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.”

At least two people are dead in south Louisiana as a result of the strong storms that pushed through the area late yesterday afternoon and into the early evening hours. West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a fatality occurred in his parish when a tree fell on a mobile home…
cut 3 (11) “…did not survive”
Groger says the most of the damage sustained in West Baton Rouge is in Erwinville, where wind gusts of 80 miles per hour were reported.

There is also a reported fatality outside the town of Henderson during what many believe was a tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…
Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”
A possible tornado also did damage in Calcasieu Parish. But no fatalities or injuries reported in the Lake Charles area.

Very scary situation this past weekend in Abbeville when a 16-year-old brandished a gun as 60 children were set to receive their First Communion. Law enforcement was quick to respond at St. Mary Magdalen Church….
cut 12 (11) “….go slowly”
The teenager reportedly told parishioners he came to the church armed, because he heard someone was going to attack the priest and he wanted to protect him.

South Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says Formosan subterranean termites are attracted to light so keep interior lights off at night to prevent them from coming into your house. Second, termites are looking for leaks in your home.
Cut 7 (10) “…moist wood.”
Ashbrook says if termites are swarming in your home, call a pest control company.

At least two people have died as a result of severe weather in South Louisiana yesterday. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson.

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman was killed, and two others were injured after a tree fell onto a mobile home during last night’s storms. A man and a five year old child were taken to the hospital. A wind gust of 83 miles per hour was reportedly recorded at the nearby Erwinville Community Center at that time.

Meanwhile, there’s damage and power outages across South Louisiana this morning. Some 50 thousand residents are still without power as crews work to clear debris and restore service.

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Formosan Subterranean termite swarm season is in full swing. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

April’s “Love the Boot” Week is being declared a big success as more than 19-thousand people volunteered, collecting a record 347 tons of litter. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says Louisiana residents showed up for our state..

Cut 6 (11) “…love the boot.”

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday has left at least one person dead. Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson during what many believe was a tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…

Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”

Louisiana Income Tax returns are due tomorrow, May 15^th. If you need a little extra time to prepare them, there’s good news and bad. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville says 60 children were set to receive their First Communion on Saturday when a teenager entered the church and brandished a gun. Law enforcement was quick to respond and a frightening experience ended with no shots fired…

Cut 10 (06) “…young man .”

Authorities have charged a 16-year-old with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Louisiana’s Love the Boot Week was a major success. That’s according to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Close to 20,000 volunteered and collected a record 346 tons of litter KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says litter is 100% preventable if we all do our part.

Cut 5 (08) “…out the window.” 

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday is responsible for at least one death. Authorities say a person died just outside of the town of Henderson. St. Martin Sheriff Becket Breaux says a twister likely hit the parish…

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

As of this morning Entergy was reporting some 50, 000 customers still without power as a result of the storm.

The Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a bill that scraps a plan to put cameras up on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to speeding violators resulting in twice the normal fine. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is a big proponent of cops ticketing speeding vehicles, not cameras

Cut 13 (13)  “..compliance.”

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor announced that April’s,  Love the Boot Week was a major success.  With 19,441 people volunteering and a record 347 tons of litter collected,  KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.

Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”
Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. Experts say Formosan subterranean termites are some of the most destructive species we have, responsible for billions of dollars in damages every year. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says if they get in your home, they love to feast on moist wood as a result of a water leak or drainage issue…
Cut 8 (13) “…in an area though”