A tornado watch has been issued for parts of southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. The watch, that runs from Leesville east to Marksville down to Lake Charles and through Morgan city, will remain in effect through 9 am.

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Here’s Teiko Foxx.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional, calling it an overreach of state authority. Senator Royce Duplessis…

Cut 13 (13)  “…solve anything.”

Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement.

Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.

Cut 7 (09) “…methodical way.”

A Shreveport native who was poisoned with an abortion pill by her husband in Texas gives emotional testimony before lawmakers in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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 Louisiana Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s role in U.S. border enforcement. The Senate passed a bill creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry” into Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years and if the unborn child is more than three months of gestational age it would increase to no less than 10 no more than 20 years in prison.

Cut 5 (11) “…this weapon.” 

Herring was poisoned multiple times and police finally charged her husband after video footage showed her husband lacing drinks he prepared for her.

Cut 6 (11) “…deception.”

The bill was reported favorably out of committee and advances to the Senate.

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Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.

 Cut 7 (09) “…methodical way.”

In a recent call with senate presidents from other states, Henry says he learned of both successes and pitfalls of education savings accounts (ESAs) and he wants to be sure Louisiana doesn’t overpromise what the state can realistically deliver.

Cut 8 (12) “…number of students.” 

Henry says the Senate wants to tap the breaks on ESAs and thoroughly research expanding the option for all families regardless of their finances.

Cut 9 (08)  “…moving forward.”

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s bill, the Gator Scholarship Program, passed in the House Monday and heads to Senate Education.

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The optimism of small business took a significant decline by nine tenths in March reaching its lowest since 2012, according to the National Federation Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says it boils down to three major challenges.

Cut 10 (08) “…hurting them.”

It’s the 27^th consecutive month that optimism has declined below the 50-year average. While the labor market has shown marginal improvement, 37 percent of independent businesses who are trying to hire, report few or no qualified applicants.

Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement. Senator Valerie Hodges says, Louisiana has a right to defend the nation…

Cut 15 (13)  “…deportation process.”

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LSU linebacker Harold Perkins says he feels comfortable in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. Baker is trying to bring the Tigers defense back to respectability and the plan is for Perkins to play as an inside linebacker. Perkins says he loves being coached by Baker…

Cut 16 (15)  “…cleats on and stuff”  

The plan heading into the 2023 season was for Perkins to play inside linebacker, but after one game, they moved him back to outside linebacker where he excelled his freshman season. Perkins likes the role of being in the middle of the field…

Cut 17 (10) “…to go”

For LSU’s defense to get back to respectability, Perkins knows he’ll have to be a main driver….

Cut 18 (10)  “…do it to a T”  

There was emotional testimony in the House over expanding the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes surprised Republican lawmakers with his support of the bill.

Cut 6  (12) “…hardly read.” 

Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain spoke against the bill saying it would jeopardize funding for public schools, which are already having problems recruiting and retaining teachers.

Cut 7 (10) “…public education.”  

The House passed the bill 71-32 vote and now heads to the higher chamber.

A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years.

The Senate unanimously approves Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to prohibit students having their cellphones in class.

cut 4 (13) “…or not’
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

Legislation to expand the school voucher program passes in the House after explosive testimony from a surprise ally. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

In a bid to curb classroom distractions, legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says cellphones in the classroom are a big distraction for students.

Cut 3 (10) “…continual distraction.”  

Much of Northwest Louisiana is experiencing severe weather, with eleven parishes under a tornado watch until 9:00 PM. Heavy rainfall has North and Central Louisiana are under a flood watch through Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Shreveport LA has issued a Flood Warning for Cypress Bayou At Wallace Lake affecting Caddo and De Soto Parishes.

Environmental Protection Agency is implementing a final rule aimed at reducing cancer causing air pollution released by 51 plants and refineries in Louisiana. The EPA action targets Denka Performance Elastomers facility in LaPlace which is the largest source of toxic emissions in the U-S. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says this rule addresses public health risks in local communities and protects future generations.

Cut 12 (13) “…in families.” 

The Louisiana Chemical Association argues that EPA used flawed data in determining this new regulation.

Legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Bill Sponsor Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell was questioned on the Senate floor about students not having a phone in the event of an emergency, such as a school shooter…

Cut 5 (13)  “…of directions.”

The bill heads to the House for more discussion.

After emotional testimony the House pass a bill that would expand the school voucher program to allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes acknowledged that his support of the bill could cost him his seat but says those who know his heart, know he has a heart for children.

Cut 8 (09) “…(clapping).” 

According to their social media page, Slidell Police say a naked woman who chased a man out of the woods wielding a rusty ax earlier this week is still on the loose. The unidentified victim was checking on a homeless man he had been assisting when he encountered the angry woman who raised the ax above her head and charged at the man who was eventually able to outrun the woman and escape to his vehicle. According to the post, police know who the woman is and it’s not the first time she has been naked in public. She faces assault and obscenity charges.

EPA says the rule will reduce both EtO and chloroprene emissions by nearly 80 percent and reduce nearby cancer rates by 96 percent. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says many of these impacted plants are located near low-income communities with people who suffer with elevated health risks. The rule slashes more than six thousand tons of toxic air pollution by requiring facilities to conduct fence line monitoring and lowering emissions.

Cut 11 (07) “…be safe.”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter commends the Environmental Protection Agency for implementing a final rule aimed at reducing cancer causing air pollution released by 51 plants and refineries in Louisiana. The rule significantly reduces the amount of chloroprene, ethylene oxide and other substances. Carter says…

Cut 10 (10) “…air pollutants. “

Sabine parish authorities have identified the two men who died in a house fire at Toledo Bend early Sunday morning. 70-year-old David Keith Sebastien of Opelousas and 66-year-old David Mark Briley of Ville Platt were not able to escape the flames and lost their lives. Two other men were able to get out of the house on Brunson Drive in the Lanana Bay Area

A bill that would prohibit students’ use of cell phones in the classroom passed unanimously out of the Senate on Monday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

After emotional testimony, the House passed a bill to expand the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain worries local superintendents will be faced with closing schools and potentially forcing children to schools farther from home.

Cut 9 (10) “…they’re tired.” 

Legislation that would greatly expand the state’s school voucher program so that families of all incomes can use state dollars for private school tuition passes in the House after explosive testimony from a surprise ally. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

SWEPCO says over 45-hundred customers are without power as a result of severe storms that hit the Shreveport area this morning. More severe weather is on its way. The National Weather Service says there’s the possibility of tornadoes tomorrow for the Northshore, the Baton Rouge area and areas east of Alexandria and Opelousas.

The full Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would prohibit students having their cellphones in their possession during instructional time in the classroom. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her legislation requires students to store their cellphones in designated places…
cut 4 (13) “…or not’
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

The EPA has announced new rules today that are designed to curb toxic emissions at U-S Chemical plants. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is a big supporter of the new regulations…
cut 12 (13) “…in families”
The Louisiana Chemical Association says the EPA used flawed data to come up with these new rules.