Entergy says crews are responding to extensive outages along south Louisiana as a strong line of storms packed strong wind gusts, hail and lightning strikes causing damage to the state’s power grid. There are over 170,000 Entergy customers currently without power and over 100,000 DEMCO residents in the dark. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says, with storm activity like today, there are several factors that can cause power outages…:
CUT 3 (10) “event like this”
He says they are working to get everybody back up but some customers might remain without power through tomorrow.

A House Panel approves a 68 cent cigarette tax increase. The vote was 11-5 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Opposition came from Jack Casanova, a cigarette wholesaler who says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
Supporter say the money from the tax increase could go to fill the state’s budget deficit.

The family of 27-year-old Kris Beall of Pineville, who was competing in a regatta in Mobile Bay when a powerful storm capsized several sailboats, says he is among the dead. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the incident happened Saturday afternoon…:
CUT 7 (12) “Bay off guard”
Beall’s wife reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Officials say there are still people missing and the search is ongoing.

Cops say two LSU students died after being found at the bottom of a swimming pool in an apartment complex. They believe the two died early in the morning. Police pulled them out of the water and indicate there are no obvious signs of foul play. Apparently the two got inside by climbing around a fence because the pool was closed.