Governor John Bel Edwards says at least seven tornadoes in six parishes caused severe damage across southeast Louisiana today. There have been reports of some injuries and damage to dozens of homes and businesses. Edwards has declared a state of emergency. But he says the good thing is that there were zero fatalities.

One of the hardest hit areas is New Orleans East, which was slammed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Craig Smith was working at New Orleans East Hospital when the twister came through. He says it remains a chaotic scene…
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Thousands of people are also without power in the area. Other tornadoes were also reported in Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. James and Ascension Parishes.

Officials say at least two tornadoes touched down in Killian today, which is in Livingston Parish. Two people were injured in that community.

Louisiana U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy were among the 51 who voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says as a proponent of school choice and vouchers for low-income students, DeVos will bring a welcomed change to the education system.
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But Democratic New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says DeVos is an unqualified billionaire who has attacked public education.

State legislators are taking a look at Governor Edwards proposal to close a 304-million dollar midyear deficit. Franklin Senator Bret Allain (Ah-lan) says he wants to know more about a proposed six-million dollar cut to the budget of the Attorney General’s office…
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Legislators will find out more about the cuts when they begin a special session next week.

There’s extensive tornado damage in New Orleans east after a large twister ripped through the area around 11 o’ clock this morning. Craig Smith was working at New Orleans East Hospital when he saw the menacing tornado…
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Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency as his office says as at least six tornadoes caused severe damage, including multiple injuries and dozens of homes and business were damaged.

Officials in Livingston Parish say two twisters touched down in Killian today, damaging homes and injuring two people. Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, says they know of 5 residences impacted…:
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He says two people in a home that was hit sustained minor injuries.

The U-S Senate has voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. Both of Louisiana’s U.S. Senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, voted to confirm her appointment. But Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says they would prefer an Education Secretary who is a strong supporter of public schools…
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Cassidy says he voted for DeVos, because of her belief that underserved children should have access to a quality education.

State lawmakers are taking a look at Governor Edwards’ proposal to eliminate a 304-million dollar budget deficit. It relies on legislators approving the use of 119-million rainy day dollars to fill the shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the state needs to address the real problem with state government…
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Harris has been an outspoken critic of using rainy day money to alleviate the deficit.

There’s a lot of tornado damage across southeast Louisiana. Michelle Southern has the latest….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Entergy New Orleans reports 10-thousand people are without power in the metro area as a result of downed power lines. And Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a state of emergency. A tornado watch remains in effect until 5:00 for southeast Louisiana. The watch box includes, Bogalusa, Slidell, New Orleans and Houma.

One of the state’s largest teacher unions opposes the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U-S Secretary of Education. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says DeVos’ longtime support of vouchers is a concern to them….
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But President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says DeVos wants to provide the right opportunities for our children. Duplessis says groups who oppose the appointment are entrenched in special interests…
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Both of Lousiana’s US Senators voted to confirm DeVos.

Officials say at least seven homes have been damaged in Livingston Parish, as a result of a severe storm with tornadoes ripping through the south. Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the police chief in Killian witnessed two twisters with his own eyes…:
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Another tornado touched down in New Orleans East causing widespread damage. Entergy reports nearly 15,000 people are without power right now as a result of the storms, the bulk of those being in Orleans Parish. Mayor Mitch Landrieu…:
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There were also tornadoes reported in Donaldsonville and Ponchatoula. The Red Cross has moved in to help affected communities.

Lawmakers are weighing in with their thoughts on the governor’s budget proposal to close the mid-year gap. The special session to address the $304 million dollar shortfall takes place next week. The governor wants to use $119 million dollars from the Rainy Day Fund, and Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s not opposed to that if it prevents cuts that will really hit home with residents…:
Cut 5 (08) “can do that”
The House will begin discussions on what cuts will be made beginning Monday, and then they’ll send their plan to the Senate.

The Louisiana Department of Education will host a public meeting tonight in Shreveport to discuss recommendations for the Caddo Parish School Board to improve long-struggling schools in the city. State Superintendent John White encourages the public to attend…:
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The meeting takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Shreveport.

There have been at least 3 tornadoes that have touched down in southeast Louisiana as a strong storm system continues to rip through the Deep South. Officials in Livingston Parish say two twisters touched down in Killian today, damaging homes and injuring two people. Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, says they know of 5 residences impacted…:
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He says two people in a home that was hit sustained minor injuries.

Forecasters say another tornado hit Donaldsonville, and this man describes what he saw in New Orleans East…:
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Tornado watches remain in place through 2pm for 25 parishes.

Lawmakers are looking at proposed budget cuts ahead of next week’s deficit eliminating special session. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Superstar actress Annette Bening has been cast to play former Governor Kathleen Blanco in the next American Crime Story which will be about Hurricane Katrina. Producers say the next installment of the Emmy award winning franchise will air in 2018.

Lawmakers are looking over the Governor’s proposal to eliminate a $304 million midyear deficit, ahead of next week’s special session to debate the plan. Statewide elected officials would see budget reductions, but higher education would be spared. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s important no stone is left unturned when it comes to spending reductions, but he doesn’t want students to be impacted again…:
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The governor’s plan also includes using $119 million in the rainy day fund to minimize cuts to state agencies.

Tornado watches and warnings have been issued along southeastern Louisiana all morning. 25 Parishes remain under a tornado watch until 2pm this afternoon, as a storm capable of producing twisters moves quickly through the area.

FEMA has released new recovery numbers on flood relief and indicates that about $4.7 billion dollars in disaster assistance has moved through the state following the devastating August event.

State Senator JP Morrell is again bringing equal pay legislation before lawmakers for the upcoming session. Jeff Palermo reports..:
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State Superintendent of Education John White travels to Caddo Parish to host a public meeting tonight to discuss recommendations on improving struggling schools in Shreveport. White says 15 out of 66 schools in the parish have “F” letter grades and 22 have “Ds”…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has released his plan for closing the state’s $304 million budget deficit for this fiscal year. The plan includes using $119 million in the rainy day fund, as well as cuts to the budgets of statewide elected officials. Under the governor’s proposal, the Department of Health would take the biggest hit with a $128 million budget reduction. The plan will be debated by lawmakers in a special session that begins next week, ahead of the regular session in April.

A topic for debate in the regular session will be equal pay, as New Orleans Senator JP Morell is once again bringing his bill before the legislature. He says Louisiana women make less than 70 cents per dollar that a man makes, and this measure is about getting people paid what they are owed.

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Morell expects groups that support pay secrecy will oppose the bill.

LSU Student Government believes the Board of Regents’ proposed changes to the TOPS scholarship program could push students out of the state. Proposals include raising the requirements and making students take more classes each year. President Zach Faircloth says Louisiana should be doing all it can to make sure out best students stay in the state.

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The Board of Regents will make their final recommendation later this month.

State Education Superintendent John White is hosting a public meeting in Caddo Parish tonight to discuss improving struggling schools in Shreveport. White says a plan for dealing with these schools will be presented to BESE next month, and they want to get the public’s input.

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White says 15 out of 66 schools in the parish have “F” letter grades.