Turns out there were multiple tornadoes that touched down in southwest Louisiana late Monday. Several businesses and homes were damaged in Sulphur, with estimated peak winds of 120-miles per hour. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 8 (08) “…rolled over” 

The Skyline of Lake Charles is changing as the tall, mirrored Hertz building is finally coming down. It has been four years since the building sustained significant damage in Hurricane Laura leaving broken glass panes to greet travelers along the I-10. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says they are making sure the taxpayers are not footing the bill for the demolition…

Cut 10 (12) “…not own.”

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Today is the deadline for Louisiana state income tax. Here’s Sean Richardson with what you need to know.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The debate over banning hemp products containing THC in Louisiana continues at the capitol. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high and some of them are marketed towards children…

Cut 13 (11)  “..gets you high.”

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. But don’t worry if you need more time. Louisiana has an automatic six-month extension to November 15, 2024. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors

Cut 4 (10) “…taxes that are due.”

That means if you think or know you will owe some taxes that still need to be paid by today. Otherwise, you will start accruing interest and penalties.

The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in southwest Louisiana on Monday. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 7 (16) “…Sulphur tornado.”

Another storm system is headed our way but Michael says the arriving tomorrow should be more of a heavy rain event.

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A Senate approved bill that would make the sale of consumable hemp products containing THC illegal has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Sean Richardson has more on the debate.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The College of Engineering and Science and the Institute of Micro-manufacturing at Louisiana Tech University have been awarded 1.3 million dollars by the United States Air Force. That comes in the form of a Department of Defense grant which will allow researchers to enhance military technology, diagnose any issues and advance the lifespan of that technology.

A Senate approved bill that would make sale of any hemp product containing THC illegal statewide has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee with a 7 to 5 vote and moves to the House floor for final legislative passage. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high…
Cut 13 (13) “..gets you high.”
Joe Gerrity, CEO of Crescent Canna makes that product and says Senator Pressly’s accusation is inaccurate and misleading.
Cut 14 (11) “..entire country.”
Gerrity says prohibiting the sale of THC in a regulated, licensed, and taxable market will only drive people back to the black market.

One of the bills that sought to restrict what documents and emails can be released involving communication with the governor’s office through a public records request is dead for the legislative session. There is pushback against Governor Landry’s efforts to restrict public access to certain government records. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he agrees with the governor’s desire to keep certain records out of public view, but it’s hard to find a balance between transparency and keeping government information hidden
Cut 12 (09) “…of the Senate.”
There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

Former state senator Bodi White has stepped as Governor Landry’s legislative liaison to the Senate. The Advocate reports White got into a heated argument with one of Landry’s staffers over whether a bill the governor wants passed has adequate funding.

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur with peak winds of 145 mph. In St. Martin Parish, A 24-year-old woman from Texas died when a suspected tornado struck her camper. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman who was nine months pregnant and her unborn child died when a tree fell on her trailer in Port Allen. Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger…

Cut 5 (08)  “…everyone”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris has withdrawn his legislation that would have restricted the public release of records and internal communications from Governor Jeff Landry’s office. Morris made the announcement on the Senate floor.

Cut 11 (14) ” … hide anything”

There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years.

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur which traveled 3.4 miles with peak winds of 145 mph. In West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer. He says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…

Cut 4 (14) “…machinery” 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux …

Cut 9 (03) “..storm system.” 

A bill that sought to dramatically restrict the public’s access to records within Governor Jeff Landry’s office is dead for the session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation Christopher R. McCoy pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Good Friday 2023 death of Lauren Vaughn. Louisiana State Police say Vaughn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by McCoy. He was driving east on Highway 1176 when he went into a ditch then hit a tree. LSP reported that McCoy’s BAC was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years. Most recently serving as Chief of Crimes against Persons and Special Operations for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

Severe weather with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana yesterday. Governor Jeff Landry says a storm out of Texas converged with another storm system coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 10 (08) “…size” 

The Louisiana Department of Health says Monday’s severe weather resulted in three storm-related deaths. Mel Bridges has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

St. Martain Parish was sustained storm related damage in yesterday’s line of severe weather. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says most of the damage that occurred in Henderson and Cecilia…

Cut 8 (10)  “…were affected” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant sustained some damage.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three-storm related deaths from yesterday’s severe weather, including a woman who was nine months pregnant. The unborn baby did not survive and is counted as the third storm related death.  West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says the double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer in which she resided…

Cut 3 (10) “…did not survive” 

A 24-year-old woman from Texas died in St. Martin Parish from a suspected tornado. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says the woman was in a camper…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson sustained some damage. Higgins says the restaurant is not a total loss, but repairs will be needed…

Cut 7 (11) “…during the storm.”  

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners and receiving damage assessments. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux says a squall line with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “..160-thousand.” 

The state health department has confirmed three people have died as a result of yesterday’s severe weather. A 31-year-old woman who was nine months pregnant died when a tree fell on her home in Port Allen. Her fetus is counted as a storm related death. Also, a 24-year-old Texas woman in St. Martin Parish died from her injuries after her camper flipped. West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office sergeant Landon Groger is asking the public to stay off the roads in stotm damaged areas…
cut 5 (08) “…everyone”

A scary moment at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville as teenager brandished a gun during a first communion ceremony….
cut 11 () …..
The 16-year-old, who was dressed in black and wearing a mask, has been charged with terrorizing.

At the state capitol, the Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a measure that repeals a 2022 state law that called for cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to motorists who drove over the speed limit. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says human police officers should issue traffic citations and the operator of the camera system would take money away from local criminal justice systems…
cut 15 (08) “….of the funds”
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

The state department of health says three people died as a result of yesterday’s severe weather that struck south Louisiana. A Port Allen mother and her nine-month old fetus died when a tree fell on her trailer. L-D-H is counting that as two storm deaths.

West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…
cut 4 (14)“…machinery”

There was also a fatality outside the town of Henderson from a suspected tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…
Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”
The woman who died in St. Martin Parish has been identified as a 24-year-old woman from Texas.

It was a record turn out for Love the Boot Week’s 3rd annual litter removal and beautification throughout the state. Sean Richardson has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Jury selection is underway in Avoyelles Parish where Christopher McCoy of Bunkie is facing vehicular homicide charges. State Police say last June McCoy was nearly twice the legal limit when his vehicle ran off the road, killing a passenger inside his vehicle, Lauren Vaughn.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three storm-related deaths from yesterday’s severe weather. A female in Cecilia in St. Martin Parish died when after camper rolled over because of high winds. And a nine-month pregnant women died in Port Allen when tree fell on her trailer. The fetus did not survive and is counted as a third storm related death.

The Louisiana House has given final legislative passage to a measure that voids a section of a law passed in 2022 that sought to control speeding on the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalaya Basin bridge by doubling the speeding fines and using cameras to do it. But New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says a normal speeding ticket already costs 350 dollars…
cut 14 (12) “…of the state”
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

It’s Formosan subterranean termite swarm season. LSU Ag Center entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says these termites are attracted to light so keep interior lights off at night to prevent them from coming into your house. Ashbrook says if you have swarms inside your home that is a concern
Cut 9 (11) “…to establish.”
The best plan is to work with a Termite and Pest control company for preventative maintenance.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Lieutenant Governor’s office announces the Love the Boot Week in April was a major success. With 19-thousand people volunteering, a record 347 tons of litter was collected. Keep Louisiana Beautiful director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.
Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”