People in Monroe/West Monroe are in major cleanup mode today after the severe thunderstorms rolled through Monday. Widespread damage and power outages are reported throughout the area. Monday resident Jason Wegner rode out the storm in his home. He says the wind was blowing extremely hard when he heard a loud crash and his dogs barking out back.
CUT 6 (13) “my living room”
The good news, according to the Monroe Police Department, is that there have been no reports of serious injuries. Entergy reports over 21,000 customers remain without power in Ouachita Parish. Governor Bobby Jindal will be meeting with officials in Monroe this afternoon to survey storm damage and hold a press conference.

Fire officials in Thibodaux say two people died in a trailer fire that happened last night. They aren’t identifying the victims at this time other than to give their ages — 70 and 64.

Research is underway at Tulane into a finger-prick test which would identify whether or not someone had the Ebola Virus within minutes. Doctor Robert Garry says they are still in the testing phase but getting close…:
CUT 4 (10) “very promising”
Garry’s team received a two-point-nine million dollar grant last June to develop a speedy diagnostic test that health care workers could use.

We’ll get to see Republican’s Congressman Bill Cassidy and Col Rob Maness along with Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu debate tonight. ULM political Science professor Joshua Stockley says you can expect Cassidy to be the most reserved of the three…:
CUT 1 (13) “used against him”
The debate will be televised on LPB at 7pm.