The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a helicopter crash about 30 miles offshore of Terrebonne Bay. The crash happened shortly before 10 this morning and Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom says an aircrew from New Orleans has been dispatched.

Cut 12 (08) “…in a life raft.”  

Wisdom says the private aircraft with three persons onboard was en route to an oil platform when the crash occurred.

Outgoing District Three Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere presided over his final P-S-C meeting today as he was defeated by political newcomer Davante Lewis, a 30-year-old Baton Rouge man who works for the Louisiana Budget Project. An emotional Boissiere told the commission he’s proud of his work…

Cut 9 (09) “… about me”  (2x)

Boissiere has served on the P-S-C for 17 years.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is asking for donations to their Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by Wednesday’s tornadoes. United Way President Michael Williamson says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes.

Cut 4 (09)  “…left standing” 

They are hoping to hand out cash cards to those in need.

Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling across South Louisiana touring storm damage from Wednesday’s severe weather. Edwards and GOHSEP officials are doing flyovers of Iberia, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. After the flyovers, Edwards will hold press briefings in New Iberia, Hahnville, and Gretna. On Tuesday a mother and son were killed in Caddo Parish and on Wednesday one fatality was reported in St. Charles Parish. At least seven parishes received tornado damage over the two-day period.

Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling across South Louisiana touring storm damage from Wednesday’s severe weather. Edwards and officials will be conducting flyovers of Iberia, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes and hold briefings afterward in New Iberia, Hahnville, and Gretna.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is encouraging donations to its Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes. Michael Williamson is President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Cut 3 (07) “..holiday possible” 

Heavy storm damage was reported in Marrero, and parts of St Bernard Parish, including Arabi. He says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes. There was one fatality Wednesday in St. Charles Parish and on Tuesday two people were killed in a tornado in Caddo Parish.

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon and claimed one life. Parish president Matthew Jewell says about 600 people were without power because of an active gas leak. Jewell says the parish hasn’t caught a break from hazardous weather.

Cut 14 (12)  “…likely tornado..”

A recent survey of small businesses says they are more optimistic about business now compared to the beginning of the year, but forty-four percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill with a historically high and untypical recession period. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says owners are doing what they can to bring in more workers.

Cut 12 (11) “…still a challenge.”

Clear and cool skies today after the state experienced at least dozen tornadoes starting on Tuesday afternoon and ending last night in the New Orleans area. So far the state is reporting three storm-related deaths, a mother and son in Caddo Parish and a woman in St Charles Parish. Thousands remain without power and Governor Edwards is encouraging those without power to practice generator safety….
cut 9 (07) “….disaster itself
That means never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors.

Small business owners are more optimistic compared to the beginning of the year, but 32% of owners report inflation is their single most important problem. Other owners are experiencing supply chain disruptions along with worker shortages. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says these factors are making it difficult on small business owners.
Cut 10 (09) “…have that.”

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1(30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is endorsing Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race. Higgins also supports the state party’s early endorsement of Landry…
Cut 21 (11) “…and strategic.”

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency after 21 tornados touched down across the state in a 24-hour period. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A tornado also destroyed an apartment complex and a small trailer park in Farmerville. Farmerville Mayor John Crow says the Willie Davis Recreation Center has been accepting donations for residents affected by the tornado…
cut 26 (10) “…help us”

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications from eligible families who are seeking a taxpayer voucher to attend a nonpublic school or a high-performing public school. The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the program allows parents more freedom in choosing their child’s educational journey.
Cut 5 (11) “…they qualify.”
Applications are due by January 27th at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

According to the N-F-I-B’s latest survey, 32-percent of owners report infation is their single most important problem. NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says owners have tried to keep prices low, but it’s impossible when the price of everything has surged…
cut 11 (12) “….a challenge”

The governor’s office says a total of 21 tornadoes hit Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people. On Tuesday a 30-year-old mother and her 8-year-old son were killed in Caddo Parish after a twister touched down in the Keithville area and in St. Charles Parish a 56-year-old woman was killed after a tornado struck her home in the Killona area Wednesday afternoon. Governor Edwards spoke after viewing some of the damage in north Louisiana….
Cut 8 (09) “…can bare.”
Now that the severe weather is out of the state, the clean-up and recovery can really begin. St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell is encouraging residents to stay off the roads in tornado damaged areas…
cut 15 (08) “…later time”

Small business owners have more optimism now compared to the beginning of the year but concerns remain with inflation and worker shortages…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says it’s now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The program provides taxpayer funded vouchers allowing low-income families to send their children attending a low performing school to a private school or a high-performing public school…
cut 6 (09) “…their child”

Governor John Bel Edwards says 21 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana over a 24-hour period, killing three people, two in Caddo Parish and one in St. Charles Parish. Edwards has declared a state of emergency…
cut 7 (11) “….this disaster”
A 30-year-old mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in the Keithville area in Caddo Parish.

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon. One person is dead, a 56-year-old female. Parish president Matthew Jewell says authorities responded quickly.
Cut 13 (13) “…every-bodies out.”
Entergy reports 95-hundred customers are without power, many of those in the New Orleans area. Cleco is reporting over three-thousand outages.

Applications for the Louisiana Department of Education scholarship program are being accepted for the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says students of low income families can receive scholarships to attend a participating nonpublic school or high-performing public school.
Cut 4 (12) “…non-public school.”
The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Families have until January 27th to submit an online application at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

The Louisiana Department of Education is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

__________________________________________

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency after multiple tornados touched down across the state. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Small business owners have more optimism now compared to the beginning of the year but still face inflation disparities along with worker shortages. Whitney Thomas reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

________________________________________________

Applications for the Louisiana Department of Education scholarship program are being accepted for the 2023-2024 school year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says students can receive scholarships to attend a participating private school.

Cut 4 (12)  “…non-public school.”

The household income for eligible students must not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Brumley says the program allows parents more freedom in choosing their child’s educational journey.

 Cut 5 (11) “…they qualify.”

Brumley says 136 schools and approximately 6,000 students participate in the scholarship program.

Cut 6 (09)  “…their child.” 

The online application can be found at LouisianaBelieves.com and the deadline to apply is January 27^th.

________________________________________________

After a front moved across the state Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday night and sparked multiple tornados, Governor John Bel Edwards declares a state of emergency.

Cut 7 (11) “…this disaster.”

On Tuesday a 30-year-old mother and her 8-year-old son were killed in Caddo Parish after a twister touched down in the Keithville area and in St. Charles Parish a 56-year-old woman was killed after a tornado struck her home in the Killona area Wednesday afternoon.

Cut 8 (09)  “…can bare.”

With a cold front moving in behind the storms and numerous power outages, Edwards reminds residents to practice generator safety to avoid a tragic outcome.

Cut 9 (07)  “… disaster itself.”

Edwards says they are already providing aid to those who lost their homes or received significant damage as a result of the storms. The governor asked residents to report their storm damage online at Damage.LA.gov.

__________________________________________

Small business owners are more optimistic compared to the beginning of the year, but still face problems with inflation,  with 32% of owners reporting inflation to be their single most important problem. Other owners saw Supply chain disruptions along with worker shortages.

NFIB Louisiana spokesman Todd Pack says these factors are making it difficult on small business owners.

Cut 10 (09) “…have that.” 

The percentage of owners raising their average selling prices increased as a result of the ongoing supply chain issues. Pack says owners have tried to keep prices low, but it’s impossible when the price of everything has surged.

Cut 11 (12)  “…a challenge.”

Forty-four percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill with a historically high and untypical recession period. Pack says owners are doing what they can to bring in more workers.

Cut 12 (11) “…still a challenge.”

______________________________________________

A tornado in the St. Charles Parish town of Killona caused significant damage to homes and a school on Wednesday afternoon. One person is dead, a 56-year-old female, and at least seven other people are injured.  Parish president Matthew Jewell says authorities responded quickly.

Cut 13 (13) “…every-bodies out.”

About 600 people are without power with an active gas leak. Jewell says the parish hasn’t caught a break from hazardous weather.

Cut 14 (12)  “…likely tornado..”

Jewell says residents need to stay off the road, and away from the affected areas.

Cut 15 (08)  “…later time.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana Tech Coach Sonny Cumbie met with reporters on Wednesday to talk about the death of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach. Cumbie played for Leach at Texas Tech and also served on his staff. Cumbie says he’s still in shock over Leach’s sudden death…

Cut  16 (20)  “..through my heart.” 

Cumbie had a chance to coach against Leach in last year’s Liberty Bowl when Cumbie served as an interim coach for the Red Raiders. He says meeting up with Leach after the game was a special moment…

Cut 17 (17) “…thought of him.” 

Cumbie says he will always admire the belief that Leach had in his players…

Cut 18 (26) “…also.” 

______________________________________________

Cut 19 (18) “….way they do”

Cut 20 (20) “…with us”

In the last 24 hours at least seven tornadoes have been reported in Louisiana. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says one person was killed in a St. Charles Parish twister this afternoon and two fatalities were reported Tuesday in Caddo Parish.  Authorities say 30-year-old Yoshiko Smith and her eight-year-old son Nikolus Little were killed in Keithville when a tornado struck their home Tuesday afternoon.

A tornado destroyed a neighborhood in Farmerville last night. Jeff Palermo spoke with mayor John Crow….

Cut 1(27)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Iberia officials are also reporting tornado damage. Captain Leland Lasiter with the New Iberia Police Department says two tornadoes hit their town this morning…

Cut 13 (12) “…as well”  

A temporary shelter has been set up at the gym of New Iberia High School.

In ten months, Louisiana voters will go to the polls to elect the state’s next governor. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s supporting the first Republican, Attorney General Jeff Landry, who officially announced his candidacy. In the video ad, Higgins is shown driving his vehicle and talking to the camera about Landry.

Cut 10 (11) “… people.” 

Just days after Senator John Kennedy was re-elected to a second term, he indicated he was highly considering running for governor in 2023.