2:30 PM Newscast Nov 18

We could be in for a stormy night tonight. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will bring isolated showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon, followed by a widespread line of storms overnight and clearing Tuesday leaving temperatures in the 80s until cooler air arrives late Tuesday night. Keim says Wednesday morning temperatures will be in the 40s.

Cut 8 (08) “…next several days.”

The Saints make it two in a row under interim coach Darren Rizzi as they beat the Cleveland Browns at the Superdome, 35-14. After the game, Rizzi said his team played a complete game.

Cut 19 (14) “…all three things.”  

Police in New Orleans are looking for those responsible for a pair of shootings at a second line parade yesterday. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Four members of a Sulphur Family were killed in a mobile home fire in southwest Louisiana. Assistant Fire Chief Chris Vice says one family member was taken to an area hospital.

Cut 10 (08) “…thirty-something years old.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

1:30 PM Newscast Nov 18

A Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club second line turned tragic yesterday afternoon in the St. Roch (Rock) area of New Orleans after two people were killed and eleven injured. New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick says there were two shootings but the first second line was allowed to continue since no one was injured in the initial shooting. The deaths and injuries occurred about 45 minutes later in a second shooting. Police are actively searching for the killers. Kirkpatrick says…

Cut 4 (10) “…our second lines.”

Four people are killed in a mobile home fire in Sulphur, in southwest Louisiana. Assistant Fire Chief Chris Vice says the home was heavily involved by the time firefighters arrived early yesterday morning.

Cut 9 (06)  “…a local hospital.”

Vice says the four victims were all members of the same family.

It was a beautiful Monday morning with temperatures in the 60s but we’re in for a change. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is bringing isolated showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon, followed by a widespread line of storms overnight. Southern Louisiana faces the highest storm risk overnight, with damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and heavy rains.

Cut 7 (07) “…but probable .”

Storms clear Tuesday, but temperatures won’t drop significantly until Tuesday night.  Expect temperatures in the 40s Wednesday morning.

Today is the last day to apply for FEMA Disaster assistance associated with losses from Hurricane Francine. Repair estimates are not yet required for Survivors with a loss or damage to apply in Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes but applications must be submitted today to be considered for assistance. FEMA’s hotline at 800-621-3362 is open until 11:00 p.m. this evening. Applications may be submitted online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

9:30 AM Newscast Nov 15

The state is offering some relief to those owing delinquent fees and fines to the Office of Motor Vehicles. The OMV has recalled debts previously referred to the Office of Debt Recovery and reset fees back to their original amounts. Commissioner Dan Casey says the goal is to get driver’s licenses reinstated and some of the reasons fees went to the ODR may have been beyond the driver’s control.

Cut 5 (15) “…to four-thousand.”

More than 350-thousand Louisiana drivers will benefit from this change. Casey says the state wants to help…

Cut 6 (06) “…an individual basis.”

Those will delinquent fees need to contact the OMV to pay the original fine or work out a payment plan before December 31st

Louisiana lawmakers have delayed a vote on a sales tax bill within Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. The package aims to cut around $2 billion in income and corporate taxes but has faced opposition over a proposed sales tax expansion on previously untaxed services which would raise about $500 million to offset reduction in income taxes. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says resistance in the House has cast doubt on the bill’s future, as 70 votes are needed for passage.

Cut 10 (12) “…be a tough sell.”

The St. Tammany Collectors Convention is this weekend at the Castine Center in Mandeville. Director Ben Robert says among the 150 vendors will be ventage record and trading card vendors. And Costume groups will be on hand…

Cut 14 (12) “…Star Wars groups.”

8:30 AM Newscast Nov 15

Bills to reduce individual and corporate income taxes and the corporate franchise tax are awaiting debate in the Senate as lawmakers delay a vote on another part of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan that would expand sales tax to services like lawn care, tattoos, and coin-operated laundries. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for the Governor tax plan to work, he needs measures to raise revenue.

Cut 12 (10) “…eventually counts.”

The state is offering relief to those who have delinquent fees and fines with the Office of Motor Vehicles. Commissioner Dan Casey says they want to help and have recalled debts from the Office of Debt Recovery and reset fees back to original amounts.

Cut 6 (06) “…an individual basis.”

Those owing fines need to contact the OMV to pay the original fine or to work out a payment plan before December 31st.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you might want to consider taking in the St. Tammany Collectors Convention in Mandeville. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is set to visit the UK to promote Louisiana spices, meet ag officials, and tour farms and other agricultural sites. He’s excited about expanding Louisiana’s agricultural influence and fostering cultural exchange through food.

Cut 8 (04) “…sell stuff to the U.K.”

7:30 AM Newscast Nov 15

The state is offering some much-needed relief to those owing fees and unpaid fines to the Office of Motor Vehicles. The OMV has recalled fees previously referred to the Office of Debt Recovery and reset them to their original amounts. Commissioner Dan Casey says the goal is to get driver’s licenses reinstated once and for all.

Cut 4 (09) “…rewrite this program.”

More than 350-thousand Louisiana drivers will benefit from this change, but they need to contact the OMV to pay the original fine in its entirety or to work out a payment plan before December 31st.

The Louisiana House approved a bill making a temporary .45 percent sales permanent but reduced it to .4 percent. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s good news for taxpayers

Cut 11 (07) “…good news for consumers.”

LSU looks to end its two-game losing streak on Saturday and keep alive its slim chance of playing in the SEC Championship game.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Her final shows are sold out but if you were lucky enough to get tickets to see Grammy Award-winning artist and Baskin, Louisiana native Lainey Wilson at the Monroe Civic Center this weekend, there are a few things you should know. Give yourself plenty of time for the first come, first serve parking and if you see a spot to the right of the fountain, it’s reserved for VIP ticket holders. Keep in mind the Monroe Civic Center’s strict Clear Bag Policy and expect to be searched upon entry.

6:30 AM Newscast Nov 15

Louisiana lawmakers have delayed a vote on a sales tax bill within Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. The package aims to cut around $2 billion in income and corporate taxes but has faced opposition over a proposed sales tax expansion on services like lawn care, tattoos, and coin-operated laundries. This tax would raise an estimated $500 million to offset the lost revenue from the tax cuts. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says resistance in the House has cast doubt on the bill’s future, as 70 votes are needed for passage.

Cut 10 (12) “…be a tough sell.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is set to visit the UK to promote Louisiana spices, meet agricultural officials, and tour farms and other agricultural sites noting their export with the top being…

Cut 7 (05) “…a few other things.”

If you owe a delinquent debt to the Office of Motor Vehicles, there’s relief in store for you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the St. Tammany Collectors Convention is happening in Mandeville Saturday and Sunday at the Castine (CAST-een) Center. Convention owner and director Ben Robert (RO-BEAR) says there will be about 150 vendors.

Cut 13 (11)  “…type stuff”

4:30 PM Newscast Nov 14

A Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit  that began in Ascension Parish with Gonzales Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office ended with a tragic murder-suicide in St. James Parish. A preliminary state police investigation revealed that after the pursuit ended it was discovered that the fleeing driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then a 1-year-old child who was a passenger was found to have suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited a Southwest man for alleged hunter harassment in Vermilion Parish. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says this citation followed a complaint filed on October 24 by a resident of Gueydan (Gay-daan), who reported that 71-year-old Ernest Patin (pa-tan) had repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting.

Cut 10 (05) “…other disputes.”

Hunter harassment carries a fine of up to $350.

As the Republicans retain control of the House, Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson was unanimously elected as speaker of the 119th Congress.  In a news conference, Johnson said House Republicans are unified in working on their agenda for the American people.

Cut 3 (14) “…of all that.”

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 19 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-wen) attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety. She highlighted the state’s achievement as a standard for further progress in creating safe work environments.

Cut 8 (08) “…in the future.”

3:30 PM Newscast Nov 14

House Republicans have unanimously selected Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the 119th Congress.  LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says it’s no surprise that Johnson was voted unanimously by his fellow Republicans as speaker.

Cut 5 (08) “…the Republican Party.” 

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 9 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen says Louisiana had the lowest incidence rate among 41 participating states, second only to the District of Columbia.

Cut 7 (07) “…injuries and illness.”

Schowen attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety.

A Vermilion Parish man was cited by LDWF for Hunter Harassment.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston returns to the Superdome this Sunday when the Black and Gold host the Cleveland Browns. Winston spent four seasons in New Orleans and signed with Cleveland as a free agent. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is looking forward to the reunion…

Cut 16 (14) “…up there”

2:30 PM Newscast Nov 14

A Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit with Gonzales Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office that began in Ascension Parish ended with a tragic murder-suicide in St. James Parish. A preliminary state police investigation revealed that after the pursuit ended it was discovered that the fleeing driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then a 1-year-old child who was a passenger was found to have suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

A 71-year-old Gueydan man faces a fine for Hunter Harassment. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited Ernest Patin (pa-tan) after complaints that he repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says Patin admitted his actions were meant to scare deer away from his neighbor’s hunting area due to a personal dispute. Sonnier urges people to cooperate with neighbors so we can all enjoy Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise.

Cut 12 (08) “…someone else’s day”

Control of the House remains with the Republicans and the current speaker remains as speaker. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana’s private sector had the lowest incidence rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses out of 41 reporting states. The private-sector incidence rate declined across several industries from 2022 to 2023. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-win) says this was a concerted effort across all industries…

Cut 9 (08)  “…very seriously.”

9:30 AM Newscast

The Louisiana House will debate the benefits and drawbacks of the Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan as the House Ways & Means Committee approved several bills central to the plan including lowering corporate income tax rates to 3.5%. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says all signs point to the bills passing.

Cut 6 (10) “…be so certain.”

The decision to have a live tiger in Death Valley before the LSU hosted Alabama was not without controversy. The tiger, named Omar Bradley, was wheeled out onto the field about 15 minutes prior to kickoff and was wheeled out a few minutes later and was about two miles from the stadium by the time the team took the field to pyrotechnics. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator said Omar appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Cut 9 (14)  “…was very startled.”

Saturday night’s loss to Alabama was the worst loss the LSU Tigers have suffered since Brian Kelly took over as head coach. There are concerns among the fan base on whether Kelly can make the Tigers a championship contender. Kelly says despite the loss to Alabama, this is a program headed in the right direction…

Cut 17 (17) “…have here” 

The high school football playoff brackets are out and there are 208 schools who have visions of making it to the state championship game. In Division One select, Edna Karr and Alexandria Senior High are the top two seeds, but LHSAA Network reporter Spencer Verrett (veh-RET) says there are three schools from the Lafayette area that could play in the prep Classic…

Cut 14 (14) “…Acadiana.”