Military officials report the bodies of nine of the eleven servicemen killed after an Army helicopter crash Tuesday night off the Florida Panhandle have been found and identified. The bodies of two of four Hammond based soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard and seven Marines from North Carolina have been recovered. The bodies of the other two Guardsmen are believed to still be inside the helicopter. Officials have not released the names of the deceased.

Louisiana has the highest estimated percentage of unemployed youth in the country, according to a report by the Cowen Institute at Tulane University. The study found that southern states, when compared with the west coast, east coast and midwest, have a higher overall percentage of opportunity youth. Cowen Institute Director Vincent Rossmeier says one of the reasons they use the term “opportunity youth” is because they should be viewed as assets to the community…

cut 11 (09) “to get there”

Rossmeier says this is an opportunity to improve our communities and make them more vibrant by finding ways to reconnect these young people.

Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie files a bill that would increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes to the national average. Ritchie’s bill would raise the tax from 36-cents to a $1.54 per pack. He expects his tax proposal will be one of many that will be discussed by lawmakers…

cut 14 (10) “time around”

The Jindal administration says they will support an increase in tobacco taxes, but only if it’s accompanied with a tax break.

Leaders from communities around the state are urging citizens to participate in a massive litter cleanup effort. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be announcing the results of the amount of litter picked up from morning cleanups and the number of “Leaders Against Litter” who have pledged to beautify the state. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell…

cut 7 (05) “litter free Louisiana”

She says citizens from all walks of life can join the Great American Cleanup from March through May.