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.

Just one day after a tornado ravaged the town of Donaldsonville, Mayor Leroy Sullivan says residents have a lot to be thankful for. He says 15 to 20 homes inside the city limits sustained at least moderate damage, while several more were impacted outside the city, but fortunately no one was seriously injured…:
Cut 6 (09) “to me”
Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says teams are gathering data, so Louisiana can make a case for federal assistance to help those that lost everything and rebuild public infrastructure…:
cut 4 (09) “those teams”
Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the tornado hurt 33 people in his city and 300 properties are severely damaged.

An explosion near DeRidder has killed three and injured seven others, according to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Joe Toler says authorities received a call just after 11 a.m. of an explosion at Packaging Corporation of America on U.S. 190. He says the scene has been contained and the fire is out…:
cut 11 (10) “they do”
No word on what caused the explosion.

A state judge in Baton Rouge has been banned from a popular local restaurant chain after he allegedly used a racial slur towards an african-american woman. Sheriff deputies responded to the incident on Friday night at Sammy’s on Highland Road. The woman shared her experience on Facebook that said Judge Erwin called her the “N” word during an argument over a seat at the bar. No charges were filed against the judge and he denies the accusation, but the owners of Sammys say Judge Erwin is no longer allowed at any of their restaurants.

The cleanup continues today after the Governor’s Office estimates at least 7 tornadoes touched down in southeast Louisiana on Tuesday. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says the state is very lucky that no one was killed….
cut 3 (08) “…were hit”
The Louisiana National Guard says they’ve mobilized 150 personnel to help with recovery efforts. There will be guardsmen at 25 traffic control points in New Orleans East.

Officials say three people were killed and seven injured in an explosion that occurred this morning at a packaging plant near DeRidder. Joe Toler is the chief deputy of the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office…
cit 12 (05) “…air med”
Some of the injured were taken to a hospital in Rapides Parish. A cause for the exploision is not known.

State Police are looking for a father and son from Thibodaux who were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Lafayette man. Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the suspects are 45-year-old Jeffery Slack Senior and 20-year-old Jeffery Slack Junior…
cut 15 (08) “….these subjects”
Four people have already been arrested in the case where the victim was taken to a residence in Thibodaux where he was restrained and beaten overnight.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore believes it will still be a few months before we hear a decision from the Department of Justice on whether charges are warranted against two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Moore says once the decision comes down, they are expecting done peacefully and factually…
cut 10 (10) “…for months”

An explosion near DeRidder has killed at least three and injured several others at an industrial plant. Chief Deputy Joe Toler, with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says authorities received a call just after 11 a.m. of an explosion at Packaging Corporation of America on U.S. 190. He says the scene has been contained and the fire is out….
cut 11 (10) “…they do”
Toler says they are not sure what caused the explosion.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said today that he expects it will still be several months before we hear from the U-S Justice Department regarding their investigation into the Alton Sterling shooting. Moore reminds potential protesters of rules that have been put in place when a decision is announced….
cut 9 (11) “…that purpose”

The clean-up is ongoing from yesterday’s tornado outbreak across southeast Louisiana. Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish was hit hard by one of the twisters. Mayor Leroy Sullivan says they’ve spent today cleaning up debris….
cut 7 (11) “…some normlacy”
Dozens of homes were destroyed. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says shelters have been set up in New Orleans and Donaldsonville…
cut 5 (12) “…down there”
Entergy says it could take three to five days to restore the power in New Orleans east. The National Weather Service says the tornado that went through their was an EF 3, with winds between 136 and 165 miles per hour.

An explosion near DeRidder has killed at least three and injured several others, according to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Joe Toler says authorities received a call just after 11 a.m. of an explosion at Packaging Corporation of America on U.S. 190. He says the scene has been contained and the fire is out…:
cut 11 (10) “they do”
Toler says authorities are working to determine what caused the explosion.

State Police are seeking a father and son from Thibodaux in connection with a kidnapping of a Lafayette man. Trooper Jesse Lagrange says four men have already been arrested…:
cut 14 (11) “the night”
He says police are still actively seeking 45-year-old Jeffery Slack Sr. and 20-year-old Jeffery Slack Jr.

Just one day after a tornado ravaged the town of Donaldsonville, Mayor Leroy Sullivan says residents have a lot to be thankful for. He says 15 to 20 homes inside the city limits sustained at least moderate damage, while several more were impacted outside the city, but fortunately no one was seriously injured…:
Cut 6 (09) “to me”
Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says teams are gathering data, so Louisiana can make a case for federal assistance to help those that lost everything and rebuild public infrastructure…:
cut 4 (09) “those teams”
New Orleans East was the hardest hit area, but twisters also touched down in Jefferson, Livingston, Ascension, St. James, Tangipahoa, and St. Tammany Parishes.

State and local officials attempt to get an estimate on how much damage was created by a series of tornadoes on Tuesday. Jeff Palermo has more:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

KPLC in Lafayette is reporting that officials confirmed there was an explosion at the Packaging Corporation of America plant in Beauregard Parish, and two, maybe three people are dead. State Police and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office are responding. More on this as it develops.

The Saints and the Pelicans are stepping up to help those who were impacted by yesterday’s tornado outbreak. Non-perishable food and other tornado-related items can be dropped off at the teams’ training facilities in Metairie.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore addressed the thought on many people’s mind: when will the results of the federal investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Alton Sterling be made public? 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 issued 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.