It will be a nice weekend, which should help the clean up process in Ruston as numerous trees are down and debris scattered everywhere from a powerful tornado that hit the Lincoln Parish town early Thursday morning. Governor John Bel Edwards says two people were killed, but the number of fatalities could have been higher…
cut 11 (11) “…injured”
The two people killed have been identified as 35-year-old Kendra Butler and her 14-year-old son Remington.

The LSU Board of Supervisors meets this morning where they are expected to approve the contract for new athletics director Scott Woodward. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Woodward’s deal is six years long, worth eight million dollars…
cut 8 (07) “…in the SEC”
Woodward is also getting a 250-thousand dollar relocation bonus and 250-thousand dollars if he stays on the job for five years.

Attorneys General from around the nation are in Lafayette to address their roles in Emergency and Crisis Management. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says AGs play a pivotal role as the chief legal officers of their state, and sometimes have to wear many hats during distasters
Cut 13 (08) “…is properly done.”
Landry says active shooter situations will also be discussed.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop wanted to rename the stretch of Interstate 10 between the Texas and Mississippi lines as the “Who Dat Nation” highway, but found out, all of I-10 is renamed after veterans…
cut 5 (09) “…so ever”
So Bishop has amended his legislation that would add signage when you enter Louisiana from Texas or Mississippi that says Home of the Who Dat Nation. A similar sign would place at the I-10 exit for the Superdome.

Governor Edwards says the path of destruction left by a deadly EF-3 tornado in Ruston is some of the worst, concentrated damage he’s seen while in office.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The two people who were killed when a tree fell on their home have been identified as 35-year-old Kendra Butler and her 14-year-old son Remington Butler. Remington was a freshman at Ruston High School, while his mother was a student at Grambling State. The recovery from this storm is expected to take months.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote today on the contract for new Athletic Director Scott Woodward. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Woodward’s six-year deal is valued at $8 million, with a starting annual salary of $1.1 million and it will bump up to $1.5 million in years five and six.
Cut 7 (08) “…commitment to Woodward.”
And the board is also expected to approve an amended deal for basketball coach Will Wade, which will make it easier for the university to fire Wade if the NCAA accuses him of violations.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry leads a panel discussion in Lafayette today on natural disaster response at a meeting attended by attorneys general from across the country. Landry says when a disaster strikes consumer protection and medical needs are two areas that A-Gs get involved in…
cut 15 (09) “…medical conditions”

The two people who died in Thursday’s twister that struck Ruston have been identified as 35-year-old Kendra Butler and her 14-year-old son Remington. Remington was a freshman at Ruston High School, while Kendra was attending Grambling State. A state of emergency has been declared as the clean up continues today.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote today on the contract of new Athletics Director Scott Woodward and an amended deal for basketball coach Will Wade.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

An attorney general summit is taking place today in Lafayette where local, state and federal officials are focusing on Emergency and Crisis Management. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says following natural disasters, A-Gs work on consumer protection as scammers will look to take advantage of those going through tough times.
Cut 14 (10) “…their law enforcement.”
Landry says the event will also address how to handle the medical needs of those impacted.

A New Orleans Senator’s bill to rename the I-10 the “Who Dat Nation Highway” has been significianly changed after lawmakers discover the stretch of road has already been dedicated to veterans. Wesley Bishop amended the bill to call for three plates saying “Welcome to the Who Dat Nation” to be placed underneath some existing road signs.
Cut 4 (09) “…exit.”
The plates would be paid for by private donors. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Governor Edwards has declared a state of emergency as the cleanup will continue today from Thursday’s morning deadly twister that killed two people in Lincoln Parish. Edwards has viewed the damage in Ruston and was amazed by the precise path of destruction….
cut 10 (12) “….damaged”
The National Weather Service says it was at least an EF 3 tornado with winds of 135 to 165 miles per hour.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote today on new athletics director Scott Woodward’s eight-million dollar contract and an amended deal for previously suspended basketball coach Will Wade. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Wade’s new contract makes it easier for LSU to fire him, if he committed NCAA violations…
cut 9 (08) “…this past season”
A legislative proposal to rename Interstate 10 between the Texas and Mississippi lines the “Who Dat Nation Highway” has been substantially changed as the measure receives Senate committee approval. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A proposal to rename the stretch of I-10 that runs from Texas to Mississippi the “Who Dat Nation Highway” sees it’s scope substantially pared back. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote today on the contract of new Athletics Director Scott Woodward and the amendments of Coach Will Wade’s contract.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Governor Edwards says the path of destruction left by a deadly EF-3 tornado in Ruston is some of the worst, concentrated damage he’s seen while in office. Matt Doyle

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A New Orleans Senator’s bill to rename the I-10 the “Who Dat Nation Highway” has it’s ambitions significantly reduced after lawmakers discover the stretch of road has already been dedicated to veterans.

Wesley Bishop amended the bill to call for three plates saying “Welcome to the Who Dat Nation” to be placed underneath some existing road signs.

Cut 4 (09) “…exit.”

The plates would be paid for by private donors.

Bishop says before filing the legislation, he was not aware that the entirety of the I-10 from Jacksonville, Florida to Santa Monica, California, had already been dedicated to something a bit more prominent than a football team.

Cut 5 (11) “so ever.”

The amended version of the bill cleared committee, but not without some raised eyebrows. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long ultimately supported the bill, but not before raising questions about just how this kind of proposal makes us look to the rest of the nation.

Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana”

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The LSU Board of Supervisors is set to vote on the contracts of two major figures in the school’s athletics.  The first is that of the new Athletic Director Scott Woodward.  Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Woodward’s six-year contract is valued at $8 million, with a starting annual salary of $1.1 million and seeing it bumped to $1.5 in years five and six.

Cut 7 (08) “…commitment to Woodward.”

Woodward’s contract is not only more lucrative than his predecessor on the base pay, but if Woodward is still on board in 2025, he receives a quarter million dollar bonus, and after six years, that’s a half million.  Moran says it’s a testament to LSU’s dedication to Woodward.

Cut 8 (07) “…in the SEC.”

Basketball coach Will Wade’s contract is also being amended as part of his reinstatement.  Wade has agreed to waive his quarter million dollar performance bonuses earned in the most recent season.  Also, Moran says if the NCAA finds that Wade has committed a level one or level two violation, LSU can send Wade packing.

Cut 9 (08) “…this past season.″

In the event that NCAA punishments come down on the athletics department for anything that happened prior to Woodward taking over, Woodward’s contract is automatically extended for two years at a rate of $1.5 million annually.

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Governor Edwards was on-hand to survey the devastation in Ruston in the wake of a freak EF-3 tornado that cut a deadly path Thursday morning through the hometown of Louisiana Tech University.

Edwards says pictures from the ground just don’t do the damage justice, and for a state used to floods and hurricanes, it’s unusual to see such a precise path of destruction.

Cut 10 (12) “…damaged.”

Edwards has declared a state of emergency while officials get a full handle on the scope of the damage that cut across several northern parishes.

The Governor says while going through the city, there was one moment in particular that shocked him.

Cut 11 (11) “…injured.”

Two people in Ruston died when a tree fell on their house, and search and rescue teams are still out and about ensuring no one else has been hurt by debris or collapsed houses. Edwards says Louisiana’s first responders can be trusted to get the job done right.

Cut 12 (12) “…have it”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is welcoming other AG’s from around the nation to an event in Lafayette this week that address their roles following a disaster.  Landry says often times AG’s play a very pivotal role as the chief legal officers of their state, and sometimes have to wear many hats.

Cut 13 (08) “…is properly done.”

Landry says following natural disasters, the Attorney General also works in consumer protection as people will come to an impacted area and pretty upon those that are going through tough times.

Cut 14 (10) “…their law enforcement.”

Of the topics up for discussion, Landry says the event will address how to handle the medical needs of those impacted.

Cut 15 (09) “to medical conditions.”

The event is not only addressing natural disasters, but is discussing an AG’s role following events such as active shooter situations.

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LSU’s freshman pitcher Cole Henry will not pitch this weekend when the 14th ranked Tigers visit Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says Henry has developed soreness in his pitching elbow. The coach says the plan was for Henry to start tonight and move Zack Hess back to the bullpen

Cut 16  (20) “…getting sore” 

Mainieri says they don’t believe the injury to Henry is serious and an MRI on the elbow came back clean…

 cut 17 (25)   “next weekend” 

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The Saints only have one pick in the first four rounds and six overall, with two in the sixth and two in the seventh. Payton says they can also add to the roster through undrafted free agents

Cut 19 (20) time on” 

North central Louisiana lawmakers at the Capitol today waited anxiously for news from back home as reports began filtering in about a deadly EF-3 tornado that sliced through Ruston, the home of Louisiana Tech University. Tech President Les Guice says thankfully the tornado skirted the edge of the core academic buildings, but the residential halls weren’t so lucky.
Cut 14 (12) “ fields”
The pictures from the campus are startling, with trees ripped up by the roots, and debris littering the grounds. Guice says walking the halls and fields that are usually teeming with students was heart-wrenching.
Cut 16 (11) “…traumatic”
The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized a unit to assist with recovery. They are equipped with chain saws, dump trucks and bobcats.
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A bill to legalize the growing and processing of Industrial hemp is on it’s way to the full House after unanimously passing in the House Agriculture Committee. Jennings Representative John Guinn says he supports the legislation, and in a back and forth with Strain, says the banning of hemp production in America can be traced to the rise of their competitors in big plastic…
Cut 9 (11) “…interesting“.
Following a 5-1 vote, a constitutional amendment that aims to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to $9 an hour on July 1, 2020, is headed to the Senate floor, where the effort died last year. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says a bump in the minimum wage would show that the state is serious about helping its working poor.
Cut 10 (12) “…government to survive.”
Governor John Bel Edwards has sought an increase in the minimum wage since taking office in 2016.

Two people are dead, a mother and her son, from a powerful tornado that swept through Ruston in the early morning hours. National Weather Service forecaster CS Ross says at least an EF-3 tornado struck Ruston just before two A-M…

Cut 5 (14) “…as well”

The Louisiana Tech campus is recovering from significant damage suffered from the tornado.

Tech President Les Guice says thankfully the tornado skirted the edge of the core academic buildings, but the residential halls weren’t so lucky.

Cut 14 (12) “ fields”

Most of the campus still has power, but classes have been canceled today to allow students to recover, and check in on family.

Following a 5-1 vote, a constitutional amendment that aims to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to $9 an hour on July 1, 2020, is headed to the Senate floor, where the effort died last year. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says a bump in the minimum wage would show that the state is serious about helping its working poor.

Cut 10 (12) “…government to survive.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has sought an increase in the minimum wage since taking office in 2016.

A bill to legalize the growing and processing of Industrial hemp is on it’s way to the full House after unanimously passing in the House Agriculture Committee. Gonzales Representative Clay Shexnayder says hemp is  a highly profitable, and renewable crop.

Cut 7 (10) “…belt.”

A mother and son were killed when a powerful tornado ripped through Ruston early this morning causing significant damage to the city…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

La Tech president Les Guice says many trees are down on campus, dorms are damaged and the baseball, softball and soccer stadiums are unusable…
cut 16 (11) …traumatic”

A proposal to raise the minimum wage to nine dollars an hour on July 1st, 2020 advances out of the Senate Labor Committee. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is the author of the measure and he had the President and CEO of Ochsner Health System Warner Thomas speak in favor of the measure. Thomas says Ochsner raised its minimum wage to 12 dollars an hour…
cut 11 (10) “…has been”
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is in opposition. Vice president of government relations, Jim Patterson, applauds businesses who raised their minimum wages, but not all businesses have the resources to do it..
Cut 13 (08) “…be able to.”
Despite the opposition the measure heads to the Senate floor after five to one vote in favor.