Entergy Louisiana says it still has over 10-thousand customers who are without power and they hope to have most of those restored by tonight.. Spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to clear debris and repair power lines.
Cut 5 (10) “…the air.”
Freese says the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas are their two hardest hit areas.

Thousands are still without power in Slidell after an EF-1 tornado did considerable amount of damage to homes and businesses. St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper has declared a state of emergency,,,,
cut 12 (11) “…citizens”
Officials from St. Tammany say its the worst damage they’ve seen since Hurricane Katrina.

House Education has advanced a bill to the House floor that says teachers do not have to use a student’s preferred gender pronoun unless the child’s parents request that the child be identified as another gender. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews is the author of the bill…
Cut 7 (09) “…the legislation ”
Even if the parent requests a pronoun that differs from a child’s biological sex, the teacher can still refuse over religious and moral objections.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says it could create issues beyond being unconstitutional…
Cut 14 (14) “…the Bible.”
Supporters say the Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws. The bill likely will go to Senate Education next.

Cleco says 24,000 customers remain without power after tornadoes and strong winds ripped through the state Wednesday. The utility company says it has brought in 400 additional line mechanics to help in power restoration efforts. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they also have specialized equipment to move debris.
Cut 3 (08) “…make repairs.”
There are about four-thousand customers in St. Landry Parish without power. Most of Cleco’s outages are in Slidell where initial surveys indicate an area near Old Spanish Trail was hit by at least an EF-1 tornado.

An EF 2 tornado hit Lake Charles yesterday morning and Entergy’s spokesperson David Freese says some of their customers could be without power in Calcasieu Parish until tomorrow….
cut 6 (09) “…back on”

Public school teachers would be required to use pronouns and names that align with a child’s biological sex under a bill approved by the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says if a parent wants a teacher to identify a student by pronoun that does not align with their biological sex, they can contact the school.

St. Tammany Parish resident Jamie Segura testified in opposition and questioned how this legislation will improve education in public schools…
Cut 8 (12) “…real education issues”
Crews calls his legislation a parental rights bill, but Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor told Crews the legislation is not needed…
Cut 9 (13) “…to the home.”
The bill was approved on a nine-to-three vote.

Officials in St. Tammany Parish say damage caused by Wednesday’s tornado in Slidell is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. Parish President Mike Cooper says they are asking for volunteers to help residents with removing and sorting construction debris from downed vegetation.

Cut 11 (09) “…is needed.”

Residents are also asked to self-report damage, and link can be found on LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

Entergy Louisiana expects to restore power to the majority of its 16,000 customers who are without power by tonight. Spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to clear debris and repair power lines.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the air.”

And approximately 24,000 Cleco customers remain without power.

House Education advances a bill, so teachers do not have use a students’ preferred gender pronoun, unless the child’s parents request that the child be identified as another gender. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews is the author of the bill…

Cut 7 (09) “…the legislation ”  

Even if the parent requests a pronoun that differs from a child’s biological sex, the teacher can still refuse over religious and moral objections.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the ten commandments posted in their classrooms.Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder believes it would do students good to see the Ten Commandments every day…

Cut 15 (13)  “…a bad thing.”

The measure passed on an 82 to 19 vote and heads to a Senate committee.

Officials in St. Tammany Parish say the damage caused by Wednesday’s tornado in Slidell is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. Parish President Mike Cooper says there’s significant destruction to homes, commercial buildings, churches, and power poles.
Cut 10 (07) “…Hurricane Ida. “
Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says some of their Slidell customers could be without power into tomorrow…
cut 4 (11) “…looking at it”
Entergy spokesperson David Freese says some of their customers in Calcasieu Parish and the Lafayette area could also be without power until tomorrow…
cut 6 (09) “…back on.”

Three people have been arrested and charged in the death of James Ingram of Colfax after his body was found burned in the Kisatchie National Forest. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Cleco says 25,000 customers remain without power after tornadoes and strong winds ripped through the state Wednesday. Immediately following the storm, Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they hired 400 additional line mechanics and they also brought in specialized equipment to move debris.

Cut 3 (08) “…make repairs.”  

The majority of the outages are in St. Tammany Parish.

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Lake Charles early Wednesday morning. Mayor Nic Hunters says as many as 15 families have been displaced. And because needs change after disasters Hunter says the best way to help is by donating to the United Way.

Cut 8 (10) “…United Way.” 

Tornadoes also caused damage in Slidell and St. Francisville yesterday.

House Education approves legislation to prohibit public school teachers from discussing topics involving sexual orientation and gender identity with students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And House Education advances a bill to protect teachers who refuse to use a student’s preferred gender pronoun, even if parents give permission to call them by another pronoun. Critics say the committee did so without public input when other meetings were been canceled due to the severe weather.

House Education Committee approves legislation to prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says her legislation would allow for discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity if the parent said it is okay…

Cut 12 (08) “…the conversation” 

The bill passed on a 9 to 3 vote.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says it could create issues beyond being unconstitutional…

Cut 14 (14)  “…the Bible.”

The bill likely will go to Senate Education next.

Three people have been arrested after 68-year-old James Morrow Ingram of Colfax’s burned body was found in the Kisatchie National Forest, April 2^nd. Investigators say the suspects injected Ingram with a drug twice and when he died, they drove around in his car with his body inside, used his credit card, and then dumped him in the forest.  Days later they went back and burned his body. Pineville Police Chief Darrel Basco…

Cut 6 (08) “…this investigation.”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado caused a considerable amount of damage in Lake Charles. Mayor Nic Hunter…

Cut 9 (11)  “…need to do.”

Tornadoes were also reported in Slidell and St. Francisville on Wednesday.

The cleanup continues in south Louisiana after multiple tornadoes touched down yesterday. An EF 2 tornado hit Lake Charles and did considerable roof damage and knocked down trees. Homes and businesses were also destroyed in Slidell. There’s also damage north of St. Francisville from an EF-1 twister.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require the Ten Commandments in every school classroom that receives state funding. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder voiced his support…
cut 15 (13) “….a bad thing”
Opponents say this bill will be ruled unconstitutional because it’s an endorsement of religion.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested three people in connection of the death James Ingram. Ingram left Colfax on Easter Sunday and his burned remains were found late last week in the Kisatchie National Forest. Sheriff Steve McCain says they know who set him on fire…
cut 5 (09) “…on fire”
Michael Taylor has also been arrested. McCain says they believe Taylor and Bledsoe injected drugs into his system that caused him to die.

Legislation barring teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms passed the House Education Committee. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should be discussed at home, not in the classroom. A former substitute teacher who lives in Mandeville traveled to Baton Rouge to voice her opposition to the legislation. She describes herself as a heterosexual who sees this type of legislation as mean-spirited…

Cut 11 (12) “…this state.”

Despite the opposition, Horton’s bill was approved on a nine to three vote. 

Major weather-related damage across Louisiana Wednesday. A tornado is believed to be the cause of destruction in Slidell and St. Francisville. A confirmed EF-2 tornado caused considerable damage in Lake Charles. Forecasters say it produced winds up to 115 miles per hour and touched down east of McNeese State University. Because the needs of those displaced by tornados can change rapidly Mayor Nic Hunter says it’s best to donate to the United Way.

Cut 8 (10) “…United Way.” 

Three people have been arrested and charged in the death of James Ingram of Colfax after his body was found burned in the Kisatchie National Forest. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly believes fifth-year senior Kyren Lacy is poised to have a breakout season in 2024. Kelly likes the consistency Lacy has shown during spring football. Lacy believes he and the receiving corps are developing good chemistry with first-year starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier…

Cut 17 (13) “….about the ball”