Turns out there were multiple tornadoes that touched down in southwest Louisiana late Monday. Several businesses and homes were damaged in Sulphur, with estimated peak winds of 120-miles per hour. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 8 (08) “…rolled over” 

The Skyline of Lake Charles is changing as the tall, mirrored Hertz building is finally coming down. It has been four years since the building sustained significant damage in Hurricane Laura leaving broken glass panes to greet travelers along the I-10. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says they are making sure the taxpayers are not footing the bill for the demolition…

Cut 10 (12) “…not own.”

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Today is the deadline for Louisiana state income tax. Here’s Sean Richardson with what you need to know.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The debate over banning hemp products containing THC in Louisiana continues at the capitol. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high and some of them are marketed towards children…

Cut 13 (11)  “..gets you high.”

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. But don’t worry if you need more time. Louisiana has an automatic six-month extension to November 15, 2024. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors

Cut 4 (10) “…taxes that are due.”

That means if you think or know you will owe some taxes that still need to be paid by today. Otherwise, you will start accruing interest and penalties.

The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in southwest Louisiana on Monday. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 7 (16) “…Sulphur tornado.”

Another storm system is headed our way but Michael says the arriving tomorrow should be more of a heavy rain event.

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A Senate approved bill that would make the sale of consumable hemp products containing THC illegal has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Sean Richardson has more on the debate.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The College of Engineering and Science and the Institute of Micro-manufacturing at Louisiana Tech University have been awarded 1.3 million dollars by the United States Air Force. That comes in the form of a Department of Defense grant which will allow researchers to enhance military technology, diagnose any issues and advance the lifespan of that technology.

At least two people have died as a result of severe weather in South Louisiana yesterday. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson.

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman was killed, and two others were injured after a tree fell onto a mobile home during last night’s storms. A man and a five year old child were taken to the hospital. A wind gust of 83 miles per hour was reportedly recorded at the nearby Erwinville Community Center at that time.

Meanwhile, there’s damage and power outages across South Louisiana this morning. Some 50 thousand residents are still without power as crews work to clear debris and restore service.

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Formosan Subterranean termite swarm season is in full swing. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

April’s “Love the Boot” Week is being declared a big success as more than 19-thousand people volunteered, collecting a record 347 tons of litter. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says Louisiana residents showed up for our state..

Cut 6 (11) “…love the boot.”

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday has left at least one person dead. Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson during what many believe was a tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…

Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”

Louisiana Income Tax returns are due tomorrow, May 15^th. If you need a little extra time to prepare them, there’s good news and bad. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville says 60 children were set to receive their First Communion on Saturday when a teenager entered the church and brandished a gun. Law enforcement was quick to respond and a frightening experience ended with no shots fired…

Cut 10 (06) “…young man .”

Authorities have charged a 16-year-old with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Louisiana’s Love the Boot Week was a major success. That’s according to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Close to 20,000 volunteered and collected a record 346 tons of litter KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says litter is 100% preventable if we all do our part.

Cut 5 (08) “…out the window.” 

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday is responsible for at least one death. Authorities say a person died just outside of the town of Henderson. St. Martin Sheriff Becket Breaux says a twister likely hit the parish…

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

As of this morning Entergy was reporting some 50, 000 customers still without power as a result of the storm.

The Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a bill that scraps a plan to put cameras up on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to speeding violators resulting in twice the normal fine. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is a big proponent of cops ticketing speeding vehicles, not cameras

Cut 13 (13)  “..compliance.”

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor announced that April’s,  Love the Boot Week was a major success.  With 19,441 people volunteering and a record 347 tons of litter collected,  KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.

Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”
Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. Experts say Formosan subterranean termites are some of the most destructive species we have, responsible for billions of dollars in damages every year. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says if they get in your home, they love to feast on moist wood as a result of a water leak or drainage issue…
Cut 8 (13) “…in an area though” 

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. But that could change. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says when the House received the budget, they were given X amount of dollars and had to make cuts accordingly. But he points out that they did that believing Revenue Estimating Conference would find extra monies to restore those cuts which they did.

Cut 5 (12) “…at all.” 
A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August instead of May still needs approval from the Senate. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are still too many unknowns about the convention…things he says will have to be answered before the upper chamber will approve it.

Cut 9 (07)  “…the Senate.”

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Good news for Louisiana crawfish farmers as the USDA has announces they are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, which allows them to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says supply has improved in April and May, but prices are still about a dollar more this year for boiled crawfish…

Cut 12 (05) “…come back.” 

Savoy says crawfish the money will help crawfish farmers with re-seeding which will go a long way in getting them back on track.

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

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention in August instead of May still needs approval from the Louisiana Senate. Even if that happens and the convention accomplishes its goals, Senate President Cameron Henry any changes made at the convention would still have to go before voters to take effect.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Meanwhile, there’s some good news for Louisiana Crawfish farmers who will now be covered unde the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program which means the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer them relief from losses they suffered during last year’s drought. Chairman of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board David Savoy…

Cut 11 (12) “…already.”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional $88 million for the next fiscal year budget which is good news for teachers. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and officials are reminding all of us to be aware. Even with advances in technology like lane and driver assist, Greg Fisher with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says it’s still important to slow down and look before you go.

Cut 15 (07)  “…motorcycle safety awareness month.”

The USDA has announced Louisiana crawfish farmers are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, allowing producers to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds at 45 thousand ponds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says it will take money to get production back to normal levels….

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”
We’re already more than a week into Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and safety officials are reminding all drivers to obey the spee limit and drive responsibly especially around motorcycles because…

Cut 14 (05)  “…hotdogging on motorcycles.”

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Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention in August still has to clear the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

It looks like a three hundred dollar cut to teacher stipends in Louisiana could end up being restored. That’s based on figures from the Revenue Estimating Conference. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland…
Cut 6 (08) “…executive budget.”

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”
Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1^st.

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The USDA has changed the rules so crawfisherman impacted by low production this year because of last year’s summer heat can apply for federal disaster grants. Sean Richardson has more from a local producer

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 
It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1^st.

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”

Henry says proposed changes made at the convention will still have to go before voters in either the November or December elections.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow says Louisiana crawfish farmers will be covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program and the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer relief from losses they experienced brought on by the drought.

Chair of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board, David Savoy says there’s only one way to fix the issue.

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”

Savoy said the funding will make a major difference and help farmers with reseeding.