Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy presented a health care plan this morning on Capitol Hill that would give states the ability to decide if they want to keep Obamacare. Cassidy says Republicans believe that if you like your health insurance, than you should keep it..:
Cut 6 (10) “by Washington D.C.”
He says giving states the power to decide on a healthcare system gives the Patient Freedom Act more of a chance to pass in the Senate.

A government audit finds former Angola Warden Burl Cain may have illegally used public funds for personal reasons. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says several state employees helped renovate Cain’s private home in Baton Rouge while on the clock, including Angola’s maintenance director Tim Byrd…:
Cut 3 (10) “21 days”
Cain’s lawyer says the report is flawed. The findings are in the hands of the US Attorney.

Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The National Weather Service says at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over the weekend leaving a path of destruction across several parishes. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office said officials believe between 10 and 18 homes were damaged, along with vehicles, outbuildings and downed trees. No major injuries have been reported in the state.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cleanup continues following at least five tornadoes that touched down over the weekend, leaving a wake of destruction in several parishes. The first and strongest tornado hit Natchitoches Parish near the town of Natchez and left one person injured and five homes damaged. Two twisters touched down in Grant Parish near Colfax and Georgetown, one in LaSalle Parish around Jena, and one in Bossier Parish.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development finds homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the last 7 years. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credit the hard work of his agency for the decrease.

Cut 7 (11) “of society”

The report shows there were less than 4-thousand homeless people in the state last year, down from more than 12-thousand in 2009.

Beauregard parish residents have started a petition to get better internet in the DeRidder area, as residents say satellite service is down more days than not. Beatrice Teague started the petition and says lines are in place, but they’re outdated.

Cut 14 (11) “their turf”

Teague plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says they hope these dollars will get into the hands of flood victims soon…:
Cut 5 (11) “as possible”.
She says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance.

It’s officially tax season, and Louisiana residents have until April 18th to file a federal return while state taxes must be filed by May 15th. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you were affected by the flooding in 2016, you can claim casualty losses…:
CUT 12 (11) “give you that”

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham last August’s devastating floods could become a problem, as many victims are stilling living in hotels or with family members…:
Cut 9 (09) “them before”
Cunningham says drug abuse and mental illness are some factors that play into homelessness.

The Mandeville Police Department says a Mandeville High ROTC instructor is under arrest accused of having inappropriate relationships with two female students. They identify the suspect as 48-year-old Hosea McGhee. He is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Over the last 7 years, the number of people who don’t have homes in Louisiana is down nearly 70 percent. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits the state for making homelessness more of a priority…:
Cut 8 (10) “it done”

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance…:
Cut 6 (12) “their homes”

Frustration over the lack of reliable high-speed internet in the DeRidder area has led to a petition that will ask the Public Service Commission to help out. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tax season begins today and Louisianians can begin filing federal and state income returns. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says refunds may be delayed this year because identity theft preventative measures tend to slow things down…:
CUT 11 (07) “get refunds”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport confirms an EF2 tornado with winds between 111 and 135 mph ripped through northern Bossier Parish late Saturday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Authorities say 29 homes or recreational vehicles were people lived were damaged or loss, but fortunately there was no loss of life or major injuries.

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits this decrease to hard work by his agency to help individuals living on the street…:
CUT 7 (11) “of society”
The count showed there was just below four-thousand homeless people in the state in 2016, down from 12,500 in 2009.

Residents in the greater DeRidder area are making a push to get high speed internet in the rural Beauregard Parish town. Beatrice Teague started a petition because she and her neighbors are unable to get broadband connections in their homes. She says they have to use satellite internet, which is expensive and unreliable…:
Cut 13 (10) “your kids”
You can sign the petition online at moveon.org.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says 938-million dollars will go towards rebuilding and repairing flooded homes…:
cut 4 (08) “flood plain”
This state plan must get approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Today marks the start of tax season, as Louisiana residents can begin filing federal and state income taxes. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you plan to use a tax preparer to file your taxes, make sure you have all your documentation together and organized…:
Cut 10 (08) “the process”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th.

Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services have been announced for the Westwego officer who was fatally shot Friday morning while attempting to help out a woman he thought was in a traffic accident. Michael Louviere, who leaves behind a wife and 4-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy, will be laid to rest on Friday in Harvey.

The man who is accused of killing a pregnant ex-girlfriend and a Westwego police officer is in critical condition. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says 32-year-old Slyvester Holt shot himself during a long standoff with law enforcement on the Crescent City Connection Bridge…
cut 30 (09) “…Medical Center”
If Holt survives he’ll be charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Here’s the latest on that fatal shooting by a West Monroe pizza delivery driver who killed a robbery suspect Thursday night. Detective Ray Spoon says the shooter will not be charged as he acted in self defense. He says it’s unfortunate something like this happens…
cut 16 (06) “…or not”
Spoon says they are still looking for a second robbery suspect.

Several females from Louisiana are part of the huge gathering in the nation’s capital for the Women’s March on Washington. Alyssa Leader of West Monroe is there and they want to- remind the Trump administration they will not be silent on issues of diversity, abortion and climate change. Leader says there are also marches taking place in Baton Rouge and New Orleans…
cut 11 (09) “…come together”

The radar is clear this morning, but more thunderstorms are expected this afternoon. Much of north Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather. South Louisiana could see some strong storms too. Large hail is a possibility. Four people were killed early this morning in Hattiesburg from a twister that flattened numerous homes.

The grieving continues for a Westwego police officer who was fatally shot after he stopped to provide assistance to a woman who was involved in a car crash. Twenty-six-year-old Michael Louviere leaves a wife and two small children behind. Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch Senior…
cut 30 (10) “…of his shift”
Authorities say Louviere and the woman he provided aid for, 32-year-old Simone Veal, were both fatally shot by 32-year-old Slyvester Holt. State Police say Holt shot himself ending a long standoff on the Crescent City Connection Bridge. He’s in critical condition.

In Webster Parish, Springhill Police Chief Will Lynd tells KTBS a Springhill police cruiser struck a pedestrian last night. The pedestrian was airlifted to an area hospital. No other details at this time.

Twenty-three federal inmates from Louisiana had their federal drug sentences reduced in an act peformed by Barack Obama in his final hours as President. Three of the individuals were serving a life sentence. LSU New Orleans Public Health Criminologist Peter Scharf says there’s been a push to stop issuing life-sentences for non-violent drug offenders, but the public still deserves an explantion on these commutations…
cut 14 (11) “…selection principle”

Twenty-year-old Antonious Terrelle Cawthorne of Shreveport will spend the next 25 years of his life in prison for the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old during an Easter weekend gathering at a park. Cawthorne pleaded guilty to manslaughter to the shooting that occurred in April of 2015.

Another warm day is expected and we could see severe weather, especially in north Louisiana. Hail, torandoes and damaging winds are all possible.