You don’t have to file taxes until Tuesday this year since April 15th is on a Saturday and Monday is a holiday. Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde says if you’ve waited this late before getting started, you could be in trouble. He says most CPAs are slammed right now…:
Cut 15 (10) “your taxes”
You can find useful information online at irs.gov.

Authorities are still trying to figure out why an active duty soldier at Ft. Polk would be detonating what appeared to be homemade bombs in Kisatche National Forest. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says 23-year-old Ryan Keith Taylor’s alleged actions caused small fires in the woods, and he was unruly when busted…:
Cut 12 (07) “not factual”
Taylor is an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Polk, but he lived off post and Craft says Pipe bombs were located in his apartment.

Elmer’s Candy out of Ponchatoula is one of the oldest Easter traditions, especially for Louisiana families. CEO Rob Nelson says they’ve seen a big bump in sales this year since the Easter selling season has been longer:
Cut 5 (05) “manufacturers”
He says their most popular items every year are Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs.

The LSU Gymnastics Team is in St. Louis competing for a chance to win their first ever NCAA National Championship title. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Since April 15th falls on a Saturday, and the IRS is closed Monday for Emancipation Day, the tax filing deadline this year is April 18th. But you can file for an even longer extension, but you have to at least pay by Tuesday…:
Cut 14 (07) “to file”
That’s Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde who says there are tools on the I-R-S website that can help determine what you might owe or if you will receive a refund check.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to figure out who is responsible for apparently dragging a pit bull from a moving vehicle in St. Landry Parish. They say the 3-year-old dog was found by its owner in a ditch with several road burns, open legions and burns on the pads of his paws. He is expected to make a full recovery. Anyone with information on who is responsible for the dog’s injuries is urged to contact authorities.

The popular LSU gymnastics team has plenty to be proud of as they are in St. Louis for the NCAA championships. The Tigers, who were national runner-ups last year, are ranked second behind last year’s national champion, Oklahoma. Head Coach D.D. Breaux says she’s confident the girls could become LSU’s first national champions…:
Cut 16 (12) “no clutter”
The semi-finals are today and the teams with the top 6 scores advance to Saturday night’s Super Six, where a champion will be crowned.

State Parks Director Robert Barham says Louisiana should be ashamed about being the trashiest state. He says out of every state he’s visited, there is more trash here than anywhere else, and it’s up to everyone to make it better…:
Cut 9 (07) “will not litter”

Time is running out to file your federal income taxes, but procrastinators have a couple extra days. Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde says tax day is traditionally April 15, but it falls on a Saturday this year, which means the deadline would usually be Monday, but this year that’s Emancipation Day…:
Cut 13 (06) “file your taxes”
Parishes declared federal disaster areas could get an even longer extnesion. Visit irs.gov “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations” for details.

Authorities are still trying to figure out why an active duty soldier at Ft. Polk would be detonating what appeared to be homemade bombs in Kisatche National Forest. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says they got a call about 23-year-old Ryan Keith Taylor…:
Cut 10 (12) “small fire”
The FBI is investigating.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates remains popular for the Easter holiday. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Parks Director Robert Barham is trying to get the word out about the Litter problem in Louisiana, saying he’s traveled to all 50 states, and none are as trashy as Louisiana….:
CUT 7 (10) “in shame”
He says it’s up to everyone to keep Louisiana clean and litter-free.

Procrastinators have a few extra days to file their federal income taxes this year, as the deadline is April 18th. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana is the trashiest state in America, according to State Parks Director Robert Barham. He says we have got to do better…:
Cut 8 (09) “of Louisiana”

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate continues to be an Easter tradition. CEO Rob Nelson says this year they brought back the Double Nut Gold Brick Fudge, that’s not the most popular item in the Easter basket…:
Cut 4 (10) “close race”
He says due to Easter falling late this year, they’ve seen a big increase in candy sales.

The LSU Gymnastics team can win its first national title in program history this weekend as they compete in the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Head Coach D.D. Breaux says if everyone brings their A game, they will come home with a trophy…:
Cut 18 (09) “right stuff”
Breaux is in her 40th year and LSU just won its first SEC Championship since 1981.

Louisiana residents are evenly split in their opinions of religious freedom laws that allow businesses to refuse service based on sexual orientation. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the survey also finds three-fourths of respondents support protection from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Cut 8 (09) “the workplace”

Louisiana has selected a contractor to oversee the homeowner assistance program for flood victims. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says the first round of assistance will go to low-income and disabled individuals.

Cut 11 (08) “couple of weeks”
Flood victims should fill out the survey at restore.la.gov to see if they’re eligible for federal aid.

Authorities are still not sure why a Vermillion Parish man set fire to a home, killing an 89-year-old Ponchatoula woman who lived there. Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards says they don’t know of a motive, but 26-year-old Timothy Rouchon did know the victim.

Cut 3 (07) “I believe”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office found the presence of accelerant used to fuel the fire.

Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic in Louisiana. That’s according to Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Dr. Katara Williams, who says they’re educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving. She says it’s also important for parents to set a good example for their kids.

Cut 14 (10) “they’re seeing”

The Louisiana Survey finds 47 percent of respondents support religious freedom laws for businesses to refuse service based on sexual orientation. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 56 percent of residents think transgender people should use the bathroom of their birth gender.

Cut 7 (10) “nationally”

The survey also finds three-fourths of Louisianans support legal protections from discrimination at work based on sexual orientation.

A bill by Shreveport Senator John Milkovich seeks to end bullying in the Bayou State. Milkovich says children deserve a safe place to learn. He says that’s why his bill empowers teachers to do whatever it takes to keep students safe.

Cut 23 (09) “police involved”

The state has selected the same contractor it had originally denied to handle the federal flood aid program. The details still need to be hammered out, according to the governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer, but it looks like IEM will be the lead on helping homeowners rebuild.

Cut 9 (09) “cost figure”

IEM was the same firm originally chosen to do the work, but the state scrapped the contract because it was too costly.

Louisiana is the trashiest state in America. That’s what State Parks Director Robert Barham told lawmakers at a budget hearing this week. He says if you don’t believe him, just look at the litter in ditches on the side of the road. He says he’s been to all 50 states, and he’s never seen anything like the litter here in the Bayou State.

Cut 24 (10) “in shame”

Louisiana selects a contractor to manage the distribution of over one-billion dollars in federal flood aid for homeowners who can use the money to help in their rebuilding efforts. IEM was the same firm originally chosen to do the work, but the state scrapped the contract because it was too costly. The governor’s deputy chief of staff Julie Baxter Payer says re-opening the bidding process ended up saving the state money…:
cut 10 (10) “…sent to us”
It was reported IEM’s first contract award was 250-million dollars.

Court records released today say a federal judge in Louisiana was ordered to get treatment for alcoholism. The documents show Judge Patricia Minaldi was moved to an assisted living facility after a criminal trial she was presiding over was cut short without explanation. The 58-year-old Minaldi has been on medical leave since January fourth. She was appointed as a federal judge in Lake Charles in 2003.

The 2017 Louisiana Survey finds opinion is divided on religious freedom laws and the use of public bathrooms by transgender individuals. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

One person is dead and another seriously injured following a fiery crash between a fuel truck and a dump truck on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey say two other vehicles were also involved….
Cut 15 (08) “crash that happened”
The tanker involved in the crash belongs to Gaubert Oil Company in Thibodaux.

Louisiana residents are evenly split on religious freedom laws that allow businesses refuse service to same sex couples based on their religion. That’s according to the 2017 Louisiana Survey. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab Dr. Michael Henderson says this follows the nationwide trend.
Cut 6 (11) “the nation”
Henderson says he’s surprised only 47-percent of residents support refusal of services, because Louisiana is a conservative state.

Charges have been announced against an Abbeville man who is accused in the murder of 89-year-old Dorothy Poche. Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards says 26-year-old Timothy rochon faces several charges including second-degree murder and an aggravated arson charge is pending…
cut 4 (07) “….this home”
Edwards says Rochon knew Poche and her grandson and was living at the home, but a motive is unclear at this point.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Dr. Katara Williams says distracted driving is an epidemic in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Authorities say a 66-year-old man was killed by his own truck in Shreveport this afternoon. Police say the victim was working the truck and there was a mechanical malfuntion that caused the truck to roll over him. He died at a local hospital.

Also, one person was killed and another person sent to a burn unit after a dump truck and fuel truck collided on I-310 in St. Charles Parish.