We have some wet weather ahead, as we head into Easter weekend, as a stationary front keeps showers from moving OUT of the area. A flash flood watch is now in effect until 7 Friday night for western and northwestern Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the chance for severe weather for us has lessened…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…south Louisiana.”

The rain should move out for Easter Sunday.

Three young adults were killed in a single vehicle crash in West Monroe last night. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says the vehicle went off the road and crashed into a tree. He says the weather may have been a factor…:

CUT 15(05)      “…of the investigation.”

The victims are identified as 23-year-old Keiara McCraw, 24-year-old Annesha Coleman and 22-year-old Anija Coleman.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a woman and accused her of beating up her 85-year-old grandmother. 20-year-old Cecile Anne Lee allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a heavy duty wooden back scratcher and a picture frame, then vandalized the residence and damaged the victim’s phone in order to keep her from contacting first responders. Lee faces charges of battery, cruelty to the infirm and more.

Public support for coastal restoration projects is growing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

A Sulphur man is accused of burglarizing a home dressed as a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

A flood watch is in effect until 7 tonight for parishes in the Toledo Bend area of western Louisiana and most all of northwest Louisiana. Forecasters predict up to 5 inches of rain between now and Saturday evening. Some thunderstorms could be heavy or severe. Stay tuned for further watches and/or warnings.

A 33-year-old man from Terrebonne Parish has been charged in the death of a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Nick Pepper, who died last Sunday when a vehicle rammed into his patrol unit during a police chase in Thibodaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says the suspect, 33-year-old Anthony Savoie, of Bourg, now faces a list of serious charges …:

CUT 13(05)      “…police officer.”

Pepper leaves behind a wife and 3 kids.

Support for coastal restoration is growing in Louisiana according to a Global Strategy Group survey on behalf of Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Campaign director Simone Maloz says the survey indicates 73 percent of respondents support their efforts, that’s up from 68 percent in 2021…:

CUT 09(12)      “…the future.”

For almost the last century, Louisiana has lost nearly 2,000 square miles of coastal wetlands, and 4,000 more square miles are predicted in the next 50 years if nothing is done.

A Terrebonne Parish man has been arrested and charged in the death of a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy on Sunday. 33-year-old Anthony Savoie rammed his vehicle into Sergeant Nicholas Pepper’s unit during a police chase in Thibodaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says Savoie of Bourg has been in the hospital recovering from his injuries.

Cut 12 (09) “…on the charges” 

Savoie faces several charges, including first-degree murder of a police officer.

Make sure to grab your rain gear as we approach the Easter holiday – wet weather is in the forecast lasting through Saturday. State climatologist Barry Keim says if you have made outdoor plans during the Easter weekend, you will need to make adjustments.

Cut 3 (10) “…clearly rain.”

A flash flood watch is in effect for northwest Louisiana until 7 o’clock Friday evening.

Three young adults were killed in a single-vehicle wreck in West Monroe during the overnight hours. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says deputies responded to the scene in the 100 block of Ole Highway 15 in West Monroe…

Cut 14 (10)  “…into a tree.”

The three victims were found deceased in the vehicle.

Acadia Parish deputies arrested a Sulphur man in connection to a home invasion robbery in the Branch community Tuesday morning with assistance from local residents. Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says 33-year-old, Adam Creel forcefully entered the unnamed victim’s residence wearing law enforcement credentials from another parish that were reported stolen.

Cut 7 (08)  “…of charges.” 

Creel was charged with numerous charges including home invasion, and impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

The use of corporal punishment in public schools is the topic of a proposed bill filed for the upcoming legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Three 17-year-olds of St. Martin Parish were arrested in connection to unrelated bomb threats at two area high schools last month. In all three incidents, the threats were written on bathroom walls. The teens were booked and released to the custody of their parents.

Acadia Parish deputies arrested a Sulphur man in connection to a home invasion robbery in the Branch community Tuesday morning with assistance from local residents. Authorities received a call of a suspicious person running in a field and were led to an area off Branch Highway near White Oak Highway. Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says within minutes officers were on the scene.

Cut 6 (09)  “…an individual.” 

Creel was charged with numerous charges including home invasion.

Tulane University researchers released a study that finds a connection between getting sick with a cold or flu often and how it impacts the risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline.  Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says the study showed aging male mice who experienced sporadic colds or flu often had impaired cognition.

Cut 10 (07) “…to communicate” 

Engler-Chiuarazzi says  it’s important to stay healthy and infection-free as possible.

A 33-year-old Anthony Savoie of Bourg has been charged in the death of a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy. Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper died Sunday when a vehicle rammed into his rig during a police chase in Thibodaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says Savoie was recovering from his injuries.

Cut 12 (09) “…on the charges” 

Among his charges is first-degree murder of a police officer.

A new poll shows crime is the top concern for Louisiana voters. The JMC Analytics poll for the Justice Action Network shows 40 percent of respondents are more worried about crime than issues like the economy. Pollster John Couvillon says on the surface it seems obvious, but there is another takeaway from the results.

Cut 4 (10)  “…punishment is warranted.”

Metairie Rep Stephanie Hilferty wants K-12 schools to adopt a policy that if they use corporal punishment, they must have parental permission. Even though Hilferty believes corporal punishment should be discontinued altogether, she wants parents to have a voice in school systems that still allow it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…child’s behavior.

Governor Edwards continues to advocate for teacher pay raises, so they’ll reach the southern regional average. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says but some lawmakers are concerned the raises won’t be sustainable when a sale tax is repealed in 2025.

Cut 14 (10)  “…part too.”

The 2023 regular session begins Monday.

A new poll of Louisiana voters shows their biggest concern right now is with crime. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

On the same day that Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper was laid to rest, State Police announced charges against the man responsible for his death. 33-year-old Anthony Savoie of Bourg has been charged with first degree murder of a police officer. Authorities say Savoie slammed his vehicle into Pepper’s unit killing the deputy.

The Southern Regional Average for teacher pay is 56-thousand dollars. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Louisiana ranks 12th out of the 16 states in the southern region with average pay of 53-thousand dollars. Erwin says in the upcoming legislative session, Governor Edwards is seeking a teacher pay raise as high as three-thousand dollars….
cut 15 (07) “…..southern average”

A new study involving researchers at Tulane say its possible getting sick often can accelerate cognitive decline and potentially increase the risk for dementia. Assistant professor of neurosurgery, Doctor Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says new research conducted with mice found higher rates of inflammation caused impaired cognition. She says the findings may have important implications for standard of care around how infections are handled…
cut 12 (08) “….more aggressively”

A poll of 600 voters in Louisiana finds that 40-percent of them believe crime is the most important issue in Louisiana. Pollster John Couvillion says 27-percent believe the economy is the second most important issue…
cut 5 (12) “….folks in the state’

Thousands of people were on LSU’s campus last night to celebrate the national championship won by the women’s basketball team. The seniors had a chance to speak in front of a large crowd in the PMAC, including Alexis Morris…
cut 16 (17) “….cheers”
Up next for the Lady Tigers is a trip to the White House. A date has not been set.

The legislative session begins next week and among the bills filed is one related to corporal punishment in elementary and secondary schools. Even though policies vary across individual school systems, Metairie Rep Stephanie Hilferty wants to incorporate a statewide rule…
Cut 7 (11) “…for the child.”
Hilferty’s bill to outlaw corporal punishment failed to pass last year.

Tulane University School of Medicine neurosurgeon, Doctor Liz Engler-Chiurazzi, says they found in aging male mice that repeated head colds or multiple cases of the flu can accelerate cognitive decline….
cut 11 (11) “….life span”
Engler-Chiurazzi says more research is needed to see if getting sick often can potentially increase the risk for dementia.

The legislative session begins next week and one of the biggest decisions lawmakers will face is over teacher pay raises. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Because of declining enrollment and a teacher shortage, the Jefferson Parish School Board has approved the closure of several schools, including Grace King High School and Helen Cox High School. Meanwhile in St. Martin Parish, three 17-year-old students were arrested for making bomb threats last month.

19 school districts still allow corporal punishment in schools. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty has filed legislation that would allow parents to make the decision if the school system can or cannot physically punish their child….
cut 8 (07) “…..approve of it”
Last year Hilferty sponsored legislation that would ban the practice across the board altogether and it failed on a close vote.

Tulane University researchers find a link between getting sick often can accelerate cognitive decline and potentially increase the risk of dementia. Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says their study showed aging male mice who experienced sporadic colds or flu often had impaired cognition.
Cut 10 (07) “…to communicate”
Engler-Chiruazzi says these findings may have important implications for standard of care around how infections are handled among the elderly and those at risk for dementia.