US Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing an Obamacare Replacement bill that would allow states to keep the Affordable Care Act. Cassidy says the measure is called the Patient Freedom Act and he says for states who do not want the A-C-A, they’ll see a health care system that increases access and provides affordable health care…
cut 8 (11) “…if you like”
Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer says Cassidy’s proposal would create chaos.

A state audit released today accuses former Angola Warden Burl Cain of using state workers performing work at private home and providing free food and housing for his family on prison property. Legislative auditor Daryl Purpera…
cut 5 (11) “…prison guards’
Cain’s lawyer says the report’s findings of fact and legal conclussions are in error.

An ROTC teacher at Mandeville High is under arrest amid allegations he had sex multiple times with two different students on campus. Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker says the victims are ages 15 and 16:
CUT 12 (10) “sexual acts”
He says 48-year-old Hosea McGhee is charged with computer solicitation of a minor and felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The Ragin Cajuns French Roast Coffee was introduced to the public today. It’s was deleveloped as part of a relationship between Mello Joy Coffee and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Assistant director of Trademark Licensing at the school, Leslie Saloom….
cut 15 (09) “…to go”
You can find the Ragin Cajuns French Roast at select Rouses stores.

A state audit alleges that former-Angola Warden Burl Cain misused public funds while he was employed at the prison. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The state Supreme Court has suspended a Covington attorney’s license for one year after he told a client he would accept marijuana as payment for his legal services. The client reported to police that she had paid James Mecca with cannabis once before. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office then set up a sting, which led to Mecca pleading guilty to possession of marijuana and losing his license for a year.

A tornado left a path of destruction in Bossier Parish, including 29 damaged homes. Lt. Bill Davis with the Sheriff’s Office says the community came together to clear roadways, and they’re doing what they can to help those who lost everything.

Cut 11 (08) “their lives”

Davis says a tornado with 115 mph winds made a 6 mile trek through the northern part of the parish.

A Mandeville High School ROTC instructor is accused of sleeping with two different students on multiple occasions. Police Chief Gerald Sticker says 48-year-old Hosea McGhee is charged with computer solicitation of a minor and felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He says they believe the acts were carried out on school grounds for quite some time.

Cut 13 (06) “ongoing”

At this time, the chief doesn’t think there are additional victims.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy presented a health care plan this morning on Capitol Hill that would give states the ability to decide if they want to keep Obamacare. Cassidy says this would make the Patient Freedom Act easier to pass in the Senate…:
CUT 7 (10) “get us to 60″
He says Republicans believe that if you like your health insurance, than you should keep it.

An ROTC teacher at Mandeville High is under arrest amid allegations he had sex multiple times with two different students on campus. Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker says the victims are ages 15 and 16:
CUT 12 (10) “sexual acts”
He says 48-year-old Hosea McGhee is charged with computer solicitation of a minor and felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Officials are in major cleanup mode in parts of the state that saw tornadoes touchdown over the weekend. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says a tornado with 115 mph winds made a 6 mile trek near Plain Dealing. He says about 29 homes were damaged, including three that were a total loss and seven that sustained extensive damage:
Cut 10 (09) “after all that”
The National Weather Service believes at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana on Saturday.

Beauregard parish residents have started a petition to get better internet in the DeRidder area, as residents say satellite service is down more days than not. Beatrice Teague started the petition and says lines are in place, but they’re outdated…:
Cut 14 (11) “their turf”
Teague plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says state’s should have the right to keep the Affordable Care Act. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Crews are dealing with clean up in several parishes after at least five tornadoes touched down in Louisiana on Saturday. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says a twister hit near Colfax that left a wake of destruction, damaging 5 homes and injuring one person…:
Cut 9 (07) “were in it”
Other twisters were reported in LaSalle and Bossier Parishes.

An audit accuses former-Angola warden Burl Cain of improperly using state funds during his tenure at the helm of the state’s largest prison. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says Angola’s maintenance director, Tim Byrd, made trips to Cain’s home in Baton Rouge to refinish the gates…:
cut 4 (08) “public dollar”
Cain’s lawyer says the report is flawed. The findings are in the hands of the US Attorney.

A Mandeville High School ROTC instructor has been booked on additional charges for allegedly having sex on numerous occasions with 2 different teenagers, ages 15 and 16, on campus. They believe that Hosea McGhee had relations with the two female students, and that most of the incidents took place on school grounds.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy presented a health care plan this morning on Capitol Hill that would give states the ability to decide if they want to keep Obamacare. Cassidy says Republicans believe that if you like your health insurance, than you should keep it..:
Cut 6 (10) “by Washington D.C.”
He says giving states the power to decide on a healthcare system gives the Patient Freedom Act more of a chance to pass in the Senate.

A government audit finds former Angola Warden Burl Cain may have illegally used public funds for personal reasons. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says several state employees helped renovate Cain’s private home in Baton Rouge while on the clock, including Angola’s maintenance director Tim Byrd…:
Cut 3 (10) “21 days”
Cain’s lawyer says the report is flawed. The findings are in the hands of the US Attorney.

Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The National Weather Service says at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over the weekend leaving a path of destruction across several parishes. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office said officials believe between 10 and 18 homes were damaged, along with vehicles, outbuildings and downed trees. No major injuries have been reported in the state.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cleanup continues following at least five tornadoes that touched down over the weekend, leaving a wake of destruction in several parishes. The first and strongest tornado hit Natchitoches Parish near the town of Natchez and left one person injured and five homes damaged. Two twisters touched down in Grant Parish near Colfax and Georgetown, one in LaSalle Parish around Jena, and one in Bossier Parish.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development finds homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the last 7 years. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credit the hard work of his agency for the decrease.

Cut 7 (11) “of society”

The report shows there were less than 4-thousand homeless people in the state last year, down from more than 12-thousand in 2009.

Beauregard parish residents have started a petition to get better internet in the DeRidder area, as residents say satellite service is down more days than not. Beatrice Teague started the petition and says lines are in place, but they’re outdated.

Cut 14 (11) “their turf”

Teague plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says they hope these dollars will get into the hands of flood victims soon…:
Cut 5 (11) “as possible”.
She says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance.

It’s officially tax season, and Louisiana residents have until April 18th to file a federal return while state taxes must be filed by May 15th. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you were affected by the flooding in 2016, you can claim casualty losses…:
CUT 12 (11) “give you that”

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham last August’s devastating floods could become a problem, as many victims are stilling living in hotels or with family members…:
Cut 9 (09) “them before”
Cunningham says drug abuse and mental illness are some factors that play into homelessness.

The Mandeville Police Department says a Mandeville High ROTC instructor is under arrest accused of having inappropriate relationships with two female students. They identify the suspect as 48-year-old Hosea McGhee. He is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Over the last 7 years, the number of people who don’t have homes in Louisiana is down nearly 70 percent. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits the state for making homelessness more of a priority…:
Cut 8 (10) “it done”

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance…:
Cut 6 (12) “their homes”

Frustration over the lack of reliable high-speed internet in the DeRidder area has led to a petition that will ask the Public Service Commission to help out. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tax season begins today and Louisianians can begin filing federal and state income returns. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says refunds may be delayed this year because identity theft preventative measures tend to slow things down…:
CUT 11 (07) “get refunds”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th.

The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport confirms an EF2 tornado with winds between 111 and 135 mph ripped through northern Bossier Parish late Saturday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Authorities say 29 homes or recreational vehicles were people lived were damaged or loss, but fortunately there was no loss of life or major injuries.

Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits this decrease to hard work by his agency to help individuals living on the street…:
CUT 7 (11) “of society”
The count showed there was just below four-thousand homeless people in the state in 2016, down from 12,500 in 2009.

Residents in the greater DeRidder area are making a push to get high speed internet in the rural Beauregard Parish town. Beatrice Teague started a petition because she and her neighbors are unable to get broadband connections in their homes. She says they have to use satellite internet, which is expensive and unreliable…:
Cut 13 (10) “your kids”
You can sign the petition online at moveon.org.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says 938-million dollars will go towards rebuilding and repairing flooded homes…:
cut 4 (08) “flood plain”
This state plan must get approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Today marks the start of tax season, as Louisiana residents can begin filing federal and state income taxes. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you plan to use a tax preparer to file your taxes, make sure you have all your documentation together and organized…:
Cut 10 (08) “the process”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th.

Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Funeral services have been announced for the Westwego officer who was fatally shot Friday morning while attempting to help out a woman he thought was in a traffic accident. Michael Louviere, who leaves behind a wife and 4-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy, will be laid to rest on Friday in Harvey.