A report from the national transportation research group TRIP finds Louisiana drivers are paying an additional $6.5 billion annually because of poor transportation infrastructure. Research and Policy Manger Rocky Moretti says deteriorating roads, congestion, and lack of safety features are leading to increased costs for motorists.
Cut 5 (11) “traffic crashes”
Moretti says Louisiana has the 7th highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country.

Louisiana State Police is investigating the death of a 3-year-old who was found dead in her mother’s car outside of a nursing home in Ville Platte. Trooper Brooks David says authorities are working to determine a timeline of how long the toddler was in the car.
Cut 3 (08) “coroner’s office”
David says the identity of the child has not been released.

Mining and logging jobs in Louisiana, which includes the oil and gas sector, saw over the month gains for the first time since October 2014. That’s according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission who says employment in this sector rose by 200 from January to February. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says the primary reason for this is the slowdown of job loss in the hardest hit regions…:
Cut 13 (09) “in half”
He also says the job loss rate in Houma has drastically slowed down.

Get ready for another round of severe weather. It’ll start in North Louisiana this afternoon, and move south ending in New Orleans tomorrow afternoon. State Climatologist Barry Keim.
Cut 8 (08) “damaging winds”
The radar currently shows a strong line of thunderstorms moving through Houston.