11:30 LRN Newscast

We could be in for severe weather later today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas, bringing a slight risk for severe weather – a two out of five on the scale.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana.

With all due apologies to Kim Mulkey if she’s listening, but Lake Charles is the basketball capital of Louisiana this week. McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon for the chance to return to the NCAA Tournament, and the city is also hosting the boys’ high school state championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says this is the 13th straight year the Burton Coliseum is playing host.

Cut 4 (07) “…this one.” 

The U.S. Geological Survey sent a team to northwest Louisiana to install new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. This, in the wake of a series of tremors triggered by last week’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a Vivian police officer. A Caddo Parish grand jury indicted 58 year old Nicholas Alexander last month for first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Brock.