Investigators with the State Fire Marshal along with ATF agents continue to look for answers after fires have destroyed three churches in St. Landry Parish since March 26th.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Colorado State University is predicting a slightly below average hurricane season this year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A Manship School study shows broad public support for a five cent increase in the gas tax to pay for transportation projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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State Fire Marshal deputies, with the help of ATF agents, are investigating the circumstances surrounding fires that have destroyed three churches in St. Landry Parish that have occurred since March 26^th. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there is clearly something happening in the community, but stopped short of saying the fires are related.

Cut 4 (11) “…still vetting that.”

The St. Mary Baptist Church was the first church to burn on the 26^th, followed by The Greater Union Baptist Church on Tuesday, and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Thursday.  Investigators have identified suspicious elements in each case. Browning says he’s calling upon citizens to rally around those impacted.

Cut 5 (10) “…embrace these pastors.”

Browning says he’s consulting with other churches to be vigilant against the possibility of further attacks.  He says the message to those that may be behind the fires is clear.

Cut 6 (10) “…as well.”

Investigators are working diligently to get answers and are asking for the public’s help.  Tips can be submitted anonymously.

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Forecasters are predicting a below average hurricane season this year, in the first forecast of 2019. Colorado State University expects 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes for season starting June 1st. Graduate research assistant Jhordanne Jones says the cap on severe storms comes courtesy of this year’s El Nino.

Cut 7 (08) “…predictors”

Tropical Atlantic sea surfaces temperatures are also expected to be slightly below their long-term averages.

Jones says the predicted El Nino in the Pacific will likely tear apart most Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic based systems before they have a chance to develop into major storms.

Cut 8 (10) “…Atlantic”

CSU will update us on the season’s progress again on June 4th.

And if this prediction feels like deja vu, then no, you’re not crazy. Last year’s devastating season that crippled parts of the Panhandle and Carolinas was also a “below average” forecast. Jones says that should be a good reminder of just how dangerous any season can be.

Cut 9 (10) “…come through″

The 2018 season caused nearly 50 billion dollars worth of damage, and killed over a hundred people.

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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.”

The report found that when respondents were informed that the gas tax was 38.5 cents when combining local and federal rates, support declined to 61 percent.

While a five cent tax is widely popular, the poll showed a major drop in support for a potential 20 cent gas tax hike, down to 46 percent. Henderson says deriving the optimal level of gas tax as supported by the public may be difficult for lawmakers.

Cut 11 (08) “…big range.”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is proposing a gas tax that would raise the rate six cents in the first year, and rise to an 18 cent increase over ten years.

Previous gas tax proposals have fallen flat at the Capitol, and Henderson says while there may be substantial public support for the policy, don’t hold your breathe on it making it into law…

Cut 12 (09) “…of this″

Louisiana has the 7th lowest gas tax in the nation. A five cent hike would push it to 32nd lowest, and a 20 cent hike would see the state nearly crack the top ten highest gas taxes.

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Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider is throwing a party in Holden in celebration of 40 years of the television show. It also marks the actor and recording artist’s 59^thbirthday. The event dubbed Bo’s Extravaganza is in its second year. Schneider says there will be plenty to see this weekend at his property in Livingston Parish.

Cut 13 (11) “…jump the car.”

In addition to stunts and cars, Schneider says there will be no shortage of celebrities on hand for the festivities.

Cut 14 (12) “…of a coffin.”

Schneider says he’ll be performing at the event, but he won’t be alone as many Louisiana musicians will be also be on the bill. As will a very special guest from Detroit.

Cut 15 (11) “…John Schneider Studios.”

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After two tough SEC series on the road, LSU is back home this weekend to host the first place team in the west. Texas A-and-M is 6-2 and 1 on the year and Coach Paul Mainieri says the Aggies have the top ERA in the league…

Cut 16  (16) “…left-handed” 

LSU has won four in a row and the pitching staff is coming off back to back shutouts during the midweek. Tonight’s starting pitcher, Zack Hess, says everyone is trying to step up their game, since they are low on arms because of injuries…

 cut 17 (13)   “…this weekend 

This weekend marks the third consecutive series against a ranked team. Mainieri says their weekend rotation has been throwing the ball well and he hopes that continues…

Cut 18 (25)   the series” 

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”
Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reports that LSU and Will Wade are working toward a meeting that could lead to the reinstatement of the suspended head coach. Sources have told S-I that Wade has a new attorney, Stephen Thompson. Thompson also represents Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and Arizona Coach Sean Miller. Those are two other programs that have been impacted by the F-B-I’s investigation into corruption in college basketball.
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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”
None of the children were wearing seatbelts.

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton has a bill that would enforce pay equality between men and women in Louisiana’s private sector. Currently only public sector employers must pay women the same as men for equal work. According to a report Louisiana ranks 48th in pay equality, and Norton says something must be done.

Cut 9 (10) “…their work”

The report, presented by former state Representative and current New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno, shows women make 69 percent of what white men make in Louisiana.

An equal pay for women bill is being proposed as a new report ranks Louisiana 48th in pay disparity. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

State Fire Marshal deputies, with the help of ATF agents, are investigating the circumstances surrounding fires that have destroyed three churches in St. Landry Parish that have occurred since March 26^th. Investigators have identified suspicious elements in each case. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there is clearly something happening in the community and is calling for the help of citizens to get to the bottom of these fires.

Most of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through midnight. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell says a warm front has stalled along the coast and its producing significant downpours.Grigsby says the torrential rainfall started this morning and it will continue into the night

Cut 13 (08) “…street flooding issues”

Two to four inches of rain is possible throughout the day in Baton Rouge, Houma, the Northshore and the New Orleans metro area.

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 troopers suspected 25-year-old DeVontae Sanders of Donaldsonville was impaired at the time of the crash and L-S-P booked him into the Ascension Parish jail on numerous charges, including vehicular homicide…

Cut 8 (11) “    last night” 

An equal pay for women bill is being proposed as a new report ranks Louisiana 48th in pay disparity. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

State Police have identified 29-year-old Nahshon Brooks as a suspect in the shooting of an Abbevile Police Officer last night.  The officer is in stable condition.  Warrants have been issued for attempted first degree murder, carrying a firearm on a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in a firearm free zone.  Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

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 when asked about gasoline taxes, the average guess on what we pay in federal and state taxes is  79 cents per gallon when the actual rate is 38.5 cents…

Cut 5 (09) “…the actual rate.”

67% support a five cent per gallon increase, but only 46% support a 20 cent increase.
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 troopers suspected 25-year-old DeVontae Sanders of Donaldsonville was impaired at the time of the crash and L-S-P booked him into the Ascension Parish jail on numerous charges, including vehicular homicide…

The latest report from the Louisiana Survey shows many residents believe income tax rates have increased, but that’s not the case. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab Dr. Mike Henderson says many residents are also confused on the sales tax rate. He says 40% incorrectly believe the state sales tax rate is higher than one year ago. It actually went down about a half-a-cent. However, 60% correctly said the sales tax is higher than four years ago

Cut 4 (05) “…the Edwards administration.”
During the Jindal administration, the state’s sales tax rate was four-percent, it’s now around 4.5-percent.
Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton has a bill that would enforce pay equality between men and women in Louisiana’s private sector. Currently only public sector employers must pay women the same as men for equal work. According to a report Louisiana ranks 48th in pay equality, and Norton says something must be done.

Cut 9 (10) “…their work”

20 percent of the Bayou State has ordered their groceries online for delivery or pickup, part of a growing trend nationwide. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A father has been arrested on numerous charges 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 kids in the car, and they believe he was was impaired.
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.
The latest report from the Louisiana Survey shows many people throughout the state have a misunderstanding of taxes rates. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab Mike Henderson says 46% say the state income tax rates are higher than they were four years ago, and 32% say the rates are higher than last year.
Cut 3 (10) “…simply not true.”
Henderson says 40% incorrectly believe the state sales tax rate is higher than one year ago.
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A report shows one in five Louisiana shoppers have either had their groceries delivered or done some curb side pickup through online ordering at their local grocery. Curbside pickup is most popular in the southeast, but has low participation rates in California and the north east. Offers.com editor Kristen McGrath says the service caught up in our area because it was started by Walmart, and unlike densely packed urban centers, we’ve got space to spare.
Cut 11 (11) “…pickup.”
40 percent of those who chose curbside pickup chose Walmart, followed by local chains.
Police are hunting a suspect in the shooting of an Abbeville officer last night. Authorities have I’D a person of interest as Nahshon Ismael Brooks. The shooting occurred when a female officer was making a routine traffic stop Wednesday night, when the suspect allegedly fired two shots at the officer, and fled on foot. The officer is in stable condition with a collapsed lung. Brooks is considered armed and dangerous.

In Abbeville, the search continues for the suspect after a female police officer was shot. The officer was making a routine traffic stop Wednesday night when the suspect fired two shots at the officer and then fled on foot. The officer was airlifted to a local hospital and KLFY-TV reports that she is listed in stable condition with a collapsed lung. The male suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

20 percent of the Bayou State has ordered their groceries online for delivery or pickup, part of a growing trend nationwide. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

State Treasurer John Schroder is criticizing Governor Edwards and says he’s putting the state on course for financial disaster.

Schroder suggested that the government could benefit from voting for more business-minded people in public office.

Cut 15 (11) “…to do that.”

In an interview with USA Today Network, Governor Edwards dismissed Schroder’s claims as political posturing.

The Cajun Navy Relief will host the second annual Search and Rescue Games Saturday in Westlake. The event features hands-on training for participants with real-life scenarios. Cajun Navy Relief President Shawn Boudreaux says this time of year is the organization’s offseason, so it’s a great time to recruit those interested in disaster relief.

Cut 5 (10) “…us during disaster.”

Is the Louisiana on a path to financial disaster?  Republican State Treasurer John Schroder thinks so.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous as the search continues for the man who shot Abbeville police officer. A female police officer was making a routine traffic stop Wednesday night when the suspect fired two shots at the officer and then fled on foot. KLFY-TV reports the officer was airlifted to a local hospital and she is listed in stable condition with a collapsed lung.

We’re experiencing thunderstorms across the state today despite a few weeks of mild weather. Strong storms across the state this morning are expected to last into the afternoon. National Weather Service Forecaster Matt Hemmingway says expect our current situation to become more of the norm.

Cut 9 (06) “…in Louisiana.″

For those that have the desire to help others following natural disasters, Cajun Navy Relief will host the second annual Search and Rescue Games Saturday in Westlake. The event will feature hands-on training including mock rescues, dispatch simulation, and boater response in an effort to train volunteers for real scenarios.  Cajun Navy Relief President Shawn Boudreaux…

Cut 4 (08) “…exposure to boaters.”

Boudreaux says this time of year is the organization’s offseason, so it’s a great time to recruit those interested in disaster relief.

Louisiana is in for some nasty weather today statewide, heavy precipitation and winds could spawn severe weather. National Weather Service forecaster Matt Hemmingway says its classic warm air meets cool air situation.

Cut 7 (12) “…hours”

State Treasurer John Schroder is criticizing Governor Edwards for growing government at a faster pace than revenues are coming in. Schroder says Louisiana is on course for financial disaster.  Schroder says he is tired of hearing about how great everything is.

Cut 13 (10) “…is just wonderful.”

Edwards has responded by saying if Schroder doesn’t believe the state is in a better place than three years ago, he needs a reality check.

In Abbeville the search continues for the suspect after a female police officer was shot. The officer was making a routine traffic stop Wednesday night when the suspect fired two shots at the officer and then fled on foot. The officer was airlifted to a local hospital and KLFY-TV reports that she is listed in stable condition with a collapsed lung.  Multiple law enforcement agencies are assisting with the search for the suspect and Louisiana State Police are investigating the shooting.

The natural disaster relief volunteer organization known as Cajun Navy Relief is holding the second annual Search and Rescue Games Saturday in Westlake.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Louisiana Department of Health announces 30-thousand individuals have been removed from the Medicaid program, because they make too much money. LDH spokesperson Bob Johannessen says 40-thousand Medicaid enrollees were informed in February they could lose their insurance coverage, unless they could show that they still met the program’s income requirements Cut 10 (09)“…for Medicaid” Johanessen says the state has a new computer system that can conduct eligibility checks every quarter, instead of every year and it also uses more wage data… Cut 11 (06) “are eligible” Johanessen says those who lost their taxpayer funded health insurance are working adults, who have experienced a rise in income who may have recently joined the workforce, or got a small pay bump that put them just outside the qualifying level. ____________________________ The Louisiana Good Roads Association says the state should steer clear of toll roads as a way to raise more funds to build highway projects. President Kenneth Perret says toll roads have generated a lot of money in places like Houston, but only because that city has a large population. Cut 6 (10) “…in it” He says unlike in Florida and Texas, Louisiana generally only has rush hour periods of intense traffic volume, which leads to underwhelming toll collections that would likely scare away potential investors, or the state which would hope to recoup the cost. The arraignment hearing of the five arrested in connection with the murder of Chandler Erskine and attempted murder of another in Oak Grove in January took place today. Of those, Wesley Freeman and James Turner were each charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. Both pleaded not guilty. The trial is set for October.