The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur which traveled 3.4 miles with peak winds of 145 mph. In West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer. He says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…

Cut 4 (14) “…machinery” 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux …

Cut 9 (03) “..storm system.” 

A bill that sought to dramatically restrict the public’s access to records within Governor Jeff Landry’s office is dead for the session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation Christopher R. McCoy pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Good Friday 2023 death of Lauren Vaughn. Louisiana State Police say Vaughn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by McCoy. He was driving east on Highway 1176 when he went into a ditch then hit a tree. LSP reported that McCoy’s BAC was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years. Most recently serving as Chief of Crimes against Persons and Special Operations for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

Severe weather with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana yesterday. Governor Jeff Landry says a storm out of Texas converged with another storm system coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 10 (08) “…size” 

The Louisiana Department of Health says Monday’s severe weather resulted in three storm-related deaths. Mel Bridges has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

St. Martain Parish was sustained storm related damage in yesterday’s line of severe weather. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says most of the damage that occurred in Henderson and Cecilia…

Cut 8 (10)  “…were affected” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant sustained some damage.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three-storm related deaths from yesterday’s severe weather, including a woman who was nine months pregnant. The unborn baby did not survive and is counted as the third storm related death.  West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says the double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer in which she resided…

Cut 3 (10) “…did not survive” 

A 24-year-old woman from Texas died in St. Martin Parish from a suspected tornado. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says the woman was in a camper…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson sustained some damage. Higgins says the restaurant is not a total loss, but repairs will be needed…

Cut 7 (11) “…during the storm.”  

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners and receiving damage assessments. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux says a squall line with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “..160-thousand.” 

Louisiana Income Tax returns are due this Wednesday, May 15^th but if it’s impossible to complete and file them by then, Louisianans now have an automatic extension, giving you until November 15^th. You don’t have to file the extension, but you do still have to pay any taxes owed by May 15^th. Taxes not paid by the deadline are subject to interest and penalties. If you prepare your own tax returns, they can be filed electronically through Louisiana File Online or using commercially available tax preparation software. If you prefer paper mail-in returns, the forms are available at revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms.

The Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says we need a congressional map by Wednesday the November 2024 election. Attorney General Liz Murrill has brought the issue to the U S Supreme Court but Loyola Law Professor, Dean Ciolino doesn’t expect the nation’s highest court to act that quickly.

Cut 10 (12) “…resolution.” 

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k through 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says some areas have already received two to four inches…

Cut 6  (11) “..flooding ” 

Kowalski says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight.

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k through 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

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Central and south Louisiana are seeing heavy rounds of rainfall today. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports there’s the potential for severe weather and several inches of rain…

Cut 2 (26)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin” 

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Louisiana Pre-k through 12 education ranked 40th this year in US News and World Report Best States rankings. That is up from 41st in 2023 and jumped up from 46th in 2019. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley said the state is moving in the right direction.

Cut 3 (10) “…rankings improve.” 

Brumley says they are excited about the continued progress but there is room for growth.

Cut 4 (03) “…needs to be done.” 

Brumley says a “Back to the Basics” model for reading and math is key for the state to continue to improve in the years to come.

Cut 5 (03)  “…near future

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Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says some areas have already received two to four inches…

Cut 6  (11) “..flooding ” 

Kowalski says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight…

Cut 7 (12) “…those hours.”  

For southeast Louisiana, the heaviest downpours will come after 8 PM tonight.

Kowalski says there’s also the possibility for severe storms as a result of this stationary front…

Cut 8 (13)  “…thundershowers.” 

Several schools in southwest Louisiana have dismissed early for the today as a severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for southwest Louisiana until 8 PM tonight. Cameron, Lake Charles, DeRidder and Leesville are inside the the watch box area.

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking guidance from the U-S Supreme Court over the recent decision by a three-judge panel that threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a federal judge in Baton Rouge also dismissed a map approved in 2021

Cut 9 (07) “…U.S Supreme Court.” 

All of the parties involved have a deadline of today to turn in written briefs into the U-S Supreme Court.

The Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry has said they need an answer on what congressional map will be used for the 2024 election by Wednesday. Ciolino doesn’t expect the nation’s highest court to act that quickly…

Cut 10 (12) “…resolution.” 

The map approved in 2021 has one majority Black district and the map approved in 2023 has two majority Black districts. Ciolino says the state is caught in the middle between the Voting Rights Act and equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment…

Cut 11 (08) ” … May 15th”

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The political action committee, Protect Louisiana Values, has a television commercial running urging the Louisiana Senate to approve the Education Savings Account bill. This would allow families of all income levels to receive state dollars to pay for education expenses, including private school tuition. Governor Jeff Landry explains the situation…

Cut 12 (09) “…that’s wrong.” 

Some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of the E-S-A legislation. The Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council has put the cost at 520-million dollars a year.

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds’ version of the bill calls for a study to get a better idea on the actual cost. But Landry says in this commercial paid for by Protect Louisiana Values, it’s time for parents to have more control of their child’s education…

Cut 13 (08) “….today”

School choice was one of Governor Landry’s campaign promises.

Since a recent decision by a three-judge panel threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. The matter is going to the supreme court and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a federal judge in Baton Rouge also dismissed a map approved in 2021. The map approved in 2021 has one majority Black district and the map approved in 2023 has two majority Black districts. He says the state is caught in the middle between the Voting Rights Act and equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment…

Cut 11 (08) ” … May 15th”

The Louisiana Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism with Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Entertainment are heading to the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of bringing more filming projects back to Louisiana and attracting more tourist to the Bayou State. A $300,000 U S Commerce Department grant to promote Louisiana as tourism destination is covering the trip that also includes stops in Milan, Italy, and Madrid, Spain.

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says there’s also the possibility for severe storms as a result of this stationary front…

Cut 8 (13)  “…Thundershowers.” 

Several schools in southwest Louisiana dismissed early today due to the severe thunderstorm. Cameron, Lake Charles, DeRidder and Leesville are inside the the watch box area.

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k through 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. up from 41st in 2023 and up from 46th in 2019. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley says they are excited about the continued progress but there is room for growth.

Cut 4 (03) “…needs to be done.” 

Brumley says a “Back to the Basics” model for reading and math is key for the state to continue to improve in the years to come.

Louisiana Pre-k through 12 education ranked 40th this year in US News and World Report Best States rankings. That is up from 41st in 2023 and jumped up from 46th in 2019. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley said the state is moving in the right direction.

Cut 3 (10) “…rankings improve.” 

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking to the U-S Supreme Court over the recent decision by a three-judge panel that threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a federal judge in Baton Rouge also dismissed a map approved in 2021.

Cut 9 (07) “…U.S Supreme Court.” 

All of the parties involved are expected to turn their written briefs into the U-S Supreme Court today.

It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 26 (09)  “…difficult to see.”

Central and south Louisiana are seeing heavy rounds of rainfall today. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports there’s the potential for severe weather and several inches of rain…

Cut 2 (26)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin” 

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking guidance from the U-S Supreme Court over the recent decision by a three-judge panel that threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. The Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry has said they need an answer on what congressional map will be used for the 2024 election by Wednesday. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says doesn’t expect the nation’s highest court to act that quickly…

Cut 10 (12) “…resoluation.” 

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight…

Cut 7 (12) “…those hours.”  

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k throught 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

The political action committee, Protect Louisiana Values, has a television commercial running urging the Louisiana Senate to approve the Education Savings Account bill. This would allow families of all income levels to receive state dollars to pay for education expenses, including private school tuition. Some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of the E-S-A legislation. But Landry says in this commercial paid for by Protect Louisiana Values, it’s time for parents to have more control of their child’s education…

Cut 13 (08) “….today”

School choice was one of Governor Landry’s campaign promises.

Louisiana’s only Osteopathic Medical School graduates it’s first class Friday. Many of the Graduating physicians from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe will continue their residency training in rural and underserved communities across the state. Louisiana is the 50^th state to recognize the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Edward Via’s mission is to alleviate the critical shortage of physicians in certain underserved areas.

LSU Shreveport is graduating a record number of students Friday. 1,355 graduates from 49 states and 29 countries earned their degrees. That tops the previous record of 1,344 graduates set in 2021.

Crawfish prices typically go up for Mother’s Day but Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says while they’re about a dollar more than Mother’s Day last year, prices have gone down.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sack of crawfish.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana. You can download The Crawfish App for free on your smartphone.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says this might be the last weekend with ideal weather before the summer heat takes hold. He says the long-range forecast is calling for hotter than normal conditions and wetter than usual.

Cut  14 (11) “…right now.” 

A middle school student in Bossier City accidentally fired a gun inside of his classroom. The student brought the loaded gun to Cope Middle School Thursday to show another student. The gun went off while the child was trying to put it back into his backpack. Fortunately, it discharged into a cabinet, and no one was injured. The firearm was confiscated, and the student was taken into custody.

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather for the weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and for Louisiana working moms, it will hopefully be a well-deserved break. Sean Richardson Has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

High school baseball championship games are happening! The Quitman Wolverines just won the school’s first-ever state title beating Hicks 1-0 in the Non-Select Division V championship game. And Avoyelles Public Charter School won their 2^nd State Championship in the Divsion V Select Championship game beating Family Community 4 to 1