The National Hurricane Center issues its final report on Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 storm packed 150 miles-an-hour winds. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it did over $18-billion in damage, but the loss of lives during and after was the real tragedy…:

CUT 11(12)      “…kind of numbers.”

The report confirms Ida as one of the worst storms to ever hit our state.

A bill to forbid charging tolls on any part of Louisiana’s Interstate system was voted down in a House committee today. Its sponsor is Sulphur Representative Les Farnum, who’s concerned the state will use tolls to pay for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…:

CUT 12(06)      “…could be next.”

But DOTD says tolls MAY be needed. The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.

Legendary Bourbon Street performer Chris Owens has passed away. Owens opened her first club in 1957 and entertained audiences ever since. She was also known for leading the annual New Orleans Easter Parade and for her hourglass figure right up until the end. Chris Owens was 89.

After record crowds for Mardi Gras, followed by the Final Four, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hopeful as festival season kicks off the tourism industry will rebound. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

At the Capitol today, the House Transportation committee put the brakes on a bill that sought to prohibit tolls being charged on any existing interstate highway system. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says it’s not the right way to fund a new I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles, but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says tolls may well be necessary…:

CUT 13 (06)      “…additional revenue.”

The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.”

A Senate committee approves a bill adding extra years to prison sentences for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl, but selling it as something else. Testifying for the bill, Lily Harvey, who lost her daughter to a drug overdose. She says OD’s increased 53-percent last year…:

CUT 03 (10)      “…a rise.”

Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s bill would add five extra years if convicted of that offense. It now goes to the Senate floor.

The National Hurricane Center releases its final report on Hurricane Ida today, and the major storm that hit southeast Louisiana last August will go down in the record brooks. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02 (31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Spring turkey hunting season is underway, and state Wildlife & Fisheries agents say they cited nineteen persons over the weekend for violations ranging from hunting a baited field, to hunting during a lottery hunt without a lottery tag, to using an improper weapon. Well, Louisiana is gonna Louisiana….

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill that enhances the penalties for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl but marketing it as another substance. Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s legislation would add another five years to a prison sentence for that. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White offers his support, having seen what the drug has done to the Capital Area…:

CUT 05(07)      “…overdose on fentanyl.”

The bill moves to the Senate floor for debate.

The National Hurricane Center issued its final report on Hurricane Ida. The biggest finding of the report? It WAS a Category 4 storm with maximum winds at 150 miles-an-hour; making it one of the strongest to ever hit Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says – given that – the damage could have been much worse…:

CUT 10(10)      “…associated with it.”

An Opelousas mom is angry and upset, after a St. Landry Schools bus driver closed her kid’s head in the bus door and started to drive away. It happened as the child was getting off the bus and was captured by a neighbor’s home security camera. The child received minor injuries but it could have been worse. The driver says she closed the door too soon, because she was distracted by kids still on the bus. The mom says the kids were trying to tell her there was a child stuck in the door. No comment yet from school officials.

After almost two full years of pandemic-related cancellations, spring & summer festivals are back for Louisiana. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser says nearly 400 events will happen statewide between now and Labor Day. Then, he says, LSU football is back..:

CUT 07(10)      “…to Louisiana.”

The House Transportation Committee put the brakes on a proposal that would prohibit the state department of transportation from putting tolls on existing interstate systems. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum authored the legislation as he’s concerned about tolls being used to fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 12 (06) “….could be next”
Despite Farnum’s argument, his bill failed on a six to nine vote. Several local groups also opposed the bill like the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce and Ascension Parish government. Tolls might also be needed to build a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he does not want to limit his options…
cut 14 (11) “…Mississippi River bridge”
It has yet to be decided if polls will be needed in Lake Charles to build a new I-10 bridge.

The National Hurricane Center released its final report on Hurricane Ida today and the major storm that hit southeast Louisiana last August will go down in the record brooks…
cut 9 (09) “…per hour”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the 150-miles per hour maximum sustained winds at landfall ties it with Hurricane Laura and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest storms in terms of wind to ever impact Louisiana.

Fentanyl has had its impact on many families as studies show Louisiana has experienced one of the largest increases in deaths caused by the synthetic opioid. A Senate committee approved legislation today that would call for longer prison sentences for those who knowingly lace drugs with fentanyl and give them to someone else. Lilly Harvey works as an advocate for tougher penalties for drug crimes and says fentanyl use is increasing among junior high students…
cut 4 (09) “…students alone”

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill that enhances the penalties for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl but marketing it as another substance. Lilly Harvey testified in support. She lost her 28-year-old daughter to a drug overdose and says last year Louisiana experienced a 53-increase in overdose deaths…

Cut 3 (10) “…a rise”

It’s an exciting time of year in the Bayou State as festival season kicks off with someone 400 parish festivals on the calendar for 2022. After almost two years of cancellations, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’s hopeful the trend of large crowds from carnival and the Final Four continues.

Cut 6  (08) “…festival season.” 

Nungesser says festivals are vital to the state’s hospitality industry.

A Lake Charles lawmaker says the only thing in the way of a new Calcasieu River Bridge is a few hundred million dollars. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A toddler drowned in north Caddo Parish on Monday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Roldan says the two-year-old’s mother found the little boy in Black Bayou Lake in the Hosston community after realizing the child had wandered away from his house. Rolan says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are trying to determine what happened.

Cut 14 (09)  “…for there.”
In the House Commerce Committee this morning, lawmakers were set to consider a bill to would allow a pet’s remains to be buried alongside their owners in a cemetery. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says he’s receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback about the legislation and even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the bill…

Cut 12 (06) “…way overdue.”

The bill was scheduled to be heard in House Commerce this morning however it was not.

The federal government launches a grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 
Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:

CUT 26(07) “…judicial restraint.”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.

A bill to allow for your pet’s remains to be buried with you will be heard in House Commerce today. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who is a retired veterinarian says the nexus of his bill is to make it not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.

Cut 10 (10) “…buried yourself.”
McMahen says pets are considered one of the family and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them.

Lake Charles Representative Eric Tarver wants to make sure the Calcasieu River Bridge project remains on the front burner when it comes to infrastructure projects. So, he’s proposed legislation that money is set aside over the next six years for the bridge with an estimated price tag to exceed $1-billion.

Cut 5 (11) “..a down payment.” 

Tragic news out of Caddo Parish after the death of a two-year-old. Bia Roland with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call just before ten Monday morning that a toddler was found in Black Bayou Lake, just behind a neighbor’s home on Gator Hole Freeway in Hosston.

Cut 13 (11) “…they arrived”

This is an active investigation.

The federal government has launched a 500-million-dollar grant program that would allow schools to become more energy efficient. Money will also be available for local schools to invest in alternative fuel school buses. EPA Administrator Michael Regan (REE-gun) says studies have linked breathing in diesel fumes while riding in buses as a legitimate health threat…

Cut 9 (05)  “…later this spring.”

A bill to allow your pet’s remains to be buried alongside you will be heard in House Commerce today. Brooke Thorington has more on this unique piece of legislation.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Strong storms knocked down trees and caused power outages in the Shreveport area during the overnight hours. There’s still a threat for severe weather for all of southeast Louisiana and parts of central Louisiana and Acadiana as a tornado watch is posted until 11 AM.

The Louisiana House Transportation Committee is set to discuss legislation today that will allocate state dollars to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Philip Tarver says this long-discussed highway improvement project is close to becoming a reality…
cut 6 (12) “….of preparation”
Tarver says getting the financing in place is an obstacle that can be overcome thanks to federal infrastructure dollars and state surplus money.

The Biden Administration is launching a $500-million grant program aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner for kids and the environment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan (REE-gun) says the money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year…:
Cut 7 (08) “…improve air quality.”
Regan says public school districts spend about eight billion dollars a year on energy bills and this grant money can help schools make energy efficiency improvements.

The House Commerce Committee is set to discuss a bill this morning that would make it legal for the burial of pet remains with human remains at a cemetery. Longtime veterinarian and Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says pets are considered a family member and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them…
cut 11 (11) “…or afterwards”
For example, an urn of the pet’s remains can be added to a cemetery plot.

The Biden Administration has launched a 500-million dollar grant program that will be used to update public schools with modern, clean, energy-efficient facilities and transportation…
cut 8 (07) “….for these grants”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the grant money can be used to update school heating and air conditioning systems or purchase new alternative fuel school buses.

There’s been push back on the governor’s request to set aside 500-million dollars for a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but a southwest Louisiana lawmaker is moving forward with his plan to use state dollars to help fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m David Grubb”

Jayhawk fans celebrated into the early morning hours in the New Orleans French Quarter after Kansas defeated North Carolina 72-69 in last night’s national title game in the Superdome.

A toddler drowned in north Caddo Parish on Monday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Rolden says the two-year-old’s mother found the little boy in Black Bayou Lake in the Hosston community after realizing the child had wandered away from his house. Roland says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are trying to determine what happened.
Cut 14 (09) “…for there.”

In the House Commerce Committee this morning, lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow a pet’s remains to be buried alongside their owners in a cemetery. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says he’s receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback about the legislation and even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the bill…
cut 12 (06) “….way overdue”
The bill would also allow for pet remains to be buried prior, during, or after the burial of human remains and they must be placed in a grave, vault, crypt, or niche.

The federal government launches a grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:
CUT 26(07) “…judicial restraint.”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.