State climatologist Barry Keim says there were 62 reports of tornadoes across seven states over two days this week—21 in Louisiana alone. However, Keim says there were most likely multiple reports of the same tornadoes. He says December tornado outbreaks are becoming more common

Cut 7 (09)  “…99 tornadoes.”

That record was set in 2002.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is encouraging individual to make donations its Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes. United Way president Michael Williamson says they have already distributed some emergency supplies and need volunteers to help in the affected areas.

Cut 5 (09) “…right away”

The agency is hoping to pass out cash cards to those in need.

Governor John Bel Edwards and GOSHEP officials are doing flyovers of areas damaged by Wednesday’s tornados in southeast Louisiana. Edwards is asking those who received property damage to register online at DamageLA.gov.

Cut 14 (12)   “… federal government.”

Edwards says the state is going to do what it can to quantify damage for Federal assistance and if eligible the state will make an application for aid.

Outgoing District Three Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere presided over his final P-S-C meeting today as he was defeated by political newcomer Davante Lewis. Boissiere lost by nearly 20 points in last Saturday’s election to Lewis, who is considered a progressive. Boissiere says third party groups told lies about his record

Cut 10 (12) “… worry about” 

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a helicopter crash about 30 miles offshore of Terrebonne Bay.  The crash happened shortly before 10 this morning and Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom says the private aircraft with three persons onboard was en route to an oil platform when the crash occurred.

Cut 13 (09) “…oil platform.”  

The three persons were waiting to be rescued in a life raft.

State climatologist Barry Keim says there were 62 reports of tornadoes across seven states over two days this week—21 in Louisiana, and he says the warm weather was the reason.

Cut 6 (12)  “…above normal.”

But Keim says we don’t know exactly how many tornadoes there were because there were likely multiple reports of the same tornadoes.

Longtime Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere says goodbye to the P-S-C during an emotional farewell speech. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a helicopter crash about 30 miles offshore of Terrebonne Bay. The crash happened shortly before 10 this morning and Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom says an aircrew from New Orleans has been dispatched.

Cut 12 (08) “…in a life raft.”  

Wisdom says the private aircraft with three persons onboard was en route to an oil platform when the crash occurred.

Outgoing District Three Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere presided over his final P-S-C meeting today as he was defeated by political newcomer Davante Lewis, a 30-year-old Baton Rouge man who works for the Louisiana Budget Project. An emotional Boissiere told the commission he’s proud of his work…

Cut 9 (09) “… about me”  (2x)

Boissiere has served on the P-S-C for 17 years.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is asking for donations to their Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by Wednesday’s tornadoes. United Way President Michael Williamson says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes.

Cut 4 (09)  “…left standing” 

They are hoping to hand out cash cards to those in need.

Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling across South Louisiana touring storm damage from Wednesday’s severe weather. Edwards and GOHSEP officials are doing flyovers of Iberia, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. After the flyovers, Edwards will hold press briefings in New Iberia, Hahnville, and Gretna. On Tuesday a mother and son were killed in Caddo Parish and on Wednesday one fatality was reported in St. Charles Parish. At least seven parishes received tornado damage over the two-day period.

Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling across South Louisiana touring storm damage from Wednesday’s severe weather. Edwards and officials will be conducting flyovers of Iberia, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes and hold briefings afterward in New Iberia, Hahnville, and Gretna.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is encouraging donations to its Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes. Michael Williamson is President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Cut 3 (07) “..holiday possible” 

Heavy storm damage was reported in Marrero, and parts of St Bernard Parish, including Arabi. He says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes. There was one fatality Wednesday in St. Charles Parish and on Tuesday two people were killed in a tornado in Caddo Parish.

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon and claimed one life. Parish president Matthew Jewell says about 600 people were without power because of an active gas leak. Jewell says the parish hasn’t caught a break from hazardous weather.

Cut 14 (12)  “…likely tornado..”

A recent survey of small businesses says they are more optimistic about business now compared to the beginning of the year, but forty-four percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill with a historically high and untypical recession period. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says owners are doing what they can to bring in more workers.

Cut 12 (11) “…still a challenge.”

Clear and cool skies today after the state experienced at least dozen tornadoes starting on Tuesday afternoon and ending last night in the New Orleans area. So far the state is reporting three storm-related deaths, a mother and son in Caddo Parish and a woman in St Charles Parish. Thousands remain without power and Governor Edwards is encouraging those without power to practice generator safety….
cut 9 (07) “….disaster itself
That means never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors.

Small business owners are more optimistic compared to the beginning of the year, but 32% of owners report inflation is their single most important problem. Other owners are experiencing supply chain disruptions along with worker shortages. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says these factors are making it difficult on small business owners.
Cut 10 (09) “…have that.”

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1(30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is endorsing Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race. Higgins also supports the state party’s early endorsement of Landry…
Cut 21 (11) “…and strategic.”

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency after 21 tornados touched down across the state in a 24-hour period. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A tornado also destroyed an apartment complex and a small trailer park in Farmerville. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says the Willie Davis Recreation Center has been accepting donations for residents affected by the tornado…
cut 26 (10) “…help us”

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications from eligible families who are seeking a taxpayer voucher to attend a nonpublic school or a high-performing public school. The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the program allows parents more freedom in choosing their child’s educational journey.
Cut 5 (11) “…they qualify.”
Applications are due by January 27th at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

According to the N-F-I-B’s latest survey, 32-percent of owners report infation is their single most important problem. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says owners have tried to keep prices low, but it’s impossible when the price of everything has surged…
cut 11 (12) “….a challenge”

The governor’s office says a total of 21 tornadoes hit Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people. On Tuesday a 30-year-old mother and her 8-year-old son were killed in Caddo Parish after a twister touched down in the Keithville area and in St. Charles Parish a 56-year-old woman was killed after a tornado struck her home in the Killona area Wednesday afternoon. Governor Edwards spoke after viewing some of the damage in north Louisiana….
Cut 8 (09) “…can bare.”
Now that the severe weather is out of the state, the clean-up and recovery can really begin. St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell is encouraging residents to stay off the roads in tornado damaged areas…
cut 15 (08) “…later time”

Small business owners have more optimism now compared to the beginning of the year but concerns remain with inflation and worker shortages…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says it’s now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The program provides taxpayer funded vouchers allowing low-income families to send their children attending a low performing school to a private school or a high-performing public school…
cut 6 (09) “…their child”

Governor John Bel Edwards says 21 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people, two in Caddo Parish and one in St. Charles Parish. Edwards has declared a state of emergency…
cut 7 (11) “….this disaster”
A 30-year-old mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in the Keithville area in Caddo Parish.

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon. One person is dead, a 56-year-old female. Parish president Matthew Jewell says authorities responded quickly.
Cut 13 (13) “…every-bodies out.”
Entergy reports 95-hundred customers are without power, many of those in the New Orleans area. Cleco is reporting over three-thousand outages.

Applications for the Louisiana Department of Education scholarship program are being accepted for the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says students of low income families can receive scholarships to attend a participating nonpublic school or high-performing public school.
Cut 4 (12) “…non-public school.”
The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Families have until January 27th to submit an online application at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.