A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from the west…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the day.”

The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of Louisiana by late tonight.

After the mayor of Bogalusa asked Governor Edwards to send him State Police and National Guard to get crime under control in his town, cops in the Washington Parish city offer a little pushback. Bogalusa PD Captain David Miller says of course they’ll welcome the help, though actual Guardsman aren’t necessary. He says hiring more cops is the solution, and that’s not so easy…:

CUT 13(10)      “…and recruit.”

Bogalusa has seen a big spike recently in gun violence and crime.

Three Baton Rouge men – one of them a minor – are under arrest for allegedly plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with liquor before raping her and leaving her on a dark highway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. Her blood alcohol was four times the legal limit. The men are all charged with rape, but other charges may be coming.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Bogalusa Police offer some pushback on the mayor’s request for the National Guard to come get crime under control in the Washington Parish town. Mayor Tyrin Truong sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards asking for State Police and/or the Louisiana National Guard to intervene. Bogalusa P.D. detective Captain David Miller tells WWL radio in New Orleans the police are not against outside assistance…:

CUT 11(08)      “…National Guard.”

However, he says Guardsmen are trained to be soldiers and using them as cops could leads to unforeseen problems. Miller says cops and the mayor are in agreement about needing more actual cops on the street.

A number of schools and offices across southern Louisiana have closed today in anticipation of severe weather moving through. There are tornado watches posted for southwestern Louisiana until 6 pm. The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of the state by late tonight. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy and cold.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says there may be better uses for that $45-million…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in our state.”

Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs for property owners, nor discussion of possibly reforming the state-run last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens so it is more affordable.

More Louisiana teachers are choosing to stay in their jobs. Education superintendent Cade Brumley says there’s been a 5-percent increase in teacher retention…:

CUT 03(12)      “…and appreciate.”

The average teacher salary in Louisiana has increased to about $52-thousand.

Four men, one a minor, are charged with plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with alcohol and raping her…before leaving her wandering on a Baton Rouge roadway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. The victim’s blood alcohol was .319 percent; considered alcohol poisoning in most cases.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s troubled by that being the sole item on the session agenda…:

CUT 06(11)      “…45-million dollars.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan worked to get new insurers after a post-Katrina/Rita exodus, and it’ll work again.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible, with the worst coming this evening…:

CUT 10(10)      “…be a concern.”

He says the whole system should be moving out of the state by late tonight.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from Texas.

Cut 9 (08) “…the day.” 

Wetherbee says the line of strong and severe storms will reach the Baton Rouge area around 7 PM and then New Orleans after 9 PM.

The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the percentage of certified teachers also increased by two percent to 69 percent. He says they want to see the percentage of certified teachers continue to grow…

Cut 5 (07) “…quality teacher.”

State Lawmakers go into special session Monday to forge a plan to ease property insurance costs for the thousands who had their coverage end after recent hurricanes. One House member says he has reservations…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Authorities say 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks was raped before she was hit by a car on Burbank Drive and died as a result. Four men are facing rape charges and an attorney says video evidence will prove their innocence. The incident happened after a heavy night of drinking and only one of the four men is over the age of 21.

Frustrated with rising violent crime in his small city, the mayor of Bogalusa asks the Governor to send in State Troopers or the National Guard.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the department has worked to retain teachers by increasing teacher salaries and providing no-cost counseling services for teachers.

Cut  4 (09)  “…pay opportunities” 

The average teacher’s salary has increased by 12 hundred dollars to 52-thousand dollars.

The Bayou State is the 6^th worst state for retirement, that’s according to WalletHub’s most recent report. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales. says Louisiana needs to enact more laws to protect the elderly from crime and improve healthcare accessibility, like hospitals that specialize in geriatric care and more home health nurses. She says Louisiana is deemed affordable compared to other states.

Cut 15 (07)  “…better quality.”

Four men who were with 19-year-old LSU student Madi Brooks before she was struck and killed by a vehicle on Burbank drive January 15^th, are facing rape charges. Authorities say Brooks was raped in the back of a car after a night of heavy drinking at a Tigerland bar. Attorneys representing the men accused say video evidence will prove their innocence. Only one of the three suspects is of legal drinking age. Brooks’ blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit.

Violent crime is Bogalusa is so bad new Mayor Tyrin Truong (TIE-rin TRUNG) has asked Governor Edwards to send in State Police or the National Guard. A shooting outside of a high school football game has even prompted other schools to refuse to play there. Truong says the problem is disproportionately large for a town of just over 12 thousand, so he’s asked for help…:

Cut 5 (08) “…about gun violence.”

Truong says he’s yet to hear from the governor.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supports Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s plan to create a 45-million-dollar incentive fund to bring more insurance companies to Louisiana willing to write property insurance policies…
cut 8 (07) “…the private market”
That’s Lauren Hadden with L-A-B-I. Lawmakers will begin a week-long special session on Monday.

The Bayou State is the 6^th worst state for retirement, that’s according to WalletHub’s most recent report. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says they look at affordability, healthcare, and overall quality of life, and where Louisiana falls short is the availability of home healthcare and geriatric hospitals.

Cut 13 (09)  “…most improvement.”

The state also ranked the worst in property crime.

The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the same report shows a five-percent increase in first-year teacher retention…
cut 3 (12) “…and appreciate”
Brumley says this data is proof of what can happen when you listen to teachers and create an environment where their voice matters.

A special legislative session will begin Monday to create an incentive fund to attract more property insurers into Louisiana. Lauren Hadden with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
Cut 7 (09) “…successful.”

How bad is violence & crime in the small Washington Parish town of Bogalusa? Bad enough that new Mayor Tyrin Truong (TIE-rin TRUNG) has asked Governor Edwards to send in State Police or the National Guard. On WWL radio in New Orleans, Truong says gun violence in his city has reached a fever pitch…:
Cut 4 (11) “…get this fever down.”
Truoung says he’s yet to receive a response from the governor.

Today is a day to be weather aware as there’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for coastal southwest Louisiana, Acadiana and all of southeast Louisiana. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says take the proper precautions needed to stay safe and alert…
cut 12 (14) “….it’s happening”
Much of the state will be under a wind advisory this afternoon, while Lake Charles, Alexandria and Lafayette will be under a high wind warning.

Rape charges have been filed against four men who were with 19-year-old LSU student Madi Brooks before she was hit by a vehicle on Burbank Drive on January 15th. East Baton Rouge authorities say Brooks was raped in the back of a vehicle after a night of heavy drinking at Reggie’s, a bar in Tigerland. An attorney refutes the allegations Brooks was raped.

Frustrated with rising violent crime in his small city, the mayor of Bogalusa asks the Governor to send in State Troopers or the National Guard. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the sixth worst state for retirees. Analyst Jill Gonzales says one of the reasons Louisiana ranks so low on their list is the amount of property crime…
cut 14 (11) “…as well”
Gonzales says Louisiana also needs to improve healthcare accessibility.

Louisiana is trying to do something to improve the accessibility to private property insurance coverage. That’s why state lawmakers will hold a special session next week. Lauren Hadden with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supports a proposal to create an incentive fund to bring more private insurers to Louisiana…
cut 9 (13) “…those initiatives

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supports Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s plan to create a 45-million dollar fund that will be used to bring more insurance companies to Louisiana willing to write property insurance policies…
cut 8 (07) “….the private market”
That’s Lauren Hadden with LABI. Lawmakers will begin a week long special session on Monday to discuss this plan that’s trying to reduce the number of people who have to rely on expensive coverage from the state’s insurer of last resort Citizens Property Insurance.

Strong storms will roll through south Louisiana today….
cut 11 (09) “…from Canada”
That’s LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee who says lighting, damaging winds, and tornadoes are the biggest threats from this storm system that will arrive in western Louisiana this afternoon.

According to WalletHub Louisiana is among the worst states for retirees. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Still no arrests in the two mass shootings that took place over the weekend in Louisiana. One of them was a drive-by-shooting in Shreveport that injured eight and the other was a shooting in a night club in Baton Rouge. No one was killed in either incident, but the shootings left several people in critical condition.