Authorities have identified the mother and son killed in the powerful tornado that struck near Keithville yesterday. The Caddo Parish coroner’s office says thirty-year-old Yoshiko Smith and eight-year-old Nikolus Little were killed when the storm stuck Tuesday afternoon. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Smith’s husband was at work when the storm stuck and when he came home, he tried to find them.

Cut 7 (12)  “…them missing.”

About 20 deputies searched for the house which was completely destroyed.

New Iberia officials are also reporting tornado damage at a subdivision and the Iberia Medical Center. Captain Leland Lasiter with the New Iberia Police says they two tornadoes hit their town this morning and a temporary shelter has been set up at New Iberia Senior High School in the gym…

Cut 15 (11) “…has been displaced.”

A tornado destroyed a neighborhood in Farmerville last night. Jeff Palermo spoke with mayor John Crow….

Cut 1(27)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s supporting the first Republican, Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s officially announced his gubernatorial candidacy. Higgins also supports the state party’s endorsement.

Cut 11 (11)  “…and strategic.”

In Caddo Parish 30-year-old Yoshiko Smith and her 8-year-old son, Nikolus Little were killed by a tornado Tuesday afternoon in Keithville. Their bodies were found hours later.

In Union Parish, Farmerville Mayor John Crow says a tornado hit the northern part of the town. He says it flipped over cars at an apartment complex, then crossed Lake D’Arbonne and caused damage on the lake’s south side.

Cut 5 (07) “…some barns”

Crow believes about 20 people were checked for minor injuries from that tornado.

Governor John Bel Edwards along with officials from his Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will travel to areas of the state where the National Weather Service believes six possible tornados hit in Caddo, Union, Rapides, Madison, East Carroll, and Franklin Parishes. The weather remains a threat in Louisiana until this evening.

In ten months, Louisiana voters will go to the polls to elect the state’s next governor. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s supporting the first Republican, Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s officially announced his candidacy. In the video ad Higgins is shown driving his vehicle and talking to the camera about Landry.

Cut 10 (12) “… people.” 

Since a new law allowing adopted children access to their original birth certificate went into effect on August 1^st, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry has received 640 requests and about 520 have been located. Leesville Representative Charles Owen, who authored the legislation, says some of those who’ve found their birth parents have thanked him personally.

Cut 11 (07)  “… 102-year-old mother.”

Adopted individuals age 24 or older can request their original birth certificate at the Louisiana Department of Health.

A 30-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son were killed by a tornado that tore through the town of Keithville in Caddo Parish last night. Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Robert Jump says the tornado touched down in the Pecan Farms area

Cut 3 (06) “…subdivision” 

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the young boy was found dead in a wooded area the woman was found deceased one street over from where her home.

Since a law that allows those 24 and older who are adopted access to their original birth certificate went into effect more than 600 have applied. Leesville Representative Charles Owen, who authored the legislation says he’s grateful the legislature realized it’s ok to change a law you believe was intended to protect individuals but instead it hurts people.

Cut 12 (09) “…right a wrong.”

The law went into effect on August 1^st.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez won the silver medal for team USA in the 2022 IPSC World Shoot. Miguez, who’s been shooting since he was 12, is a former world-champion pistol shooter. He along with Team USA traveled to Thailand where Miguez finished in fifth place in his division.

Cut 13 (13) “…brain forever.”

National Treasure the TV series begins streaming today on Disney+ and the series is not only shot in Baton Rouge it’s set there also. Film Baton Rouge Executive Director Katie Pryor says a Disney production is huge for the capital city and the old saying “if you build it, they will come” helps recruit other productions when they see what Baton Rouge can offer.

Cut 9 (10)  “…you gain.”

A public meeting is taking Lake Charles to discuss a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the plan is to build the new bridge just north of the existing one…

Cut 7 (08)  “…is safer.”
Tarver says the projected cost of the bridge is one-point-five billion dollars and while a billion dollars in public money is set aside to build the bridge, tolls may be needed.

That meeting is being held at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Mike Faulk believes it’s time to end a mandate for juniors to take the A-C-T. Faulk says only students planning to go to college should be required to take the A-C-T…
cut 11 (12) “…ACT exam”

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 PM. The watch area covers Shreveport, Monroe, Natchitoches, Alexandria, and DeRidder. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours

College football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours…

Cut 12 (11) “…pop up”  

Much of the southern half of the state is also under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

State Police investigators have released more details about the death of an inmate yesterday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse. Trooper Derek Senegal says Investigators are trying to figure out what led up to the incident between the inmate and a correctional officer.

Cut 5 (09) “…of scuffle”

The inmate was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says the requirement is outdated.

Cut 9 (07) “… other measures.” 
Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the ACT test because they are not taught classes that prepare them for it.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says concerned residents need to attend this meeting.

Cut 6 (11)  “…this project.”

Tarver says the new bridge is expected to be constructed just north of the current one.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says the cost of the bridge is estimated to be $1.5 billion and one billion has already been allocated for the project. As for the remaining amount needed, he says there are differing opinions on how it should be funded.

Cut 8 (09)  “…toll that bridge.“

That meeting begins at five PM and will be held at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents says Louisiana is one of only 13 states that require all high school juniors to take the ACT test. Michael Faulk says students who are not planning on going to college shouldn’t have to take the test because they are not prepared for it.

Cut 10 (08) “… workforce.” 

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours. Much of the southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch.

College football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather today and into the overnight hours for most of the state. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says stormy weather will arrive in northwest Louisiana this afternoon and the threat for tornadoes exists for south Louisiana during the overnight hours…

Cut 12 (11) “…pop up”  

Much of the southern half of the state is also under a flash flood watch tonight through tomorrow.

State Police investigators have released more details about the death of an inmate yesterday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse. Trooper Derek Senegal says an altercation between the inmate and a corrections deputy happened in a deliberation room just outside the courtroom.

Cut 3 (09) “…gunshot wound” 

The inmate was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The Department of Transportation and Development is hosting a meeting tonight in Lake Charles about the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says concerned residents need to attend this meeting.

Cut 6 (12)  “…this project.”

The meeting will be from 5 until 7 at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center.

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. USPS spokesperson David Walton says some post offices have extended hours so customers can drop off packages and delivery workers are working longer days also.

Cut 9 (09)  “…time change.”

Saturday is the deadline for first-class mail and packages to arrive in time for Christmas.

According to the United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings for 2022 and Louisiana ranked dead last. A major reason for the poor ranking is that drug deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2020. United’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ravi Johar says the state also suffers from a high prevalence of physical inactivity.

Cut 5 (11) “…that sort.”

Plans are in place to build a one-point-eight-billion-dollar state-of-the-art container facility on the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish, creating 17-thousand new jobs by 2050. Port NOLA President Brandy Christian says the facility will help Louisiana attract new investment from companies competing globally.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by container”

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. The deadline for mailing greeting cards and first-class packages, if you want them to arrive before Santa, is December 17. USPS spokesperson David Walton says they are fully staffed and so far, things are running as smoothly as possible.

Cut 8 (09)  “…of year.”

250 million people are expected to visit the post office during the holidays.

In St. Tammany Parish they’ve placed a time capsule inside the Slidell Museum featuring items from the COVID pandemic, like a mask, a Covid test, letters from students, and news coverage. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says in 100 years when the capsule is opened it will show how resilient their residents were during the pandemic

Cut 11 (09)  “…but forever.”

A Republican will lead the city of Shreveport for the first time in more than 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more on Saturday’s stunning results in the Shreveport mayoral run-off…

Cut 1(29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There was a fatal shooting at the courthouse in Franklin this morning. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened inside a courtroom just before 9:00 am. Our affiliate KQKI reports there was a struggle in the courtroom between a deputy and a person in custody and the individual who struggled with the officer was fatally shot. State Police is handling the investigation.

Saturday voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s 48-year-old constitution. Over the years, voters have been asked to consider 308 amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says because the amendments tend to be complicated, they put out a guide before each election but says their research can only do so much.

Cut 8 (08)  “…super laws“

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says today’s average is down about 45 cents from a month ago.

Cut 9 (09) “… this year.” 

And barring any disruptions Chabbari expects prices to continue to drop.

In the Shreveport Mayoral race, Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s run-off election. Arceneaux received 56-percent of the vote to Tarver’s 44-percent. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux did a better job in getting his base to the polls…

Cut 3 (06) “…ten points better” 

Arceneaux is an attorney and former Shreveport councilman. Tarver will remain a state senator representing a portion of Caddo Parish.

Voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s 48-year-old constitution on Saturday. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says, for the most part, voters tend to cast their ballot for people running for office versus amendments.

Cut 7 (09)  “…don’t know.”

To date, 206 constitutional amendments have been added.

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward to try to solve a murder that happened two years ago in Jena. Detective Brant King says on October 23^rd, 2020, deputies found Leon Turner dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Cut 12 (07) “…black pants” 

King says they need the public’s help so they can bring some closure to the victim’s family.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says barring any major disruptions in the market, prices should continue to drop.

Cut 11 (10)  “…gasoline demand.”