Over 500 customers are still without power in the Evangeline parish city of Ville Platte, which was rocked by a tornado on Sunday morning, leaving nearly 100 homes and businesses damaged. But Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it could have been worse…
cut 11 (11) “…asleep”
National Weather Service Meterologist Andy Patrick says they believe it was an EF 1 tornado that cut right through the middle of town…
cut 9 (09) “….as well”
Patrick says as many as six tornadoes touched down during the severe weather event with winds around 100 miles per hour.

More severe weather is possible tomorrow as northwest Louisiana is under a slight threat.
Livingston Parish has produced the state’s first American Idol winner as Laine Hardy took the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC. The eighteen-year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy, says in the hours since her son was crowned champion, his music is shooting up the charts.
Cut 3 (09) “…rock charts on iTunes.”
Hardy’s first single is entitled “Flame.”

A proposal to increase the legal smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21-years-old gets out of the House Appropriations Committee by one vote. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…
Cut 7 (10) “…for it”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.