Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for 7 parishes that sustained damage as a result of Tuesday’s severe weather outbreak. St. John the Baptist, St. James and Assumption were some of the hardest hit parishes. Assumption Emergency Preparedness Director John Boudreaux says crews from the state are assessing damage from the storm.

CUT 9 (10) “to the state”  

Two people were killed when a tornado hit an RV park in Convent.

About 2 thousand college students were on the steps of the state capitol this afternoon expressing their frustrations over budget cuts. Higher education could be on the chopping block in light of a massive budget deficit. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the crowd and said to the students that they all have to work together to make their voices heard, because that’s the way things are going to get done:

cut 14 (11)  “cheering”

The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would cut 117 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget, which is 87 million dollars more than what Governor John Bel Edwards recommended. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith agrees with the governor that these cuts are way too deep.

cut 12 (11) “this bill”

Smith was particularly upset over a $44 million cut to K through 12 public education.

State Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Baton Rouge involving several East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies. Deputies were reportedly responding to a domestic disturbance. Sheriff Sid Gautraux said it’s possible the man involved was trying to commit suicide by cop when he tried ramming the deputies with his vehicle. Troop A spokesman Bryan Lee says troopers were asked to investigate, as is typical protocol with officer involved shootings…:

CUT 5 (06)  “that fired”

Lee says witnesses reported that the subject had been threatening to kill himself all day.

Today the House Appropriations Committee approved $117 million dollars in cuts, which is $87 million more than suggested by the governor. The measure now heads to the House floor. Democratic Representative Walt Leger of New Orleans does not like this bill…:
CUT 11 (08) “unhappy”
But Appropriations Chairman, Representative Cameron Henry of Jefferson Parish, says this proposal has bi-partisan support. The vote was 14-9.

The two suspects accused in the robbery, kidnapping and brutal murders of an elderly Baton Rouge couple pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in their first court appearance today. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso and his cousin, 48-year-old Frank Garcia allegedly entered the home of Denis and Suzy Duplantier last year and beat them to death to get information needed to open a safe.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF2 tornado is the one responsible for ripping through the RV park in Convent Tuesday where two people lost their lives. Assumption Parish was also hit hard by a tornado. John Boudreaux, director of the Assumption office of emergency preparedness says a water tower on LA-1 totally collapsed….:
CUT 8 (07) “in the line”
Entergy reports that, statewide, about 17,500 customers in the effected areas remain without power.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at a rally on the steps of the state capitol today in which over a thousand students attended to protest proposed cuts to higher education. Edwards told the group he’s always stood with the students and he stands with them now…:
CUT 1 (11) “education”
Higher education could be on the chopping block in light of a massive budget deficit.

Cleanup is underway in several south Louisiana parishes today after as many as seven suspected tornadoes touched down during a powerful storm system that roared through the state yesterday. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Halen Doughty”
The National Weather Service just designated the Convent tornado as EF-2.

The state department of insurance says assistance is available to residents affected by the storms. Commissioner Jim Donelon says the sooner residents file a claim, the sooner they can start getting their lives back to normal.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would cut 117 million dollars from this fiscal year’s budget, which is way more than what Governor John Bel Edwards has recommended. Chairman Cameron Henry of Jefferson Parish says there is bi-partisan support to go above and beyond what the governor has called for in budget cuts….:
cut 10 (07) “this time”
The vote to cut $87 million dollars more that was sought by the governor was greenlighted 14-9 and now heads to the House Floor.

Meanwhile Edwards is speaking to a large crowd of rallying college students on the steps of the state capitol right now. The group is speaking in opposition to any further cuts to higher education.

Cleanup is underway in several south Louisiana parishes today after as many as seven suspected tornadoes touched down during a powerful storm system that roared through the state yesterday. St. James spokesperson Brandon Keller says two people died when one of twisters leveled an RV park in Convent. He says the parish welcomes aid from the public…:
CUT 7 (06) “can help”
30 people were injured with several in critical condition. The Sugar Hill RV Park is now trying to find owners of pets that were found wondering the area.

State Police is investigating a deadly shooting in Baton Rouge involving several deputies with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Troop A spokesman Bryan Lee says detectives were responding to a report of a domestic disturbance indicating a man had attacked two women with mace..:
CUT 3 (08) “that subject”
That’s when the man allegedly tried to ram officers with his vehicle when he was shot and killed.

About a third of Louisiana adults aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep, according to the CDC. They found only 64% of residents here aren’t getting a good night’s rest. LSU Health Shreveport Sleep Medicine and Neurology professor Oleg Chernyshev (ah-Leg CHER-nuh-shev)…:
CUT 1 (07) “healthy adult”
He says if you find that you’re not getting that amount of zzzs then you should see a doctor to make sure it’s not the result of another problem.

Analysts say the very public feud between Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy over the current budget crisis is not helping the situation. Edwards accuses Kennedy of not telling the whole story with his assertion that the legislature doesn’t need to raise taxes. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not clear that Kennedy’s comments are helping lawmakers get their work done.
Cut 13 (06) “the process”

Cleanup is underway in several south Louisiana parishes today after as many as seven suspected tornadoes touched down during a powerful storm system that roared through the state yesterday. St. James spokesperson Brandon Keller says two people were killed when one of twisters leveled an RV park in Convent….
cut 6 (09) “…or destroyed”
Keller says 30 people were injured, seven of them are in critical condition.

Governor John Bel Edwards is surveying the tornado damage this morning. At 12:00, he’ll be at the state Capitol to participate in a rally that will involve college students from around the state, who are in Baton Rouge to urge lawmakers not to make significant cuts to public universitities. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says it seems like they are in this situation every year..
cut 16 (06) “….has changed”

The Public Service Commission is set to vote this morning on the proposed sale of the utility company Cleco to a foreign investment group. The transaction would cost four-point-nine billion dollars. Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says the sale will result in 143 million dollars in credits and savings over the next 15 years to its customers…
cut 5 (07) “….in place”
PSC member Clyde Holloway opposes the deal, because the utility company would be owned by a foreign investment group.

A new study from the CDC says about a third of Louisiana adults are not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep a night. LSU Health Shreveport Sleep Medicine and Neurology professor Oleg Chernyshev (ah-Leg CHER-nuh-shev) says many people who only get a few hours of sleep also suffer from high blood pressure and obesity, plus they,…
cut 8 (03) “….and fatigued”

It’s possible that several tornadoes touched down in south Louisiana yesterday and at least two people are confirmed dead in St. James Parish. Officials say a twister could have roared through the Sugar Hill RV Park destroying or damaging about 100 trailers. Acadian Ambulance took 30 injured individuals to the hospital and Sheriff Willy Martin says at least 7 of those are in critical condition. Cleanup efforts are also underway in Assumption and St. John Parish who were also hit hard by this storm.

Hundreds of students are expected to rally on the steps of the capitol at noon today to protest cuts to higher education. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says public colleges are facing a credit downgrade which would make it more difficult for schools to borrow money. He says it’s due in large part to the current budget crisis…:
Cut 15 (08) “these issues”
Under a best case scenario, higher ed is facing a 70-million dollar cut.

Today the Louisiana Public Service Commission votes on whether or not Cleco will be sold to the investment group Macquaire Infrastructure and Real Assets for almost 5 billion dollars. Cleco spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says approval of the sale would be the best outcome for their customers. Cooper says despite rumors, it won’t lead to higher rates for customers…:
cut 4 (10) “transaction”
Those who oppose say it’s not worth the long-term risk to Cleco ratepayers.

Analysts say the very public feud between Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy over the current budget crisis is not helping the situation. Edwards accuses Kennedy of not telling the whole story with his assertion that the legislature doesn’t need to raise taxes. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…:
CUT 12 (05) “budget problems”
Tax measures will be taken up on the House floor tomorrow.

The powerful storms that plowed across south Louisiana Tuesday claimed the lives of at least two people in St. James Parish. The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says the Sugar hill trailer park in Convent served as a temporary home for those living there…:
CUT 7 (11) “construction sites”
More than 30 people were injured and three remain unaccounted for. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a shocking scene.
CUT 2 (10) “torn apart”
Assumption and St. John were also hit hard and many schools and state offices are still closed today. Cleanup efforts are underway. The National Weather Service says at least 6 tornadoes could have touched down.

Over a third of Louisiana adults do not get the recommended 7 or more hours of sleep according to the CDC. Halen Doughty reports…
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The public feud between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy continues to ramp up. Edwards released a statement claiming Kennedy is misleading the public when talking about the state’s current budget crisis. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says surveys show most people agree with Kennedy..:
cut 11 (10) “as well”

Several tornadoes ripped through southeast Louisiana on Tuesday, and two people were killed at the hardest hit region in St. James Parish at a trailer park in Convent. More than 30 were injured. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says an estimated 160 mobile homes were completely demolished…:
CUT 1 (10) “bent up cars”
Governor John Bel Edwards said it was a minor miracle that more people weren’t killed a the Sugar Hill trailer park.

Today is higher education day at the state capitol. Hundreds of students are expected to rally on the steps at noon to protest proposed cuts to public colleges and universities. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo is glad that college students are voicing their concerns…:
Cut 14 (09) “of the cuts”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission votes on if Cleco will be sold to an investment group for close to 5 billion dollars today….:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Do you feel like you’re getting enough sleep? The CDC says a third of Louisiana adults don’t get the recommended 7 hours. Professor Oleg Chernyshev (ah-Leg CHER-nuh-shev) with LSU Health Shreveport Sleep Medicine says it’s very important to get enough sleep because many people sometimes have trouble functioning in the daytime and that could lead to significant consequences…:
Cut 10 (04) “car accident”

Wasn’t a good night for hoops in Louisiana. LSU put on a brutal performance against Arkansas as the Razorbacks sailed to an 85-65 victory. The Tigers are playing without second leading scorer Keith Hornsby. With 2:02 to play, Ben Simmons was sent to the bench after his fifth personal foul. With the loss, LSU may have ended any hope that they’ll be invited to the NCAA tournament. The Tigers host Florida at the PMAC Saturday night.

Because of severe weather, Southeastern Louisiana postponed last night’s scheduled men’s basketball game against UNO to 7pm tonight. Also today, Tulane hosts East Carolina with a 7pm tipoff.

In the NBA, the Wizards knew better than to let Pelicans star Anthony Davis have much action last night, and the tough defense worked. The Pels lost in Washington last night 109-89, and Davis was held to just 9 points but did grab 20 rebounds.

ESPN cites “a league source” in reporting the Saints will part ways with franchise-leading receiver Marques Colston in the coming days. Many say this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Colston is leading the franchise with 9,750 yards receiving and 72 touchdown passes, but last season you could tell the beating he took early in his career started to take a toll. The Saints would save $3.2 million dollars in cap space by releasing the 32-year-old.

LSU Baseball coach Paul Mainieri is already shuffling the lineup after three games. He’s moving third baseman Cole Freeman to shortstop and insert freshman O’Neal Lochridge at third base. The switch will begin today as LSU travels to Beaumont Texas for a 6pm game against Lamar.

McNeese State couldn’t handle ninth-ranked Houston last night as the Pokes fall to the Cougars 14-1 on the road. Today Tulane hosts Alabama A&M. Southern travels to face Auburn. UL-Lafayette heads to Ruston to take on Louisiana Tech. Southeastern hosts Alcorn State. UNO is at Southern Miss. Nicholls State is at Alabama. Northwestern State hosts Sacramento.

St. James Sheriff Willy Martin says two people were killed and 30 people were injured after a tornado ripped through an RV park in Convent. The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says the twister caused extensive damage…:
Cut 6 (10) “heavy damage”
Officials said more than 40 people were injured, and seven of them critically. Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency in seven parishes hit with severe weather.

A deadly officer involved shooting in Baton Rouge is being investigated by State Police and the DA’s office. Officials say the deceased man had earlier in the day attacked a woman and her child with mace, then threatened to jump off the Mississippi River Bridge. Apparently he attempted to ram cops with his vehicle when he was shot and killed. The sheriff said 6 deputies were involved.

It’s higher education day at the state capitol, and students are expected to rally on the steps of the capitol. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (24) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

At least seven tornadoes hit southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi Tuesday according to the National Weather Service. Teams are being sent out this morning to document the damage. St. James, St. John and Assumption appear to be the parishes hit hardest.