Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding fires that have destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish that have occurred since March 26th. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there is clearly something happening, but stopped short of saying the fires are related.
Cut 4 (11) “…still vetting that.”
Investigators have identified suspicious elements in each case.

A survey out of LSU finds that 67-percent of Louisiana residents support a five cent per gallon gasoline tax, but only 46-percent back a 20-cent per gallon increase. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center, Doctor Michael Henderson, says…
Cut 11 (08) “…big range.”
The gas tax will be up for debate in the legislative session that begins next week.

Colorado State University is predicting a slightly below average hurricane season this year. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There’s a chance Will Wade will return as LSU’s basketball coach. The suspended coach has hired a new lawyer, who also represents college basketball coaches Bruce Pearl and Sean Miller. LSU Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says there have been productive talks with Wade’s new legal counsel.

An LSU poll shows public support for a five cent increase in the state’s gasoline tax to pay for transportation projects. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the disappearance Junior Phillips. The four-year-old boy was reported missing on this day last year after he wandered from his Lisbon home in Claiborne Parish. Sheriff Ken Bailey says they haven’t had any new leads in months.

Because of an El Nino, the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts a slightly below-average 2019 hurricane season, with 13 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes. But Researcher Jhordanne Jones says don’t let your guard down…
cut 9 (10) “….come through”
Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider is throwing a party in Holden in celebration of 40 years of the television show. The event dubbed Bo’s Extravaganza is in its second year. Schneider says there will be plenty to see this weekend at the property he once owned in Livingston Parish.
Cut 13 (11) “…jump the car.”
Schneider defaulted on his Holden home and it was sold in auction, but he’s worked out a deal to still live and work there.

Authorities continue to look for answers after fires have destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish since March 26th. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Will Wade could still lead the LSU men’s basketball team. Sports Illustrated reports the suspended head coach has a new attorney and LSU confirms talks are productive with Wade’s new legal counsel and a face-to-face meeting that athletic director Joe Alleva is seeking could happen soon.

Forecasters predict a below average hurricane season this year. Colorado State University expects 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. Researcher Jhordanne Jones says a weak El Nino is the primary factor.
Cut 7 (08) “…predictors”
El Nino summers and falls create more wind shear in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico therefore inhibiting hurricane production.

The public is invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary TV show “The Dukes of Hazard” during a festival this weekend on the property that was once owned by Dukes of Hazzard actor John Schneider, who still lives and works on the land in Holden in Livingston Parish. Schneider says some of the actors who were on the TV show will be there…
cut 14 (12) “…of a coffin”
For more information go to bosextravaganza.com

Sports Illustrated reports that LSU officials and basketball coach Will Wade are working towards a meeting, which would be their first face-to-face discussion since Wade was suspended because of a purported FBI wire tap involving Wade and a recruiting handler discussing a strong offer. Wade has a new attorney and LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says recent talks with Will’s legal counsel have been productive.

If Wade does come back next season, he will not coach point guard Tremont Waters. Waters has announced he’s entering the NBA draft and has signed an agent.

The Pelicans have reportedly started conducting formal interviews as they search for a new general manager. Interim G-M Danny Ferry is among the candidates, along with former Cavs GM David Griffin and Warriors Assistant G-M Larry Harris.

And Anthony Davis has been fined 15-thousand dollars for flipping the bird at a fan as he walked off the court on Wednesday night.

Ninth ranked LSU baseball begins a three-game series against 11th ranked Texas A-and-M tonight. This weekend marks the third consecutive series against a ranked team. Coach Paul Mainieri says starting pitchers Zack Hess, Cole Henry and Eric Walker will need to pitch well, because A-and-M has won 24 games this season, because they don’t give up many runs…
cut 18 (25) “…the series”
Starting left fielder Daniel Cabera will miss the series with an ailing wrist.

The Louisiana Survey says 67 percent of Louisiana residents would support raising the gas tax by five cents to pay for road projects and infrastructure repairs. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, Dr. Mike Henderson, says it’s a bipartisan public sentiment that reflects the survey’s other revelation that infrastructure is a top two concern for voters.
Cut 10 (10) “…support.”
But the report found that when respondents were informed the current gas tax was 38.5 cents, combining both state and federal rates, support declined to 61 percent.

Colorado State University hurricane researchers predict a slightly below-average hurricane season in 2019, citing the high likelihood of a weak El Nino as a primary factor. Researcher Jordanne Jones says an El Nino helps to minimize storm production in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico…
cut 8 (10) “….Atlantic”
C-S-U is predicting 13 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it’s very suspicious that three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish have been destroyed by fire. Browning says they’ve identified suspicious elements in each case and they are asking for the public’s help for more clues. Browning urges other churches to be vigilant and has this message to those that may be behind the fires…
Cut 6 (10) “…as well.”

Lawmakers will once again debate equal pay legislation after the legislative session convenes on Monday. Opponents argue it would place an undue burden on businesses and open companies up to expensive litigation. But the bill’s author Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says a recent report shows the state ranks 48th in pay equality…
cut 10 (12) “….opportunities”
This legislation has failed to gain much traction in the legislature, despite support from the governor.

Strong storms are rumbling across the state today. Phil Grgisby with the National Weather Service says the potential for severe weather will continue the rest of the day….
cut 14 (10) “…tornadoes’
Rain chances are also high this weekend.

The latest report from the Louisiana Survey shows many residents are wrong when it comes to how much they pay in taxes. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, Dr. Mike Henderson, says 46% of the respondents say the state income tax rates are higher than they were four years ago, and 32% say the rates are higher than last year, but the state income tax rate hasn’t changed in years…
Cut 3 (10) “…simply not true.”
Henderson says their survey also found that people thought they paid much more in gasoline taxes than they actually pay.

A suspected impaired driver has been charged with vehicular homicide after his seven-year daughter was killed in a single vehicle wreck in the Donaldsonville area last night. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 25-year-old DeVontae Sanders had three unrestrained kids in the car.
Cut 7 (10) “…local hospital”
The ages of the children that survived are three and four-year-olds and they were sent to separate hospitals with critical injuries.

Many Louisiana residents have misunderstandings about tax rates according to the latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Most of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until midnight. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell says a warm front has stalled along the coast and its producing significant downpours…
Cut 12 (07) “…heavy rain.”

A father has been arrested on numerous charges after his seven-year daugther was killed in a single vehicle wreck in the Donaldsonville area last night. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they believe 25-year-old DeVontae Sanders of Donaldsonville was impaired….
Cut 6 (11) “…vehicle overturned”
Two other young children survived the crash but they sustained critical injuries. None of the kids were buckled up.

The regular session begins on Monday and once again there’s legislation that would require private businesses to pay male and female workers the same amount for equal work. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton is the author of the bill and says the measure is aimed at improving the quality of life of working women…
cut 11 “…that dollar”
A recent report ranks Louisiana 48th in the state in pay equality.

The search continues for a man who shot a female cop during a traffic stop in Abbeville last night. KLFY News reports the person of interest is Nahshon Ishmael Brooks. The officer is said to be in stable condition.

For the third time in the last 10 days, a church in St. Landry Parish has burned down. Investigators are on the scene after firefighters received a call about a fire at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas.

A father has been arrested on numerous charges after his seven-year daugther was killed in a single vehicle wreck in the Donaldsonville area last night. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they believe 25-year-old DeVontae Sanders of Donaldsonville was impaired….
Cut 6 (11) “…vehicle overturned”
Two other young children survived the crash but they sustained critical injuries. None of the kids were buckled up.

Is Louisiana on a path to financial disaster? Republican State Treasurer John Schroder thinks so….
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A survey from offers-dot-com finds that one in five Louisiana consumers have used either grocery delivery or curbside pickup, which is about the national average. But Kristen McGrath says only 42-percent of those place more than one order a month for the service….
cut 12 (09) “…grocery run”
The average amount spent on an online order is about 110 dollars.