A large tornado ripped through the town of Arabi in St. Bernard Parish last night leaving extensive damage and killing one person. Tornado damage was also reported in New Orleans East and Gretna. St. Bernard Parish officials say several buildings were damaged or destroyed and cars overturned throughout the parish.

There is some good news for those still looking to recover from the hurricanes in 2020 and 2021. Kevin Gallagher has more on a large amount of federal aid coming to the Bayou State…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A special House committee looking at allegations of a cover-up involving the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene heard from a former State Police Sergeant who believes there was one. Albert Paxton investigated the Greene death and he believes Lt. John Clary, who was the highest-ranking officer of the six state troopers at the scene of Greene’s arrest tried to obstruct the investigation…
cut 15 (06) “….telling the truth”
Clary’s body camera video did not emerge until two years after the incident.

Also at the state capitol, Houma Representative Tanner Magee told LSU system president William Tate that he would like to see the university put more of an emphasis on using state dollars to build a library to replace the one that’s been deteriorating for years….
cut 8 (10) “…to come up”
Tate is also looking for dollars to boost research in areas of agriculture, cybersecurity and coastal land loss.

A strong storm system is moving through the state producing high water on roadways and knocking down trees as well. Tornado watches are also posted but so far with no major damage. Strong winds and hail is being reported in southwest Louisiana at this hour.

The magic had to end sometime, though LSU fans hoped it would not be this soon as the Lady Tigers were defeated by Ohio State, 79-64 in the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. LSU finished 26-6 after winning just nine games a season ago. Coach Kim Mulkey calls this season a tremendous success.
Cut 3 (13) “…just built it.”

And LSU has a new men’s basketball coach. Matt McMahon has reportedly signed a seven-year contract after a successful seven-year run as head coach Murry State.

Disgrace nursing homeowner Bob Dean reportedly shot off his thumb during an incident in Thomaston, Georgia when transferring a number of guns from one vehicle to another at a local car dealership. New Orleans Attorney Madro (Mod-drow) Bandaris who’s representing a nursing home patient in one of many lawsuits says Dean is quite the toxic defendant.
Cut 6 (11) “…thumb off.”
Bandaris’ client lost both of her legs after complications of the mass evacuation of more than 800 residents to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish in 2021 during Hurricane Ida.

A Louisiana Senate committee approved a bill that would create the crime of theft of a catalytic converter. Thieves are stealing catalytic converters because they contain precious metals that are worth a lot. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the legislation is similar to the one that addresses copper theft in which the seller’s identification has to be recorded during a sale…
cut 8 (10) “….definitely help”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

A strong line of storms is moving through Louisiana and a large portion of Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 2 PM today.
cut 12 (08) “….across Louisiana”
That’s Meteorologist John Wetherbee who says the tornado watch includes Oak Grove, Alexandria, Leesville, Lake Charles and Lafayette.

Barksdale Airman Faith Crocker has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Biden administrative COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military members violates her religious freedom. The Pelican Institute for Public Policy is representing Crocker, Attorney James Baehr…
cut 5 (09) “….no reason for this”
Crocker says her God does not want to put anything in her body that she’s not sure is safe.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in the St. Landry Parish town of Sunset yesterday to announce a 30-million dollar federal grant that will help fund high-speed internet in eleven rural Acadiana communities…
cut 26 (02) “…just a downpayment”
The money comes from the 277-million dollar Broadband Infrastructure Program and there are an estimated 22-thousand households in rural Acadiana that lack high-speed internet.

It didn’t take long for LSU athletics director Scott Woodward to find a new men’s basketball coach. Matt McMahon has agreed to take over a program that could get hit with several NCAA penalties for recruiting violations that allegedly took place with former coach Will Wade. Wade was a popular coach with the LSU fan base and Murray Ledger sports editor John Wright says LSU will also love McMahon…
cut 15 (09) “…to have him”
McMahon’s contract is reportedly for seven years.

Strong storms are moving through Louisiana this morning. Several roads are underwater in northwest Louisiana. Alexandria is set to see some heavy rain and there’s a tornado watch until 2 this afternoon that stretches from Oak Grove to Lake Charles and the watch box also includes Lafayette.

A Barksdale Airman is suing the federal government to block being discharged for refusing to get a COVID vaccine. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Carjackings are growing crime in Louisiana and River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot has legislation to address it…
Cut 7 (09) “…your face.”
Talbot’s bill to increase the penalty for the crime of carjacking when committeed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon will be heard in a Senate committee today.

Yesterday afternoon in New Orleans police say an elderly woman was killed in a Mid-City carjacking when she was dragged for several blocks, and her arm was severed from her body.

An LSU women’s basketball team that grabbed the attention of the whole state had its season end last night as the Lady Tigers fell to Ohio State 79-64 in the second round fo the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the men’s basketball program has a new head coach as Matt McMahon takes over after leading Murray State for seven successful seasons. Murray Ledger sports editor John Wright knows McMahon well…
cut 14 (13) “…into the system”

It’s a day to be weather aware across Louisiana. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says a very strong line of storms is marching in from Texas…
Cut 10 (09) “…isolated tornadoes.”
A tornado watch is in effect until two o’clock PM, The watch box extends from Oak Grove to Lake Charles and it also covers Alexandria, Leesville, and Lafayette. The Shreveport-Bossier area is reporting several road closures because of high water.

At the state capitol today, a Senate committee will discuss a bill that would create the crime of theft of a catalytic converter. Thieves are stealing catalytic converters because they contain precious metals that have risen in price. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the legislation is similar to the one that addresses copper theft in which the seller’s identification has to be recorded during a sale…
cut 8 (10) “….definitely help”
The meeting begins at 10 AM.

A great season for the LSU women’s basketball team came to an end last night as Ohio State eliminated the Lady Tigers 79-64 in the second round of the women’s basketball tournament.

Meanwhile, LSU has a new men’s basketball coach. David Grubb has more on the next coach to lead the Tigers on the hardwood…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m David Grubb”

Louisiana Tech needs a new head coach as Eric Konkol is leaving after seven seasons to be the new head coach at Tulsa. While Northwestern State has hired its new men’s basketball coach. Missouri State associate head coach Corey Gipson replaces Mike McConathy.

A strong storm system that spawned several tornadoes across central Texas is making its way towards Louisiana. Heavy rainfall has already fallen across northwest Louisiana, flooding streets. The greatest chance for severe weather stretches from Lake Charles to Alexandria, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Ferriday.

River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot is hoping his legislation to increase the penalties on carjackings and catalytic converter theft will discourage the crimes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Louisiana public policy “think tank” is suing the U.S. Department of Defense on behalf of a Barksdale Airman who refuses to take the COVID vaccine. Pelican Institute Center for Justice attorney James Baehr says Senior Airman Faith Crocker was denied a religious exemption she filed in good faith and was told to get the shots or be discharged…:
Cut 4 (08) “…should have to make.”
Airman Crocker is the daughter of a Baptist minister and has deeply held beliefs about what to put in her body.

A special season for the LSU Lady Tigers ended last night as they lost to Ohio State 79-64 in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. But the men’s program has a new head coach. Matt McMahon comes to LSU after seven successful seasons as the head coach at Murray State. John Wright, sports editor at the Murray Ledger, says there’s a lot to like about McMahon….
cut 13 (10) “….I believe”

The Southern University Law Center has 50 of its best and brightest in the nation’s capital to witness history. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A worker at Cat’s Meow Karaoke Bar on Bourbon Street was fatally shot early Sunday morning. New Orleans Police say the victim was hit by a stray bullet. Authorities have arrested the suspected shooter, 24-year-old Daphney Jackson and he’s been charged with manslaughter.

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected in the Bayou State today to highlight the allocation of federal dollars to expand rural broadband access. Harris will be in Sunset announcing a $30-million grant for high-speed internet in Acadiana. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says limited access to broadband discourages business investors…
Cut 7 (11) “…a necessity.”
Governor Edwards is expected to be in Sunset today for the Vice President’s press conference.

Edwards was at the ribbon-cutting for the new Bariatric Institute that’s opened on the Pennington Biomedical Research Center campus in Baton Rouge. Doctor Philip Schauer says they are already treating over six-thousand patients from the Baton Rouge area for obesity…
cut 15 (12) “…obesity treatment”

Confirmation hearings begin today for President Biden’s Supreme Court Justice nominee Kentanji Brown Jackson and 50 students from the Southern University Law Center are in Washington D-C to witness history. Black women make up less than two percent of federal judges in U-S history and Southern third-year law student Quiana Joy Ochiagha (Key-ana Oh-chi-aga) sees Jackson’s potential confirmation as a starting point for greater inclusion going forward…
cut 11 (12) “….my new profession”

At the State Capitol in Baton Rouge, the House Transportation Committee will consider legislation that would prohibit the use of a handheld cell phone while driving. The bill’s sponsor, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation is designed to encourage drivers to use Bluetooth technology…
cut 5 (05) “….a lot easier and safer
The House Transportation Committee meets at 9:30.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to be in south Louisiana later today to discuss federal dollars that will be used to expand broadband internet in rural areas. Harris will hold a press conference in the St. Landry Parish town of Sunset. Congressman Troy Carter will be there and also plans to talk to the V-P about providing more resources to help small businesses recover from the pandemic and natural disasters…
cut 9 (08) “…previous storms”
Details of Vice President Harris’ trip have yet to be released.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has opened a new Bariatric Institute on its Baton Rouge campus. Doctor Philip Schauer says the new state-of-the-art facility is important to Louisiana as about 40-percent of its residents are obese costing the state 13-billion dollars annually in direct medical expenses and lost workdays…
cut 14 (11) “…even cancer”