2:30 PM Newscast

Authorities in Webster Parish discovered the bodies of former Registrar of Voters and her husband inside their home Wednesday evening.  Deputies were responding to a call for a welfare check when Melanie Smith and her husband Kenny were found deceased. Smith retired in December of 2020 after serving 29 years. Her husband Kenny was a retired local businessman. Little information is available, and autopsies are being arranged.

The National Weather Service has lost over 1000 employees since President Trump took office and many are concerned cities like Lake Charles, Houston, and Tampa are understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data which could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.

Cut 7 (11) “…real impacts here.”

Hurricane season begins June 1st.

Louisiana residents might have a chance at voting for a lower state income tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year.

one reason is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Statewide the price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.70. Redman says gas prices are expected to remain stable through the Memorial Day holiday and well into the summer.