A man who torched three St. Landry Parish churches pleads guilty in federal and state court. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle. 

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Lafayette. They have identified 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette as the victim.

Authorities say two Lafayette Police officers responded to a disturbance involving a weapon. Baham approached the officer and a physical confrontation ensued which led to the suspect being fatally shot.

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night and two school systems canceled classes today due to flooding, Morehouse and West Carroll Parish Schools. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says northeast Louisiana has already seen a lot of rain.

Cut 5 (09)  “…five inches.”

In Alabama, LSU fans can show their support for the Tigers on their car tag. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynes admits the initial design is modest on school spirit.  In five years, a redesign can be submitted, it over a thousand plates are in circulation, Haynes says they then can propose a full plate design.

Cut 9 (12) “…vanilla and plain.

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty in federal and state court to burning down three historically black St. Landry Parish Baptist churches last spring. As part of the deal, Matthews pleaded guilty to three federal counts of intentional damage to religious property, a hate crime under the 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg expects Matthews will receive a lengthy sentence.

Cut 13 (10) “…sentences.”
Alabama drivers will soon have the opportunity to have their own LSU license plate. In Louisiana, a specialty tag design requires legislative approval, but in Alabama, the proposed design just needed 250 drivers to apply and prepay for the plate. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynessays they hit the goal.

Cut 8 (10) “…else after that.”

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green introduces a House bill aimed at eliminating the death penalty and allows those previously sentenced to be resentenced to life without parole.

Kyle Joekel, the man found guilty of killing two St. John the Baptist deputies in 2012 became the latest inmate to receive a death sentence.  Green expects to have to counter arguments from examples such as those killings.

Cut 6 (08) “…with those individuals.”

Last year, a bill to abolish the death penalty died on the House floor.

Louisiana gets low marks from the American Lung Association’s 2020 report for its failure to properly fund anti-smoking programs and enact anti-smoking legislation. State Director Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana maintains one of the highest smoking rates in the nation for both adults, and teens.

Cut 10 (09) “…percent.”

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty to federal and state criminal charges for setting fire to three predominately black St. Landry Parish church last spring. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says Matthews didn’t have much of defense…
cut 14 (12) “….for it”
Matthews will be sentenced in May and faces at least 10 years in prison in federal court.

Louisiana receives failing grades on its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use in the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control Report. State Director Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana also received a “C” grade for its strength of smokefree workplace laws…
cut 11 (09) “…e-cigarettes”

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green is authoring a bill for the upcoming session that seeks to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Green says the state hasn’t executed anyone in 10 years, it’s costly to have an inmate on death row and he says if Louisiana is truly a pro-life state it shouldn’t have lethal injections…
cut 5 (09) “….on death row”

Alabama drivers will soon have the opportunity to have their own LSU license plate. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynes decided to launch a campaign to get an LSU tag after seeing other out of state schools have their own special plate design.
Cut 7 (10) “…LSU tag in Alabama.”
Haynes says it took 250 drivers to apply and prepay for the license plate for the LSU plate in Alabama to become a reality.

A 22-year-old Opelousas man suspected of burning down three African American churches in St. Landry Parish last Spring pleads guilty to federal and state criminal charges. Holden Matthews pleaded guilty to four federal counts. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenburg says Matthews faces up to 70 years in prison…
cut 15 (10) “…sentencing”
A federal judge will sentence Matthews on May 22nd.

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green has filed a House bill to end the death penalty in Louisiana. The proposed legislation says death row inmates would be resentenced to a life sentence without parole. Green believes there are more GOP lawmakers interested in abolishing the death penalty because it would save money…
Cut 4 (11) “…it hasn’t reduced crime.”

LSU fans living in Alabama have the opportunity to show their school pride with an official license plate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints owner Gayle Benson denies an accusation that the franchise played a role in determining which priests should be named on a list of clergy accused of sexual abuse. Plaintiffs suing the church say there are emails that show team executives participated in what they call the church’s pattern and practice of concealing the crimes.

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty in federal and state court to burning down three historically black St. Landry Parish baptist churches last spring. As part of the deal, Matthews pleaded guilty to three federal counts of intentional damage to religious property, a hate crime under the 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg expects Matthews will receive a lengthy sentence.
Cut 13 (10) “…sentences.”
Matthews will be sentenced in federal court on May 22nd.

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Lafayette. It happened at an apartment complex on Kaliste Saloom Road. Authorities say two Lafayette Police officers responded to the area in reference to a disturbance involving a weapon. A subject approached the officer and a physical confrontation ensued which led to the suspect being fatally shot.

State lawmakers will once again this year discuss legislation aimed at eliminating the death penalty…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In the American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana receives an “F” for funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs and Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products. State Director Ashley Livery says a new federal law banning the sale of nicotine products to those under 21 should help, but there is confusion with this new law…
cut 12 (09) “…of the land”

Legislation aimed at eliminating the death penalty will once again be up for discussion by state lawmakers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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LSU fans trapped in Alabama will soon have the opportunity to show their school pride on with an official license plate.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A man who torched three St. Landry Parish churches pleads guilty in federal and state court. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle. 

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Marrero Democrat Kyle Green introduces a House bill aimed at eliminating the death penalty and allows those previously sentenced to the death penalty to be resentenced to a life sentence without parole.  Green believes there is an appetite from GOP lawmakers to save as much money as possible and abolishing the death penalty may do just that.

Cut 4 (11) “…it hasn’t reduced crime.”

District attorneys have historically been opposed to repealing the death penalty.  Louisiana has not executed an inmate since 2010, with the inability to obtain drugs for a lethal injection being cited as the reason for the gap.  Traditionally, Republicans lean in favor of preserving the death penalty, but Green believes executions do not fall in line with the state’s values.

Cut 5 (09) “…on death row.”

Over the about the last 40 years, Green says around 150 people have been exonerated from death row, with 11 of them being from Louisiana.

Kyle Joekel, man found guilty of killing two St. John the Baptist Parish deputies in 2012 became the latest inmate to receive a death sentence.  Green expects to have to counter arguments in favor of keeping the death penalty stemming from examples such as those killings.

Cut 6 (08) “…with those individuals.”

Last year, a bill to abolish the death penalty was struck down on the House floor.

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Alabama drivers will soon have the opportunity to have their own LSU license plate.  Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynes decided to launch a campaign to get an LSU tag after seeing other out of state schools have their own special plate design.

Cut 7 (10) “…LSU tag in Alabama.”

In Louisiana, a specialty tag design requires legislative approval, but in Alabama, the proposed design just needed 250 drivers to apply and prepay for the license plate.  Haynes says they hit that goal.

Cut 8 (10) “…else after that.”

Haynes admits the initial design is modest on school spirit.  In five years, the plate will come back up for approval and a redesign can be submitted. If over a thousand plates are in circulation, Haynes says they then can propose a full plate design.

Cut 9 (12) “…vanilla and plain.″

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Louisiana gets low marks from the American Lung Association’s 2020 report for it’s failure to properly fund anti-smoking programs and enact anti-smoking legislation.

State Director Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana maintains one of the highest smoking rates in the nation for both adults, and teens.

Cut 10 (09) “…percent.”

She notes that’s in part thanks to a 135 percent increase in the high school vaping rate over the last two years. 27.5 percent of Louisiana high schoolers now admit to vaping.

Lyerly says if the state is serious about kicking it’s smoking habit, it needs a substantial increase in taxes on cigarettes and vapes, and it needs to expand it’s use of smoke-free zones.

Cut 11 (09) “…cigarettes.”

The report also notes Louisiana only utilizes three percent of the 450 million a year it generates in cigarette taxes and tobacco settlements to fund anti-smoking programs, far below what is recommended.

One spot of good news nationally is the new federal law banning the sale of nicotine products to those under 21, but locally the answer hasn’t been so clear…

Cut 12 (09) “…the land.”

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22-year-old Holden Matthews pleads guilty in federal and state court to burning down three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish, a hate crime that shocked the nation last spring.

The federal charges include using fire to commit a federal felony and violating the Church Arson Prevention Act. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg doesn’t expect he’ll be free any time soon.

Cut 13 (10) “…sentences.”

Using fire to commit a federal felony carries a minimum ten-year sentence, and each of his three violations of the Church Arson Act carries up to a 20-year sentence.

Rosenberg says pleading out may have saved Matthews a few years, but it’s clear the authorities had overwhelming evidence against him. Plus, he had a very weak defense.

Cut 14 (12) “…for it”

Matthews says it was an attempt to replicate similar actions taken by a black metal band in Sweden decades ago.

Matthews will be sentenced on May 22^nd. Rosenberg does not expect the son of a St. Landry Parish deputy to receive any leniency.

Cut 15 (10) “…sentencing.”

Rosenberg says it’s likely any state charges he faces will be served concurrently with the federal charges.

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 LSU basketball coach Will Wade is not discouraged, even though the Tigers are on a two-game losing streak heading into tonight’s game versus Missouri. Last week, LSU lost to previously winless Vanderbilt and failed to maintain a 14-point second-half lead and fell in overtime to Auburn on Saturday. Wade says blame him for the loss versus 11th ranked Auburn

Cut 16  (23)  …really really well”  

Wade says he should have called timeout at the end of regulation to get a better shot in the Auburn game. He says despite the recent losses, LSU remains a good basketball team…

Cut 17  (19) “pretty good” 

Wade says he’ll feel good when junior guard Charles Manning Junior returns, possibly on Saturday, from a fractured foot that he suffered a month ago

cut 18  (20) ” final push”   

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With 29 games left, the Pelicans are five games back of Memphis for the final spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans hosts Portland tonight. The Trail Blazers are also in the hunt for a playoff spot. Pels rookie Zion Williamson looks forward to tonight’s game versus Portland

cut 19 (09)  do it”  

The Trail Blazers have won seven of their last ten and during those ten games, Damien Lilliard is averaging close to 42 points per game. Williamson says Lilliard is an incredible player

cut 20 (12) “ playing great”    

22-year-old Holden Matthews pleads guilty in federal and district court to burning down three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish, a hate crime that shocked the nation last spring. The federal charges include using fire to commit a federal felony and violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, and he faces a minimum of ten years and a maximum of 70 years in prison on the federal charges alone.

We’re up to 12 cases in the LSU centered mumps outbreak that was first made public with five cases reported last week. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says all students need to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine to protect against further spread, along with the usual…

Cut 9 (10) “…season”

Mumps feels like a particularly nasty cold, and also involves visible swelling of the salivary glands, and it can take up to three weeks after you are infected to show symptoms.

The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night as moisture and upper-level disturbances are expected to interact with a cold front to produce locally heavy rainfall. National Weather Service Shreveport Meteorologist Jason Hansford says several inches of rain will fall over the next few days…

Cut 3 (06)  “…Wednesday evening” 

There’s also a slight risk for severe weather for central and northeast Louisiana today.

A gallon of gas is down five cents from last week to 2.11, but it’s still about 12 cents higher than this time last year, but AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the dropping trend may not last much longer.

Cut 7 (11) “…production even more.”

The man accused of burning three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish last spring pleads guilty to four of six federal charges. 22-year-old Holden Matthews, son of a Sheriff’s Deputy in St. Landry, is facing up to 70 years for the hate crimes that shocked the community and drew national attention. The feds say Matthews tried to defend his actions by saying it was all an effort to raise the profile of his metal band.

Flash Flood watches are in effect for north Louisiana through Wednesday night, and some nasty weather will be impacting the state today in particular. National Weather Service Shreveport Meteorologist Jason Hansford says today’s severe weather threat stretches from Lufkin, Texas, across Natchitoches, Ruston, and Monroe and into Mississippi. He says the storms will be isolated…

Cut 5 (10)  “…flooding.”

Expect a few inches of rain over the next few days.

A science teacher at Northwestern Middle School in Zachary is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. 34-year-old Ellarea Silva was arrested Thursday after nearly a week of suspension without school leaders elaborating as to why.  City councilman Lael Montgomery is rallying supporters calling for the resignation or removal of Principal Debby Brian as a result. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says it wasn’t a cover up.

Cut 13 (07) “…and social media.”

The statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline is currently at $2.11, down about a nickel from this time last week and 21 cents from last month.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the recent drop follows an annual pattern.

Cut 6 (07) “…the whole year.”

22-year-old Holden Matthews, son of a Sheriff’s Deputy, pleads guilty to setting fire to three Baptist churches last spring in St. Landry Parish in a hate crime targeting the religious character of the buildings. He’s copped to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. He faces up to 70 years in jail and still has state charges to deal with.

A nasty mix of weather has put the northern half of the state under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night. There’s also a slight risk for severe weather for central and northeast today and National Weather Service Meteorologist Jason Hansford says more severe weather will roll into the Bayou State on Wednesday.

Cut 4 (12) “…Wednesday evening.”

12 LSU students are believed to be infected with the mumps, up from five who were reported last week. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says there’s been a nationwide string of mumps outbreaks on college campuses. He says college dorm rooms, parties, and sporting events are perfect places to spread the virus.

Cut 10 (11) “…does” 

An LSU tennis match over the weekend was canceled when it was discovered a tennis player had been infected.

A science teacher at Northwestern Middle School in Zachary, 34-year-old Ellarea Silva, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. Sheriff David McDavid is asking parents to talk to their children to see if Silva’s actions extended beyond this one child.

Cut 14 (12) “…investigation on that.”