In Baton Rouge, a person was found dead inside their flooded and abandoned vehicle this morning after massive amounts of rain drenched the area. The car was located on Bluebonnet Boulevard near the Mall of Louisiana. Tow trucks were working to remove a pile of abandoned vehicles that passengers escaped from last night and discovered a body in one of the vehicles. And in West Baton Rouge parish state police say a man was killed when the vehicle he was in submerged in a canal off Highway 415, a second passenger remains missing.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana has seen its share of major flood events in May. He says the two that come to mind are the May 3rd flood in 1978 in New Orleans and the May 8th to 10th 1995 flood in Slidell.

Cut 5  (10)  “…of events”

More rain is expected in the state until Thursday.

Lake Charles recorded their third heaviest rainfall in history according to the National Weather Service. Mayor Nic Hunter says it was 264 days ago that the city was hit with Hurricane Laura, then just over a month later Delta. Hunter says it’s ridiculous that they have yet to receive comprehensive federal response to the 2020 hurricanes.

Cut 7 (12) “…response.”

Hunter says some residents face renovating their homes for a third time in less than a year.

State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the weather event is expected to last at least another day and she’s urging residents to stay off the road if they can and stay away from any flooded streets.

Cut 11 (11) “…out”

The Fire Marshal’s office and Wildlife and Fisheries reported more than 200 rescues.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says many residents are now facing a third renovation of their home in less than eight months after over a foot of rain was dumped on the city yesterday.

Cut 8 (08) “…for citizens”

It was 264 days ago that the city was hit with Hurricane Laura, then just over a month later Delta.

That deluge resulted in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries needing to rescue 110 people in southwest Louisiana and over 300 calls for rescues were fielded in East Baton Rouge Parish by local authorities. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says marshals were deployed in rescue boats to both locations and have rescued nearly 100 themselves…

Cut 10 (08) “..people” 

13 inches of rain was recorded in the southeastern portions of East Baton Rouge and upper Ascension Parishes.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is out as House Education Chairman. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Lake Charles recorded the third heaviest rainfall in history according to the National Weather Service, with more than a foot of rain Monday, and that includes Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says he’s not a scientist but three major weather events in less than nine months are evidence of climate change.

Cut 6 (12) “…100 years (x2)”

Hunter says some residents are facing renovations of their homes for a third time.

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Baton Rouge yesterday also and nearly 15 inches of rain fell in Gonzales. State Climatologist Barry Keim says warm air off the Gulf of Mexico is colliding with the upper atmosphere to produce strong thunderstorms capable of dumping a lot of water…

Cut 4 (10) “..over and over again” 

Rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday.

The historic rainfall that swamped Lake Charles and Baton Rouge last night left many residents stranded in their cars and homes as floodwaters rose rapidly yesterday and early this morning. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says their long day began early Monday as marshals were called in to help assist local authorities in Lake Charles…

Cut 9 (12) “…flooded in”

State Representative Ray Garofalo says he’s out as House Education Chairman after he said there was good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says because the Black Caucus threatened not to support the Republicans’ tax reform plans if he wasn’t removed. But he says now that Garofalo is out, they still might not support it.

Cut 13 (09)“…tax rate”

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Lake Charles and Baton Rouge yesterday as a result of a slow-moving storm system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles is once again dealing with storm damage…
cut 3 (14) “…that flooded”
In the Baton Rouge area, nearly 15 inches of rain fell in Gonzales.

South Louisiana is trying to dry out today after a foot of rain fell in parts of the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge areas. State Fire Marshal deputies and Wilflife and Fisheries agents participated in dozens of high water rescues. West Baton Rouge Sheriff deputies say one person is dead and another is missing after a vehicle crashed in a flooded ditch in Port Allen.

A tense debate broke out in the House Civil Law committee over the efficacy and long-term effects of COVID vaccines….
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says he’s out as House Education Chairman. The Legislative Black Caucus asked for Garofalo’s removal after he said during committee debate there was good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder did not give any indication this move would occur
Cut 12 (09) “…on this”
Alford says it remains to be seen if the Legislative Black Caucus will support the Republicans’ plan to lower the overall income tax rate in exchange for the elimination of the deduction for federal income taxes paid.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says he will bring his bill to legalize recreational marijuana up for a vote on the House floor today. Nelson says support is growing for his legislation…
cut 14 (10) “…bad guys”
The full House convenes at 2 PM.

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Lake Charles and Baton Rouge yesterday as a result of a slow-moving storm system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles is once again dealing with storm damage…
cut 3 (14) “…that flooded”
Another four to six inches of rain could fall today across the I-10 and I-12 corridor.

Today the full House is expected to vote on whether recreational marijuana use should be legalized. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillion says he polled voters in nine Republican-held districts and he found even Evangelicals and older voters backed the legislation…
cut 16 (08) “….are”
The full House convenes at 2 PM.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve charged 39-year-0ld Angela Lirette of Houma with Human trafficking, after allegedly forcing a juvenile into sexual encounters with boys. Sheriff Tim Soignet says Lirette allegedly made contact with several different teenage males by pretending to be a teenage female on multiple social media websites…
cut 8 (08) “….investigate”
Lirette is in jail on a one-million-dollar bond.

Disney Plus will produce a 40-million dollar film at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge. The feature film is called Crater and Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham says the plot is described as a “futuristic teen adventure’….
cut 5 (09) “….production”
Bayham says the film production is expected to employ 325 crew members and 400 extras.

Several roads are flooded across south Louisiana as a result of a slow-moving storm system that’s dumped a half-foot to a foot of rain in some areas. In West Baton Rouge Parish, the sheriff’s office says one person is dead and another missing after a vehicle drove into a flooded ditch. Another four to six inches of rain is possible today.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the House will vote today on his legislation that would legalize marijuana…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A debate over the credibility of COVID vaccines broke out in the House civil law Committee yesterday. Here’s an exchange between Amite Representative Robby Carter, who shared that he’s had a kidney transplant, and Candace Timphony, who spoke against vaccines.
Cut 10 (07) “….yes I am” (2x)
The House panel approved two bills one that would protect employers from civil liability if they don’t require workers or customers to get the coronavirus vaccine. Another measure would prohibit state or local governments and agencies from requiring a COVID vaccine to get a license or even a degree from a university.

A Disney Plus feature film called Crater is set to begin filming at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge. Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham….
Cut 4 (10)“…pandemic.”
More than a dozen film and TV projects are reportedly in production or pre-production in Louisiana right now.

Some parts of South Louisiana saw over a foot of rain yesterday and last night as a result of a slow-moving storm system and the National Weather Service says there’s a moderate risk for more excessive rainfall through tonight for south and central Louisiana. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 Press conference on the flooding that’s already occurred in the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge areas.

Baton Rouge and Celtic Studios are set to play host to the crew of a new 40 million dollar Disney plus feature film. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

A Houma woman is facing numerous charges after she posed online as a teenager to lure juveniles into human trafficking. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says 39-year old Angela Lirette allegedly made contact with several teenagers and even had a sexual relationship with one teen.
Cut 7 (12) “…of a minor.”
Soignet opted not to say how many victims were involved.

A tense debate over the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine erupted in the House Civil Law Committee yesterday as Amite Representative Robby Carter discussed his desire for as many people as possible to get vaccinated, but Candace Timphony was there to support bills that would prohibit the state from mandating vaccines to enter state buildings or get licenses or degrees from a university..
cut 12 (12) “…individeuals”
The bill passed and heads to the House floor for more discussion.