The National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings for several parishes this morning in southeast Louisiana as severe weather sweeps through the state. A Tornado Watch remains in effect for a large portion of central and south Louisiana until 1PM today, while Flash Flood Watches remain in effect until as late as tomorrow afternoon. Power outages have been reported due to storm activity.

For homeowners looking at purchasing solar panels to reduce their utility costs. Jeff Palermo reports the attorney general’s office says do your homework first…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

Today, the House Ways and Means Committee will consider a bill that will raise the state’s cigarette tax from 36-cents per pack to $1.54 per pack, which is the national average. Stasha Rhodes, with the American Heart Association in Louisiana, says the measure under consideration today would generate 223-million dollars in new revenue for the state, which is why they think it has an excellent chance at passing…

cut 12 (11) “7,000 lives”

Legislators are currently tackling a one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit.

Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott will be laid to rest today after his sudden death last week in Baton Rouge while on business at the Capitol. Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, says Scott was a true leader in their organization…

cut 9 (10) “to the highest standards”

A special election for a new Caddo DA is expected to happen in conjunction with this fall’s gubernatorial election.