The House Labor Committee has once again voted down bills seeking to raise the state’s minimum wage. Every year business groups are successful in killing this legislation. Patrick Robinson from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says increasing the minimum wage is not the way to grow the economy…
Cut 13 (09) “…environment.”
The vote was 10-5 against raising the minium wage.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy made his first public comments since former President Donald Trump used Truth Social to rip Cassidy, calling him a flake and one of the worst senators. Cassidy said during his weekly discussion with reporters that he secured more federal funding for Louisiana than his counterpats..
cut 8 (07) “….Fiscal Year 2024”

As Monday’s Tax deadline approaches you might think it’s a bonus if you’re getting money back, but truth be told it’s not. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Entergy and CLECO are working to restore power to thousands of Louisiana customers after yesterday’s severe weather. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Officials in St. Tammany Parish say damage caused by Wednesday’s tornado in Slidell is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. Parish President Mike Cooper says they are asking for volunteers to help residents that suffered damage
Cut 11 (09) “…is needed.”

Public school teachers would be required to use pronouns and names that align with a child’s biological sex under a bill approved by the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says if a parent wants a teacher to identify a student by a pronoun that does not align with their biological sex, they can contact the school.

St. Tammany Parish resident Jamie Segura testified in opposition and questioned how this legislation will improve education in public schools…
Cut 8 (12) “…real education issues”
Despite the objection the bill heads to the House floor.

An investigation is underway into an officer involved shooting in Caldwell Parish. Sheriff Clay Bennett says it took place on Gibson Road and the person shot has a non-life threatening injury. The Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative unit is investigating and no other details are known.

Entergy Louisiana says it still has over 10-thousand customers who are without power and they hope to have most of those restored by tonight.. Spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to clear debris and repair power lines.
Cut 5 (10) “…the air.”
Freese says the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas are their two hardest hit areas.

Thousands are still without power in Slidell after an EF-1 tornado did considerable amount of damage to homes and businesses. St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper has declared a state of emergency,,,,
cut 12 (11) “…citizens”
Officials from St. Tammany say its the worst damage they’ve seen since Hurricane Katrina.

House Education has advanced a bill to the House floor that says teachers do not have to use a student’s preferred gender pronoun unless the child’s parents request that the child be identified as another gender. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews is the author of the bill…
Cut 7 (09) “…the legislation ”
Even if the parent requests a pronoun that differs from a child’s biological sex, the teacher can still refuse over religious and moral objections.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says it could create issues beyond being unconstitutional…
Cut 14 (14) “…the Bible.”
Supporters say the Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws. The bill likely will go to Senate Education next.

Cleco says 24,000 customers remain without power after tornadoes and strong winds ripped through the state Wednesday. The utility company says it has brought in 400 additional line mechanics to help in power restoration efforts. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they also have specialized equipment to move debris.
Cut 3 (08) “…make repairs.”
There are about four-thousand customers in St. Landry Parish without power. Most of Cleco’s outages are in Slidell where initial surveys indicate an area near Old Spanish Trail was hit by at least an EF-1 tornado.

An EF 2 tornado hit Lake Charles yesterday morning and Entergy’s spokesperson David Freese says some of their customers could be without power in Calcasieu Parish until tomorrow….
cut 6 (09) “…back on”

Public school teachers would be required to use pronouns and names that align with a child’s biological sex under a bill approved by the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says if a parent wants a teacher to identify a student by pronoun that does not align with their biological sex, they can contact the school.

St. Tammany Parish resident Jamie Segura testified in opposition and questioned how this legislation will improve education in public schools…
Cut 8 (12) “…real education issues”
Crews calls his legislation a parental rights bill, but Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor told Crews the legislation is not needed…
Cut 9 (13) “…to the home.”
The bill was approved on a nine-to-three vote.

Officials in St. Tammany Parish say the damage caused by Wednesday’s tornado in Slidell is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. Parish President Mike Cooper says there’s significant destruction to homes, commercial buildings, churches, and power poles.
Cut 10 (07) “…Hurricane Ida. “
Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says some of their Slidell customers could be without power into tomorrow…
cut 4 (11) “…looking at it”
Entergy spokesperson David Freese says some of their customers in Calcasieu Parish and the Lafayette area could also be without power until tomorrow…
cut 6 (09) “…back on.”

Three people have been arrested and charged in the death of James Ingram of Colfax after his body was found burned in the Kisatchie National Forest. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The cleanup continues in south Louisiana after multiple tornadoes touched down yesterday. An EF 2 tornado hit Lake Charles and did considerable roof damage and knocked down trees. Homes and businesses were also destroyed in Slidell. There’s also damage north of St. Francisville from an EF-1 twister.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require the Ten Commandments in every school classroom that receives state funding. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are the basis of all laws. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder voiced his support…
cut 15 (13) “….a bad thing”
Opponents say this bill will be ruled unconstitutional because it’s an endorsement of religion.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested three people in connection of the death James Ingram. Ingram left Colfax on Easter Sunday and his burned remains were found late last week in the Kisatchie National Forest. Sheriff Steve McCain says they know who set him on fire…
cut 5 (09) “…on fire”
Michael Taylor has also been arrested. McCain says they believe Taylor and Bledsoe injected drugs into his system that caused him to die.