The National Weather Service confirms that the tornado that touched down in New Orleans East on Tuesday was an EF3 on the scale. This means wind speeds reached between 136-165 miles per hour, which causes roofs to be completely torn off, walls blown away, a majority of trees uprooted and vehicles lifted off the ground.

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”
A total of 39 injuries were reported in the 7 parishes that were hit by tornadoes, according to officials. Entergy reports nearly 8000 customers remain without power and it could be a couple of days before everyone is restored. Steele adds shelters have been set up in New Orleans and Donaldsonville for those whose homes were destroyed.

12 inmates at the Tangipahoa Parish jail are facing murder charges amid allegations they were involved in beating to death a man who was behind bars on a probation violation. The Sheriff’s Office says 40-year-old Tommy Smith was told by inmates that he wasn’t welcome there and he was attacked. The dozen inmates involved in what was described as a “shark feeding frenzy” are charged with second degree murder.

Governor John Bel Edwards heads to Washington D.C. again today to push for more federal flood aid. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared yet another state of emergency, as his office says at least 7 tornadoes touched down in 6 parishes on Tuesday. New Orleans East sustained the most damage. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they were extremely lucky there was no loss of life…:
cut 11 (09) “serious injuries”
The National Weather Service says it was an EF3 twister that struck New Orleans East.

There’s good news regarding the niece of Pop Star Britney Spears. Authorities say eight-year-old Maddie has regained consciousness after an ATV accident on Sunday in Tangipahoa Parish. A statement from the sheriff’s office says doctors took her off a ventilator and she is awake and talking.

There’s a report that L-D-W-F agent Tyler Wheeler, who was shot last month near Monroe, should be able to return to his home this weekend.

Governor Edwards travels to Washington D.C. today to push Congress for more federal flood aid. He says Louisiana received 1.6 billion dollars in grant money so far but another two billion is necessary to get victims back in their homes…:
Cut 8 (10) “Louisianans”

There’s a public hearing in Assumption Parish tonight on the proposed Bayou Bridge pipeline, which would stretch from Lake Charles to St. James Parish. Energy Transfer Partners is oen fo the companies involved in the pipeline. Anne Rolfes with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade says they’ve had 35 accidents in two years and there’s nothing safet about that…
cut 5 (09) “…East Coast”
Energy Transfer Partner says the environmental group is mischaracterizing the data.

The destructive outbreak of surprise tornadoes that touched down in Louisiana Tuesday caused nearly 40 reported injuries, but no fatalities. New Orleans East was hit particularly hard and Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they are working to help transition those who lost everything…:
Cut 13 (09) “each other up”
Entergy reports more than 8200 customers remain without power which likely won’t be restored for a couple more days.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says a tax preparer is accused of submitting returns which claimed losses for a business that does not exist. They say Warren Bryant of Lutcher allegedly improperly reduced his clients’ taxable income by reporting phony company losses which resulted in bigger refunds. The scheme cost taxpayers over $116,000. Bryant is charged with Principal to Filing or Maintaining False Public Records and Principal to Illegal Transmission of Monetary Funds.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued another state of emergency because of the tornadoes on Tuesday, and now he’s headed to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress for more flood relief from the disaster in 2016. He says one of his proposals is to allow flood victims to use grant money to pay off Small Business Administration loans…:
Cut 10 (11) “allow it”
Edwards says we’ve received 1.6 billion dollars in grant money so far but another two billion is necessary.

The National Weather Service says in the days leading up to Tuesday’s tornadoes, it didn’t even look like south Louisiana was going to get much rain, much less severe weather. Slidell forecaster Mike Efferson says this is why it’s vital that people have several ways to be alerted.
Cut 16 (08) “hear one”
He says seven areas across southeast Louisiana sustained possible tornado damage and they will know more as numbers come in today.

Governor John Bel Edwards has once again declared a state of emergency after several tornadoes touched down in southeast Louisiana on Tuesday. New Orleans East sustained the most damage, and Mayor Mitch Landrieu says this took everyone completely by surprise…:
cut 12 (09) “really devastating”
Officials estimate at least 20 people in southeast Louisiana sustained injuries, but no deaths were reported.

The governor is headed to Washington D.C. to push for more flood aid:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A public meeting will be held tonight in Assumption Parish on the proposed controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline. One of the partner companies on the project is Energy Transfer and Senior vice president of engineering Joey Mahmoud says those in opposition are mis-characterizing data.:
CUT 7 (11) “really represents”
the Louisiana Bucket Brigade says the Atchafalaya Basin is already suffering from too many pipelines.

The tornadoes that touched down in Louisiana made national headlines. The National Weather Service is still working to determine exactly how many twisters hit, and how much damage they caused. Slidell forecaster Mike Efferson says one of the twisters went from Killian in Livingston Parish to Madisonville in St. Tammany Parish…:
Cut 15 (09) “down there”
He says tornadoes also touched down in Ascension, St. James parishes, and Livingston Parish.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared yet another state of emergency in Louisiana, as his office says at least 7 tornadoes touched down in 6 parishes on Tuesday. New Orleans East sustained the most damage, after a massive twister moved through the Crescent City around 11 a.m. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they were extremely lucky there was no loss of life…:
cut 11 (09) “serious injuries”
National Weather Service forecaster Mike Efferson says their preliminary estimates are that 60 homes were damaged by the twister in The Big Easy. He says they believe it was at least an EF2…:
cut 14 (07) “New Orleans”
He says other twisters touched down in Ascension and St. James parishes, as well as two in Livingston Parish.

A meeting to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline will be held tonight in Assumption Parish. Halen Doughty has more..:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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 as he tried to find a bunk in a dorm area. The victim is identified as 40-year-old Tommy Joe Smith of Independence. Officials say one of the inmates described the attack as a “shark-feeding frenzy.” Twelve fellow inmates were arrested.

The Bayou State has once again been declared a state of emergency after tornadoes ripped through southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Nearly 8,000 Entery customers remain without power this morning.

Governor Edwards meanwhile is in Washington D.C. today to push Congress for more federal flood aid. He says Louisiana received 1.6 billion dollars in grant money so far but another two billion is necessary to get victims back in their homes…:
Cut 8 (10) “Louisianans”

A public meeting will be held tonight in Assumption Parish on the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline. The 163-mile oil pipeline would run from Lake Charles through the Atchafalaya Basin to St. James Parish. Anne Rolfes with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade opposes the project.:
cut 4 (08) “of mess”
Energy Transfer Partners is one of the companies involved in the pipeline. Senior vice president of engineering Joey Mahmoud says if there’s ever been a project that is by Louisiana and for Louisiana, it’s this one…:
Cut 6 (13) “be from Louisiana”
The meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in the Assumption Parish Public Library in Napoleonville.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared yet another state of emergency in the Bayou State, as his office says at least 7 tornadoes touched down in 6 parishes on Tuesday. New Orleans East sustained the most damage, after a massive twister moved through the Crescent City around 11 a.m. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they were extremely lucky there was no loss of life.
cut 11 (09) “serious injuries”
The Governor’s Office estimates at least 20 people in southeast Louisiana sustained injuries, but no deaths were reported as a result of the twisters. Officials say three of the injuries took place in Ascension Parish and another two in Livingston.

About 10-thousand people remain without power in the New Orleans area and Entergy says it could be three to five days before power is restored. The Louisiana National Guard has been called into the area to help prevent looting.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Betsy DeVos as the U.S Education Secretary. The Louisiana Federtion of Teachers says DeVos lacks experience as an educator. L-F-T spokesperson Les Landon says they would prefer an Education Secretary who is a strong supporter of public schools…
cut 14 (11) “…religious beliefs”
But the president of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says DeVos will look to provide educational opporutnities for all children, regardless of income. She says the groups who are against the appointment are entrenched in special interests….
cut 12 (12) “…special interests”
Both of Louisiana’s U-S Senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, voted to confirm DeVos.

Clean-up begins in southeast Louisiana after a tornado outbreak….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Before touring the damage in New Orleans, Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency…
cut 30 (14) “…behind us”
Edwards says thankfully there were no fatalities.

One of the state’s largest teacher unions opposes the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U-S Secretary of Education. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says DeVos’ longtime support of vouchers is a concern to them….
cut 13 (11) “…public schools”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he voted for DeVos, because of her belief that underserved children should have access to a quality education.

Lawmakers are weighing in with their thoughts on the governor’s proposal to close a mid-year budget gap. The governor wants to use $119 million dollars from the Rainy Day Fund, and Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s not opposed to that if it prevents cuts that will really hit home with residents…:
Cut 5 (08) “can do that”
The special session to address the $304 million dollar shortfall takes place next week.

Governor John Bel Edwards says at least seven tornadoes in six parishes caused severe damage across southeast Louisiana today. There have been reports of some injuries and damage to dozens of homes and businesses. Edwards has declared a state of emergency. But he says the good thing is that there were zero fatalities.

One of the hardest hit areas is New Orleans East, which was slammed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Craig Smith was working at New Orleans East Hospital when the twister came through. He says it remains a chaotic scene…
cut 16 (10) “….non stop”
Thousands of people are also without power in the area. Other tornadoes were also reported in Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. James and Ascension Parishes.

Officials say at least two tornadoes touched down in Killian today, which is in Livingston Parish. Two people were injured in that community.

Louisiana U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy were among the 51 who voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says as a proponent of school choice and vouchers for low-income students, DeVos will bring a welcomed change to the education system.
cut 11 (11) “…on education”
But Democratic New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says DeVos is an unqualified billionaire who has attacked public education.

State legislators are taking a look at Governor Edwards proposal to close a 304-million dollar midyear deficit. Franklin Senator Bret Allain (Ah-lan) says he wants to know more about a proposed six-million dollar cut to the budget of the Attorney General’s office…
cut 6 (10) “…his job”
Legislators will find out more about the cuts when they begin a special session next week.

There’s extensive tornado damage in New Orleans east after a large twister ripped through the area around 11 o’ clock this morning. Craig Smith was working at New Orleans East Hospital when he saw the menacing tornado…
cut 15 (11) “…down in”
Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency as his office says as at least six tornadoes caused severe damage, including multiple injuries and dozens of homes and business were damaged.

Officials in Livingston Parish say two twisters touched down in Killian today, damaging homes and injuring two people. Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, says they know of 5 residences impacted…:
CUT 7 (07) “and moved”
He says two people in a home that was hit sustained minor injuries.

The U-S Senate has voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. Both of Louisiana’s U.S. Senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, voted to confirm her appointment. But Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says they would prefer an Education Secretary who is a strong supporter of public schools…
cut 14 (11) “…religious schools”
Cassidy says he voted for DeVos, because of her belief that underserved children should have access to a quality education.

State lawmakers are taking a look at Governor Edwards’ proposal to eliminate a 304-million dollar budget deficit. It relies on legislators approving the use of 119-million rainy day dollars to fill the shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the state needs to address the real problem with state government…
cut 4 (08) “….and year out”
Harris has been an outspoken critic of using rainy day money to alleviate the deficit.