State health officials say we have reached the peak of the influenza season as every five out of 100 doctor visits are because patients have the flu. Doctor Frank Welch with the Louisiana Department of Health says they are also seeing other illnesses that first started as the flu…
cut 7 (10) “….pneumonia”
Welch says the H-3-N-2 strain is making people very sick.

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested a Baton Rouge business owner for allegedly defrauding over a dozen homeowners who were victims of the August flood. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says any other contractors who are doing the same thing need to take heed…
cut 14 (07) “…to operate”
Wiley says 39-year-old Matthew Morris faces several charges.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said today that Wednesday’s deadly explosion at Packaging Corporation America in Beauregard Parish occurred as contractors were welding near a tank during a facility shutdown. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says they have an idea what was inside that tank…
cut 16 (09) “….this time”
Three people were killed and one person remains hospitalized. The investigation is continuing.

Cleanup continues in the Crescent City where an EF 3 twister damaged over 900 homes in New Orleans East. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says temporary repairs should be made, because policy holders have a legal obligation to minimize their damage…
cut 10 (11) “…further damage”
Donelon also encourages tornado victims to document their loss with pictures.

Flu season in Louisiana is in full swing. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises tornado victims not to wait to file a claim. He says while it’s important for consumers to know what their coverage is, there won’t be any flood versus wind controversy with this event…:
cut 11 (08) “homeowners policy”
Donelon says residents should not begin permanent repairs until an inspector has come to assess the damage.

A contractor in Ascension Parish has been arrested amid allegations he defrauded more than dozen homeowners who flooded in August. That’s according to Sheriff Jeff Wiley who says the suspect, 39-year-old Matthew Morris, is the owner of Complete Construction Contractors. He says they would complicate agreements to rack up thousands in claims:
cut 12 (08) “price gouging”
Morris faces a number of charges. Wiley expects there are more victims out there.

Filming is underway in Louisiana for a new TV series from Marvel. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says it’s based on a comic book called Cloak & Dagger. He hopes this encourages more production crews to choose Hollywood South…:
cut 4 (07) “to have it”
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger will air on Freeform after production is completed.

The flu season in Louisiana is ramping up as we’ve surpassed other states with the number of cases. Dr. Frank Welch with LDH says five out of 100 visits to the doctor are for flu like symptoms, and a nasty strain is going around this year…:
Cut 6 (11) “flu season”
He says this bad flu season will likely last from six to eight weeks.

The names of the three victims killed in Wednesday’s explosion at a packaging plant near DeRidder have been released. 32-year-old William Rolls, 40-year-old Sedrick Stallworth and 40-year-old Jody Goch were working at the plant when two tanks burst open. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says they do have a preliminary cause…:
Cut 15 (10) “ensued”
Seven other workers were injured, but only one is still in the hospital.

Marvel has selected Louisiana as their filming location for a new TV series to air on the Freeform network. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The National Weather Service confirmed five tornado touchdowns during Tuesday’s severe weather. An EF-2 touched down in Killian where two people were injured and a damage path of about one mile. A tornado track in Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish was found and moved east 6 miles into St. James Parish. In eastern New Orleans, there were reports of an E-F 3 tornado that left 25 injured.

Today the governor is expected to announce his tax reform proposals that legislators will consider during the regular session in April. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 25 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces the arrest of two women who allegedly received flood disaster relief money from FEMA that they did not qualify for. He says 37-year old Kimberly Cage got almost $30,000 from FEMA for home repairs on a property she didn’t own. 32-year-old Munoz Licona is accused of receiving disaster aid for a home where she didn’t live.

Filming is underway in Louisiana for a new TV series from Marvel. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says they’re very excited to have the Marvel brand in Louisiana. He says the new show is a spin off from a Marvel classic, The Spectacular Spider-Man…:
Cut 3 (11) “their own thing”
He says they’ll be filming in New Orleans and likely in other areas of the state as well.

As many residents are picking up the pieces after tornadoes ravaged south Louisiana, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises victims not to hesitate to file a claim. He says some policyholders worry that their premiums would go up or they would be non-renewed by their insurer..:
Cut 9 (09) “that category”
He encourages residents to document their loss with pictures of the damage.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to unveil his tax reform plan today when he meets with the Committee of 100 in Washington, D.C. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, says comprehensive tax reform is needed because many of the tax hikes approved last year will expire next year…:
Cut 7 (07) “a decade now”‘
Tax changes could be made during the regular session, which is set to begin in April.

The governor is also in Washington for the D-C Mardi Gras festivities. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the parties are a lot of fun, but it’s also a chance for Louisiana to sell the state to corporate leaders in business meetings during the day….
cut 11 (08) “….DC”
Pinsonat says Saturday’s Ball is one of the biggest social events of the year in D-C.

State judge Mike Erwin in Baton Rouge has been banned from a popular eatery in the Capital City called Sammy’s Grill, because he allegedly used a racial slur during a dispute over a chair at the bar. Legal analyst Tim Meche anticipates the Louisiana Judiciary Commission will investigate. He says in 2004 a judge in Houma was suspended for a year for wearing a blackface costume at Halloween…
cut 14 (12) “…being suspended”
Erwin’s staff has issued a no comment regarding the situation.

Cleco’s chief executive officer Darren Olagues, who was arrested in December for domestic abuse strangulation in an incident involving his wife, has resigned. The charges against Olagues were dropped at the request of his wife last month. Bill Fontento will serve as interim CEO for the Pineville-based utility company.

Today in Washington D.C., Governor John Bel Edwards will speak to the Committee of 100 to outline tax reform proposals for the upcoming regular session. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, says Louisiana has the highest combined state and local sales tax in the country. But sales tax revenues fluctuate with the economy…:
Cut 8 (08) “does not work”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent Tyler Wheeler, who was shot in early January near Monroe, due to finish his rehab in Mississippi and return to Monroe this weekend. LDWF Col. Joey Broussard says Wheeler is already able to walk up a short flight of steps…:
Cut 5 (09) “to us”
Broussard says upon his return, Wheeler will continue outpatient rehab at Shreveport’s University Health Center.

Mardi Gras season is kicking off in Washington D.C. The Mystick Krewe of Louisiana celebrates the carnival season today through Saturday in the nation’s capital. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is a great time for Louisiana lawmakers to have fun, because when they get back they head straight into a special legislative session..:
Cut 12 (10) “deficit”
The festivities take place at the Washington Hilton. Pinsonat says it’s the hottest ticket in town.

Tuesday’s tornado that slammed New Orleans east was unfortunately one for the record books. The National Weather Service says the twister that officials say destroyed 300 buildings and seriously damaged another 640 was an EF 3, the first of its kind in Orleans Parish. That means winds were around 140 miles an hour.

Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the things Louisiana badly needs to avoid future budget issues is major tax reform, and he’s expected to release that plan today. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, expects the governor will propose lowering the sales tax and raising the income tax…:
Cut 9 (10) “income tax side”
The plan will be up for review in the regular session.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent Tyler Wheeler, who was shot five times during a traffic stop last month, will return home to Monroe this weekend. LDWF Col. Joey Broussard says it’s a miracle Wheeler is doing so well…:
Cut 4 (08) “thankful of”
Wheeler has been in rehab in Mississippi where he is now walking half a mile each day on a treadmill.

A state judge in Baton Rouge has been banned from a popular local restaurant chain after he allegedly used racial slurs towards a black woman. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Pineville-based utility company Cleco announces CEO Darren Olagues has resigned his position. The board has selected its chair, Peggy Scott, to assume the role of Interim CEO during what’s expected to be a year long search for a permanent replacement. Olagues was arrested for domestic abuse strangulation by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office in December of last year.

Today the governor is expected to announce his tax reform proposals that legislators will consider during the regular session in April. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Mardi Gras season is kicking off in Washington D.C. The Mystick Krewe of Louisiana celebrates the carnival season today through Saturday in the nation’s capital. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Saturday’s ball is considered the hottest ticket in town…:
Cut 10 (10) “quite unique”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces FEMA has extended the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program to March 11th for August flood victims. Those eligible are staying in hotel rooms paid for by FEMA.

Six of the seven people who were injured in a fatal plant explosion Wednesday have been released from the hospital according to reports. The Packaging Corporation of America in DeRidder says the incident involved annual repair work on piping when a tank exploded and killed three contractors. The cause remains under investigation.

A Baton Rouge Judge is no longer welcome at Sammy’s, a popular local eatery, after allegations he called another customer the “n-word.” Judge Mike Erin was apparently upset about where Kaneitra Johnson was sitting, as it was considered “his” seat. Legal analyst Tim Meche says he wouldn’t be surprised if future defendants now file to have Erin recused due to racial bias..:
CUT 15 (12) “other judges”
Erwin has not commented on the incident.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to unveil his tax reform plan today when he meets with the Committee of 100 in Washington, D.C. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, says comprehensive tax reform is needed because many of the taxes raised in la year’s special sessions will expire next year…:
Cut 7 (07) “a decade now”‘
Tax changes could be made during the regular session, which is set to begin in April.

Tuesday’s tornado that struck New Orleans east was unfortunately one for the record books. Jeff Palermo explains…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Baton Rouge judge has been banned from a local restaurant after he allegedly used racial slurs against an African American woman. Kaneitra Johnson posted on Facebook about the incident, saying Judge Mike Erwin called her the n-word while arguing over a bar seat at Sammy’s on Highland Road. Louisiana NAACP President Ernest Johnson says we should expect more from our leaders, and words do matter.
Cut 13 (08) “or white”
Legal analyst Tim Meche says the Louisiana Judiciary Commission will investigate the incident..:
Cut 16 (11) “look at”
No charges have been filed against Erwin.

State Police say three people were killed and seven were injured as a result of an explosion that occurred inside a packaging plant near DeRidder. Chief Deputy Joe Toler of the Beauregard Sheriff’s Office says a tank burst into flames at around 11 AM resulting in a flood of first responders to the scene…
cut 13 (10) “…out there”
A Lafayette TV station is reporting the explosion may be the result of a welding operation on a tank that contained wood chips.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore is not expecting the results of a federal investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Alton Sterling anytime soon. Moore says since his office recused itself early on in the case, he can’t be exactly sure but…:
Cut 8 (10) “have taken”
Moore made the comments while issuing a report on officer-involved fatal shootings last year in East Baton Rouge Parish and said mental illness, the presence of guns and domestic violence were a major factor in these cases.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man who was jailed on a probation violation was beaten to death by at least a dozen inmates. Michelle Southern reports.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Tuesday’s tornado that slammed New Orleans east was unfortunately one for the record books. The National Weather Service says the twister that officials say destroyed 300 buildings and seriously damaged another 640 was an EF 3, the first of its kind in Orleans Parish. That means winds were around 140 miles an hour.