The House Ways and Means Committee approves three different bills that would cap the state’s film tax credit program anywhere from 150 to 223 million dollars a year. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the state faces big cuts to higher ed and health care, it’s time to put restraints on a program that costs the state 256-million dollars this year…
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Harris’ original proposal would have phased out Louisiana’s film tax incentive program. But Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, says Harris’ bill will put thousands of people out of work and not help the budget…
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Harris bill was turned into a 200-million dollar cap that will be debated more by the full house.

A senate committee approves legislation that would give domestic abuse victims the ability to break a lease or get their abuser out of a home without penalty from their landlord. Scott Carwile has the story….
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In other legislative news….the House Commerce Committee pulled the plug on a bill that would have given the Public Service Commission the authority to regular cable and video service providers. Supporters say it could lead to better customer service, but members on the panel say cable and video services are already regulated.

During the intense south Louisiana storms yesterday, there were reports of tornadoes in the Kenner, Belle Chasse and Labadieville areas, with wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Thousands were left without power, but Entergy Spokesman Will Johnson says – with the better weather conditions-crews are making progress…
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He says about 90 percent of customers should have the lights on by tonight.

Not everyone is happy about the three bills to cap the tax credits for the Louisiana film industry that was approved by House Ways and Means Committee. Supporters of the tax credit, like Will French with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, say they won’t take the cap lying down…
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The Springfield Police Chief accused of conspiring to to hide a woman’s DWI citation has agreed to a plea of guilty today to a single count of criminal mischief. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says Chief James Jones is required to resign immediately, and receive a six-month suspended sentence with one year of probation.

In the latest campaign finance numbers for Louisiana’s governor’s race, US Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, more than the other three candidates combined.
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Entergy is reporting about 90% of customers should have power restored by tonight, following the strong storms that blasted South Louisiana Monday and damaged the power grid. Entergy spokesman Will Johnson says they have made progress since the storm…:
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He adds nearly all customers should have electricity restored by Wednesday.

The woman allegedly shot in the head by her ex-boyfriend in St. Tammany Parish is going to survive. She was able to driver herself to the hospital after being shot, and Sheriff Jack Strain says-after reports of the man’s truck being seen in the area, officers were able to find and arrest 56 year-old Ronald Brown of Pearl River…
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Three bills to place a cap on the Louisiana film industry, has passed through the House Ways and Means Committee. Many lawmakers have expressed-with big cuts facing education and health care-it was time for the cap, which could run anywhere from 150 to 223 million dollars a year. But, Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, says the cap is not the answer.
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He says the Louisiana film industry employs thousands.

A Prairieville man remains missing following the sinking of a 12 foot flat-bottomed boat in Bayou Manchac about 3 miles upstream from the Amite River. LDWF enforcement and Ascension Parish Deputies searched overnight, and continue the search for 24 year-old Allen Fitzgerald of Prairieville.

About 2,000 workers have been assembled by Entergy to help restore power as quickly as possible, following the severe storms across South Louisiana yesterday. Enteregy Spokesman Will Johnson says it could take a little longer for customers where damage is more severe…
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Johnson adds most Louisiana customers should have power back by Tuesday night.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves three different bills that would cap the state’s film tax credit program. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, says when the credits began in 2002, it was based on the understanding that the industry would be self-sufficient…
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Some supporters of the credit say that a cap on the program will chase away future TV and film production.
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According to the latest campaign finance numbers, gubenatorial candidate Republican Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, and that’s more than the other three candidates combined. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says money talks in political races…
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In St. Tammany Parish, authorities say the woman who was shot in the head allegedly by her ex-boyfriend–then drove herself to the hospital–is going to survive. Sheriff Jack Strain says she’s in the lucky-to-be-alive department…
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56-year-old Ronald Brown of Pearl River is being held without bond in the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves three different bills that would cap the state’s film tax credit program anywhere from 150 to 223 million dollars a year. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who authors one of the bills, says with state facing big budget cuts to higher ed and health care, it’s time to put restraints on a program that costs the state 256 million dollars this year…:
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The measures now head to the House floor.

In the latest campaign finance numbers for Louisiana’s governor’s race, US Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, more than the other three candidates combined. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the other candidates have a long way to go.
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Entergy crews are working to restore power to customers after yesterday’s violent storms that ripped through south Louisiana. Eric Gill has more…:
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Entergy says about 90 percent of Louisiana customers should have power restored by tonight. The National Weather Service reported its survey crew did confirm that one tornado hit near Pierre Part and another near Napoleonville in Assumption Parish.

The American Red Cross says Monday’s bad storms should remind us to be prepared for anything and they have a brand new app that does just that. They say the free Red Cross Emergency App provides instant access to weather and emergency alerts and life saving information.

Still without power? Entergy spokesman Will Johnson says after yesterday’s terrible storms in south Louisiana, they are optimistic with the current weather conditions that crews can get even more customers back…:
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He says at least 176,000 customers lost power yesterday but they are now at just under 70,000 still in the dark.

Authorities in St. Tammany Parish say the woman who was shot in the head allegedly by her ex-boyfriend then drove herself to the hospital is going to survive. Sheriff Jack Strain says they believe 56-year-old Ronald Brown of Pearl River broke into victim’s home and waited for her to arrive…:
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The woman is going to survive. Brown faces many charges including attempted first degree murder.

In Louisiana’s governor’s race, US Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million cash on hand, more than the other three candidates combined. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Gas prices keep creeping up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.31 which is up nearly 10 cents from this time last month.

Entergy crews are working to restore power to customers after yesterday’s violent storms rocked south Louisiana. Spokesman Will Johnson says the severe weather caused major damage to the company’s power grid. He says crews have been making progress since the weather calmed down…:
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He says additional crews are coming in to help with restoration efforts.

A lengthy debate is underway at the Capitol regarding a bill that would eventually do away with the state’s film tax credits. The author of the legislation is Alexandria Representative Lance Harris who says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…:
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Opponents say the bill would destory Louisiana’s movie industry.

In the latest campaign finance numbers in Louisiana’s governor’s race, US Senator David Vitter has $4.2 million dollars cash on hand, more than the other three candidates combined. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this has to be disappointing to Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Representative John Bel Edwards…:
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Dardenne announced $1.8 million, while Angelle has $1.2 million and Edwards $894,000.

State Wildlife officials say they are looking for a missing boater in Bayou Manchac who disappeared Monday when his boat sank. They say 24-year-old Allen Fitzgerald of Prairieville was with a friend who was able to swim away when the vessel started taking in water but there was no sign of Fitzgerald. Authorities in Ascension Parish resumed the search at daylight.

The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Attorney Kyle Duncan has been hired by the state AG’s office to make Louisiana’s case in the social debate. He says this huge political issue should not be handled in the courts as it would be a huge change to Louisiana’s family law…:
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But Equality Louisiana calls this a no-brainer case of people who aren’t being treated fairly under the law.

Entergy says they are still feverishly working to quickly restore power following the violent storm that hit south Louisiana Monday. They say there is severe damage to their grid and there are still about 81,000 people without power down from the high of 176,000 customers in the dark yesterday. They are urging people to download Entergy’s mobile app to access outage maps and other importation information.

After all of the recent bad storms we’ve been dealing with in Louisiana, The American Red Cross wants you to know about a new app which helps you to prepare for severe weather. Scott Carwile reports…:
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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman who was shot in the head by her boyfriend was able to drive herself to the hospital Monday evening. The man is identified as 56-year-old Ronald Anthony Brown and he’s charged with attempted murder. Hospital staff say the woman’s injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

A bill that would eventually phase out the state’s film tax credit program will be heard today in the House Ways and Means Committee. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Cleanup continues across south Louisiana after yesterday’s round of severe weather. The storms left downed trees and power lines all across the region and thousands are without power. Entergy estimates that over 80,000 customers statewide remain without power this morning. They say crews are working to restore power and additional crews are arriving to assist. The company says outages could last up to 72 hours for customers in the hardest hit areas.

The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says this is not just a matter of recognition and social standing but it’s a concrete case of people who are not being treated fairly under the law. He says he is ecstatic that this case is finally being heard…

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Attorney Kyle Duncan, who has been hired to represent the state AG’s office in this case, says this is a huge political issue that should not be handled in the courts.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they still have no suspects in the case of the pregnant woman who was found shot dead in her apartment. Corporal Don Copolla says they believe 29 year old Brittney Mills opened her door to someone she likely knew…

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Copolla says Mills, who was about 8 months pregnant, died at the scene. Doctors were able to deliver the baby who is expected to survive.

The US Supreme court hears arguments today over whether same sex couples have the right to get married. Michelle Southern reports…

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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Alexandria man accused of smothering a baby. They say the mother alleges she saw her boyfriend, Kentel Myles, holding a pillow over the toddler’s face when she returned to the room with a bottle for the baby. The woman grabbed the child, ran away, and called 9-1-1. Myles was arrested and charged with one count of attempted first degree murder. The baby was uninjured in the incident.

Louisiana’s film tax credit program will be discussed by lawmakers today as legislation that would essentially phase out the motion picture benefits is set to be taken up in the House Ways and Means committee. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris who says this program is costing taxpayers way too much money…

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Opponents to the measure say this will do nothing to fix the 2015-16 budget since tax credits are already in the pipeline.

The American Red Cross wants you to know about a new app which helps you to prepare for severe weather. Spokeswoman Nancy Malone says the Red Cross Emergency App covers 14 types of disasters including tornado, flood and severe thunderstorms and also lets you customize more than 35 emergency alerts for yourself and where loved ones live…

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The app is free and available for Android and iPhone devices.