal courtroom in Shreveport where arguments have been made concerning the legality of the Congressional map approved by state lawmakers in January. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified yesterday. Landry, who’s also an attorney, says she was a bit surprised at the number of attorneys and out-of-state lawyers who were spectators. She says it drove home the importance of congressional maps and how decisions made in DC are riding on political boundaries.
Cut 5 (10) “…the second.”
Sixth district Congressman Garret Graves believes the map is unconstitutional because race was the driving factor for the new map.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is gearing up for a second term in office. Ellis’ administration helped secure a big economic development win earlier this year, when Amazon announced plans to build a 56 thousand square foot last mile facility. The mayor is excited about bringing more jobs to the area.
Cut 11 (09) “…business grow.”

A very strong storm system is sweeping across the state today. Numerous roads are closed as a result of downed trees or high water. According to the Louisiana Power outage map, 180-thousand customers are without power. If you don’t have to be on the roads, stay home.

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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 6 (11) “….deception”
Her husband in Texas was sentenced to 180 day sin prison. Herring supports a bill in Louisiana that calls for at least a five year prison sentence.

Testimony wraps up today in Shreveport where three federal judges are hearing arguments over whether the state’s congressional map approved by lawmakers in January is constitutional. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified yesterday and said Governor Landry put pressure on lawmakers to target Congressman Garret Graves’ sixth district…
cut 3 (09) “…as a legislator”
Graves’s district is now a black majority district. Graves did not support Landry in the governor’s race.

Southeast Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 1 PM and there are reports of a tornado on the ground in Peal River, which is in St Tammany Parish. According to the Louisiana Power Outage Map, 180-thousand customers are without power. The rain has stopped on the western side of the state, but meteorologist Ryan Gallagher says flooding remains a concern…
cut 29 (11) “…state line”

Because of the weather, the Louisiana Senate is not meeting today. They will soon examine a House approved bill that will expand school vouchers to families of all incomes. Senate President Cameron Henry says there is a concern over how much this will cost the state…
cut 7 (09) “….methodical way”

Shreveport native Catherine Herring told a Senate Committee about her horrifying experience of being poisoned by her husband who was trying to abort their baby by trying to trick her into taking Cyruz….
cut 5 (11) “…this weapon”
A Senate committee approved legislation that creates the crime of coerced abortion, which could carry a penalty of five to 20 years in prison.

The full Senate has approved legislation that gives State Police and local law enforcement the ability to arrest migrants who are not legally allowed to be in the United States. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says Louisiana has the right to defend it self…
cut 15 (13) “….deportation process”
A similar law in Texas has been challenged in the courts.

Southeast Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 1 PM this afternoon. This storm system is already responsible for power outages across south Louisiana and several inches of rain. Chad Entremont with the National Weather Service says many areas of the state have seen a half foot of rain…
cut 27 (09) “…five to ten inches”
Schools across Louisiana are closed today.

The National Federation of Independent Business says their small business optimism index is at its lowest point since 2012. Inflation is a major factor. NFIB state director Leah Long says 37-percent of small businesses also report difficulties in hiring qualified workers…
cut 11 (12) “…be doing”

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would give State Police and local law enforcement officers the ability to arrest undocumented immigrants. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis spoke in opposition to this measure and had this question for the bill’s author, Denham Springs Republican Valarie Hodges…
cut 14 (08) “…I do”
Despite opposition the measure heads to the House.

The state senate is out the rest of the week. When they return to Baton Rouge, they’ll take a look at the Education Savings Account bill approved by the House which in a few years would provide state dollars for families of all incomes to receive state dollars for education expenses including private school tuition. Senate President Cameron Henry calls the bill aggressive…
cut 9 (05) “….moving forward”

Louisiana Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s role in U.S. border enforcement. The Senate passed a bill creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry” into Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Assumption Parish yesterday. Officials say a survey team determined damage in the parish is consistent with an EF-0 tornado. Peak winds for the tornado were approximately 80 mph.

——————————

The optimism of small business took a declined again in March reaching its lowest point since 2012, according to the National Federation Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says it boils down to three major challenges.

Cut 10 (08) “…hurting them.”

While the labor market has shown marginal improvement, 37 percent of independent businesses who are trying to hire, report few or no qualified applicants.

A Shreveport woman whose husband poisoned her with an abortion drug in Texas testified before lawmakers here in Baton Rouge yesterday. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The Gator Scholarship Program, passed in the House on Monday and heads to Senate Education. But some state lawmakers are looking to tap the brakes on education savings accounts to be sure Louisiana doesn’t overpromise what the state can realistically deliver. Senate President Cameron Henry.

Cut 8 (12) “…number of students.” 
Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional and won’t solve anything. But Senator Valerie Hodges says, Louisiana has a right to defend the nation…

Cut 15 (13)  “…deportation process.”

————-

A Shreveport native who was poisoned with an abortion pill by her husband in Texas gives emotional testimony before lawmakers in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110 to 100. With three regular season games left, the Pels are in sole possession of sixth place in the West, one game ahead of the Suns.  The Pels are at Sacramento tomorrow.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. The watch, that runs from Leesville east to Marksville down to Lake Charles and through Morgan city, will remain in effect through 9 am.

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Here’s Teiko Foxx.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

———

Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional, calling it an overreach of state authority. Senator Royce Duplessis…

Cut 13 (13)  “…solve anything.”

Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement.

Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.

Cut 7 (09) “…methodical way.”

A Shreveport native who was poisoned with an abortion pill by her husband in Texas gives emotional testimony before lawmakers in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

____________________________________________

 Louisiana Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s role in U.S. border enforcement. The Senate passed a bill creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry” into Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years and if the unborn child is more than three months of gestational age it would increase to no less than 10 no more than 20 years in prison.

Cut 5 (11) “…this weapon.” 

Herring was poisoned multiple times and police finally charged her husband after video footage showed her husband lacing drinks he prepared for her.

Cut 6 (11) “…deception.”

The bill was reported favorably out of committee and advances to the Senate.

__________________________________________________

Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.

 Cut 7 (09) “…methodical way.”

In a recent call with senate presidents from other states, Henry says he learned of both successes and pitfalls of education savings accounts (ESAs) and he wants to be sure Louisiana doesn’t overpromise what the state can realistically deliver.

Cut 8 (12) “…number of students.” 

Henry says the Senate wants to tap the breaks on ESAs and thoroughly research expanding the option for all families regardless of their finances.

Cut 9 (08)  “…moving forward.”

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s bill, the Gator Scholarship Program, passed in the House Monday and heads to Senate Education.

________________________________________________________

The optimism of small business took a significant decline by nine tenths in March reaching its lowest since 2012, according to the National Federation Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says it boils down to three major challenges.

Cut 10 (08) “…hurting them.”

It’s the 27^th consecutive month that optimism has declined below the 50-year average. While the labor market has shown marginal improvement, 37 percent of independent businesses who are trying to hire, report few or no qualified applicants.

Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement. Senator Valerie Hodges says, Louisiana has a right to defend the nation…

Cut 15 (13)  “…deportation process.”

____________________________________________________

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”  

The plan heading into the 2023 season was for Perkins to play inside linebacker, but after one game, they moved him back to outside linebacker where he excelled his freshman season. Perkins likes the role of being in the middle of the field…

Cut 17 (10) “…to go”

For LSU’s defense to get back to respectability, Perkins knows he’ll have to be a main driver….

Cut 18 (10)  “…do it to a T”  

There was emotional testimony in the House over expanding the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes surprised Republican lawmakers with his support of the bill.

Cut 6  (12) “…hardly read.” 

Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain spoke against the bill saying it would jeopardize funding for public schools, which are already having problems recruiting and retaining teachers.

Cut 7 (10) “…public education.”  

The House passed the bill 71-32 vote and now heads to the higher chamber.

A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years.

The Senate unanimously approves Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to prohibit students having their cellphones in class.

cut 4 (13) “…or not’
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.