LSU’s graduation ceremonies are this weekend as over four-thousand degrees will be handed out. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says students from the Houma area, or north and central Louisiana might have a hard time finding a job near their hometowns, but other markets are much more promising…
cut 14 (11) “…announced”

According to new research from analysts at Move.org, the cost of being a new mother is much cheaper in Louisiana than many other states.  Only Mississippi and Alabama are cheaper. Move.org spokesperson Cosette Jarrett says the breakdown of the basic costs came down to two contributing price tags.

Cut 4 (12) “…is $5,747.” 

Flash flood watches are in effect across Louisiana through Saturday as another two to four inches of rain is expected to blanket the state’s already saturated ground.

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says keep a close eye on the roads, and do not attempt to cross flooded streets during this time…

Cut 6 (06) “…drown”

The same system has already caused localized flooding in the northwestern portions of the state, flooding the required rescue operations.

Steele says if at all possible, reschedule your plans for the next two days.

Flash flood watches are in effect across Louisiana through Saturday as another two to four inches of rain is expected to blanket the state’s already saturated ground. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says keep a close eye on the roads, and do not attempt to cross flooded streets during this time…
Cut 6 (06) “…drown”
The National Weather Service has confirmed eight tornadoes touched down in Louisiana Wednesday, impacting nine parishes across north Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says says over 100 homes in Jackson Parish are reporting damage along with two schools. He says the national guard is on the ground…
Cut 28 (13) “…debris removal”
An EF-1 tornado touched down just south of Jonesboro.
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LSU seniors are set to walk the stage today and exit the Pete Maravich Assembly Center into a job market that appears to be on the upswing as the national economy continues to grow. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says grads with in-demand degrees are likely to do well as the need for skilled workers increases.
Cut 13 (10) “…good”
Louisiana has seen 13 straight months of job gains, according to the latest figures from the Workforce Commission.
According to new research from analysts at Move.org, the cost of being a new mother is much cheaper in Louisiana than many other states. Move.org spokesperson Cossette Jarrett says the study factored in the cost of childcare for the first year of a child’s life as well as the medical cost of delivery.
Cut 3 (10) “…in the nation.”

For the third straight game, LSU allowed more than 10 runs in a contest and the Fighting Tigers now have a four game losing streak after losing 14-4 to Arkansas last night. Starter Ma’Khail Hilliard allowed six runs over three innings and Riggs Threadgill gave up another six runs in one inning. Eric Walker will try to get LSU back on track when he takes the ball tonight.

Because of all of the rain, the state baseball tournament in Sulphur has been postponed of Sunday. The LHSAA hopes to complete 12 games at McMurray Park on Mother’s Day. The finals would take place on Monday and Tuesday.

We’ll have at least two Game 7s in the NBA playoffs on Mother’s Day. Philadelphia versus Toronto and Portland versus Denver have been extended to seven games series. We could have a third Game 7, if Houston can beat Golden State tonight, who will be without Kevin Durant, because of a calf injury.

Louisiana Tech will conclude their home schedule this weekend by hosting Western Kentucky. The games will be played on ULM’s campus, because of damage done to J-C Love Field by an EF 3 tornado. Admission is free to all three contests and Tech will celebrate 12 seniors before Saturday’s game.

ULM is on the road for a series at Troy, while the Ragin Cajuns will host Georgia State. Both Louisiana schools need victories this weekend if they want to make the Sun Belt Tournament.

The Saints rookie camp begins today and the team has announced that its entire draft class has been signed, including second round pick Erik McCoy, who could be the team’s starting center in 2019.

Former Saints tight end Ben Watson’s retirement looks to be a short one as the veteran will reportedly sign with the Patriots. New England needs help at that position with the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. Watson caught 46 passes for the Saints last season. He’s a former first round pick of the Patriots.

At this hour we are seeing heavy rainfall across southeast and northeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle reports northwest Louisiana has already seen localized flooding…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge prosecutors believe a former LSU student charged in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver deleted hundreds of files from his cellphone before authorities could search it. The D-A’s office has requested that Google turnover all deleted data from Matthew Naquin’s phone.

Graduation ceremonies will take place on the LSU and Southern campuses over the next two days. Louisiana has seen 13 straight months of over-the-year job gains, according to the latest figures from the state Workforce Commission. But LSU Economist Loren Scott says it’s also tempting for new grads to look for work in Texas….
cut 15 (12) “…available”

For graduating high school seniors, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is reminding students to create a LOSFA Student Hub account to monitor their TOPS award status and eligibility….
cut 6 (10) “…have a TOPS”
That’s Paula Smith, student financial aid administrator with LOSFA.

Governor John Bel Edwards says nine parishes across north Louisiana experienced wind damage Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with extensive damage to the Jimmie Davis Park in Jackson Parish. Edwards says the park is closed until further notice…
Cut 7 (09) “…road is impassable”
The National Weather Service says it was an EF-1 tornado that touched down just south of Jonesboro damaging over 100 homes.

Bossier Parish Sheriff deputies had to perform water rescues yesterday. Lt. Bill Davis…
cut 12 (10) “…badly”
Northwest Louisiana is drying out this morning. But roads are closed this morning in Acadiana because of high water.

LSU will hand out over four-thousand degrees today and tomorrow, so will these new grads find employment within state borders? Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says his cyber crime unit assisted in the arrest of an illegal alien who allegedly distributed child pornography. Landry says Nery Wilfredo Lopez Alvarado illegally resided in Baton Rouge. The A-G says it’s another example of the national emergency taking place at the Southern border.

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as two to four inches of rain is expected to fall between today and tomorrow. Some areas could see higher amounts. And There’s a marginal risk of severe weather for central and south Louisiana. All of this is very concerning to Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 9 (12) “…other structures”
Edwards says over 100 homes in Jackson Parish are reporting damage from an EF 1 tornado that touchdown south of Jonesboro.

LSU will award a record 4,000 plus degrees during graduation ceremonies today and tomorrow. So how does the job market look? LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott ….
cut 13 (10) “….good”

As we told you in the first segment, flash flooding is a real concern over the next couple of days. Matt Doyle reports northwest Louisiana has already seen localized flooding…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge prosecutors believe a former LSU student charged in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver deleted hundreds of files from his cellphone before authorities could search it. The D-A’s office has requested that Google turnover all deleted data from Matthew Naquin’s phone.

A flash flood watch is in effect for most of the state today. The Acadiana region is under a flash flood warning. Up in northwest Louisiana, the Red River has rised above flood stage in downtown Shreveport. But Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Bill Davis, says they are not expecting a repeat of the 2015 flood. He says the main concern is low lying areas with poor drainage…
cut 11 (10) “….quickly”

LSU’s graduation ceremonies are this weekend as over four-thousand degrees will be handed out. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says students from the Houma area, or north and central Louisiana might have a hard time finding a job near their hometowns, but other markets are much more promising…
cut 14 (11) “…announced”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Jackson Parish yesterday to see the destruction from an EF-1 tornado. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The White House has deployed to the Persian Gulf B-52 bombers from the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. The U-S Air Force has released photos showing the bombers arriving at a base in Qatar. The deployment is in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings from Iran.

Most of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch today and tomorrow as a nasty storm system continues to dump rain on the region. Portions of Bossier Parish took on large amounts of water Thursday, and Sheriff spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says those areas and others could be in for another round of flooding…
Cut 10 (12) “…thing out.”

In Jackson parish, they are cleaning up from an EF-1 tornado that touched down just south of Jonesboro. Governor John Bel Edwards says over 100 homes in Jackson Parish are reporting damage and two schools also sustained damage. He says the national guard is on the ground…
Cut 8 (13) “…debris removal”
No serious injuries from the tornadoes.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging high school seniors to take the proper steps prior to graduation to ensure there are no unforeseen issues that may delay an eligible student from receiving the TOPS scholarship. Administrator of Scholarships and Grants Paula Smith says inconsistencies in student records can often cause a snag.
Cut 4 (09) “…numbers incorrect.”
Smith says many times there may be an issue with a student’s transcript. She says make sure the probelm is corrected before the high school counselor leaves for summer break or the student may have to wait until August before they can be processed for TOPS eligibility.

Governor John Bel Edwards held a press conference in Jackson Parish following a tornado outbreak that left widespread damage in the area.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Much of the state is under a flash flood watch through Saturday. Matt Doyle reports northwest Louisiana is already dealing with flooding.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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 LSU will be handing out diplomas today, and state leaders are anxiously hoping that most of those graduates will chose to keep their talents within state boarders. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging high school seniors to take the proper steps prior to graduation to ensure there are no unforeseen issues that may delay TOPS scholarship for college.  Administrator of Scholarships and Grants Paula Smith says inconsistencies in student records can often cause a snag.

Cut 4 (09) “…numbers incorrect.”

Smith says they do not have a way of knowing there is an issue until a student flags a problem.  From that point, the amount to time to make corrections can vary with each student.

Cut 5 (09) “…the ball rolling.”

Smith recommends all students visit the LOSFA website and creating a student hub account.

Cut 6 (10) “…have a TOPS.”

_____________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says nine parishes across north Louisiana experienced wind damage Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with extensive damage to the Jimmie Davis Park in Jackson Parish. Edwards says the park is closed until further notice…

Cut 7 (09) “…road is impassable”

An EF-1 tornado touched down just south of Jonesboro.  Edwards says over 100 homes in Jackson Parish are reporting damage and two schools also sustained damage from a possible tornado. He says the national guard is on the ground…

Cut 8 (13) “…debris removal”

Edwards says he’s also concerned about the potential for another four to eight inches of rain by Saturday night over north and west Louisiana

Cut 9 (12) “…other structures″

_____________________

Much of Louisiana is under flash flood watch until Saturday evening as a nasty storm system continues to dump rain on the region. Portions of Bossier Parish took on surprisingly large amounts of water Thursday, and Sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says those areas and others could be in for another round of flooding…

Cut 10 (12) “…thing out.”

Davis says the Red River is expected to rise to about 31 and a half feet, but it should not cause tributaries to back up the 2015 flood event. The Lt. says low lying areas with poor drainage are likely the be the problem areas this time around…

Cut 11 (10) “…quickly.”

Two to four inches of rain are expected over the next two days.

Davis hopes locals are prepared, as many homes and businesses have already flooded as a result of the rains. He says the long running rain event had local authorities out rescuing a few unlucky folks throughout the parish…

Cut 12 (10) “…badly.”

All of north and central Louisiana are under a flash flood watch., as well as southwest Louisiana.

__________________________________

LSU seniors are set to walk the stage today and exit the Pete Maravich Assembly Center into a job market that appears to be on the upswing as the national economy continues to grow.

LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says grads with in-demand degrees are likely to do well as the need for skilled workers increases.

Cut 13 (10) “…good”

Louisiana has seen 13 straight months of job gains, according to the latest figures from the Workforce Commission.

Scott says grads looking to stay home are getting a bit of a mixed bag. If you’re from the Houma area, or central and northern Louisiana, you could have trouble getting a desirable gig, but there’s a few markets that look promising in the south.

Cut 14 (11) “…announced”

Shreveport alone lost 1,700 jobs over the last year.

But as strong as Louisiana’s recent growth has been, the specter of a booming Texas still lingers over Bayou State grads. Grads can grab high paying Texas jobs, live in bustling Texas cities, and still live close enough to see the family on the weekend. Scott says it’s a tempting offer…

Cut 15 (12) “available”

Keeping locals from fleeing the state post-graduation has been a top goal of the Edwards Administration.